Kentucky Delivery Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Over the last decade, online shopping and ecommerce have increased to the point of requiring millions of delivery trucks, vans or cars on the roads each day. In Kentucky, if you get into a collision with a delivery vehicle, for example, from Amazon, UPS, USPS, etc., it is important to protect your rights by seeking assistance from an attorney.
A delivery truck lawyer in Kentucky will know who is responsible for your crash and how to negotiate for maximum financial compensation against a powerful insurance company. At Bryant Law Center P.S.C., we have been trusted to represent truck accident victims for over 20 years.
What to Expect From Bryant Law Center P.S.C.
When you choose Bryant Law Center for your legal representation, you get a team of experienced and compassionate lawyers and case managers. We are in this business for the people – we don’t represent insurance companies or businesses. Our Kentucky personal injury attorneys treat their clients like family. We love to help people and we understand what you’re going through. In our fight to obtain maximum compensation on your behalf, you’ll feel heard, respected and supported every step of the way. We are your local injury law firm in Kentucky.
Injuries Suffered in Delivery Truck Accidents
Collisions involving delivery trucks, vans or cars can inflict catastrophic injuries – injuries that will impact the victim for the foreseeable future. Delivery vehicles are large and heavy, capable of causing an immense amount of damage to smaller passenger cars. In many delivery truck accidents, the occupants of the smaller cars suffer worse injuries than the delivery vehicle drivers. Some of the most common injuries are:
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Muscle and ligament damage
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and scarring
- Burn injuries
- Head and brain trauma
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Neck injuries/whiplash
- Crush injuries
- Limb amputations
- Wrongful death
If you’ve suffered any type of injury in an accident involving a delivery vehicle, you could be facing expensive medical bills and a temporary or permanent disability. At Bryant Law Center, we believe that you should not have to pay for your losses if you didn’t cause the accident. We can help you navigate Kentucky’s automobile insurance laws to pursue the compensation that you need to pay for your injuries.
Common Causes of Kentucky Delivery Vehicle Accidents
Delivery trucks are dangerous vehicles. They should be driven with the utmost care and attention. Unfortunately, many delivery vehicle drivers are guilty of errors that lead to preventable accidents, such as speeding and running stop signs. In other cases, issues with the vehicle contribute to accidents, such as brake failures. Either way, accident victims may be able to file lawsuits against the at-fault party.
Large truck accident deaths have been increasing over time. Between 2012 and 2015, the number of deaths held steady at 650 to 700 deaths per year, but starting in 2016, at least 800 large-truck occupants died each year.
Determining the cause of your car accident can help you understand your rights. Common examples include:
- Driver inattention or distraction
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Ignoring roadway rules and traffic signs
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to others
- Following too closely
- Driving while tired
- Blind spots
- Overloaded delivery vehicle
- Poorly maintained truck, van or car
Delivery companies and their drivers can take steps to reduce the risk of delivery vehicle accidents in Kentucky. Unfortunately, many companies put their bottom lines over the safety of the people. This can result in vehicles and drivers that are unsafe or unfit to deliver packages and mail. If you or a loved one was injured in a delivery truck accident, it is important to have a lawyer determine the cause of the crash so that you can fully understand your legal rights.
Kentucky’s No-Fault Law and Delivery Truck Accidents
Under Kentucky’s “choice no-fault” car accident rule, all drivers involved in accidents in Kentucky must file claims with their own insurance companies first to seek compensation for their medical bills and other financial losses. Their personal injury protection coverage – a requirement for all drivers in Kentucky – will pay up to $10,000 for these expenses.
If you opted out of the no-fault insurance system or your injuries are serious enough to exceed the tort limitations in Kentucky, however, you can hold another party accountable instead. The tort limitations are $1,000 in necessary medical expenses from the accident, a broken bone, permanent injury, permanent disfigurement, permanent loss of a bodily function or death.
Who Pays for a Delivery Vehicle Accident in Kentucky?
If you have grounds to file a tort-based claim or lawsuit against a third party, you or your attorney will need to first determine liability. This is the party most at fault for causing your delivery vehicle accident. This could be:
- The delivery vehicle driver. If a delivery truck driver caused your accident, he or she may have to pay for your losses individually if the driver was an independent contractor or not driving for work at the time of the crash.
- The delivery company. Truck driver error can trigger the doctrine of vicarious liability, meaning the delivery vehicle company is responsible for the actions of its driver. This could make UPS, USPS, Amazon, FedEx, DHL or another delivery company pay for the crash. The company could also be at fault for its own mistakes, such as poor driver hiring and training practices.
- A third party. Finally, a third party may be at fault, such as an auto manufacturer for a defective truck part or the government for a roadway hazard.
A delivery vehicle accident lawyer in Kentucky can carefully investigate your crash to determine the liable party or parties. Then, your lawyer can collect evidence to help establish your claim.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Delivery Vehicle Accident Injury?
To obtain an accurate estimate of the value of your delivery truck accident claim in Kentucky, you will need to speak to an attorney. This is the only reliable way to calculate case value, as each case is unique. An average settlement value for a delivery vehicle accident lawsuit doesn’t exist.
Some clients receive $10,000 or less while others receive millions for the negligence of a delivery company. Case value depends on factors specific to the victim, such as injury diagnosis, the prognosis for recovery, age and overall health, and the amount of insurance coverage available.
Call a Kentucky Delivery Vehicle Accident Lawyer Today
To find out how much your delivery vehicle injury case might be worth, and to discuss other aspects of your claim with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer, contact Bryant Law Center P.S.C.to request a free consultation in Kentucky. Our local law firm has everything that you need to seek justice and move forward after a devastating collision involving a delivery vehicle. Please call (270) 550-1230 today to find out how we can help.