Our Bowling Green car accident attorneys are here to make your experience as painless as possible. We can help you receive the proper medical treatment, secure the funds to pay for your expenses, and make sure the motorist who caused your injuries and their insurance company are held responsible.
Bowling Green Car Accident Attorneys
Car Accident Claims in Kentucky
In 2018, 158,171 traffic collisions were reported in Kentucky, 670 of which resulted in a fatality, according to the Kentucky Traffic Safety Data Services (KTSDS). In the United States, around two million drivers are permanently injured in car crashes every year.
At Kentucky Injury Law Center, we understand that even the most careful drivers are sometimes unlucky enough to be injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another driver. Dealing with the aftermath of a car wreck can be incredibly painful, frustrating, and confusing.
We represent car accident victims across Kentucky. Contact us online or by calling (270) 423-0023 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced and empathetic Bowling Green car accident lawyer.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
The most common causes of car accidents are:
- Speeding
- Running a red light
- Bad weather conditions
- Distracted driving, such as texting and driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Reckless driving, such as tailgating
- Low visibility, especially when driving at night
The top three culprits are distracted driving, speeding, and (driving under the influence) DUI. We strongly recommended avoiding doing the above at all costs and always driving defensively to avoid a collision with an irresponsible motorist.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can take the form of anything from a minor fender bender to a serious, multi-car pile up on the highway. Therefore, car accident injures vary from mild to severe.
The most common car accident injuries include:
- Back injury
- Broken ribs
- Bruises
- Herniated disc
- Internal bleeding
- Knee trauma
- Scrapes and cuts
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Whiplash
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The most important thing to do after a car accident is to seek medical attention right away.
What to Do After a Car Accident
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, it is imperative to collect as much evidence detailing how the crash occurred—but only if you are feeling physically capable of doing so. Never put your health at risk.
That being said, here are the things you should always do after a car crash:
- Seek medical attention: If you or anyone else involved in the crash is seriously injured, call 911 right away.
- Take pictures: Photograph as much of the accident scene as you can, especially any injuries, property damage, and tire skid marks.
- Collect the other drivers’ info: Ask any other motorists involved for their name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, and any other information you think you might need.
- Talk to witnesses: If anyone nearby saw your accident happen, ask them for their contact information as well. They may be able to testify on your behalf if needed.
- File a police report: Call the authorities to the scene so they can document the accident. This documentation can serve as additional evidence to back up your personal injury claim.
- Go see a doctor: If you don’t require immediate medical attention, it’s still a good idea to go in for a checkup as soon as you can. Some injuries, such as TBIs and complications from whiplash, may not make themselves known right away. Your doctor can diagnose such injuries and treat you if necessary. Having medical records on file can also help with your personal injury claim.
- Contact a car accident lawyer in Bowling Green: A Kentucky car accident attorney can advise you on the next steps to take, as well as assist you with the insurance claims, help you collect additional evidence to back up your claim, calculate how much money you are owed, and more.
Commonly Asked Questions:
Should I Consult a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
Following an accident, you most likely have a lot on your mind. Between handling insurance claims, doctor's visits and car repairs, contacting a lawyer may seem like the last thing on your list. However, you should make contacting a Kentucky car accident lawyer your top priority if any of the below are true:
- You are facing high medical costs
- You suffered serious or permanent injuries in the accident
- You have been forced to miss work because of your injuries
- You lost a loved one as a result of the accident
- You believe the police report is inaccurate or left out important information
- You don't feel confident handling all of the paperwork involved in filing a claim
- You feel you have been offered an unfair settlement by the insurance company
- Your insurance company is refusing to pay for your damages
What Compensation Can I Receive After a Car Accident?
Most car accident claims seek to provide victims with compensation for three different types of damages: economic damages, noneconomic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
These types of damages are able to be calculated to a specific amount and are intended to replace any out-of-pocket expenses that victim was forced to pay as a result of the accident (medical bills, lost wages from missed work, ongoing therapy, etc.)
