Owensboro Car Accident Lawyers

Car Accident Attorneys in Owensboro

Car accidents happen all around Kentucky daily. You can wind up with property damage, injuries, and financial hardship, not to mention the added stress of pursuing a claim to get reimbursement for your damages. If you or someone you love was injured in an accident caused by another driver, you have legal rights. Contact the Owensboro car accident lawyers at Gerling Law today to learn how we can help.

Kentucky Accident Statistics

In 2022, 744 people died in 693 fatal motor vehicle accidents. Out of the 744 fatalities, 265 were due to drivers under the influence of drugs, while another 153 people were from drivers under the influence of alcohol. Of all accidents, 69% involved moving motor vehicles, while 37% involved collisions with fixed objects.  These Kentucky accident statistics are staggering and scary. If you or a loved one were injured in an auto accident, our Owensboro car accident attorneys can help. 

Types of Collisions Owensboro Car Accident Lawyers Handle

Our Owensboro car accident attorneys handle all types of motor vehicle accident cases. Car wrecks can range from minor fender benders to catastrophic collisions involving one car, multiple vehicles, objects, and different travel speeds and directions. However, the most common types of collisions we see include:

• Rear-end crashes are among the most common types of car accidents. They happen when one vehicle crashes into the back of another at low or high speeds and are capable of producing significant damage. 
• Head-on accidents. A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles, or a vehicle and an object, collide head-on at their front end. Due to the point of impact, these are some of the most serious, often leading to catastrophic injuries to the driver and any front seat passengers. 
• T-bone wreck. Side impact crashes, often called T-bone accidents, happen when one car collides into the side of another, forming a T shape upon collision. These frequently occur when one car runs a red light and rams another on its side.
• Rollover accidents. Any car can roll over, but vehicles with a higher center of gravity, such as tractor-trailers or buses, have a greater risk. Rollovers at high speeds often cause the vehicle to roll many times before stopping and can pose the most risk to unsecured (i.e., unseatbelted) passengers. 

There is a risk of serious injury in any collision. You can be involved in a frightening rollover and walk away with minor bumps and bruises, while someone involved in a slow-speed rear-end collision might suffer severe neck and back injuries. The type of crash alone does not predict the severity of injuries or what you might be able to recover. Our Owensboro car accident lawyers can provide a free case assessment. 

Common Injuries Automobile Injury Attorneys Routinely See

Just as we commonly see certain collisions, we also routinely encounter accident victims with certain types of injuries. Cars are enormous metal vessels with glass, hot engines, oil, flammable gas, and more that can lead to severe injuries in a wreck. Often, car accident victims sustain multiple injuries. These can include:

• Seatbelt burns,
• Airbag burns,
• Superficial scrapes,
• Deep cuts and lacerations,
• Broken bones,
• Whiplash,
• Back and neck injuries,
• Spinal cord injuries,
• Soft tissue injuries,
• Contusions (i.e., bruises),
• Burns,
• Loss of limbs,
• Paralysis, and
• Death. 

Even if you do not need emergency medical assistance at the accident scene, you should always see a doctor after any car crash. You may have internal injuries or not realize the full extent of injuries masked by the shock and adrenaline from impact.

What to Do After an Owensboro Car Accident

Many people don’t realize that the steps you take immediately following a car accident can impact your claim down the line. Here’s a look at what steps you should take following an accident.

Call 911

You should immediately call 911 and request police assistance. If anyone is injured at the scene, request medical response as well. When the police arrive, the responding officer will take notes of the accident and compile everything in an official report. The police report can be a crucial piece of evidence in your claim.

Collect Contact Information

Even though the police will prepare a report, you still need to exchange information with all involved parties. If you can safely do so, take photos of the vehicle damage and the surrounding accident scene. Be sure to ask the other driver for their contact information, vehicle details, insurance information, and driver license information.

Your insurance company will ask you for this information when you report the claim, and you may not have the official police report yet when you open a claim.

File a Claim with Your Insurance

You want to report the claim timely to your insurance company, even if you aren’t at fault. Your policy may stipulate that you must report any injury accidents within a certain amount of time. They will want all the details of the accident and the contact information for the responsible party. They will give you a claim number and either tell you who your claims representative is or let you know that someone will contact you within a certain amount of time.

Seek Medical Attention

If you were not transported from the scene in an ambulance, you need to seek timely medical treatment. Don’t assume that you have no injuries if you can’t physically see any. You could have internal injuries that aren’t immediately apparent. At a minimum, visit your primary care physician.

Your medical doctor may prescribe a particular regimen of treatment or follow-up appointments you need to make. You need to follow their recommendations, or the insurance company will use that against you in the claims handling process. The same goes for delaying treatment. Don’t wait to see a doctor. If you do, the other driver’s insurance company will try to use that against you as well. Don’t give the defendant any ammunition they can use to lower your claim value.

Types of Recoverable Damages in Kentucky

Understandably, prospective clients want to know what kind of damages they are entitled to receive in a car accident. There are two main types: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are items that can be easily calculated and assigned a value. These damages include:

• Medical expenses to date,
• Future medical expenses,
• Property damage,
• Lost wages, and
• Future loss of earnings.

You will need to present proper documentation when you pursue economic damages. Evidence can include bills, repair estimates, a letter from your employer, etc.

Non-economic damages are harder to calculate. There is no hard loss associated with them; the value is subjective. Examples of non-economic damages include:

• Physical pain and suffering,
• Emotional and mental anguish, and
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

These damages don’t have corresponding bills you can show. Instead, you will support them through witnesses, experts, and other evidence.

Comparative Negligence in Owensboro, Kentucky Car Accidents

Kentucky follows the legal theory of pure comparative negligence. That means you can collect damages even if you share a percentage of fault for the accident. However, your award will be reduced by your liability. For example, if you are 25% at fault for an accident, you could collect 75% of your damages.

Statute of Limitations for Kentucky Car Accidents

You only have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. If you fail to file timely, the court could dismiss your case, and you would not be entitled to collect any money. For car accidents in Kentucky, you typically have two years from the accident date to file a claim.

How an Owensboro Car Crash Lawyer Can Help

Our Owensboro auto accident lawyers can help obtain the damages you deserve for your injuries. Specifically, we can help by:

• Investigating the crash,
• Requesting and subpoenaing records,
• Helping gather other evidence,
• Advising on the best legal strategy,
• Negotiating with the insurance carrier, and
• Representing you in a lawsuit.

This might be your only car accident and your first time dealing with the legal system. It can feel daunting and overwhelming to know what to do next. Let our Owensboro car wreck lawyers handle it for you.

Over $500 Million in Recoveries