Louisville Car Accident Lawyer
Experience Personal Injury Lawyer Serving Kentucky
Fighting for Victims of Cars Wrecks Throughout Louisville
If you spend much time driving on Louisville’s streets, there is a good chance that you will be involved in an auto accident at some point. Car wrecks are scary and can change your life dramatically. They can cause both physical and emotional damage.
According to the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, there were 724 fatal car accidents in Kentucky in 2018. You can’t control what careless drivers do. But you can take control of your life after a crash. The road to recovery starts by contacting an attorney in Louisville who will protect your rights, seek the compensation you deserve and help guide you through this difficult time.
Whether your accident was a minor fender-bender or a catastrophic collision, our car accident attorney Zach Berry is here to help injured victims and their families recover from their accident.
Reach Out FOR A FREE Case Evaluation
We Specialize in
Get the Compensation You Deserve
Car accidents can cause a major financial impact on your life. Impacts such as medical bills, lost wages and car repairs add up quickly. Insurance agents and adjusters don’t always have your best interest at heart. They get paid to, as much as they can, limit the amount of compensation you receive. They are constantly trying to devalue your claim.
This does not mean that they are bad people; they are just doing their jobs. The insurance industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and it did not become that way by paying out on every claim that is asserted.
When you have been a victim of another persons negligence you have many legal rights that you might not have been informed of. That is why it is important to consult with an experienced Louisville auto wreck lawyer that will get protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Once you hire an attorney and that is communicated to the insurance company, the insurance company cannot contact you without first going through your attorney.
No two cases are the same. By working with a respected Louisville attorney well-versed in helping clients with personal injury claims, you can be confident knowing that you will get the care and attention you deserve. Zach Berry and his office will work aggressively on your case and communicate with you throughout the process.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident call Zach Berry now at 502-387-3321 for a free case consultation with our Louisville auto accident lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Cases
Do I need a car accident lawyer?
Not every car accident victim needs an attorney. If you were not injured in the accident, or if you have only very minor injuries, hiring an attorney may be unnecessary. However, you should still consult with a personal injury attorney.
If you are injured in an accident, you need an attorney to represent your interests. There is solid evidence that clients are awarded more money with an attorney’s help than without – even after paying attorney’s fees.
Most accident victims do not have the experience or the time to deal with the insurance companies, and the entire process can be very stressful. Hiring a lawyer will help relieve accident victims of their worries and increase the likelihood of a fair financial recovery. Zach Berry deals with insurance companies daily and understands the pitfalls that can arise in personal injury cases. He will gather and analyze your medical records, consult with doctors, negotiate with the insurance company, prepare settlement proposals and prepare your case for trial if necessary.
Do I have a claim?
There are two potential claims you may have against a party that hit you in an accident: a property damage claim and a bodily injury claim. Property damage claims involve only the damage to your property; that is, your motor vehicle. If you were injured by the negligence of another driver, you will have a bodily injury claim against the at-fault driver if you meet one of the statutory requirements.
How do car accident claims work in Kentucky?
Kentucky has a specific statute that addresses motor vehicle accidents: KRS 304.39, better known as the Motor Vehicle Reparations Act (“MVRA”) and sometimes referred to as the “No Fault” law. The MVRA mandates “no fault” insurance coverage for all vehicles in Kentucky unless the insured has specifically waived the coverage. The expression “no fault” can be misleading because most car accidents are certainly caused by the fault of one of the drivers. “No fault” means that no matter who is at fault for the motor vehicle accident, the first $10,000 worth of medical bills and lost wages will be paid by the insurance company that is insuring the car in which the person is riding.
The MVRA is not easy to read or to understand. It takes a global understanding of the scope and purpose of the MVRA as well as a specific understanding of how it is applied by Kentucky courts. It is a good idea to consult with a Kentucky personal injury attorney who fully understands the MVRA.
How much is my claim worth?
Unfortunately, there is no formula to determine the exact amount of money that a motor vehicle accident case is worth. A case is worth the amount of money you need to be compensated for your injuries to put you in the position you would have been in if you were not in the accident.
The value of your injuries are called “damages.” This is the value that the accident has “damaged” an injured driver. These damages can include: past and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of power to work and earn money, and past and future pain and suffering. There may also be a claim for loss of consortium if an accident results in a fatality. If you have been injured through the negligence of another, you are entitled to compensation for these damages. If you were injured in an accident, contact Zach Berry to determine exactly what damages you may be entitled to.
The insurance company offered me a settlement – How do I know if it is enough?
It can be difficult to determine if you are being offered a fair settlement from the insurance company – especially if you experienced serious injuries from your accident. Insurance companies often don’t lead with their best and final offer. If the insurance company is offering you a quick settlement it is likely inadequate. If you suffered injuries from a car accident due to another persons negligence you should consult with an experienced attorney before accepting any offers from the insurance company.
What should I do if I can’t afford a car accident lawyer?
Zach Berry will represent you for a contingency fee, this means his fee will be subtracted from any amount that he collects for you. If no money is recovered, then you owe nothing.
Do I have to give a statement to the insurance company?
No, you are not obligated to give a statement to the insurance company. In many cases it is not in your best interest to speak with an insurance company. Often times, they are looking for information that can be used against you to deny your claim. The best thing for you to do is contact an experienced Louisville car accident attorney as soon as possible after a serious collision. Zach Berry will deal with the insurance company and make sure rights are protected.
Kentucky is a comparative fault state?
A major portion of a personal injury case is assessing liability; that is, who is at fault for the accident. In some cases, liability is clear, but in others, it may be disputed. In some states, if you are 1% at fault for an accident then you are completely precluded from recovering damages from the other party. Fortunately, Kentucky is a pure comparative fault state, which means accident victims can still recover if they were partially at fault for the accident. When evaluating a claim, it must be determined what percentage of fault may be placed upon the parties involved in the accident. In a settlement or trial, the plaintiff’s award for damages will be reduced in proportion to their fault.
What is the statute of limitations for car accidents in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, you have two years from the date of the car accident or the last PIP payment (not to exceed four years) to resolve your claim or file a lawsuit. If your claim is not resolved or a lawsuit filed within this time period, your claim will be barred forever. If you have a significant injury, you should contact a Kentucky personal injury attorney as soon as possible to allow for proper investigation and the maximization of insurance benefits. Certain causes of actions have shorter statutes of limitations, so it is always best to discuss your particular statute of limitations with a personal injury lawyer. Contact Zach Berry to determine exactly when your statute of limitations may run.