Auto accidents can be extremely frightening and confusing, and serious injuries can have long-term consequences that you may not realize at the time of the accident or even in the days or weeks following the auto accident. In fact, you may not realize the long-term effects of your injuries until years down the road.
These are some of the most important reasons to contact a Lexington car accident attorney, and the moment you do, you can begin to take back control of the situation with an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side who understands the law and your rights and who will help you recover every dollar you deserve.
Our mission is to help injured people and their families. If you’ve been injured in a wreck that wasn’t your fault, let us help you like we’ve helped thousands of people across Kentucky for over 35 years.
For a free, no-risk case evaluation.
THE MOST DANGEROUS COLLISION LOCATIONS IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKYTHE MOST COMMON TYPES OF CAR CRASHES IN LEXINGTONTOP HUMAN FACTORS THAT PLAY A ROLE IN LEXINGTON CAR ACCIDENTSTHE MOST COMMON TYPES OF INJURIES A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER CAN HELP WITHWHAT TO DO AFTER A LEXINGTON CAR ACCIDENTWHAT NOT TO DO AFTER A WRECK IN LEXINGTON, KYDAMAGES THAT CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS CAN HELP YOU RECOVERHOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY FOR YOU IN LEXINGTONWHY CHOOSE HUGHES & COLEMAN INJURY LAWYERSSETTLEMENTS AND VERDICTSCLIENT TESTIMONIALS AND REVIEWS CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER NEAR MEFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND HELPFUL TIPS
According to the Lexington Police Department’s annual traffic report, there were 1,807 auto vehicle collisions in 2021 that resulted in injuries, versus 1,787 in 2020. If we look at the data, there are some clear standouts of where these car accidents can occur, and where a Lexington auto accident attorney will commonly see injuries happen.
Regardless of where or how your car wreck happened, our Lexington car accident legal team at Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers can help. Our car wreck attorneys fight for the rights of victims every day and can help you to recover the compensation you deserve.
For a free consultation, call us today at 800-800-4600
According to the Lexington Police Department (LPD), the most common type of wrecks in 2021 were rear-end collisions, followed by sideswipe collisions in the same direction, and then by side-impact and angle collisions, including T-bones.
Head-on collisions are rare, but also the most deadly.
All of these collision types can result in both minor and catastrophic personal injury to those involved and should be handled by an experienced personal injury attorney.
According to the LPD, the top human factors that play a role in Lexington car accidents are:
All of these human factors can be considered negligent under the law.
After over 35 years, we’ve helped people with a wide range of injuries. The most common injury cases that we handle are:
If you must move a severely injured person to keep them out of harm’s way, do so only when absolutely necessary. Take everyone and everything (including your car, if possible) to the side of the road and call 911 for someone to help you if it is safe. Ensure your hazard lights are activated to alert other drivers that you require assistance. When it’s dark, and visibility is low, flares are also an excellent way to alert other drivers that you’re in trouble.
If you leave the scene of an accident when someone is hurt, you could be charged with a hit-and-run. If there are no injuries and you agree with the other parties that a simple exchange of insurance information is all that is required, then be sure to get a photo of their license and insurance card. You should never leave the scene of an accident without sharing your information with the other party. If the other party leaves the scene, call the police immediately.
You’ll need to document the accident scene and collect as much information as possible for insurance companies and legal purposes. All parties involved will need to provide their names, license plate numbers, car types, and insurance information.
While you’re waiting for assistance, if you can, take notes. You should save any responding police officers’ contact information if needed later. You should also get the contact information of any possible witnesses, and, when possible, take pictures of the scene and any injuries or damage that occurred.
You need to start your case off right, and the best way to do this is to ensure that your injuries are documented by a medical professional. Your health should always be your number one priority and having this information on record will also help your case. If you wait too long to get evaluated and treated, if you lapse in your treatment schedule, or don’t get treated at all, it will make proving damages very difficult for you.
If you’ve suffered a personal injury, the police report will serve as a key piece of evidence.
How to get a police report after a car accident in Lexington, KY
In Kentucky, you only have 10 days to contact your insurance company following a crash. You shouldn’t put this off, but you should also make sure that you are prepared so that you don’t put your personal injury claim in jeopardy. It’s always best to contact an experienced attorney first so that you can understand what to say and what not to say when you speak with the adjuster following a Lexington accident.
You should keep track of any visits you make to doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, or other health professionals due to your accident. You should copy all related medical expenses and prescription receipts to make sure you have as much information as possible. If the car wreck caused you to miss work, keep that information noted as well.
