While accidents happen every day, the preventable ones are normally the hardest to cope with. If you sustained injuries because of someone else’s negligent actions, it’s important to understand your right to take legal action. A Richmond personal injury lawyer can help you build a claim and prove you were wronged.
Filing a claim not only gets you on track to receiving the compensation you need to recover, but it also lets the negligent party know that what they did was wrong, and they should be held accountable for their actions. Our attorneys understand how a single accident can affect a person physically, financially, and emotionally. When you work with our law firm, we’ll help you address your family’s needs, investigate the accident that harmed you, get the money you need to pay your medical bills, and seek lost wages for any missed work or diminished earning capacity.
You can also request legal guidance and representation from us if you’ve lost a loved one as a result of neglect. Families have a right to seek compensation for the loss of a loved one if the accident that resulted in their death never should have happened.
As lawyers, we recognize how overwhelming filing a personal injury claim can be. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping residents in Kentucky recover what is rightfully theirs. To give you an idea of what it’s like to file a claim, let’s start by taking a look at cases clients regularly bring to us.
Common Personal Injury Accidents in Richmond
A personal injury can arise from a number of different accidents and situations. Some of the most common ones we see as a law firm include:
Traffic accidents happen every day in Kentucky. Most of the crashes are the result of human error. Negligent actions drivers commit include driving distracted, fatigued, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, disregarding the rules of the road by speeding or passing improperly, or driving aggressively and tailgating or swerving in and out of traffic. Any of those actions have the potential to result in a wreck, which can cause serious injuries to everyone involved. Because the accident was preventable, legal action can be taken against the negligent driver.
When a tractor-trailer is involved in an accident, the consequences are even worse. Truck accidents could be the result of driver error, improper vehicle maintenance, or a faulty auto part. If the injuries are survivable, there’s a chance they could be deemed catastrophic. This means that the injuries are so severe they inhibit a person’s ability to be gainfully employed. This not only impacts a family financially, but it can be challenging for the injured party to come to terms with their new way of life. Determining liability for a truck accident can be hard because of the number of potential parties, but we’ll conduct a thorough investigation to determine what happened and why.
When we seek medical treatment, whether it be for an illness or an emergency, we trust that the staff, nurses, and doctors who treat us will do so in a way that doesn’t bring us more harm. Unfortunately, when medical professions are negligent, they risk harming their patients. Medical malpractice can happen during surgery, when medication is administered, or while diagnosing. When you file a med mal claim, we’ll work with medical experts to determine where your doctor went wrong.
Coming to the decision that an elderly family member will be best cared for in a nursing home can be challenging. When that’s needed, however, it’s likely they’ll have the opportunity to experience the highest quality of life possible based on their circumstances. Unfortunately, neglect and abuse occur in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The abuse may be physical, financial, sexual, or psychological. The facility can be held accountable for their actions or the actions of their staff.
If any of the situations above resulted in the death of your loved one, there may be grounds for a wrongful death claim. Filing a claim after the passing of a loved one is often challenging, but doing so will secure your family’s future.
No matter what area your personal injury claim falls into, our Richmond attorneys are prepared to take on your claim and help you seek the monetary award you deserve.
Understanding Personal Injury Law in Kentucky
When you file a claim, it’s important to understand that there are a number of state laws that could impact your case. Our attorneys have a comprehensive understanding of the laws, so you’ll be prepared no matter what’s thrown your way.
The first law it’s important to be aware of is the statute of limitations, which limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit in the court’s system. If you’re unable to reach a settlement and decide to proceed with a lawsuit, you generally only have one year from the date of the accident to do so. The time limit can vary in unique circumstances, which is why working with a lawyer is so important. If you fail to meet the statute of limitations, the court will likely dismiss your case without review and you’ll be ineligible for compensation.
