CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS WHO GET RESULTS
At Flora Templeton Stuart our Kentucky car accident lawyers are committed to offering personal representation for our clients. If you’ve been injured in a vehicle collision, our law offices are open 24/7 for consultations. We frequently meet with clients on weekends and even visit our injured clients in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia when they are unable to come to us. We never charge a fee unless we secure a settlement for you.
For over forty-seven years, Flora Templeton Stuart car accident lawyers have secured maximum compensation for our clients, collecting millions in personal injury claims. We’re available around the clock, including weekends, to provide no-obligation, free consultations. Visit our Kentucky law offices or give us a call to get the support you deserve.
Steps We Take To Get You A Top Settlement
What To Do After A Car Accident
The steps you take immediately after a car accident impact your ability to recover compensation and damages. The first step is to ensure your immediate safety and seek medical help. If possible, exchange license and auto insurance information with the other driver and document the scene by taking photos and gathering witness statements.
Contact Flora Templeton Stuart for assistance as soon as you are able. We’ll guide you through the entire process and help protect your rights. Our team will handle everything from investigating the accident to negotiating with your insurance company. We’re here to fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.
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We Have Recovered Millions of Dollars for Our Clients
“I could call and talk to Flora… her staff was great. I never had to worry. They would always ease my tension”.
“She made sure my medical expenses were taken care of… that I had a great medical team to help me heal”.
“It was like talking to your family. My wife and I both grinned… we never had to worry after that”.
Types of Car Accidents
In one recent year, 744 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in Kentucky. In total, 158,171 accidents took place throughout the state in a year’s time, injuring more than 35,000. In other words, for every 128 people living in the state, one suffered injuries in a car accident.
Different types of car accidents each present the danger of injury or death, including:
Rear-end accidents: Rear-end accidents in Kentucky account for one-fifth of all motor vehicle accidents. However, they only represent 11 percent of fatalities resulting from traffic crashes. Rear-end accidents are frequently caused by tailgating or following too closely. Accidents occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the rear of another vehicle. In addition to tailgating, this type of accident is also commonly caused by speeding. Driving at excessive speeds reduces the time a driver has to perceive a roadway hazard like a car suddenly stopping ahead. Further, speeding increases the distance required for a vehicle to come to a safe stop. Distracted driving commonly contributes to causing rear-end collisions.
Broadside collisions: Also known as angle collisions or T-bone accidents, broadside collisions are the most prevalent type of vehicle accident in Kentucky. In 2018, broadside crashes represented 20.4 percent of all car accidents statewide, accounting for 41.2 percent of all traffic accident fatalities. Most often, these collisions occur at an intersection when one driver fails to yield the right-of-way to another. Broadside collisions pose an extreme risk of serious injury and fatality for occupants on the impacted side of the vehicle.
Sideswipe collisions: Sideswipe accidents account for nearly 20 percent of all accidents in Kentucky and about 4 percent of all accident fatalities. Sideswipe collisions involve the side of one vehicle striking the side of another. They’re often caused by improper lane changes. For instance, a driver may fail to ensure an adjacent lane is clear before quickly passing into it.
Head-on crashes: In 2018, about 3 percent of the car accidents in Kentucky were classified as head-on crashes. However, head-on crashes accounted for 35.6 percent of all accident fatalities in the state. Head-on collisions involve the front of one vehicle colliding with the front of another vehicle. Head-on crashes frequently result in death or serious injury. The forward motion of both vehicles coupled with their speed increases the intensity of the impact.
Single-vehicle crashes: Many accidents involve only one vehicle. Typically, a vehicle will collide with an object, animal, or even a pedestrian or bicyclist. In Kentucky, in 2018, 4,511 vehicles struck other objects. Another 1,624 accidents involved pedestrians. The majority of single-vehicle crashes, 6,073, involved a collision with a deer, and only 332 involved a collision with a bicyclist.
Chain-reaction crashes: In contrast to single-vehicle crashes, chain-reaction crashes are those that involve three or more vehicles. Often, chain-reaction crashes are caused when the impact of two vehicles colliding causes one of them to strike a third vehicle. Pileups are a type of chain-reaction crash occurring at highway speeds on the interstate. They typically involve a number of vehicles that cannot stop in time to avoid the initial crash. Pileups are particularly dangerous because a single vehicle may be involved in numerous consecutive collisions within a short time frame. In addition, accident victims may increase their risk of injury by exiting the vehicle while subsequent collisions are taking place.