Having a collision report, witness statements, medical records, and evidence from the scene strengthen injury cases dramatically, and all of the above information will help your car accident attorney determine how much money you are entitled to.
If you’ve been injured in a car wreck, it is important to understand your legal options. The best way to do this is to speak with a law firm that can help guide you through the process.
We’re here to help. Call us today at 800-800-4600
Now that you know some of the key things you’ll need to do after an accident, it’s also important to understand what NOT to do in order to protect your claim and obtain the most money possible in the end.
Car accident victims may be hesitant to contact a lawyer after a wreck. It’s understandable because insurance companies have done a pretty good job convincing people that the adjusters are on their side. Unfortunately, what most people do not realize (until it’s too late) is that the relationship they had with their provider prior to the accident is very different afterward, and when seeking fair compensation for injuries, insurance companies will go to great lengths to protect their bottom line.
The fact is that insurance companies are just like any other business – they want to make money. They know that most people don’t understand Kentucky personal injury laws, and every day they take advantage of this by denying claims or paying out what they know is much less than what a person may be entitled to.
Lexington car accident lawyers, however, do know personal injury law and can determine what a case is worth and fight for that amount to ensure their clients are actually compensated appropriately.
An accident claim can sometimes only be as valuable as the team you have representing you. Ensure you have a highly experienced attorney who specializes in motor vehicle accidents so that you can recover every penny you deserve.
Damages can refer to both the accident victims’ losses and the compensation available in a settlement or judgment in a car accident case. Essentially, they are the losses that you sue for. To recover damages, you must show that the defendant caused the car accident through negligence or recklessness and that you suffered actual losses. An attorney can assist you in proving your case and obtaining the highest possible compensation award for your losses. The types of damages available in Kentucky’s civil courts are the same, regardless of the amount you may receive.
Medical bills: Seek compensation for past and future medical expenses incurred due to your automobile accident injuries. Settlements or judgments may cover surgical procedures, treatments, doctor’s appointments, rehabilitation, therapy, live-in care, disability costs, and other future expenses you may endure.
Lost wages and income-earning capacity: If you were unable to work due to your car accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your lost wages. If you lose your job due to a disability, you can also ask for compensation for lost future earnings.
Property damage: After a severe car accident in Lexington, calculate how much it will cost to repair your damaged vehicle or replace a totaled vehicle. If your car is totaled, you may be able to get the full value it had before the accident.
Punitive damages: Punitive damages compensate victims while also punishing the defendant. Punitive damages in an auto accident case involving criminal activity or gross negligence, such as a DUI or hit-and-run, may be ordered by the judge.
Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages for intangible losses, such as physical pain and emotional suffering, are available to Kentucky car accident survivors. Medical testimony may be required to determine the extent of the damages.
There are a lot of accident lawyers in Lexington. So, how do you decide which personal injury attorney will be best for you? When making the decision on which law office to hire, there are a few things you should consider.
Law is similar to a lot of professions in that the more cases you handle, the more experienced you become and the better your chances of reaching favorable outcomes become. Our firm has successfully represented thousands of car accident victims for over 35 years, recovered over $1 billion for our clients across Kentucky and Tennessee, and has the experience required to take on the most complex of cases. Ensure you hire a firm that has a level of experience that fits your case.
After a Lexington accident, hiring a firm that is local can be very beneficial. A local firm can visit the scene of the accident, interview witnesses in person, and have a better understanding of roadways and other elements that may have contributed to the accident.
Large national firms can churn out cases, but are they really fighting for every penny their clients deserve? This should be a question you ask yourself when considering who to hire. The duration of a case may vary, so it’s important to understand that the client-attorney relationship is just that – a relationship – and it’s one that requires compassion, understanding, trust and dedication from the car accident lawyers you choose.
Respect | Integrity | Compassion | Excellence
It all starts with our core values. We give respect to our neighbors and those who have been injured, treat every case with the utmost integrity, ensure our clients receive the compassion that they deserve, and pride ourselves on delivering the most painless experience possible through the process. You’ll see these values from your very first call all the way to the end of your case.
When you call for a free consultation and case evaluation, we will put your mind at ease by answering all your questions. Before you move forward with us, we want you to feel comfortable that your case is in good hands and that no one will work harder to get you what you deserve.
