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Lexington Car Accident Lawyer

A car crash has the power to turn your life upside down in an instant. Things that once came easily, like working and maintaining a social life, may become impossible if other drivers failed to act safely on the road. If you were injured because of another driver’s negligence, a Lexington car accident lawyer can help get your life back on track.

You cannot leave compensation in personal injury cases up to chance. For an opportunity to speak with a personal injury lawyer who has a proven track record of success, reach out to our law office to schedule your no-obligation case evaluation. Our first meeting is always free.

Kentucky Accident Statistics

The number of vehicles involved in automobile accidents increased between 2020 and 2021 by 8.4%. The 2021 Traffic Collision Facts from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) paints a less-than-ideal picture of auto accidents in our state. That year, there were:

  • 746 fatal car crashes – 5.4% more than the year before
  • 20,117 injury accidents on public roads – 4.1% more than the year before
  • 594 injury accidents on private property – 6.6% more than the year before
  • 131,208 total accidents – 9.8% more than the year before

If you were one of the thousands of people injured by negligent drivers, you need to know your rights. Filing an auto accident claim is typically the most effective course of action for securing compensation for your car wreck damages.

To learn about your rights to compensation, meet with Lexington car accident attorneys as soon as possible after your crash.

Car Accidents in Lexington, KY

Home to the University of Kentucky, Rupp Arena, the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, and dozens of other museums, restaurants, bars, and attractions, Lexington sees its fair share of traffic and resulting car accidents.

According to the Lexington Police Department, officers responded to the following in 2021:

  • 2,438 calls for accidents in which victims sustained injuries
  • 15,719 accidents involving no physical injuries, only property damage

That same year, Lexington police also issued citations for two separate fatal collisions caused by red light running.

When motor vehicle accidents happen in Lexington, victims need to feel confident in the ability and knowledge of their Lexington car accident lawyers. At the Law Office of Todd W. Burris, our clients always know that they are working with an attorney who has the knowledge and experience necessary to successfully handle their personal injury claim.

Common Causes of Lexington Car Accidents

The Law Office of Todd W. Burris is committed to representing accident victims in Lexington. Our years of experience holding negligent drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents accountable for their actions have given us a unique insight into the most common causes of car accidents in our area. This insight is an invaluable resource when it comes time to determine fault in most accident cases.

The typical accident injury case might involve one of the following common causes:

  • Distracted driving
  • Drunk driving
  • Failure to stop at red lights or stop signs
  • Improper lane usage or merging errors
  • Speeding above the posted speed limit
  • Driving too fast for conditions

A Lexington car accident attorney from our personal injury law office will exhaust every possible source of evidence (including the police report and eyewitness statements) when determining the cause of your car crash.

Types of Car Accident Injuries

When a driver’s actions harm another person, the victim has the legal right to obtain compensation for the damages they’ve suffered. The types of injuries that occur in motor vehicle accidents can vary depending on the type of collision (including car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents) as well as other factors unique to the crash, such as speeding or poor road conditions.

Understanding your diagnosis and the severity of your injuries will not only allow you to receive the appropriate medical attention but will also be an essential component of building your car accident case. You cannot correctly value how much you are owed for your medical expenses if you do not understand what injuries you are dealing with.

Examples of common car accident injuries include:

  • Broken bones
  • Head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Burns
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Chest injuries
  • Internal organ damage

Serious injuries may also result in permanent disability, putting you out of work and limiting your ability to enjoy life as you once did. If you are ready to discuss your legal options with a Lexington personal injury lawyer who cares, contact the Law Office of Todd W. Burris. We offer a free consultation to injury victims and their families.

Fatal Car Accident Injuries

Discussions of car accident injuries often focus on what injury victims are owed for medical bills, hospital stays, and related damages. Unfortunately, not all car accident victims get to go home to their families.

If you lost a loved one in what should have been a preventable accident, you need the backing of a compassionate law office that will fight tirelessly to secure justice on behalf of your family.

