A car accident can put you or a loved one’s life on hold. Unfortunately, most car accidents were caused because of negligence, meaning they were preventable. You shouldn’t be held accountable for the negligent actions of another. A Georgetown car accident lawyer from Golden Law Office will fight for fair compensation for those who have been injured in an auto wreck. We will assist you in your claim so you can recover physically, emotionally, and financially from this accident.
Our experience combined with skill in advocating for car accident victims has led us to many successful cases where we secured our clients’ futures so they could focus on their recovery in peace. We’re prepared to work as hard as possible to provide that for you. Before learning more about how we can help, let’s look into the causes of car accidents and the injuries victims sustain.
How Do Car Accidents Happen?
Kentucky had 704 fatal crashes on public roads in 2020. There were many non-fatal accidents as well, totaling up to 22,846. When accidents like this happen so many times a year and affect thousands of people, you may wonder how they happen in the first place.
You’ll need to know the events of your accident for your claim. Our car accident lawyers in Georgetown have represented many car accident victims and have seen the common reasons why accidents occur. One of the following situations may have caused your accident:
- Distracted Driving
- Drunk Driving
- Speeding
- Following Too Closely
- Ignoring Weather Conditions
- Ignoring Traffic Laws
Distracted driving is something many drivers do, but may not realize how dangerous it is. When someone is distracted, they’re focusing on another task. This can mean their eyes are off the road, one hand or both hands are off the wheel, or their focus is off driving. Cell phones are a major cause of distraction. Drivers often want to check notifications, answer texts, or change their music on their phones. However, taking one’s eyes off the road can easily result in an accident. The driver doesn’t know if traffic in front of them has stopped, if someone has pulled out in front of them, or if they’re veering into another lane or off the road. They also may not be able to make quick maneuvers if they aren’t in control of the steering wheel.
When drunk drivers get behind the wheel, they do not have the capacity to safely operate a motor vehicle. People may decide to drive while drunk if they do not realize how drunk they are or do not want to leave their car somewhere; however, this does not excuse the reckless and illegal decision to drive while drunk. The ability to make decisions, concentrate, and maintain control of a vehicle are all inhibited when alcohol is involved. Alcohol-related collisions made up 111 of the 664 reported fatal crashes.
Drivers who ignore the posted speed limit are putting themselves and others around them at risk. When drivers are speeding, they have less time to react to situations on the road and can lose control more easily. A speeding driver may try to weave through traffic to move past the other drivers who are going the speed limit. If they misjudge or overcorrect their steering, they could cause a fatal accident. While a car accident at any speed can be dangerous, higher speed crashes can have more severe injuries.
Following too closely, also known as tailgating, can result in rear-end accidents. Tailgating reduces the time and space a driver has to react. If the driver ahead needs to hit the brakes or turn, the tailgating driver may not have enough time to stop or avoid them and crash into the rear of the car.
When driving in poor conditions, drivers need to adjust their behavior to remain safe. For instance, if snow starts to fall heavily, they could slip on the slick roads or not be able to see too far ahead because of decreased visibility. If a car is traveling too fast for the road, doesn’t clear snow or ice off their car so they can see, or doesn’t turn on their headlights, they could cause a collision.
Drivers need to remain cautious when they’re driving through intersections. When the light turns yellow and eventually turns red, a pedestrian sign may come on, or the other lane of traffic will now have the green light. Drivers who speed up to beat the yellow light may end up running through a red. Unsuspecting drivers or pedestrians who thought they had the go-ahead could be struck by the driver who sped through.
Your accident may have occurred under different circumstances. You should still get in touch with our car accident attorneys in Georgetown. We understand each client will have a case with unique details and will treat you with the individuality and respect you deserve.
Severe Auto Wreck Injuries and Their Consequences
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you may be dealing with painful injuries. Auto collisions can cause the following:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord and Neck Injuries
- Whiplash
- Broken Bones
- Sprains and Strains
As you seek treatment for these injuries, you may need to stay in the hospital for an amount of time. Sometimes, surgeries may be necessary for treatment. When you’re looking down a long road to recovery, you may worry about how you’re going to continue to support yourself, when you’re going to return to work, and who you can turn to for help.
Our firm is here to help those who have sustained serious injuries after a car accident. You shouldn’t have to bear all the burdens of the injuries when the accident wasn’t your fault. Having experienced representation put together a strong case will help you get the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys will look into the extent of your injuries and get you fair compensation to cover those costs.
While having an attorney will help you with your claim, there are some actions you can take at the scene of the accident that may help your claim later. Let’s look into what you should do after an accident.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
Feeling shocked, disoriented, and scared are all common emotions to experience after an accident. One of the most important things for you to do at this time is to remain calm. Then, you can go through the necessary steps to protect your health and your claim.
Your first step should be to assess yourself for injuries. If you’re okay to move, see if any others involved in the accident need assistance. Call for paramedics so professionals can evaluate everyone. Police will also arrive at the scene to make a report.
If possible, move your vehicle out of the way of traffic. A blocked lane could shut down a lane or create a bottleneck that slows down traffic. Only do so if this is safe. If your car is smoking or has liquid leaking out of it, do not go into the car. Back away and help others get away from the vehicle as well. If flammable liquids are leaking, they present a fire hazard.
Allow the paramedics to assess you. They can provide first-aid if needed and will transport anyone to the hospital if necessary. If the other party is still at the scene, there are a few pieces of information you’ll need from them.
When speaking to the other party, do not apologize for the accident. You may be speaking generally, as in you’re sorry this situation is occurring, but this can be taken as an admission of guilt and used against you later. Remain calm and get the other person’s name, contact information, insurance policy number, and details about their car.
You’ll also need to speak to the police. As they make their report, they’ll have details about the scene of the accident, what the parties said happened, the vehicles involved, and if eyewitnesses are willing to come forward, they could hear what they have to say, too. It’s important to be as accurate as possible when speaking to the police. Their third party account of what happened can help your case. The police may also determine who was liable in the report.
You can take photographs of the accident. Be sure to include photographs of the scene as a whole and close-ups of any damage. Take photos from multiple angles to capture as much evidence as possible, like skid marks on the road or the weather conditions that day. These can also provide crucial information for your claim.
See your doctor within a few days of the accident so you can get a medical evaluation. If you’re injured, you’ll want it on record that you needed to see a doctor and started treatment for your injuries. Waiting could allow your injuries to worsen and you may not be able to recover compensation for those costs. Once you’re taking care of your health, call a Georgetown car accident lawyer.
How Our Auto Accident Lawyers Can Help
You need a knowledgeable, passionate lawyer who will fight for your right to recover compensation for your injuries. If the insurance company is trying to give you less than you deserve, this can be demoralizing. Some people may take the first offer just to settle the matter. But we’re here to maximize your compensation so you can cover the costs of the accident. We’ll stand up to the insurance company and show that your injuries were the result of another’s negligence and should be fairly compensated.
To get started on your legal journey, give Golden Law Office a call today. We’ll schedule a meeting to review your case, hear your story, and decide which way forward is the right way for you.
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.