Rollover crashes: Rollover crashes can happen in one of two ways. First, they may result from a vehicle colliding with an object or another vehicle, which creates an imbalance causing a rollover. Second, a rollover may result from losing control around a sharp curve, over-correcting mistakes, or running off the road. Vehicles with a high center of gravity, e.g. trucks, vans, or SUVs are especially at risk due to their inherent instability.
Front-End Crashes: As the name implies, a front-end crash happens when you drive into another car or object with the front end of your vehicle. It is also considered to be a front-end crash when another person drives into the front end of your vehicle in a head-on collision. These crashes can lead to serious injuries due to the ineffectiveness of the seatbelt in these crashes.
Covered On This Page
We Collect For Our Clients Hurt In Vehicle Accidents
Our team has a five-step process for collecting vehicle accident compensation for victims of car collisions. We’ll investigate your case, open claims with your health insurance provider, collect your medical records and refer you to great doctors, set up annuities and college funds for injured children, and negotiate for the settlement you deserve.
Your Settlement May Include Compensation For:
- Medical expenses, past and future
- Disfigurement, loss of limb, permanent scarring
- Lost wages
- Lose love, companionship, and guidance
- Disability costs or live-in care
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Lost capacity to earn
What Causes Car Accidents?
Many types of auto accidents exist, as do causes for crashes. Some of the most common causes include:
Distracted driving: A person driving at 55 miles per travels the length of a football field in only five seconds. While all distractions are dangerous, texting and other cell phone use are among the most dangerous of driving distractions. It is not uncommon for drivers to take five seconds or more to read or reply to a text message while driving. While texting, a driver’s eyes are off the road, the mind is off driving, and at least one hand is off the wheel. Some other common distractions include eating or drinking, visiting with other passengers, adjusting vehicle or stereo controls, and applying makeup. Drivers may also be distracted by external factors including billboards, people in other cars, or even previous accidents.
Alcohol and drug impairment: In one recent year, alcohol-impaired drivers caused 4,736 collisions in Kentucky. Alcohol impairment contributed to 113 fatal collisions and 1,585 accidents involving injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one person dies in the United States every 39 minutes in drunk-driving crashes. In 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths. Alcohol impairment causes significant reductions in the motor functioning required for the safe operation of a motor vehicle. The use of alcohol may decrease a driver’s ability to process information or to maintain one’s own lane of travel. In addition, alcohol can affect the ability to steer and brake effectively, respond to emergencies, and focus on the task of driving.
Speeding: In one recent year, 9,378 people died from accidents that were caused by speeding in the United States. As such, speeding is one of the most deadly driving behaviors. As mentioned, speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the distance required to stop a vehicle. Additionally, speeding prevents your vehicle’s protective features – such as the steel frame, seat belts, and airbags – from working effectively. Speeding is not only driving faster than the posted speed limit. Speeding also includes driving too fast for the conditions of the road. For example, in inclement weather or traffic congestion, it is likely hazardous to travel at the posted speed.
Fatigue: Extreme fatigue in drivers manifests many impairments similar to alcohol impairment. Fatigue may result in slower reaction times and the inability to maintain one’s lane. All drivers are at risk of fatigue without the appropriate amount of sleep each night. However, those at particular risk include long-haul truck drivers, shift workers, and individuals suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes a person to briefly stop breathing numerous times during sleep, resulting in low-quality sleep.
Failure to yield: Failure to yield includes running red lights and stop signs. In addition, turning onto a street from a parking lot or driveway without waiting for a sufficient gap in traffic also constitutes a failure to yield. A failure to yield is the most common cause of accidents occurring in intersections. Intersection accidents account for more than a quarter of all accidents in Kentucky.
Inclement weather: Rain, fog, and snow are driving hazards that may reduce visibility and create slick roads. Inclement weather can increase the risk of an accident.
Defective auto parts: Manufacturers and distributors of vehicle parts have the responsibility to ensure that those parts are safe for use by consumers. Some defective parts may result in accidents, including defective tail lights, turn signals, brake or steering systems, and tires.
When Insurance Pays In A Car Accident
Several types of insurance coverage that will pay if you’re injured in an automobile collision:
Personal Injury Protection: The vehicle you are in is the primary coverage for payment of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in Kentucky. PIP has minimal limits of $10,000 and pays medical expenses, lost income, home care, and even a portion of funeral expenses. Kentucky automobile accident lawyers reserve these benefits so medical bills and lost wages will get paid. PIP is repaid by the party at fault.