At the Law Office of Todd W. Burris, we understand that we are meeting with Lexington, KY families who are going through some of the worst times of their lives. We strive to treat every wrongful death case with the utmost care and respect that it deserves. We understand that these types of personal injury cases can be emotionally draining for those who are still navigating the grieving process, and it is our hope that our actions will provide a sense of comfort and relief during an otherwise difficult time.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

The actions you take in the immediate aftermath of a car accident can affect your right to recover maximum compensation. We recommend that anyone who has been injured in Lexington car accidents take the following steps:

  • Call 911 – When you call emergency services, clearly report where the accident occurred and whether anyone appears to be seriously injured. Ask that an officer be sent to the accident scene.
  • Exchange information – Kentucky law requires drivers involved in an accident to exchange names, contact information, addresses, and insurance information.
  • Take pictures and videos of the accident scene – Evidence disappears quickly after an accident, but you can preserve crucial evidence for your personal injury lawsuit by taking pictures and videos of the scene. Most Lexington car accident lawyers recommend taking more pictures than you think you’ll need.
  • File an accident report – By law, you must file an accident report within ten days of the collision if there was an injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more. If an officer responded to the scene of the accident, they will create and file this report. These police reports often hold information that is vital to the success of car accident claims.
  • Seek medical care – As soon as possible, seek emergency medical attention at the emergency room or schedule an appointment with your regular doctor. When calling for the appointment, be sure to let them know that you’ve been involved in an accident and need to be evaluated for injuries as soon as possible.
  • Meet with Lexington car accident attorneys – To find the law firm that best suits your needs, schedule meetings with car accident lawyers in the area. A good law office will provide an initial consultation free of charge and will be willing to answer any questions you may have about filing an insurance claim.

Your right to hold the other driver accountable for their actions will not disappear if you fail to follow the above-recommended steps. A car accident attorney from our Lexington, KY law office will ensure that your right to compensation is upheld no matter what.

Who Pays for My Car Accident Injuries?

If you were injured in an accident and the other driver was at fault, your first question may be: Who pays for my car accident injuries?

The insurance claims process can be surprisingly complex, but it is not a process that the Law Office of Todd W. Burris shies away from. We are familiar with all state laws that govern issues of liability, insurance coverage, and car accident compensation.

Kentucky’s No-Fault Law

Kentucky is a no-fault state that requires all drivers to carry personal injury protection coverage (PIP). This means that you are required to first file a claim with your own auto insurer, even if the other driver was clearly at fault.

PIP minimum coverage requirements provide up to $10,000 for your car accident damages, including your lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and more. Lexington, KY residents may also choose to purchase PIP coverage with higher premiums for increased coverage amounts, which can be useful if you are ever in an auto accident with an underinsured or uninsured motorist.

Under Kentucky’s no-fault rules, you may only file a claim against the at-fault party’s auto insurer if your PIP does not fully cover your losses and you were not 100% at fault.

Kentucky’s Comparative Negligence Law

Under Kentucky’s pure comparative negligence law, anyone may pursue compensation for a car crash so long as they were not wholly at fault. Accident victims who are deemed to be partially liable for a crash will have their amount of compensation proportionately reduced by their percentage of fault. This means that someone who was 99% responsible for the collision can still collect 1% of their assessed damages.

Do not trust the insurance company to fairly assess your percentage of fault. These large, for-profit businesses regularly engage in unsavory tactics to limit the amount of compensation to which you are entitled, such as artificially inflating your role in the accident.

You are not alone in your fight against the insurance company. When you work with a Lexington car accident attorney from the Law Office of Todd W. Burris, you can be assured that we will never allow a big auto insurer to compromise your right to compensation.

Should Car Accident Victims Talk to the Insurance Company?

