Florence Kentucky Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, we understand the devastating impact a drunk driving accident can have on your life. Our experienced Florence drunk driving accident lawyers are here to get you the compensation you need. Call us or contact us online for a free consultation.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Table of Contents

• Why Choose Our Florence Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers?
• Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident in Florence, KY
• Protecting Yourself After a Florence Drunk Driving Accident
• How Long Do I Have to File a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit?
• Common Injuries from Drunk Driving Accidents
• Proving Liability After a Florence, KY DUI Crash
• Contact a Florence Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today

Why Choose Our Florence Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers?

When you face the aftermath of a drunk driving accident, you need a dedicated legal team on your side.

Here's why you should make O'Connor, Acciani & Levy your first choice:

• Extensive Experience: With over three decades of experience in personal injury law, our team has handled countless accident cases. We understand Kentucky law and how to build a strong case on your behalf.
• Proven Track Record: We've successfully recovered tens of millions in compensation for our clients. Our 790+ five-star reviews and 117k clients served speak to our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction.
• Maximum Compensation Focus: We're not just after a quick settlement. We aim to secure the maximum compensation you deserve for your suffering and losses.
• No Upfront Costs: We offer free consultations to discuss your case and work on a contingency fee basis. You won't pay us legal fees unless we win your case. Our success is tied directly to yours.
• Legal Support: We handle every aspect of your case, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and representing you in court if necessary. This allows you to focus on your recovery while we focus on securing your compensation.
• Availability: We're always here when you need us. Our team is readily available to answer your questions, provide updates on your case, and address any concerns you may have throughout the legal process.

Choosing the right lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. With O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, you're not just getting a lawyer – you're getting a dedicated team committed to fighting for your rights and your future.

Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident in Florence, KY

After a drunk driving accident in Florence, Kentucky, you may be entitled to compensation.

Our experienced attorneys at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy will work diligently to secure all the compensation you deserve, which may include:

• Medical Expenses: This covers all costs related to your medical treatment, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care you may need as a result of the accident.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries have caused you to miss work, you can claim compensation for lost wages. This includes not only the income you've already lost but also future earnings if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term.
• Pain and Suffering: This non-economic damage compensates you for the physical pain and emotional distress you've experienced as a result of the accident.
• Property Damage: You can claim compensation for damage to your vehicle or other personal property the accident damaged.
• Rehabilitation Costs: This includes expenses for any rehabilitation services you need, such as physical therapy or occupational therapy.
• Home Modification Expenses: If your injuries require home modifications (such as wheelchair ramps), these costs can be included in your claim.
• Mental Health Treatment: Costs for counseling or therapy to address emotional trauma resulting from the accident may be compensable.
• Disfigurement: If the accident resulted in scarring or other disfigurement, you may be entitled to additional compensation.

The exact compensation you may receive depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, and the specific circumstances of the accident. Our experienced attorneys will thoroughly evaluate your case to ensure we pursue all available avenues of compensation.

Protecting Yourself After a Florence Drunk Driving Accident

After a drunk driving accident, you may feel unsure about what to do next.

Here are the steps to take:

1. Seek Medical Attention: If you haven't already, get a thorough medical evaluation immediately. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away. This check-up creates a crucial medical record linking your injuries to the accident.
2. Document Your Injuries: Take photos of any visible injuries, bruises, or marks. These may become important evidence later.
3. Gather and Organize Information: Collect all information related to the accident, including:
   • The police report number (if you don't have the report yet)
   • Contact and insurance information of all parties involved
   • Contact details of any witnesses
   • Photos or videos you took at the accident scene
4. Start a Journal: Begin documenting how the accident has affected you. Note your pain levels, any difficulties in daily activities, missed work, and emotional distress.
5. Preserve Evidence: Keep any physical evidence from the accident, including the clothes you were wearing and any damaged personal items.
6. Contact Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance company if you haven't already done so. Stick to the facts and avoid providing a recorded statement at this point.
7. Be Cautious with Social Media: Avoid posting about the accident on social media. Insurance companies often monitor these platforms, and your posts could potentially be used against you.
8. Don't Accept Quick Settlement Offers: Insurance companies may reach out with settlement offers. These initial offers are often much lower than what you may be entitled to. Don't accept any offers without consulting an attorney.
9. Obtain a Copy of the Police Report: If it's available, get a copy of the police report. This document can provide crucial details about the accident and any suspicions of drunk driving.
10. Talk to a Florence Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer: Consult with an experienced drunk driving accident attorney as soon as possible. At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, we offer free consultations to discuss your case and advise you on the best course of action.
11. Keep All Medical Appointments: Follow through with all medical treatments and keep all appointments. This shows you're taking your recovery seriously.
12. Don't Speak with the Other Driver's Insurance Company: If the other driver's insurance company contacts you, politely decline to give a statement or discuss the accident. Direct them to speak with your attorney instead.

How Long Do I Have to File a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit?

In Kentucky, there are strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, that dictate how long you have to file a lawsuit. Missing these deadlines can result in losing your right to seek compensation through the court system.

