While traveling on Lexington, KY roads, whether that’s local streets, state or U.S. highways and routes, or interstates, you might notice commercial vehicles and other big trucks moving along the highways and byways. Unfortunately, with all that truck traffic, there are bound to be accidents. To make matters worse, many of the collisions could have been prevented.
You might not know where to turn if you have been involved in these incidents. Many families struggle with recuperating from their injuries, paying their medical bills, and making ends meet with a reduction in income.
In these situations, you may have the legal right to seek compensation from the responsible parties for your accident.
Negligent behavior and reckless actions all play a major role in these wrecks. Some drivers hit the road in unsafe vehicles, while a few trucking companies may push their employees to work over their allotted hours. All these factors can spell a disaster on the road.
At the Golden Law Office, we can help you recover the compensation you deserve. A Lexington truck accident lawyer is ready to investigate your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and get compensation from these accountable parties.
If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, contact our office today.
Where Tractor-Trailer Crashes Occur in Kentucky
Truck traffic is no stranger to Lexington roads. While most drivers are cautious in their driving habits, some disregard the safety of others. These major highways and roadways in the city include:
- Interstate 75 (I-75) has the most truck traffic, passing through Lexington before crossing the Ohio River into Cincinnati.
- Interstate 64 (I-64) runs east-west through the state, connecting Lexington with Louisville to Huntington, West Virginia.
- US 60 (Versailles Road) is a key route for trucks traveling to and from the Bluegrass Airport and the Keeneland Race Course.
- US 27 (Nicholasville Road) is a major route for trucks traveling to and from the southern part of the state.
- KY 4 (New Circle Road) forms a loop around the city of Lexington, making a heavily traveled road for trucks making local deliveries within the city.
According to recent data, truck accidents are serious concerns for drivers in Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, there were 9,437 truck collisions in our state in 2022. At least 1,351 of those resulted in 1,956 people suffering injuries and another 86 of those were fatal wrecks that claimed the lives of 96 individuals.
If the truck driver does not follow specific safety protocols or fails to adhere to traffic laws, it can lead to a crash on the road. However, that is not the only cause of commercial truck vehicle accidents in Kentucky.
The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Lexington
There are many reasons why these accidents occur on the road. While most of them are related to driver error, other factors can come into play. According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the most common causes of truck crashes are:
- Brake problems: If the brakes are not properly maintained, that leads to brake failure or reduced efficiency.
- Traffic flow interruption: Changes in traffic flow, traffic jams, road construction, or a previous accident can lead to crashes.
- Prescription drug use: The use of prescription drugs can impair a driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely.
- Traveling too fast for conditions: Accidents can happen when truck drivers are traveling at an unsafe speed, given the current road, weather, or traffic conditions.
- Unfamiliarity with roadways: In many cases, truckers often travel on unfamiliar roads. When they don’t know the terrain, collisions can occur.
- Roadway problems: Poor road conditions, potholes, lack of proper signage, or inadequate lighting are major contributors to road incidents.
- Failing to stop: If the truck was required to stop but failed to do so, that can result in a serious accident.
Many of these causes result in catastrophic injuries and damages. In these cases, the responsible parties can be held accountable for their negligent or reckless actions (or inactions). If you want to learn more about whether your case qualifies for recoverable compensation, contact Golden Law Office.
Potential Parties Responsible for Kentucky Truck Crashes
Unlike car accidents, truck accidents can have multiple parties responsible for the incident on the road. These responsible parties can include one or more of the following:
- The driver can be responsible in cases of distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence.
- The trucking company may be liable if they fail to screen or train drivers or set unrealistic schedules for their workers.
- The vehicle manufacturer holds some responsibility if any parts of the vehicle fail, such as the brakes, tires, or steering components.
- Cargo loaders need to load the truck properly. They could be responsible for an accident if they didn’t secure or load the vehicle.
- Mechanics or other maintenance providers are required to admit the safety of these vehicles. When they fail in their responsibilities, they can be deemed negligent actions.
