Richmond Car Accident Attorneys Who Care About Your Compensation
Although car safety, road construction and driver education have improved in recent years, automobile accidents remain common on Kentucky roads and across the U.S. Unfortunately, millions of car crashes occur each year, causing injuries, fatalities and damage to personal property.
Statistically speaking, it is still unlikely for someone to be involved in a car accident, but it’s a possibility that drivers need to be prepared for. Following an accident, you may have sustained injuries and damage to your vehicle. Additionally, you may have to miss extended periods of work or school as you recover from an injury. An accident can cause tremendous physical, emotional and financial damage for you and your family. Through extensive experience, members of our firm located in Richmond, Kentucky, understand the plight of accident victims and will fight unrelentingly for the compensation you deserve.
These are difficult circumstances, but you shouldn’t wallow in a state of hopelessness. There are legal methods for recourse that may allow you to obtain compensation if an inattentive or reckless driver was responsible for your accident. Allow our experienced car accident lawyers to fight for you during your time of need.
Additionally, an attorney with a keen understanding of your accident and the relevant laws can determine whether a road was poorly designed or improperly maintained. County, state and town authorities should be held to account if they failed in their duties to keep roads safe for drivers and pedestrians. Initial police reports can be misleading or unclear meaning you shouldn’t dismiss the possibility that there is a negligent party responsible for your accident.
What To Do After A Car Accident In Kentucky
Car crashes can happen in a split second. While the crash may leave your emotions running high, it’s vital to take the following steps:
- Make sure everyone at the accident scene is okay. If someone is hurt, call 911 for emergency medical assistance.
- Swap insurance information with the other drivers involved in the crash.
- Call the police. They can help provide an objective viewpoint of the accident and collect witness statements from bystanders or car passengers.
- Collect evidence, like photos of the damaged vehicles and any injuries you sustained if they are physically apparent during the accident.
- Call your insurer to report the accident.
If you’ve suffered a severe injury from the crash and your insurer won’t pay you the compensation you deserve, speak with one of our personal injury attorneys today. We can help you advocate for the payout you need to recover with peace of mind.
Is Kentucky A No-Fault State For Car Accidents?
Kentucky is unique in that it abides by “choice no-fault” laws. That means drivers can choose between car insurance policies that have no-fault coverage and those that don’t. If you have no-fault insurance, you can expect your policy to cover medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who is responsible for the crash. If you choose the other option, a traditional tort liability policy, the driver found to be at fault for an accident is responsible for compensating the other party for injuries and damages.
How Do Car Accident Settlements Work?
In Kentucky, car accident settlements typically work like this:
- You file a claim with your insurance company after the accident.
- Your insurer opens an investigation into the accident.
- Your insurer determines the total amount of damages you’ll receive.
- Your insurer sends you a check with the total damages the accident was worth.
In many cases, you may find that your insurer does not give you the adequate compensation you need, especially if you suffered a severe injury. In other cases, your insurer may deny your claim and offer you zero compensation. If either of those things happen, call our lawyers at 859-353-0878, and we can help you handle your situation.
How Is Pain And Suffering Determined For A Car Accident Injury Claim In Kentucky?
Insurers in the Bluegrass State use the multiplier method to calculate the total pain and suffering damages in car crashes. It involves multiplying the total costs of damages related to the accident, like medical treatment and lost wages, by a specific number, which can depend on how severe the damage is.
While insurers use the multiplier method in most scenarios, some may use other approaches depending on the circumstances. We can help you understand these different methods and how they apply to your situation.
Get Help Dealing With Car Insurance Companies
Under no circumstances should you accept an offer from a car insurance company without first consulting an experienced personal injury attorney. Since car insurance companies care about profits, they may not operate with your best interests at heart. This means that any offer they make, no matter how enticing, is likely much lower than what you are entitled to.
An experienced attorney from our firm who has dealt with insurance companies many times can effectively negotiate for you and help you make informed decisions. Consider a modest investment in an attorney, an investment in your financial future.
Time is of the essence after a car accident. Don’t hesitate to email the skilled attorneys at Shumate, Flaherty, Eubanks & Baechtold for help following an accident or call 859-353-0878. We are based in Richmond and offer after-hours and weekend consultations available in our office, your home and/or the hospital. Consultations are free.