You will be contacted by an insurance adjuster soon after your accident. The call or conversation may seem pleasant and friendly enough, but we strongly advise against giving a recorded statement or providing more information than necessary. The role of an insurance adjuster is to save their employer money, not to make sure you have money to pay your medical bills or to replace your lost wages.

Instead, you should meet with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. At the Law Office of Todd W. Burris, we regularly handle all communications with the insurance company on behalf of our clients. Our years of service have given us the experience and knowledge required to handle even the toughest auto insurer.

Your Insurance Company Is Not Your Friend

Don’t let your guard down when filing a claim with your own PIP insurance provider. Even as they try to position themselves as a caring company with only the best of intentions, they will be doing everything within their power to limit your right to financial compensation.

Never give any auto insurer (even your own) access to your medical records or agree to provide more information than is strictly necessary.

When contacted by your insurer, politely but firmly refer all communications to your accident lawyer. Be sure to tell your lawyer if the insurance company continues to contact you even after being instructed to continue communication through your legal representation.

Why Work With A Lexington Car Accident Lawyer?

A minor auto accident involving no injuries and minimal property damage likely won’t require the guidance of a practiced car accident attorney. However, for more complex motor vehicle cases involving injuries and significant financial losses, you will be glad you chose to speak with the Law Office of Todd W. Burris.

An experienced Lexington car accident attorney will:

  • Investigate your case
  • Determine liability
  • Value the worth of your claim
  • Negotiate a settlement with the insurance company
  • Be prepared for trial if negotiations fail

We have experience handling a variety of personal injury cases, including those involving car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. For an opportunity to learn more about our past successes and how we can help your case, contact our office to schedule a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Car Accident Questions

When meeting with clients, we strive to provide complete and honest answers to all questions our clients have. We have also provided answers to the following commonly asked car accident questions.

Can I Afford To Hire Lexington Car Accident Lawyers?

With medical bills already piling up and your savings dwindling from missed paychecks, hiring an attorney might seem outside of your financial reach.

The Law Office of Todd W. Burris is pleased to announce that we take most car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This payment model allows us to provide vigorous legal representation without requiring any upfront payment. Instead, we only get paid if we win your case, at which point our lawyers’ fees are paid as a modest percentage of your total award.

What Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?

There are typically two types of damages to consider when valuing the worth of an injury accident claim—economic and non-economic damages.

Your economic damages are your direct financial losses, including things like:

  • Past, current, and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
  • Property damage for auto repairs

Your non-economic damages are your non-financial losses and encompass:

  • Psychological trauma and emotional anguish
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment in life

Your lawyer should correctly evaluate the totality of your losses, from your hospital bills to your inability to engage in past hobbies. Do not settle for a law firm that does not see every way in which your life has been affected.

How Long Do I Have To File My Car Accident Claim?

In terms of civil claims, a statute of limitations is a legal term for the timeframe in which you are allowed to take action. In Kentucky, the statute of limitations for car accidents is two years from the date the accident occurred or two years from the date of your last PIP insurance payment.

Do I Have To Accept an Insurance Settlement?

You are under no legal obligation to accept a settlement offered by the insurance company. Indeed, the first offer is rarely sufficient to fully cover your losses. Your attorney will negotiate for a better settlement with the goal of keeping you out of court.

However, if the insurance company refuses to make a settlement offer that appropriately addresses your financial losses, you may instead move forward with a car accident lawsuit. This type of legal action is best pursued under the careful guidance of a personal injury lawyer who has experience both in and out of the courtroom.

A Lexington Car Accident Lawyer Will Fight for You

You have the right to full and fair financial compensation after an accident. If the insurance company is giving you the run-around or you are unsure how to proceed with a personal injury claim, you need the backing of a law office that has your best interests at heart.

For the opportunity to speak with a Lexington car accident attorney at the Law Office of Todd W. Burris, call our office or fill out our convenient online form today. We’ll schedule you for a free consultation at your earliest convenience.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice. Viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Prior case results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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