Here are the key points to remember about filing deadlines for drunk driving accident lawsuits in Kentucky:

1. Personal Injury Claims: For most personal injury claims resulting from a drunk driving accident, you have one year from the accident date to file a lawsuit. This applies to claims for injuries you sustained in the accident.
2. Wrongful Death Claims: If the drunk driving accident resulted in a fatality, the family or estate of the deceased has one year from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline may be different from the accident date if the victim didn't die immediately.
3. Property Damage Claims: For claims solely related to property damage (such as damage to your vehicle), you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit.
4. Claims Against Government Entities: If your claim is against a government entity (for example, if a drunk government employee caused the accident), you may have to file a notice of claim much sooner, often within 90 days.
5. Exceptions for Minors: If the injured party is under 18, the statute of limitations may be paused until they turn 18. However, it's best to consult with a Florence drunk driving accident attorney as soon as possible rather than waiting.
6. No-Fault Insurance Claims: Kentucky is a no-fault insurance state. You generally have two years to file a claim with your own insurance company for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits.

Building a strong case takes time. Starting this process early gives your legal team the best opportunity to build a compelling case on your behalf.

Don't let the statute of limitations expire on your claim. Contact our experienced Florence drunk driving accident lawyers today for a free consultation. We'll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and help you understand the specific deadlines that apply to your situation.

Common Injuries from Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents often result in severe and life-altering injuries due to the reckless nature of impaired driving. These accidents frequently involve high speeds, wrong-way driving, or delayed reaction times, leading to devastating impacts.

At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, we've helped clients who have suffered a wide range of injuries from drunk driving accidents.

Here are some of the most common:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): These can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. TBIs can cause cognitive issues, memory problems, personality changes, and even permanent disability.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries often require lifelong care and can significantly impact a person's quality of life.
• Whiplash: This neck injury is common in car accidents and can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and other long-term issues.
• Broken Bones: Fractures are common in drunk driving accidents, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. Some fractures may require surgery and extended rehabilitation.
• Internal Injuries: The force of impact can cause damage to internal organs, leading to internal bleeding or organ failure. These injuries can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
• Cuts and Lacerations: Broken glass and twisted metal can cause severe cuts, which may lead to significant blood loss and scarring.
• Burns: If the accident results in a vehicle fire, victims may suffer severe burns, which can be extremely painful and may require extensive treatment, including skin grafts.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: These include sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. While often less severe than other injuries, they can still cause significant pain and require extended recovery time.
• Psychological Trauma: Many accident victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues following a drunk driving accident.
• Amputation: In severe accidents, victims may lose limbs either in the crash itself or due to necessary medical procedures following the accident.
• Road Rash: If a victim is ejected from the vehicle, they may suffer severe abrasions from contact with the road surface.

At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, we understand the impact these injuries can have on your life and the lives of your loved ones.

We work tirelessly to ensure that your compensation claim takes into account not just your immediate medical expenses, but also:

• Future medical needs and ongoing care
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Costs of necessary home modifications or adaptive equipment

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a drunk driving accident, let our experienced Florence drunk driving accident lawyers fight for your rights and help you on the path to recovery.

Proving Liability After a Florence, KY DUI Crash

While it might seem straightforward that a drunk driver should be held responsible, proving liability in a legal context requires a systematic approach and strong evidence. At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, our experienced attorneys know how to build a compelling case to prove liability.

Here's how we approach this process:

1. Gathering Evidence: We collect all available evidence, including:
   • Police reports
   • Blood alcohol content (BAC) test results
   • Eyewitness testimonies
   • Surveillance footage, if available
   • Photos and videos from the accident scene
   • Cell phone records (to prove distracted driving, if applicable)
   • Vehicle damage reports
   • Medical records documenting your injuries
2. Establishing Negligence: To prove liability, we must demonstrate that the drunk driver was negligent. In Kentucky, driving under the influence is considered negligence per se, meaning the act of drunk driving itself is evidence of negligence.
3. Demonstrating Causation: We must show that the drunk driver's negligence directly caused the accident and your injuries. This involves linking the driver's impairment to their actions that led to the crash.
4. Expert Testimony: We may enlist the help of accident reconstruction experts, toxicologists, and medical professionals to provide expert testimony that supports your case.
5. Identifying All Liable Parties: In some cases, parties other than the drunk driver may share liability. This could include:
   • Bars or restaurants that overserved the driver (under dram shop laws)
   • Social hosts who provided alcohol to an underage drinker
   • Vehicle owners who knowingly lent their car to an intoxicated individual
   • Employers, if the drunk driver was on the job at the time of the accident
6. Preserving Evidence: We act quickly to preserve evidence that might be lost or destroyed over time.
7. Handling Insurance Companies: We deal with insurance companies on your behalf, presenting a strong case that demonstrates the full extent of your damages and the clear liability of the drunk driver.
8. Statute of Limitations Compliance: We ensure all necessary legal actions are taken within Kentucky's statute of limitations to protect your right to seek compensation.

By building your case and proving liability, we position you for the best possible outcome, whether through a settlement negotiation or a court trial. We aim to secure the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Contact a Florence Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today

Don't let the statute of limitations expire on your claim. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll review your case, explain your rights, and help you understand your options for pursuing compensation.

Call us at (859) 581-7993 or fill out our online contact form to get started. Let our Florence drunk driving accident lawyers use their experience and resources to help you.