Kentucky is known for its horse racing and delicious fried chicken. However, its roads are also known to be dangerous. The major roads of Kentucky are not wide enough for vehicles and are considered a high safety risk to both pedestrians and motorists. With millions of people cruising through the state, accidents are possible.
Being in a crash is incredibly stressful. Not to mention, it can be physically and emotionally exhausting. So, if you’ve been involved in a serious crash on one of the state’s major roads, you might want to consider seeking help from Kentucky car accident lawyers.
A lawyer focusing on car accidents will do their best to help your case and represent you if your claim goes to trial. However, the attorney’s job doesn’t start and end there. Your designated legal counsel will help you in a lot of things that are vital to your settlement claim. Here are some of them:
Prepare All the Necessary Documents
When you suffer from significant damage, it’s critical to collect all the documentation to prove liability and your losses from the accident. Instead of obtaining the evidence yourself, your lawyer will do it for you. This part of your attorney’s job will not only help in proving liability but also keep you focused more on your recovery.
Your lawyer can consult professionals to investigate the crash and discuss the events with the witnesses and the police officers. They will also gather documents regarding your medical records, bills, and loss of wage. Your attorney will also create a settlement demand letter that lays out all the facts needed to start negotiations. If your case goes to trial, your lawyer will file the proper paperwork for you.
Guide You Through the Process
In Kentucky, there are many legal requirements relating to car accident injuries that are different from other states. Understanding these laws and how they can affect your claim is crucial. It’s a good thing that you will not go through the process alone. Your lawyer can guide you and let you know about some of them.
One of the laws you need to know about is Kentucky’s “comparative fault” rule, where the judge will allocate responsibility to the parties involved, depending on the person’s degree of fault in the accident. Kentucky also has a “no-fault” system, where the state requires that each party should be compensated by their respective insurance companies. With this rule, you or the other person involved won’t be able to file a lawsuit against one another unless certain thresholds are met.
Communicate With Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies on your own will give you a hard time. Bear in mind that these firms are in the money-making business, which is why their adjusters will do their best to minimize the amount of settlement you’ll get. Some of them will try to deny your claim, while others will negotiate with you and give you a lower amount than what you really deserve. Your lawyer will be the one who will negotiate the amount for you.
Remember that the state of Kentucky applies the no-fault system, where car insurance policies should include personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This will give you the maximum benefits whether or not the crash is your fault. If the damage doesn’t exceed the certain thresholds provided by the state, you will not be able to sue or get sued. Some companies may still deny your claim, but your lawyer can effectively appeal the decision for you.
Get the Appropriate Settlement Amount With the Help of a Lawyer
A car accident attorney will not only guide you through the legal process but also make you focus on your recovery. You should not go through the emotionally and physically taxing legal process alone. Being involved in an accident is already stressful enough. You should start focusing on getting better and let your lawyer do their job.
There are a lot of Kentucky car accident lawyers who can help with your claim. These people are highly skilled in negotiation. They also know the ins and outs of Kentucky’s state laws related to car accidents. Reach out to a trusted firm in your area today for a consultation.
