Kentucky Truck Accident Attorney
At Bryant Law Center, our Kentucky truck accident attorneys can provide high-quality legal services if you need to go up against a truck driver or trucking company in pursuit of justice and financial compensation for a collision. We understand how these complicated cases work and can guide you through the legal process using personalized strategies. Bryant Law Center P.S.C. is your local injury law firm – we are prepared to do what it takes to help you recover from a truck accident.
Why Clients Choose Bryant Law Center.
- Our success rate speaks for itself. We have won multiple record-setting verdicts and recovered over $100 million in verdicts & settlements, including many successful truck accident cases.
- We are a small Kentucky law firm that gets big results. We have over 30 years of experience that we put to work on getting the best possible resolutions for our clients.
- Our Kentucky truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, with no fees charged to our clients unless we win the case.
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help You?
Truck accidents are some of the most catastrophic types of collisions in Kentucky. In an accident between a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck, the latter always wins. If you or a loved one has serious injuries from a truck accident, it is critical to hire an attorney to represent you. An attorney will fight for the financial compensation that your family needs to pay for current and latent medical costs, giving you greater peace of mind about your future. Hiring a lawyer can also allow you to concentrate on your recovery while the law firm handles case investigation and negotiations with a trucking company on your behalf. A wrongful death lawyer in Paducah can help navigate any potential legal options surrounding your loved one’s wrongful death case.
Evidence Used in a Truck Accident Case
In a truck accident case, various types of evidence can be used to establish liability and determine the extent of damages. Here are some common types that may be utilized:
- Accident reports: Official reports prepared by law enforcement officers who responded to the accident scene. These reports often include important details such as the collision’s date, time, and location, weather conditions, statements from involved parties and witnesses, and any citations or violations issued.
- Eyewitness testimonies: Statements provided by individuals who witnessed the accident can provide valuable insights into the events leading up to the accident and help establish fault.
- Surveillance footage: If the accident occurred in an area equipped with surveillance cameras, video footage may capture the accident itself or show the actions of the truck driver or other involved parties before the collision.
- Vehicle data recorders: Many commercial trucks are equipped with event data recorders or “black boxes” that capture important information about the vehicle’s speed, braking, acceleration, and other technical data from before the accident. This information can be crucial in reconstructing the crash and determining factors that may have contributed to it.
- Driver logs and records: Commercial truck drivers are required to maintain logs of their driving hours and rest breaks to ensure compliance with federal regulations. These records can be examined to determine if the driver was fatigued or violated any driving restrictions.
- Maintenance and inspection records: Trucks must undergo regular inspections and maintenance to ensure they are in proper working condition. Records of these inspections and maintenance can be used to identify any mechanical issues or failures that may have contributed to the accident.
- Expert analysis: In complex truck accident cases, experts such as accident reconstruction specialists, engineers, or medical professionals may be hired to provide their analysis and opinions on fault and the extent of injuries based on their specialized knowledge and expertise.
- Medical records: If there were injuries sustained in the accident, medical records detailing the diagnosis, treatments received, and long-term prognosis can be used to establish the damages suffered by the injured party.
- Phone records: If distracted driving is suspected as a cause of the accident, phone records of the truck driver can be examined to determine if they were using their phone at the time of the collision.
The specific evidence used in a truck accident case can vary depending on the circumstances. In some cases, distracted driving can result in trucking accidents and prove another driver is at fault. Contact a distracted driving attorney in Kentucky to learn more about your legal options.
Who Can Be Sued For Truck Accident Damages?
In a truck accident case, multiple parties can potentially be sued for damages, depending on the circumstances surrounding the crash. Here are some common parties that may be liable:
The Truck Driver
The truck driver can be sued if their negligent actions or behavior contributed to the accident. For example, speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or violating traffic laws.
Trucking Company
If a trucking company employs the driver, it can also be held responsible for the negligent actions of its employee under a legal principle known as “vicarious liability” or “respondeat superior.”
Truck Owner
If the truck involved in the accident is owned by a separate entity or individual from the trucking company, the owner can also be liable in some cases. For instance, if the owner failed to properly maintain the vehicle, knowingly allowed an unsafe vehicle on the road, or was directly involved in the negligent operation of the truck.
Vehicle Manufacturer
If a defect in the truck’s design or manufacturing contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the truck or its components may be liable. This can include issues such as faulty brakes, defective tires, or other mechanical failures.
Maintenance and Repair Providers
If the collision was caused by inadequate maintenance or negligent repairs, the individuals or companies responsible for maintaining or repairing the truck may be liable.
Government Entities
In certain cases, government entities responsible for maintaining the roadways may be liable if the accident was caused by a hazardous road condition, such as poor signage, inadequate road maintenance, or construction zone negligence.
Determining the appropriate parties to sue in a truck accident case can be complex and requires a thorough investigation.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
If you are involved in a truck accident, it is important to take steps to ensure your safety and protect your rights:
- Move to Safety: Move to a safe location if possible and activate hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Seek Medical Attention: Check yourself and others for injuries and call 911 if needed. However, even if you do not have any apparent injuries, still seek medical care immediately after leaving the scene. Some severe injuries have delayed symptoms, and medical records must link your harm to the accident.
