PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY IN SHEPHERDSVILLE, KENTUCKY
The 2019 Traffic Collision Facts report from the Kentucky State Police shows 132,374 total crashes in Kentucky, causing 33,686 injuries and 745 fatalities. Suffering injuries in an accident caused by another person’s negligent actions can be overwhelming. Such an incident may leave you with expensive medical bills and an extensive recovery.
This often includes missed days at work, emotional and physical suffering, and other losses. Fortunately, you can hold the responsible party accountable and seek fair compensation for your injuries by filing a personal injury claim.
At the Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates PLLC, we have 25+ years of personal injury experience. We are dedicated to providing sound guidance and comprehensive representation to personal injury victims and their loved ones.
As your legal counsel, we will review and investigate all the details of your circumstances and explore your legal options to recover damages. Our attorneys will fight to protect your rights, represent your best’s interests. We work to seek fair compensation for your injuries, property damages, and any additional pain and suffering you’ve been forced to endure.
Our team at the Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates PLLC proudly represents clients throughout the greater Louisville area. This includes Shepherdsville and the surrounding communities of Louisville, Radcliff, Elizabethtown, and Jeffersontown, Kentucky.
We represent those who have been injured and the families of those who have lost their life in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, or as a passenger, pedestrian or bicyclist.
Personal Injury Claims in Kentucky
In Kentucky, personal injury laws exist to protect accident victims and compensate them financially for their injuries suffered due to another person’s negligent, careless, or wrongful acts. The injured party may be eligible to seek damages by filing a personal injury claim.
Kentucky is a “choice no-fault” state. Under this system, accident victims have the choice to recover damages under the no-fault system. They may also opt-out of the no-fault system and sue the at-fault party to recover compensation for their injuries or damage.
In a no-fault system, accident victims will turn to their own insurance policy (PIP coverage) to seek compensation for medical bills and other financial losses suffered from the accident. However, the question of who was responsible for the incident will impact the outcome. Your PIP benefits will pay up to $10,000 for medical bills, lost wages, and other “out-of-pocket” costs resulting from the accident.
Contact an Experienced Louisville Area Personal Injury Attorney
We invite you to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490. Get the important advice and counsel required to protect the value and validity of your personal injury claim. We work to make sure you receive full and fair compensation for having to endure and recover from your injuries.
However, if your accident claims meet the statutory threshold, you can decide to “opt-out” of the no-fault coverage. The Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates PLLC will file a lawsuit in civil court against the at-fault party. To opt-out, you must meet the following criteria:
The accident must have cost you at least $1,000 in medical expenses
You must have suffered permanent injury, significant fracture, permanent disfigurement, or any permanent loss of an organ or bodily function
Also, you can opt-out of Kentucky’s no-fault system by filling and submitting the Kentucky No-Fault Rejection Form with the state’s Department of Insurance.
Comparative Fault Rule
Kentucky follows a “pure comparative fault” principle. According to this rule, an accident victim will not be barred from pursuing damages even if they were mostly at fault for their injuries. However, the amount of compensation they may receive will be reduced by their degree of fault.
For instance, if the judge awards a total compensation of $60,000 for your injuries but found you to be 25% liable for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by $15,000 and you will only receive a total award of $45,000. Under Kentucky’s pure comparative fault system, you may still be allowed to recover damages even if you were 99% at fault for the accident.
Statute of Limitations
Pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 413.140(1), an action to recover damages for injuries to the plaintiff or their loved one shall be commenced within one year from the date of the injury or accident.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
In order to recover damages, the accident victim can proceed by:
Filing an injury claim with their own insurance provider
Filing a third-party claim directly with the insurance carrier of the at-fault party
Filing a personal injury lawsuit in court against the at-fault party
Damages Available
The following damages may be recovered through a Kentucky personal injury claim:
Past medical expenses, such as doctor’s bill, hospital bills, medical tests
Future medical expenses, such as occupational or physical therapy
Lost income or wages
Impairment of power to earn money
Compensation for past and future pain and suffering
Property damage or vehicle repair
Emotional suffering
Quality of life diminishment
Punitive damages to further punish the at-fault party
How a Knowledgeable Attorney Can Help
Getting injured in an accident can be outright unsettling. The impact of the accident can result in devastating, long-term effects on your financial, physical, mental, and emotional health. Thankfully, you don’t have to face these challenges all alone. It is important that you act immediately and hire a knowledgeable personal injury attorney to help protect your rights and seek fair compensation.
At Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates, we have the resources and experience to help you hold the parties responsible for your injuries accountable. As your representation, we can:
Review all the facts of your situation and investigate your case
Gather relevant information, evidence, and documentation
Seek to prove fault and establish liability
Determine the full extent of your injuries, accident-related losses, and estimate case-value
Help negotiate a fair financial settlement with insurers
Protect Your Valid Personal Injury Claim for Full, Fair Compensation
Our experienced team will fight to protect your rights and take additional legal actions where required. We will represent your best interests and help you pursue the full fair financial compensation you deserve. This includes the cost of medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, pain and suffering, or loss. Having our team on your side can improve your chances of obtaining the best available outcome in your personal injury case.
We invite you to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490 to get the important advice and counsel required to protect your personal injury claim. We work to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for having to endure and recover from your injuries.
