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Shepherdsville Car Accident Lawyer

Located on I-65 only 20 minutes south of downtown Louisville, Shepherdsville is a growing city with a diverse economy. The city is home to several large employers, including the Kentucky Distribution Center, Amazon, and Ford Motor Company, and attractions like the Shepherdsville City Park and the Bullitt County Greenway Trail. Shepherdsville also hosts several events throughout the year, including the Bullitt County Fair, one of the largest fairs in the state.

With so much going on in Shepherdsville all year round, the streets and local highways are constantly busy. A careless text while driving can have disastrous consequences, as can skipping a taxi and driving home drunk.

Car accidents can result in devastating injuries like broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. While some heal, others leave you unable to work and needing lifelong medical care. If that happens to you or someone you love because another driver was negligent, you deserve compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

At The Schafer Law Office, our goal is to help injured clients get the financial recovery they need after a major car accident. We are a top-rated Louisville personal injury law firm that isn’t afraid to face the biggest insurers in the state and even the country. Our lawyers won’t settle for less than the full value of your claim, even if that means going to trial. We offer free, no-obligation case reviews and you only pay us if we win your case.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Shepherdsville KY

Kentucky Office of Highway Safety records indicate that in 2021, 806 people died in fatal traffic collisions on Kentucky’s public roads. There were also 29,372 injuries, which means 1 in 150 state residents were injured in a car accident. Nearly 90% of these incidents involved passenger vehicles.

Some of the most common car accidents include:

  • Rear-end collisions
  • Head-on collisions
  • Side-impact collisions
  • Rollover accidents
  • Single-vehicle accidents
  • Multi-vehicle accidents

A car accident doesn’t always involve another car. Buses, trucks, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and even pedestrians can all be involved in a crash that results in catastrophic injuries and even death. If you’re enjoying a leisurely ride on your Honda and a drunk driver runs you off the road, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Louisville can help you and your family pursue compensation.

What Are The Common Causes of Car Accidents?

According to data from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, some of the most common causes of car accidents in this state include:

  • Distracted Driving: This includes activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, or using a GPS device while driving. Distraction was cited as the cause of 5,708 accidents in 2021.
  • Impaired Driving: Impairment refers to driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication. In 2021 it was a factor in 5,148 crashes. 
  • Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions can lead to loss of control and cause accidents. Speeding motorists caused 5093 accidents in 2021.
  • Failure to Yield: When a driver fails to yield the right-of-way to another motorist, bicyclist, or pedestrian, it can lead to a crash. Failure to yield accounted for approximately 11% of all Kentucky traffic accidents in 2021. 
  • Aggressive Driving: This includes behaviors such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or running red lights.
  • Inexperienced Drivers: This includes drivers who are new to driving or have not yet developed the skills necessary to operate a vehicle safely.
  • Mechanical Failure: Problems such as tire blowouts, brake failure, and steering issues can cause a driver to lose control of their car and crash. Defective brakes were a factor in 1,355 collisions in 2021.
  • Weather Conditions: Inclement weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or ice, can make roads slick and increase the risk of accidents.

Regardless of the cause, car accidents can leave you with catastrophic injuries such as:

  • Abrasions, cuts, and lacerations
  • Burns
  • Soft tissue injury
  • Broken and fractured bones
  • Concussion
  • Whiplash
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage
  • Amputation 
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Wrongful death

Shepherdsville, KY car accident victims may also suffer mental and emotional trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. You are entitled to compensation for all of these injuries when your attorney calculates the value of your claim.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Shepherdsville, KY

When you’ve been struck by a car, you’re going to be shocked, confused, and maybe even in pain. Once you’ve taken a few minutes to calm down and take stock of your surroundings, follow the steps below.

  • Check yourself and anyone else involved in the accident for injuries. If anyone is in pain or bleeding, call 911 and request an ambulance. The dispatcher will also send the police.
  • If you can move, exit the vehicle and get off the road to a safe location. If not, remain in your car and wait for help to arrive.
  • Exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. This includes names, contact information, and insurance details. Avoid blaming anyone or suggesting that you may have been at fault.
  • Take pictures and video of the accident scene, including the damage to the vehicles, skid marks on the road, and anything that may have contributed to the accident, such as debris on the road.
  • When the police arrive, get the investigating officer’s badge number and ask for a copy of the accident report.
  • Seek medical attention. You should still see a doctor after a car accident, even if you don’t feel injured right away. Some hidden injuries take a while to show symptoms.

If a medical examination shows that you’ve sustained compensable injuries, contact a Shepherdsville car accident lawyer immediately. Do not speak to insurance adjusters until you’ve had the chance to secure legal representation. Your attorney can deal with the adjuster on your behalf and negotiate for financial compensation that will cover your current and ongoing medical and financial needs.

What Compensation Is Available in a Shepherdsville KY Accident Claim?

Compensation for a car accident depends on several factors, such as the accident’s severity, the extent of your injuries, and available insurance coverage. Crash compensation usually includes economic and noneconomic damages, such as:

  • Medical Expenses: This includes the cost of medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation.
  • Lost Wages: You may be able to receive compensation for lost wages if you missed work due to your injuries.
  • Loss of Future Income: If your injuries leave you unable to work, you can claim loss of earning ability / future income. This amount can be significant when a young person is injured.
  • Property Damage: This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other property that was damaged in the accident.
  • Pain and Suffering: This refers to compensation for physical and emotional suffering due to the accident.
  • Wrongful Death Damages: If a victim dies, eligible family members can claim damages for funeral and burial costs, medical treatment, and antemortem pain and suffering.

In Kentucky, punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the at-fault driver acted with gross negligence or malice. For example, if you were struck by a drunk driver with several DUI convictions on their record, your personal injury lawyer may seek punitive damages.

It’s important to note that the amount of punitive damages that may be awarded is capped in Kentucky. This cap is set at two times the amount of compensatory damages awarded or $500,000, whichever is greater. 

Those injured in car accidents should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible: Kentucky’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is only one year, which isn’t a lot of time compared to other states. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to compensation.

Get a Free Consultation From a Shepherdsville Car Accident Lawyer

A severe injury can have a life-long impact, often leaving the victim with extensive medical bills and other lingering difficulties. When you suffer a car accident injury due to another person’s negligence, you and your family shouldn’t have to face an uncertain future. Get the compensation you deserve and need with the help of our Shepherdsville car accident lawyers. To learn more, call The Schafer Law Office at (502) 584-9511 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.

Related: Louisville Car Accident FAQs

 

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