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Fort Thomas Car Crash Lawyer Standing Up For Auto Accident Victims Through Kentucky

Last updated on June 25, 2024

After you have been hurt in a serious auto accident, it can be traumatic to find out that your crash could have been prevented. If a reckless or negligent driver made a poor decision that caused your accident, you should not be financially responsible for paying medical bills and other expenses related to your injuries. An experienced car crash lawyer can help you understand the next steps after you’ve been injured.

At Fessler, Schneider & Grimme LLP, we advocate for motor vehicle accident survivors and their loved ones. We fight insurance companies and at-fault drivers to secure maximum compensation for your injuries. Our car accident attorneys throughout northern Kentucky are known for their client-centered focus and record of success.

Ready To Challenge At-Fault Parties And Insurance Companies

Led by our founding partner, David F. Fessler, our car accident attorneys use the law to hold responsible parties financially accountable. When you consult with us, we listen to your side of the story before making recommendations. Attorney Fessler draws on his decades of personal injury experience to identify the approach that helps you receive justice and damages for a catastrophic or fatal accident.

Our car crash lawyers regularly represent motorists, passengers, pedestrians or bicyclists injured by:

Cars and SUVs
Semitrailers, big rigs and other large commercial vehicles
Motorcycles
Buses and other forms of public transportation

Because auto accident payouts are expensive, insurance providers and at-fault parties will do everything possible to avoid paying out fair claims. As your advocate, we move quickly to protect your claim. Our car crash lawyers will help you gather necessary medical reports, auto body repair bills and other evidence supporting your version of events.

Whether you are filing an accident claim with an insurer or filing a lawsuit in court, we will guide you through the process. Our car accident attorneys strive to reduce this legal matter’s impact on your physical, mental and emotional health. It is our goal that you have the closure you need to move on from your accident.

What Is Comparative Negligence In Kentucky?

Comparative negligence determines how much each party involved in an accident is at fault. This concept directly influences the amount of compensation an accident victim can receive. Kentucky follows a pure comparative negligence rule. According to his law, you may still recover damages if you share partial fault for an accident. However, the amount you receive is proportionate to your percentage of fault. For instance, if the court finds you to have 30% fault and your total damages amount to $10,000, you can still receive $7,000.

In a personal injury claim, proving negligence is essential. Here are the key elements:

Duty: The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care. For example, all drivers must follow traffic laws and drive safely.
Breach of duty: The defendant failed to meet that duty. This could involve speeding, running a red light or driving under the influence.
Cause in fact: But for the defendant’s failure, the plaintiff would not have been injured. In other words, the accident directly resulted from the defendant’s actions.
Proximate cause: The defendant’s failure, and not something else, caused the plaintiff’s injury. This establishes a direct link between the defendant’s actions and the injuries sustained.
Damages: The plaintiff has been injured and suffered some loss. This can include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Accident victims in Kentucky should consult experienced car accident lawyers to navigate the complexities of comparative negligence. An attorney can help gather crucial evidence, such as the police report and build a strong case to ensure fair compensation. They can also advise on pursuing punitive damages if the defendant’s actions were reckless or malicious.

Our team of personal injury attorneys is dedicated to helping accident victims understand their rights and secure the compensation they deserve. We work diligently to prove negligence and fight for the maximum possible compensation for our clients. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact us today to discuss your case and explore your legal options.

When To Hire A Car Crash Lawyer After A Car Accident

Kentucky’s personal injury laws are complicated, and insurance company adjusters are pros at finding ways to minimize or deny claims. In general, it is wisest to hire a car accident attorney as soon as possible after a wreck – even if you are not sure if you intend to pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit.

You also may need to find a lawyer quickly if any of the following apply to your accident:

It involved severe injuries or someone’s wrongful death.
There is unclear liability for the crash or liability is disputed.
It involved multiple vehicles or potential claims.
The wreck involved a large commercial vehicle.
There are concerns about the preservation of evidence.
The insurance company is trying to pressure you to settle.

Your Kentucky car accident attorney will evaluate your case and help you understand the compensation you may be due. This can include:

Economic damages: These are easily quantifiable losses, such as lost current and future wages, medical expenses related to the wreck and recovery, and property losses.
Noneconomic damages: These are harder to quantify but equally important to your claim and your quality of life. They include pain and suffering related to the accident and your recovery, the emotional pain related to your trauma and any ongoing lost quality of life and function.
Punitive damages: These are damages that are awarded solely at the discretion of the court or jury, and they are designed to punish a defendant for particularly outrageous behavior.

Hiring a car accident attorney as soon as possible is the best way to protect your interests and insulate yourself against the insurance company’s mechanisms.

Timing is also essential when it comes to hiring an attorney. Kentucky only allows victims of car accidents to file a claim within one year. If you wait too long to act, you could lose the ability to obtain any damages. Call us today at 859-305-8659 or send an email to get started on your free consultation.

Fatigued Driving, Tiring Behind The Wheel Can Lead To Severe Accidents

Fatigue-related car accidents are a growing concern in Kentucky, injuring and killing many residents and visitors each year. Operating a vehicle while impaired by exhaustion may be a form of negligence, entitling injured victims to financial compensation.

What makes fatigued driving so dangerous?

Much like alcohol, exhaustion can impair judgment and reaction time by disrupting the brain’s ability to process information, make decisions and react to changing road conditions.

Microsleeping – brief periods of unconsciousness – is a specific cause of tired driving accidents, often resulting in loss of vehicle control for seconds at a time. Drowsy drivers struggling to maintain focus may drift out of lanes or off the road, endangering those nearby.

Can you predict your risk level?

A unique danger associated with tired driving is it can lead to a vehicle accident with virtually no warning. Motorists who are driving tired are usually unaware they have dozed off or lost their concentration. That means there may be no brake lights or other indicators of an imminent accident.

However, drowsy driving accidents do have a few things in common, allowing you to determine when and where you may face the most risk and use extra caution.

Midnight to 6:00 AM: During these late-night hours, the natural sleep-wake cycle increases susceptibility to fatigue, impacting reaction times and judgment.
Mid-afternoon: In the mid-afternoon, often following lunch, the body and mind can experience a dip in energy and alertness, leading to drowsy driving even during daylight hours.
Rural roadways: Long stretches of monotonous scenery combined with fewer traffic lights and activity can lull exhausted drivers into a state of unconsciousness.
Traffic violations: A driver running a red light or traffic sign could be impaired by exhaustion, so give them a wide berth.

Our car accident lawyers understand the devastating impact fatigued driving can have on victims and families. We will fight tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve and hold the responsible party accountable.

Get Started Today. Schedule A Free Consult With An Experienced Car Crash Lawyer.

Learn more about the filing process and your options at your free consultation. Please call 859-305-8659 or complete our online form to contact our car accident attorneys in Fort Thomas.