Legions of Kentuckians hit the open road each and every day, with most not giving a great deal of thought to the real dangers cars can present. Though the majority of journeys are smooth and do not result in injuries of any sort, serious collisions can and do occur more often than anyone would like, and the outcomes can indeed be tragic. When events of this type are caused by the negligent acts and omissions of others, victims feel a particularly acute sense of anger and loss. These are the times when a Louisville car accident lawyer can prove extremely valuable in the fight for justice, compensation, and accountability. Consult with a Louisville injury attorney to learn more about how to protect your rights and pursue compensation.
Many Kentuckians hit the open road each and every day, with most not giving a great deal of thought to the real dangers cars can present. But all it takes is one driver not paying attention to the road to cause catastrophic injuries to you and other drivers.
When events of this type are caused by negligent acts, you may feel an acute sense of anger and loss. One of our Louisville car accident lawyers at McCoy & Hiestand PLC, can prove extremely valuable in the fight for justice, compensation, and accountability.
Impact of an Accident
It is not difficult to understand how car accidents of all types can cause devastation to those involved as well as to their entire families. Kentuckians must also not lose sight of the fact that cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcycle riders are also among those regularly harmed by the negligence of drivers across the state.
Nobody should underestimate the profound physical and psychological toll such events take on victims or forget the economic losses resulting from car crashes each year. One of the most common psychological effects is the development of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After a traumatic experience like a car accident, you may suffer from flashbacks of the accident that can put you on edge.
With time it may fade, but you may need treatment to decrease the frequency with which the flashbacks occur.
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Common Car Accident Injuries that Qualify for Compensation
If you’ve suffered debilitating injuries in a vehicle accident, no dollar amount can fully address the losses that can include a lifetime of disability, ongoing medical expenses, foregone wages, and more. Some of the most common injuries you can get in a serious car accident are:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Disfigurement
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Death
There are many other types of injuries that you can sustain in a car accident, and one of our Louisville car crash attorneys can help determine if you qualify for a case.
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How Long You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim
After you suffer injuries in a Louisville car crash, you only have so much time to file a personal injury claim. According to Kentucky Revised Statute § 304.39-230, you have two years from the day of the accident to file a car accident claim.
You should file your claim as soon as you can to increase the chances of winning the full settlement amount. Another benefit of filing early is that you can have more time to work with a lawyer to gather evidence to support your claim.
If your car accident is a unique situation, you may have more or less time to file than you thought. This can be confusing, but one of our attorneys can tell you exactly how much time you have to file.
Pursuing Compensation After a Louisville Car Wreck
The immediate aftermath of a serious injury accident is inevitably a time of uncertainty, frustration, and in many cases, sheer panic. Victims and families quickly begin to wonder how they will be able to juggle the considerable, unexpected financial burdens that have arisen due to another party’s negligence.
Fortunately, compensation in car accident cases can often be substantial and may include compensation for losses such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Emotional trauma
- Future earnings
Every car accident is different, so the damages that you qualify for will fit your unique needs. A Louisville car accident lawyer can help you understand what economic damages as well as non-economic damages you can recover.
Is Your Case Eligible for Punitive Damages?
Another type of damages that your case may be eligible for is punitive damages. This is designed to punish the defendant and discourage them from repeating their actions. These damages are usually ordered by a judge or jury and apply to cases where the defendant is grossly negligent.
Punitive damages aren’t common in car crashes, but they can apply if your attorney can prove that the other party had an intention of hurting you. One of our attorneys at our Louisville office can tell you if your case could qualify for this additional damage.
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How to Deal with the Insurance Company After a Car Crash
Meeting with the insurance company can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of a car accident case. This is because insurance companies’ main goal is to retain all the money they can by denying claims. You should never sign anything or agree to meet with an insurance claims adjuster without a car accident attorney by your side.
Insurance adjusters use various tactics to deny your claim and try to convince you that you don’t deserve compensation. But one of our lawyers can stand up and defend you and your rights to fair compensation. We can show the evidence that proves that you qualify for damages and negotiate with the adjuster.
You don’t have to face the insurance company alone, and you shouldn’t. Our team can be there for you to give you guidance and support you through this difficult time.
The Average Car Accident Settlement in Louisville
While we would like to be able to tell you an average car accident settlement amount, there is no average settlement amount. Instead, the settlement amount depends on a few different factors. The first factor is the severity of your injuries.
The more serious your injuries are, the more likely you are to get a larger settlement. If you sustain a permanent injury like paralysis that may require lifelong care, your settlement amount should be enough to cover all the costs you may face.
Another factor that influences the amount of your settlement is the number of at-fault parties involved. If there are multiple negligent parties, you may be able to collect compensation from all of them. This can greatly increase the amount of your settlement.
The amount of recoverable damages can also affect the amount of your settlement. The more damages that you qualify for, the higher your settlement may be.
Contact McCoy & Hiestand PLC to Start Working with an Attorney Today
Navigating the complexities of personal injury litigation is not something you should do on your own. Doing so can greatly lessen the likelihood of obtaining maximum monetary compensation and can make an already traumatic time that much more stressful.
A Louisville car accident attorney can stand prepared to offer the knowledge and guidance you may need in order to make truly informed decisions after a crash. At McCoy & Hiestand PLC, our skilled attorneys are ready to fight for the settlement you deserve. Call us or fill out the contact form on our website to get a free case review today.
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