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages refers to damages that do not have an exact monetary value. This can include things such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of enjoyment of life, etc. Our attorneys can help you calculate a fair settlement amount for these types of damages.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are reserved for cases where the responsible party was acting in an especially dangerous or negligent manner (for instance, driving while intoxicated). These damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer for their actions more than to compensate a specific loss.
How Do Kentucky Fault Laws Work?
Every state has different laws governing how and when you can sue someone over a car accident. Kentucky is one of several states that practice "No-Fault" car accident laws. This means that in most cases if you are involved in an accident, you will file a claim with your own insurance company first, even if you weren't at fault for the accident. There are some exceptions to this rule, however.
If the accident results in you paying at least $1,000 in medical bills or if the accident resulted in serious catastrophic injury, you may be able to file a lawsuit directly against the responsible party, rather than going through your own insurance.
Types of Car Accidents
There are various types of collisions that can occur while on the road. Some of the most common types of car accidents include:
- Rollover Accidents
- T-Bone or Side-Impact Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- Rear-End Accidents
- Single Vehicle Accidents
Regardless what type of car accident you have experienced, Kentucky Injury Law Center is here to help.
We offer free consultations to all new clients and don’t charge you anything out of pocket to take your case. Our car accident attorneys in Bowling Green don’t get paid unless you do.Contact us today to learn more.
Case Results
Your Success Is Our Success-
Accident in Company Truck Settlement $150,000
J.W. had worked as a truck driver for over 10 years when he was involved in an accident while driving. J.W. thought he would be ok and did not seek immediate attention; however, that turned out not to be the case. He sought medical treatment and even though the insurance carrier paid for some of the medical treatment, it quickly paid its own doctor to state all of J.W.’s symptoms were not related to the accident.
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Injured Delivery Person
It started with a call –someone had slammed into the back of our client’s car while the client was on the job. The other driver had tried to pass our client over a solid yellow line because he didn’t see that she was turning. Our client had neck surgery and didn’t know what to do.
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Settlement for Hydraulic Equipment Injury $150,000
K.G. injured his neck while working on hydraulic equipment. Initially, the insurance carrier argued that his neck condition was a degenerative condition and that it was not responsible for paying for any medical treatment.
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Settlement for Utility Lineman Falling on the Job $100,000
N.W. suffered serious injuries after falling from 20 feet working as a utility lineman. The insurance company paid for N.W.’s medical bills and paid him TTD income benefits when N.W. was released from work, the insurance carrier sent him a settlement offer for $20,000.00 to settle his work compensation claim.
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Severed Thumb on the Job Settlement $70,000
Like many injured workers, J.H. thought his employer would take care of him after injury severing part of his thumb while helping the employer is a secondary business. The employer tried to claim that J.H. was not an employee of the secondary business and the insurance company denied giving J.H. any income or medical benefits.
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Shoulder Injury Settlement $150,000
A.M. was an employee of a government agency in Louisville. He injured his shoulder at work and was not sure what the next steps were to take as he did not think he could return to his old job.
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Workers' Compensation for a Police Officer $150,000
Our client was a 30 year veteran for law enforcement officer whose career ended after a tragic shooting. The officer had worked his way up the chain of command, starting as a patrol officer and ending as a Lieutenant.
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Workers' Compensation for Traumatic Brain Injury $350,000
J.P. had been a hard worker all his life. He had worked at his employer for over 26 years, rarely missing a day. However, it only took one day for his life to change when a compressed coil spring got loose and struck him in the head, causing to fall and injure his back as well. J.P. suffered both a traumatic brain injury and traumatic back injury requiring several surgeries.
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Workers' Compensation Settlement $130,000
J.D. approached Kentucky Injury Law Center after the insurance denied his claim. JD had previously undergone back surgery but had fully recovered from that surgery when he injured his back while working for his new employer.