- Contact Law Enforcement: Call the police to report the accident and request their presence at the scene if you do not need emergency services. This will help ensure an official accident report is filed, which can be valuable for insurance and legal purposes.
- Gather Information: Obtain the following important information from all parties involved in the accident:
- Names, contact details, and insurance information of all drivers involved.
- Truck driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) information.
- License plate numbers of all vehicles involved.
- Names and contact information of any witnesses present.
- Document the Scene: If it is safe to do so, take photos or videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any other relevant details. These visuals can serve as vital evidence later on.
- Don’t Admit Fault: Avoid making statements accepting blame or admitting fault, as it may negatively impact any legal claims or insurance coverage. Stick to factual information when discussing the accident with the police, other drivers, or insurance representatives.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurer. They can advise you on your coverage and whether filing a claim under your policy is an option.
- Preserve Evidence: Preserve any evidence related to the accident, such as medical records, vehicle repair estimates, and communication with insurance companies. These records can be important when pursuing a claim.
Speak to an experienced Kentucky Truck Accident Lawyer as soon as possible. They can advise you on your case, guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you pursue maximum compensation.
What Sets 18-Wheeler Accidents Apart From Standard Car Accidents?
Semi-truck, big rig and 18-wheeler accidents are not the same as typical car accidents in Kentucky. A crash involving a commercial truck has unique elements that can make it more difficult for victims to recover financially. At Bryant Law Center, our attorneys have years of experience handling truck accident cases. We understand what these cases involve and what it takes to win.
Federal Safety Standards
Commercial trucks are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration – an organization in charge of creating and enforcing safety laws for common carriers. All trucking companies must obey these laws, which include hours-of-service restrictions, alcohol and drug testing mandates, fleet maintenance rules, and cargo securement standards.
Hazardous Cargo
Many large trucks in Kentucky carry hazardous materials and cargo, such as oil, gas, fireworks, ammunition, lithium-ion batteries and dry ice. In an accident, trucks may spill their hazardous cargo and cause fires, toxic fumes or explosions. This can lead to more serious injuries for crash victims, as well as damage to nearby houses or buildings.
Catastrophic Injuries
An 18-wheeler is much larger and heavier than a passenger vehicle – outweighing the average car by 20 to 30 times. This means that the smaller car can get crushed or obliterated in an accident and its occupants can suffer serious to catastrophic injuries that will have a long-term or permanent impact.
Unique Types of Evidence
Truck accidents often have special types of evidence available to support a personal injury claim. This can include the truck’s black box, electronic logging devices, trucking company records, maintenance logs, in-cab cameras, truck driver medical histories and DOT safety ratings.
Powerful Adversaries
Going up against a trucking company is not the same as going up against an individual vehicle driver. A trucking company has powerful resources and aggressive legal teams to fight liability for truck accidents. The best way to balance the scales and protect your rights is by hiring an attorney in Kentucky.
You have enough to worry about as someone who has been badly injured in a truck accident in Kentucky. You should not also have to navigate the unique elements of a personal injury claim on your own. You can hire a truck accident attorney to handle the legal side of your case for you. The right attorney can efficiently and effectively navigate the elements of your case on your behalf.
Who Is Liable for a Semi-Truck Accident in Kentucky?
According to the Kentucky Transportation Center, large trucks in Kentucky were involved in 1,315 injury collisions and 106 fatal collisions in 2020. Many of these accidents were caused by negligence on the part of the truck driver and/or trucking company. Negligence in personal injury law refers to the failure to act with reasonable care, such as a trucking company breaking federal safety laws or failing to properly train truck drivers.
A trucking company could cause or contribute to a truck accident in Kentucky in many ways, such as:
- Defective equipment
- Brake failures
- Poor cargo securement
- Truck overloading
- Broken safety laws
- Pressuring drivers to drive past hours-of-service regulations
- Poor fleet maintenance
- Lack of truck driver training
- Truck driver fatigue or driver inattention
- Lack of truck driver background checks
- No truck driver drug or alcohol testing
If a trucking company committed an act of negligence that contributed to the accident, it could be liable for the victim’s losses. A trucking company could also be vicariously liable for the mistakes of a truck driver, even if the driver is an independent contractor. Other potentially liable parties in your truck accident case in Kentucky can include the cargo company, a maintenance team, a truck manufacturer, or a truck owner/operator.
Damages Available for Injured Truck Accident Victims in Kentucky
With an attorney from Bryant Law Center by your side, you and your family may be able to recover financial compensation for many past and future losses associated with your recent truck accident. The financial compensation available may pay for your medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, pain and suffering, legal fees, and more. You may also qualify for wrongful death damages if a loved one tragically lost his or her life in a fatal truck accident. Discuss the value of your case with one of our attorneys today.
Call (270) 550-1230 for a Free Truck Accident Case Review in Kentucky
Learn your rights and legal options as an injured victim of a truck accident and get the answers to questions that you need. Send us a message online or call (270) 550-1230 to schedule a free case review. During a free consultation at our local Paducah or Louisville, Kentucky law office, you can speak directly to the Kentucky personal injury attorney who will be handling your case. We can help you get through this distressing time.
