According to the 2018 Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts report, there were about 134,285 reported traffic collisions on public roads statewide in 2018. Getting injured in an auto accident can be a painful and emotionally traumatic experience. If you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident caused by another person's negligent actions, you may be eligible to recover damages or seek financial compensation for your injuries.
At Grossman Green PLLC, we are dedicated to providing experienced legal services and compassionate representation to auto accident victims and their family members. As knowledgeable Kentucky personal injury attorneys, we will review every aspect of your case, conduct a thorough investigation, and explore your legal options to pursue an injury claim. Our team will fight zealously to protect your rights and help you seek fair financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering you must have experienced.
At Grossman Green PLLC, we proudly represent car accident victims in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as surrounding communities throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
When it comes to auto insurance coverage and injury claims, Kentucky is a "choice no-fault" state. Under the no-fault system, the injured party will turn to their insurance provider to seek compensation for medical bills and other financial losses resulting from the accident, notwithstanding who was at fault.
Furthermore, motorists in the state are required to carry an automobile insurance policy, known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy. The PIP benefits pay up to $10,000 for medical expenses, lost income, and other "out of pocket" costs resulting from the car accident injuries.
However, since Kentucky is a choice no-fault state, the injured victim can always "opt-out" of the no-fault car insurance system and choose to file a lawsuit against the party they believe to be at fault instead. Your decision to opt-out of no-fault must be in writing using the Kentucky No-Fault Rejection Form. You will file the form with the state's Department of Insurance.
Additionally, in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, motorists are required to maintain minimum "liability" car insurance coverage, which usually applies to the at-fault party in a traffic collision. The minimum liability coverage requirements in Kentucky include:
The following state laws address the time limit for filing claims or the amount of damages that may be recovered by victims:
Pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes Section KRS 304.39-230, a claim by an individual injured in a motor vehicle collision must be brought within two (2) years after the date of injury or the date of the last personal injury protection (PIP) payment. Sometimes, a spouse, parent, or minor child may have a loss of consortium claim (loss of love and affection), and under KRS 413.140, those claims must generally be brought within one (1) year of the date of the injury. An action to recover damages to a vehicle or other personal property in the car accident must be filed within two years from the date of the accident (Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 413.125.
Under Kentucky Revised Statutes section 411.182, the Commonwealth of Kentucky is a "pure comparative fault" state. This means that the amount of damages you may be able to recover in an auto accident case is reduced by your percentage of fault. Even if you are found to be 99% at fault for the accident, you may still recover damages.
A wrongful death is a loss of life that occurred due to the negligent actions of another person. The purpose of the wrongful death lawsuit is to compensate the surviving family members of the deceased whose death was caused by a negligent party. Pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 411.130,
"Whenever the death of a person results from an injury inflicted by the negligence or wrongful act of another, damages may be recovered for the death from the person who caused it, or whose agent or servant caused it. If the act was willful or the negligence gross, punitive damages may be recovered."
According to Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 411.130, the wrongful death action shall be prosecuted by the personal representative of the deceased. However, damages recovered through the wrongful death claims are to be distributed to the estate and surviving family members.
The period following a traffic collision can be confusing to sort through. If the accident was serious, it can affect you financially, physically, and emotionally. You don't have to go through it alone. If you or a loved one have been hurt in an auto accident, hiring experienced Kentucky personal injury attorneys is an important step you should take to protect your rights and pursue rightful compensation.
At Grossman Green PLLC, our attorneys have devoted their careers to handling personal injury cases, including auto accident matters. As your legal counsel, we can help:
If you or someone you know was injured in a car accident, contact us at Grossman Green PLLC today to schedule a consultation. Our attorneys can help protect your rights and offer the guidance and representation you need to seek financial compensation. We're proud to serve clients in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as surrounding communities throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.