Liability: The at-fault driver pays for injuries caused to another through their liability policy, which in Kentucky has a minimum policy of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident and a maximum can be in the millions with a commercial insurance policy.
Uninsured Motorist: If the driver at fault did not have insurance you can collect on your uninsured motorist’s coverage on your own insurance policy.
Underinsured Motorist: If the at-fault driver of the vehicle had insurance but not enough or your injuries are greater than that amount you can collect on underinsured motorists. Flora Templeton Stuart will make sure all underinsured policies are uncovered for maximum recovery.
How We Prove Negligence in Your Auto Accident Case
Negligence in car accidents typically involves a driver failing to exercise reasonable care. As Kentucky car crash lawyers, before we can take action against the liable party, we need to prove that their negligence led to the accident. We do this by establishing the following elements of negligence:
Duty of care: The at-fault party had a responsibility to keep you safe by following all traffic laws.
Breach of duty: The at-fault party breached their duty of care, instead acting negligently.
Causation: The at-fault party’s actions or inactions caused you to suffer an accident and injuries.
Damages: You suffered damages, such as pain and suffering and property damage, because of the at-fault party’s negligence.
Our team will gather evidence to prove negligence, including police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage.
Kentucky and Tennessee Car Accident Laws
Under the “no-fault” car insurance system in Kentucky, drivers are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. Regardless of who causes the accident, PIP covers medical expenses and lost wages. However, if you’re in an accident, you can opt out of the no-fault system to pursue auto injury claims against the at-fault driver and possibly receive more vehicle accident compensation.
Statute of Limitations in Kentucky and Tennessee
In vehicle accidents, there is a limited amount of time to sue. In Kentucky, you have two years after the wreck to sue which can be extended with PIP benefits being paid, as per Ky. Rev. Stat. § 304.39-230(6). In Tennessee, you only have one year to file an auto accident lawsuit. Time limits for minors start when they turn 18.
The Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death cases is governed by KRS 413.140.
Kentucky Car Accident Statistics
In the first four months of 2024, 182 Kentucky drivers have become victims of fatal car crashes. This number is lower than previous years and continues to go down, but drivers need to do their part to practice driver safety. Some facts about Kentucky accidents include:.
Kentucky And Tennessee Personal Injury FAQ
Accidents and injuries can occur for many different reasons. However, if an individual, employer, or business is responsible for the incident, a personal injury lawyer near you can advise you of your legal options and the next best steps.
Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers cares about you. We can determine whether you have a case and assist you with recovering damages such as medical bills, income loss, pain and suffering, and many more.
Why Hire Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers?
With over forty-seven years of representing clients in Kentucky & Tennessee, our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to obtaining justice for our injured clients. With local attorneys, right here in your community, we provide personal representation with our top attorneys, Flora and Kent. We meet with our clients to explain the entire process, leave no stone unturned with an extensive investigation to include our experts, and will refer our clients to excellent physicians. We take on the insurance company to obtain a maximum settlement. We can come to you and with offices close by we can travel to our injured clients when they cannot come to us. We treat our clients like family.
How do I pay for you to represent me?
Flora Templeton Accident Injury Lawyers we work on a contingency fee so you won’t pay us unless we win your case. We pay all costs of the case and are not reimbursed unless we collect money for you. you can call us for free, even on weekends with no obligation.
What type of cases do you handle?
We handle all car and truck accidents including commercial trucks, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bus accidents, bicycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, work injuries, slip and falls, dog bites, and more. When a loved one has died in a personal injury accident we handle the wrongful death claim to obtain a recovery for the family to get the justice they deserve. Go to our personal injury overview link for more personal injury cases that we handle. since we concentrate our entire practice on personal injury law we are experienced in these areas of practice.
How do I know if I have a case?
Our lawyers will accept a case where we know we can help. You can call us 24/7 for a free consultation and our experienced attorneys will evaluate your injury case without charge. Our attorneys have never represented insurance companies or corporations. We can focus one hundred percent of our practice on helping the injured. Call us today for your free case evaluation. While we cannot guarantee the amount of recovery when you call we can and will give you an evaluation of how we will do everything to collect a maximum settlement.