If you’re in an accident where the fault is potentially split in some way between you and the opposing party, Kentucky’s comparative fault rule will come into play. If, for example, you were in a car accident and it’s determined you were at fault for 10% of an accident where the compensation is valued at $20,000, you’ll only be eligible for $18,000. This rule regularly comes up during insurance negotiations, so your Richmond lawyer will be able to determine how best to proceed to maximize your compensation.
Receiving Compensation for Your Injuries and Losses
There are a number of factors that go into determining how much a victim is owed for a personal injury claim. In most cases, compensation is broken down into two categories: economic and noneconomic. With economic damages, a person can seek compensation for their calculable losses, like medical bills and lost income. Noneconomic damages are harder to calculate, as they cover subjective losses like pain and suffering.
If you’re filing a wrongful death claim, it’s important to know that you also have the right to seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, cost of pre-death medical care, loss of companionship and consortium, and the emotional distress of the surviving family.
In the event gross negligence played a role in your accident, you have the right to seek punitive damages. They serve to punish the at-fault party for their actions. They apply in situations, like drunk driving, where the actions resulting in the damage are considered reprehensible.
Richmond: Kentucky’s Fastest Growing City
Located in the heart of Madison County, Richmond, KY features small-town warmth and the advantages of an urban area. The city was founded in 1798 by Colonel John Miller and currently houses over 33,500 people. As the third-largest city in the Bluegrass region and the state’s sixth-largest city, Richmond is home to Eastern Kentucky University.
Whether you’re looking to learn about the area’s history, try new foods, or experience a cultural event, there’s always something to do in Richmond. You can visit the Fort Boonesborough State Park or White Hall State Historic Site. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, a couple of the most popular local eateries include Jackson’s Restaurant and Meeples Restaurant & Café. Visitors and residents can also stop by the Acres of Land Winery or Deer Run Stable for a fun weekend with the family.
Golden Law Office is proud to represent the residents of Richmond. We understand the impact injuries can have on a family, which is why we fight for victims to recover the compensation they need to get their lives back in order.
Serving Clients in Richmond, Kentucky
Trying to navigate a personal injury claim on your own can seem entirely overwhelming. That’s why when you work with a Richmond personal injury lawyer from Golden Law Office, we’ll handle the complicated legal aspects of the claim for you. While we focus on handling paperwork and difficult conversations with insurance adjusters, you can take the time you need to recover. We’ll keep you updated as your case proceeds, and be sure to give you total control over what happens.
We recognize what it means to provide outstanding legal representation. That’s why, when you bring a claim to us, we’ll do what it takes to be available, professional, approachable, and sincere. Depending on your case, you could need to speak with us outside of typical business hours. We won’t hesitate to meet with you when you need us the most. We also understand how sensitive matters relating to injuries and the loss of loved ones can be. If you’re feeling uncertain about an aspect of your claim or need something explained in more detail, we’ll be able to answer your questions and help you make the best decisions for you, your recovery, and your family.
To learn more about your legal rights and options following a personal injury accident, contact Golden Law Office today. We’ll schedule a free case review with you to go over the details of your case and help you determine if pursuing legal action is likely to result in you receiving full and fair compensation. The sooner you get in touch with us after an accident, the better your chances are of making a full recovery.
Golden Law is a local, Kentucky Law Firm, attorneys/lawyers in Fayette County, Kentucky, working in the fields of personal injury, auto accidents, car and truck wrecks; medical malpractice: doctors, hospitals & nursing homes; senior living abuse: neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, dehydration, bedsores, catastrophic injuries, and broken bones. If you are considering a lawsuit, call us at 859.469.5000 for a free consultation. We are located at 771 Corporate Dr. Suite 800/ Lexington, Kentucky 40503. We handle cases all over the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We have represented and trained people in major insurance companies & major trucking companies. We have first hand experience and know the ‘inside of the insurance business’ … that’s a distinction that no other law firm can make. We’re Your Advocate. Dale Golden, Laraclay Parker.
