If you or someone you love was injured in a Louisville, Kentucky car accident, you aren’t alone.
There are thousands of accidents every year on Kentucky roads, making it very possible that you will experience a car accident at some point in your life.
After a car accident, you may be dealing with property damage, injuries, time off work, and financial strain.
However, you shouldn’t have to deal with this alone. Let the Louisville car accident lawyers at Gerling Law help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
With over 50 years of experience, we understand all the nuances of Louisville car accident claims. Contact us online or call (888) 437-5464 today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you recover compensation for your damages.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Louisville, KY?
Understandably, you might be confused following a car accident. This is a traumatic time, and you may be in shock. However, it’s essential to stay focused and try to gather as much evidence as possible. Immediately following the accident is the best chance to collect the most evidence, which can be crucial to your case.
Contact the Police
Contacting the police following an accident is vital. If you or another party has apparent injuries, be sure to request emergency medical assistance as well. The police will respond and complete their own investigation and document all relevant information about the collision.
Collect Information
Our car accident lawyers in Louisville strongly recommend collecting as much information at the scene as possible. Police will put everything in a Louisville accident report, but it doesn’t mean they will have all the details.
Some of the information you want to get includes:
- Name and contact details for another vehicle driver;
- Driver’s license number and insurance information;
- Vehicle details; and
- Witness contact information.
If your injuries are not too severe, try to get some photographs of the scene and vehicle damage. These photos can be crucial pieces of evidence to support a liability argument.
Seek Medical Treatment
After a car accident in Lousiville, you should always see a doctor and get a medical evaluation. Even if you do not think you are seriously injured, you must get a medical assessment by a physician. You could have internal injuries that aren’t visible or immediately apparent. When you see a doctor, medical records and notes can confirm your injuries are related to the accident.
Failure to seek treatment timely can work against you in the claims process. The insurance company may allege you were not severely injured since you waited so long to see a doctor, or it may claim something else happened after the accident that caused your injuries.
Most Common Types of Kentucky Auto Accidents
Car accidents happen all across the country every second of the day. In Kentucky, there are over 100,000 accidents every year. According to the latest collision stats from the Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts report, 23,591 injury accidents and 670 fatalities were reported in 2018.
Statistics show that collisions with another moving motor vehicle accounted for 66% of all crashes reported and 38% of fatalities. 17% of reported collisions and 30% of all fatalities involved a collision with a fixed object.
Other types of accidents involving fatalities included collisions with pedestrians, pedal cyclists, trains, deer, other animals, parked vehicles, and other objects. 22 deaths resulted from vehicles overturning and 79 fatalities from other non-collision accidents.
Some of the top contributing factors in fatal Kentucky accidents included:
- Loss of control;
- Driver inattention;
- Alcohol involvement or drug use;
- Unsafe speed; and
- Failure to yield.
Environmental factors also played a role in numerous fatalities, including slippery road surfaces, pooling water, and obstructed views.
Potential Damages in a Louisville Car Accident Case
When you are injured in a Louisville car accident and file a claim, you are seeking reimbursement of your damages. Damages is a term that refers to your losses. They primarily fall into one of two categories, either economic or non-economic. Our Louisville car accident attorneys will explain.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are those that involve monetary loss. They are objective and can be calculated.
Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses to date;
- Future medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of future earnings;
- Property damage; and
- Loss of property use.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more subjective and don’t have bills or financial records that support their value.
Examples of non-economic injuries include:
- Physical pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Loss of enjoyment of life;
- Loss of consortium; and
- Loss of companionship.
Non-economic damages are the hardest to quantify since the insurance company will always argue for a lower amount. Experienced Lousiville car accident attorneys have the skills to calculate a reasonable value for your non-economic damages and can negotiate with the insurance company to ensure your injury claim is valued as it should be.
Over $500 Million in Recoveries
Jim Stoltz was very professional and caring when he handled my case. I would recommend him to anyone. - Donna K.
Do You Need to Hire a Louisville Car Accident Attorney?
If you suffered no injuries or only minor ones that healed on their own, you might not need a personal injury lawyer. However, most car accident claims can benefit from the assistance of a Louisville car accident attorney. Skilled auto accident lawyers in Louisville will know best how to handle your case.
At Gerling Law, our car accident attorneys in Louisville can provide the legal help you need and take care of all the necessary claim-related tasks, including:
- Collecting all the information that pertains to your accident;
- Requesting all medical billing and reports;
- Speaking with potential witnesses;
- Investigating who the liable parties are; and
- Handling all communication with the insurance company.
Having an experienced legal advocate on your side means you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries rather than worrying about the stressful aspects of your claim.
Talk to the Top-Rated Car Accident Lawyers in Louisville, KY About Your Case
Don’t risk your potential car accident settlement by attempting to handle your case alone. If you were injured in an accident, our Lousiville car accident attorneys have the skills, experience, and financial resources to help you fight for the compensation you are owed. With over 50 years of experience in Kentucky personal injury claims, we aren’t afraid to take on any case. We will go all the way to trial if necessary.
To learn more about how we can help, contact Gerling Law Injury Attorneys or call (888) 437-5464 today to schedule an initial consultation. Let us help protect your rights and ensure the at-fault party’s insurance company treats you fairly.
