Paducah, Kentucky Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injuries in Kentucky mostly happen when they are least expected. Injuries from even a minor accident can cause significant consequences. You may be unable to continue working and face considerable medical expenses.
You may be considering hiring a personal injury lawyer due to an injury from a Kentucky accident. But when should you do so? Even while there is no set rule or deadline for when you must employ the services of an injury lawyer, it is essential to do so as soon as possible after an accident. You do not want to go through the process without counsel.
It’s always in your best interest to speak with a lawyer who focuses on personal injury cases. An accomplished personal injury lawyer can:
- Advise you on your legal options,
- Help you pursue any compensation,
- Provide you with personal injury protection and other legal services, and
- Represent you in court should your injury claim go to trial.
For a free consultation, contact Farmer & Wright, PLLC, right now!
What are Personal Injuries?
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says that about 31 million Americans visit hospital emergency rooms every year because of accidents. These injuries include those that might be permanently disabling, like broken bones, torn muscles or tendons, deep cuts, and serious burns, as well as those that could be fatal, such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, as well as internal organ damage.
The following are some of the leading causes of such injuries:
- Accidents involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles;
- Accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians;
- Medical mistakes;
- Being hit by a falling, flying, or moving object;
- Dog bites;
- Products that are dangerous or faulty;
- Slip and fall accidents.
A lot of the injuries that stemmed from the abovementioned accidents are preventable. They result from someone else’s negligence, wrongdoing, or lack of concern for safety.
When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
After an accident, many people are initially hesitant to see a personal injury lawyer. Suppose you have been in a small fender collision and were not hurt. In that case, you might be able to deal with the situation independently. You should be able to negotiate with the insurance company on your own to have your vehicle repaired. However, if you have been severely injured or the insurance company is contesting your claim, the advice of an experienced attorney should be sought. You need to be aware of your legal options to make sound decisions.
The majority of accident victims are not familiar with the process of claims. An insurance adjuster deals with personal injury claims on a daily basis and is experienced in negotiating. Having reliable legal counsel advocating for you may help to guarantee that your rights will be safeguarded. A lawyer with experience in handling injury claims can advise you on your claim’s value and help you avoid being taken advantage of by an insurance company.
Medical expenses for injuries brought on by another driver’s negligence shouldn’t be your responsibility. Failure to get legal counsel after a major accident can cost you both money and time.
The sooner you have a competent lawyer looking into your personal injury case, the faster you will be able to focus on recovering.
Discussions with the Insurance Companies
A representative from the insurance company may contact you soon after the accident to quickly resolve your claim. One must remember that the insurance adjuster for the at-fault party is financially motivated to get the lowest possible settlement when talking with that party’s insurance company. The insurance adjuster may try to downplay your injuries, transfer blame for your accident, or give a low settlement to absolve themselves of liability. They might propose a settlement amount that is substantially less than the actual value of the case. They know that if ever you take their offer, you will be unable to seek additional compensation.
Any statements you give to the insurance adjuster can be used against you later. Before making comments or signing forms, you should consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
If Medical Providers or Defective Products Caused Your Injuries
If your personal injuries were caused by medical malpractice, a defective product, or a dangerous product, you could be sure to face a team of lawyers who will vigorously defend their client’s actions. They’re not likely to provide the truth, leaving you with questions unanswered.
They will almost certainly try to challenge your credibility and prevent you from getting information relevant to your case, all while taking action to postpone your settlement. It is critical to have legal counsel in these situations to protect your rights vigorously.
Insurance Companies Employ Professionals; You Should As Well
Typically, insurance companies have the deck tilted in their favor. They have a lot of money and a lot of legal resources. When working with these insurance companies, you want to be sure that you’re on an equal playing field, or even as it can be.
That is why, when working with these insurance companies, you should have your own team of professionals on your side. Insurance companies, whether your own or the other drivers, will prioritize protecting their own interests. They might try to nickel and dime you to save the company money at your expense. That is why it is best to have your personal injury attorney represent you throughout these talks. You should never do anything on your own except report that you were in an accident.
When Faced with Long-term or Permanently Disabling Injuries
When your injuries have a long-term impact on your ability to work and enjoy life, you should always visit a personal injury lawyer.
When you face lifelong disability due to an accident caused by someone else’s irresponsible or negligent behavior, any compensation you get should account for future medical treatment and lost future wages.
While an insurance company payout may cover some of your current expenses, it often does not cover long-term needs, nor does it compensate you for pain and suffering or loss of pleasure in life that you and your loved ones may experience. The only way to collect this type of settlement is to have competent personal injury attorneys advocate on your behalf and, if necessary, file a personal injury case.
Statute of Limitations for Kentucky Personal Injury Claims
It takes time to investigate an accident, identify people who may be at fault, and negotiate compensation amounts with insurance companies. In certain personal injury situations, you may not even realize the extent of your injuries or any residual problems until months or several years following the accident.
According to Kentucky Revised Statutes 413.140(1)(a), you have one year from the date of your accident to file a claim for compensation for most injuries. This one-year deadline applies equally to personal injury cases guided by the “negligence” liability principle and those deemed “intentional torts.” And, for this one-year deadline, the “clock” begins ticking on the underlying accident or occurrence date.
Kentucky has a different statute of limitations for car accident injury lawsuits, which is connected to the state’s no-fault auto insurance laws.
Scheduling a consultation with our Paducah personal injury lawyers soon after your accident ensures there is time to conduct an investigation and file a personal injury claim.
Get Legal Help for a Kentucky Personal Injury Case
Farmer & Wright, PLLC’s Paducah bankruptcy attorneys, personal injury attorneys, and disability lawyers help those under financial, emotional, and physical hardship. We help clients with personal bankruptcy, personal injury, and social security disability law. It can be overwhelming for people unfamiliar with the legal system. Our Kentucky lawyers at Farmer and Wright make the legal process simple, enabling our clients to regain control of their lives. When our clients come to us feeling defeated by difficulties, they leave with the confidence from working with an attorney they can trust to fight for their best interests.
Personal injury law is complicated. It’s hard to worry about that while recovering from your catastrophic injury. Leave the legal side to us! Schedule a free consultation with us to discuss your personal injury claim!
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