Did a commercial truck collide with your vehicle in Florence, Kentucky, or strike you as you crossed the street or rode your bicycle? Did you lose a close family member in a large truck accident someone else caused?
Whatever your situation, you need a compassionate, experienced Florence, KY truck accident lawyer on your side looking out for your rights and interests to help you get the compensation and justice you deserve.
At O'Connor Acciani & Levy, have assisted hundreds of individuals and families who suffered injuries or losses from a preventable truck accident. Our lawyers have the skills, knowledge, and resources to handle your truck injury claim and improve your odds of getting the best results possible.
We’ve recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our injured clients. You can rely on us to guide you through the process and tenaciously pursue full and fair compensation for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help.
Florence Truck Accident Guide
- Why Choose Our Firm to Handle Your Florence, KY Truck Crash Claim?
- What Types of Compensation Can You Help Me Get?
- How We Can Help You Get Compensation
- Types of Truck Accident Claims We Handle
- What Causes Most Commercial Truck Crashes in Florence, KY?
- Why Are Truck Accident Claims So Complex?
- What Should I Do After a Commercial Truck Collides With Me in Florence?
- Truck Accident Statistics for Kentucky
- Truck Accident FAQs
- Contact an Experienced Florence, KY Truck Accident Attorney Today
Why Choose Our Firm to Handle Your Florence, KY Truck Crash Claim?
When dealing with the aftermath of a trucking accident and trying to pursue compensation, you need a lawyer with the right skill set and legal knowledge to get the most from your claim.
Here's why we're the right choice for your Florence truck accident claim:
- Extensive experience with truck accident cases: We've successfully handled numerous truck accident claims in Florence, KY, and throughout the surrounding areas. We know the ins and outs of Kentucky's traffic laws and the state and federal regulations governing the trucking industry.
- Track Record of Success: Our firm has successfully represented numerous truck accident survivors and victims’ families. We’ve negotiated substantial settlements and secured considerable verdicts that have helped our clients move on after a devastating big truck collision. While past results don't guarantee future outcomes, they demonstrate our ability to handle complex cases effectively and fight hard to help our clients obtain maximum compensation.
- Resources to Take on Big Companies: Truck accident cases often involve going up against large trucking companies and their insurers. We have the financial resources and network of experts to level the playing field.
- Personal and Compassionate Attention: You're not just a case number to us. We take the time to understand your unique situation and tailor our approach to your specific needs and goals. We understand what you and your family are going through, and we’re here to assist and support you throughout the process with the utmost empathy and respect.
- No upfront fees: We work on a contingency fee basis. We charge you nothing upfront to handle your case and only accept attorney fees if we recover compensation for you through an insurance settlement or court award. You pay us nothing out of pocket. This way, you can get the quality, effective legal counsel you need without worrying how to pay for it.
What Types of Compensation Can You Help Me Get?
After we help you successfully navigate a truck accident claim in Florence, you could receive various types of compensation, such as:
- Medical Expenses: This includes current and future medical costs related to your injuries, such as hospital bills, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any necessary long-term care.
- Lost Income and Diminished Work Capacity: If your injuries have caused you to miss work, we'll fight to recover your lost wages and other forms of salary. This also includes compensation for reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job or work at all.
- Pain and Suffering: This category includes non-economic damages for physical pain and emotional distress the accident caused. While it's hard to put a price on these intangible damages, we use our experience to ensure you get fair compensation.
- Property Damage: We'll help you recover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from enjoying hobbies or activities you once loved, we can help you get compensation for this loss.
- Wrongful Death Damages: In the tragic event that you've lost a loved one in a truck accident, we can help you pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, we may seek punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior from others.
We’ll help you determine what types and how much compensation you could receive. We’ll then fight zealously to make sure you get it.
How We Can Help You Get Compensation
Truck accident claims require an experienced attorney due to their complexities and unique considerations. Our attorneys utilize the full breadth of our knowledge and resources to build a strong claim and devise the best strategy to get the best possible results.
Some ways we can help you get compensation for your truck accident injuries include:
- Thoroughly investigating your case, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing police reports
- Working with industry experts, such as trucking professionals, accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and financial professionals to strengthen your claim
- Handling all communications with the insurance companies
- Preparing your case for trial from the start
- Negotiating tenaciously for a fair settlement
- Taking the insurance company to court if they won’t offer a fair settlement or act in bad faith
- Presenting a compelling case before a judge or jury and advocating strongly to get a favorable ruling for you
Throughout the process, we’ll update you and answer any questions you have along the way.
Types of Truck Accident Claims We Handle
Our firm has experience with a wide range of truck accident claims, including:
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollover crashes
- Underride collisions
- Rear-end accidents
- Wide turn accidents
- Blind spot crashes
- Tire blowout accidents
- Hazardous material spills
- Multi-vehicle pileups involving trucks
No matter the type of truck accident you've been involved in, we have the knowledge and experience to handle your case effectively.
