There’s nothing more frightening than to be driving with your family or friend on a Kentucky roadway and then, suddenly, you’re slammed into by another vehicle driven by a distracted or drunk driver. Shattered glass is flying everywhere, metal is crushed and twisted, and passengers are thrown across seats and into the dashboard. In many crashes, people are seriously injured or killed.
Injuries from car accidents can leave you laid up in a hospital bed for days or weeks, and crash victims often miss many days of work, which means less money coming in to pay bills. It’s like a perfect storm that can leave you discouraged and in pain. If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle crash, you may be entitled to financial compensation. This is especially true if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. A skilled and experienced Paintsville car accident lawyer can fight aggressively for your rights to get the justice you deserve. You don’t have to get stuck with expensive medical bills and lost wages. Call Billy Johnson Law Firm at 606-437-4488 to learn more about how we can help.
Causes of Car Accidents in Paintsville
A Paintsville Car Accident Attorney Explains Why Crashes Can Be Deadly.
There are many things that can cause car accidents, including another driver’s recklessness, bad weather, debris in the road, or a combination of these. Some common causes of car accidents in Paintsville include:
- Speeding
- Disobeying rules of the road
- Distracted driving
- Driver is under the influence of drugs or is drunk driving
- Driver fatigue
- Snow, wind, rain, or ice on the roads
- Potholes or roadway debris
- Defective guardrails
- Reduced visibility
- Defective tires.
If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to financial damages. This is especially true if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence.
Damages You May Be Entitled To
A Skilled Car Accident Attorney in Paintsville Will Fight Aggressively for You.
There are a variety of damages you may be entitled to, depending on the nature of the crash, the severity of your injuries, and who was at fault.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Property damages
- Funeral and burial expenses (wrongful death)
Non-Economic Damages
- Shock and mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium (loss of companionship for your spouse)
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
Punitive Damages (does not always apply)
Punitive damages are in addition to economic and non-economic damages, and they are sometimes imposed by a judge who wants to punish a defendant for negligence that is especially egregious or for a previous record of safety violations. Punitive damages are meant to warn other potential offenders who might be tempted to do the same thing.
The Police Report Is the Key to Tell All
The police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a car accident case. It can help determine who was at fault, what happened leading up to the accident, and what damage was done.
Attorneys use police reports to build their cases and present evidence in court. The report can be used to prove that the other driver was at fault, show how the accident happened, and support any injury or damage claims.
Police reports are also valuable to insurance companies when determining who is liable for damages. The report can help establish whether the other driver was at fault and how much coverage is available.
Insurance companies will try to fight back from paying the due compensation, but the police report is the key factor that even the insurance companies cannot argue against. Many times, the police report has led to victory for injured client, helping them to get full compensation plus more because the insurance companies did not have a case.
The police report is an important document that can help ensure that you get the full compensation you deserve following a car accident. Be sure to obtain a copy of the report and give it to your attorney so they can build a strong case on your behalf.
Communication Between You and Your Paintsville Car Accident Attorney
If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important that you always answer your phone and only talk to your attorney about the case. By doing so, you can ensure that all information is accurately relayed and that your case is handled in the best possible way.
Your attorney will be able to advise you on how to communicate with insurance companies and other parties involved in the accident. It’s important that you follow their advice to avoid jeopardizing your case. Never let the insurance companies fool you into signing or saying anything without your advocate present.
It’s also crucial that you keep your attorney updated on any developments in your case. By doing so, they can provide the necessary guidance and support throughout the legal process.
If you have any questions or concerns about your car accident case, be sure to contact your Paintsville car accident attorney. They will be able to provide you with the answers and assistance you need.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
When you or a loved one is involved in a car or truck accident, you can be catapulted into the windshield, crushed by twisted metal, or cut by flying glass. Many severe injuries can result from a car accident in Paintsville. Some common injuries include:
- Concussion
- TBI and brain injury
- Broken bones
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Cuts, abrasions, and puncture wounds
- Burns
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death.
If you have sustained a serious injury in a car accident, follow these steps to ensure your protection and safety:
- Call 911 and ask for police to respond to the scene.
- Seek medical attention right away.
- Get the driver’s license and insurance information of the other driver.
- Get names and contact info of any bystanders or eyewitnesses.
- If you are able, take pictures with your phone of your injuries, damage to both vehicles, and the accident site itself.
- Answer police questions succinctly, but do not elaborate or acknowledge fault.
- Hire a Paintsville car accident lawyer to represent you.
Statute of Limitations on Car Accident Claims in Paintsville
Every case has a statute of limitations (deadline for filing), and personal injury claims arising from car wrecks are no different. The Kentucky civil statutes of limitation are detailed in KRS Chapter 413: Limitation of Actions. These statutes tend to be strictly applied by the courts, and a few days can make all the difference in whether a claim is heard or dismissed. There are also a few limited exceptions to the statute of limitations. If you are uncertain whether you still have time to file a claim, talk to a Paintsville car accident lawyer for more information.
Contact Billy Johnson Law Firm Today
If you’ve been injured in a crash, you don’t have to go it alone. Let a skilled and experienced Paintsville car accident lawyer fight for the compensation you deserve. At Billy Johnson Law Firm, we are committed to getting you justice! To find out about how we can help, call us at 606-437-4488.
Attorney Billy Johnson
William “Billy” Johnson grew up in the Dorton area of Pike County, Kentucky, and early on decided to stay in the beautiful Appalachian mountains. Like many others in Eastern Kentucky, Billy’s dad worked as a coal miner, a hard job but one that taught his son how to meet challenges head on and persevere. Attorney Billy Johnson has years of experience helping injured clients with claims such as car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, wrongful deaths, work injuries, and more. [ Attorney Bio ]