- Local government agencies may be liable if they don’t properly maintain their roads, leading to an accident.
At Golden Law Office, we can help you determine liability in these cases. Our law firm will launch a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties for your accident.
What Are the Consequences of a Commercial Vehicle Wreck?
Truck accidents can result in a wide range of injuries and damages. Some examples include:
- Spinal cord injuries often lead to paralysis or impaired motor function.
- Traumatic brain injuries range from mild concussions to severe brain trauma.
- Neck and back injuries can cause herniated discs and fractured vertebrates.
- Severe burns result from fire or explosion, causing pain and disfigurement.
- Lacerations can cause deep cuts and tears that extend into the muscles or ligaments.
Losses 18-Wheeler Crash Victims Sustain
The injuries that those involved in an accident with a big rig sustain often result in extensive medical and financial losses. Those damages frequently include:
- Medical expenses, including all treatment and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and future earning potential losses
- Property damage to your belongings and vehicle
- Pain and suffering for the emotional distress caused by the accident
Lawsuits aren’t just a legal remedy available to those who suffer injuries. Wrongful death claims may be filed if the accident ended in the tragic loss of a loved one as well. In both cases, these options may aid in the recovery of much-needed financial support for damages sustained.
What To Do After a Big Rig Wreck
Like any accident, you want to make sure to follow a few steps after a big rig crash. Here is what you should do:
- Look for injuries: Whether you or someone else has been injured on the road, check for any injuries. If there are injuries, call 911 immediately. You will want to get checked out by a medical professional. Even minor injuries can develop into major issues over a few days.
- Call the police: No matter the accident’s severity, make sure to call the local law enforcement. With that, you can get a complete police report of the incident, which can serve as the basis of your legal claim.
- Document the accident: If you can and it’s safe enough to do so, make sure to take photos of the crash scene, including the vehicles involved, any injuries, and weather conditions or traffic signals or signs that may potentially be of importance. This evidence can also help with liability determinations if it becomes necessary because your damages exceed any no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage you may have.
- Exchange information: Gathering the other driver’s information and eyewitness information is important. You will want to get the driver’s name and their license number as well as insurance policy information and their employer’s (the trucking company’s) name and contact details.
- Consult with a Lexington truck accident lawyer: After taking care of all the steps listed above, you will want to reach out to an attorney who regularly handles semi-truck crashes in Kentucky. These cases are extremely complex, and you need a skilled legal professional on your side to ensure you’re able to recover any compensation you may be entitled to.
If you are ready to learn more about your options to file a claim, contact us at Golden Law Office.
How a Lawyer Can Help Your Truck Accident Case?
These cases often require an experienced hand to guide you through the process. Truck companies and their insurers do not want to settle these claims or make a less-than-reasonable offer if they do. This is why you want a truck accident attorney in Lexington, KY for your case. Some of the benefits that they can provide include:
- Identifying liable parties and gathering evidence: One of the first things an attorney will do is identify the parties potentially liable for the accident. Your lawyer will also gather evidence to support your claim, including medical records, police reports, and eyewitness statements.
- Handling insurance companies and legal proceedings: Negotiating with insurance companies is challenging, to say the least. Your legal counsel can handle all those complicated and frustrating stages of the process.
- Calculating damages and negotiating settlements: Calculating your losses, damages, and injuries is another difficult part of the process. An experienced lawyer will place a value on your damages and use that figure to seek a fair settlement on your behalf.
Golden Law Office is here to provide you with support throughout the process as we advocate for your best interests.
Learn How We Can Assist in Your Truck Accident Case
If you have been injured in a collision with a big rig, we are ready to assist at the Golden Law Office. One of our truck accident lawyers can analyze your case and help you recover compensation from the responsible parties.
We know these accidents can have disastrous consequences, and often, these incidents leave victims and their families with financial burdens.
During this time, you need to focus on your healing, not negotiating with insurance companies or the other parties’ legal team.
At Golden Law Office, we are here to provide you with the support you need during this time. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Lexington truck accident lawyer.
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.