What Causes Most Commercial Truck Crashes in Florence, KY?
Understanding the cause of your accident helps your attorney build a case properly and effectively. Common causes of truck accidents in Florence include:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to drowsy driving.
- Distracted driving: Using phones or other devices while driving makes trucks far more dangerous.
- Speeding: Trucks require more time to stop, making speeding especially hazardous.
- Poor maintenance: Neglected truck maintenance can lead to mechanical failures.
- Improper loading: Unbalanced or overloaded trucks are more prone to accidents.
- Drunk or drugged driving: Impaired driving is a serious issue in the trucking industry.
- Inadequate training: Some companies fail to properly train their drivers.
- Weather conditions: Rain, snow, and ice can be particularly challenging for large trucks.
- Aggressive driving: Tailgating, sudden lane changes, and other aggressive behaviors can cause accidents.
Our lawyers investigate the specific cause of your accident to determine liability and build a strong case for you.
Why Are Truck Accident Claims So Complex?
Truck accident claims are often more complicated than typical car accident cases for several reasons:
- Multiple potentially liable parties: The truck driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, or cargo loader could all be partially responsible.
- Federal and state regulations: The trucking industry is heavily regulated, and violations of these rules can impact your case.
- Extensive evidence: Truck accidents often involve more complex evidence, including electronic logging devices and black box data.
- Severe injuries: Truck accidents typically result in more serious injuries, leading to higher-value claims that insurance companies fight harder against.
- Corporate legal teams: Trucking companies often have powerful legal teams ready to dispute claims.
- Complex insurance policies: Commercial trucking insurance policies are often more complicated than personal auto policies.
Given these complexities, you must have a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer on your side to navigate a truck accident claim successfully.
What Should I Do After a Commercial Truck Collides With Me in Florence?
After a truck crash, to protect your legal rights and ensure your well-being;
- Get a medical evaluation as soon as possible after the crash, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. Your health is the top priority, and some injuries may not present symptoms immediately. A prompt medical exam ensures you receive any treatment you need and creates documentation that you suffered an injury, which you will need to pursue compensation.
- Call the police and report the crash. You also need to obtain an official accident report for your claim.
- Gather as much evidence as you can at the accident scene. Take photos of vehicle damage, your injuries, road conditions, and anything else you believe is pertinent to the crash.
- Get witness statements and their contact information.
- Don't admit fault. Don’t talk to the truck driver about the crash. Don’t offer any information other than basic contact and insurance details.
- Don't sign anything. Don’t speak with the trucker’s insurance company. Wait to sign any documents until you've spoken with a lawyer. Let your lawyer handle all communication with insurers.
- Save all medical bills, repair estimates, and any other accident-related documents.
- Contact a truck accident lawyer. The sooner you have legal representation, the better they can protect your rights and preserve valuable evidence for your claim.
Truck Accident Statistics for Kentucky
According to the latest reports from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTC):
- Throughout Kentucky, 3083 people sustained serious injuries in crashes involving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) last year.
- 814 people died due to their truck accident injuries.
- In Boone County and the Florence, Kentucky, area, 52 people suffered a serious injury in a crash involving a CMV.
- 11 people in Boone County died in CMV-related accidents last year.
These statistics highlight the prevalence of commercial truck accidents in Florence and throughout Kentucky. They also signify how important it is to get quality legal representation if a truck accident hurts you or someone you love.
Truck Accident FAQs
Q: How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Kentucky?
A: In Kentucky, you generally have one year from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government-owned truck caused the wreck, you may have much less time to file a claim. Regardless, it's best to start the process as soon as possible to preserve evidence and strengthen your case.
Q: What if the trucking company is based in another state?
A: Even if the trucking company is out-of-state, you can still file a claim in Kentucky if the accident occurred here. We have experience handling cases involving out-of-state trucking companies.
Q: How is fault determined in a truck accident?
A: Fault is determined through a thorough investigation of the accident, including analysis of the accident scene, vehicle damage, witness statements, and any available electronic data from the truck. Multiple parties may share fault in a truck accident.
Q: What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
A: Kentucky follows a pure comparative fault system. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, but your percentage of fault will reduce your award.
Q: How long will my truck accident case take to resolve?
A: The duration of a truck accident case can vary widely depending on the complexity of the case and whether it settles or goes to trial. We’ll work to resolve your case as quickly as possible while still ensuring you receive the full compensation you need.
Contact an Experienced Florence, KY Truck Accident Attorney Today
Don't let the trucking company or their insurers take advantage of you during this vulnerable time. Let our Florence, KY personal injury attorneys handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery. You can trust us to work hard to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact O'Connor Acciani & Levy today at (859) 581-7993 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re here to listen to you and advise you of your options. We can also provide the experienced guidance, support, and advocacy you need to get the best outcome possible for your Florence truck accident claim.