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means we don’t receive a penny until we recover money for you. There’s never an up-front fee, and you never pay out of pocket. We want you to be able to focus on your recovery instead of fees or medical bills. If we don’t get you money, you don’t pay us. It’s really that easy.
Our team lives and works in Lexington. We know the laws here and across the state of Kentucky, and we will ensure you get the most money possible. You can visit our office, or we can even come to you. Your attorney will always be accessible.
You need a firm that has handled thousands of car accident claims. We have a dedicated team of car accident lawyers in Lexington who are here and ready to help.
If you have questions about your case, need help with paperwork, or just want a status update, our staff is never more than a phone call or email away. We are always happy to hear from you and help with any issue you are having. The Hughes & Coleman team treats you like family and takes the outcome of your case as seriously as you do.
Recovering over a billion dollars does not come overnight. It happens after fighting for our clients, again and again, day in and day out, making their best interests our priority and supporting the needs of those who find themselves with a personal injury due to no fault of their own.
In some instances, such as when you are stopped at a red light and rear-ended, liability is apparent. However, each driver will often blame the other for the collision. A police report can help determine fault, but it is frequently incomplete or inaccurate. Furthermore, the officer’s determination of fault is usually not admissible evidence. As a result, it is critical to obtain a law firm that can conduct an independent investigation into all automobile accidents.
We routinely hire investigators to photograph the accident scene and property damage and obtain witness statements. We also perform accident reconstruction in more complicated cases when it’s required.
We have the team, experience, and compassion to get you the care and compensation you deserve.
Call us today at 800-800-4600
When you call, you can expect to speak with one of our team members, who will work with you to understand the circumstances of your situation. Every case is different, so we’ll want to understand your situation and your physical injuries and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
After you become a client of the firm, you’ll have a team that’s assigned to your case, and that is dedicated to seeing your case all the way through to the end. Along the way, if you need medical treatment, we have a team that is also dedicated to ensuring that you receive the help that you need. Most cases will settle out of court, but if your case requires litigation, we are prepared to go to trial to fight for you.
At our Lexington office, you will find a team that is dedicated to your well-being, your case, and your recovery.
Call us today at 800-800-4600 to get started
At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, we have the experience to ensure you receive every dollar you deserve. Here are just a few examples of what we’ve been able to do for clients just like you. In many of the cases we manage, the initial settlement offer is not enough – in some cases, there are no offers at all. Some other firms may accept low offers and move on to the next case, but we keep fighting until a fair outcome is reached.
"I had an amazing and flexible experience! Hughes and Coleman immediately started working out details, and I never once had to question where I stood in our case! I would highly recommend them to my family and friends, and (hopefully not) if I ever need anything again, I will definitely be going through Hughes and Coleman!"
"I can't begin to tell you how much the people from Hughes and Coleman helped us. They took my case where others wouldn’t, and they are so nice and helpful, so if you find yourself needing a lawyer, the people of Hughes and Coleman are the best."
"Wonderful firm, caring and very helpful! They walked us through every step! We couldn't have asked for better representation."
Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers
211 E. New Circle Rd, Lexington, KY 40505
859-260-1722
Kentucky is a “no-fault” state for car accidents. That means that you first turn to your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to obtain compensation for your injuries and lost wages. To file a claim against another driver, you must meet Kentucky’s injury threshold. To step outside the no-fault system, you must establish you suffered one of the following:
You can also step outside the no-fault system if your loved one dies from his or her accident-related injuries.
This threshold seems straightforward, but it can be difficult to establish. We will examine your medical bills and records to help prove you have the right to file a claim against the negligent driver.
Kentucky follows a pure comparative negligence law for car accidents. That means you can collect compensation from the other driver even if you were partly at fault for the crash. In fact, even if the wreck was mostly your fault, you can still pursue the other driver for damages as long as they shoulder a portion of the blame. It is important to note that your percentage of fault decreases the damages to which you are entitled.
Consider the following scenario:
If you demanded $10,000 for your injuries, you would be entitled to $2,000 (20 percent of $10,000).
Our attorneys can fight for your rights no matter your share of fault for the accident. We can defend against any accusations of fault and work to get you the most compensation possible in your situation. Call us today to talk through your case.
Every situation is unique, and it’s unlikely that you’ll know how much your claim is worth until you know how much your current and future medical expenses, including medication and rehabilitation, will be, depending on your injuries. Contact Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers in Lexington to discuss your specific claim.
We have successfully obtained over one billion dollars in settlements for our personal injury clients in Kentucky and Tennessee, and we will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible result in your case.
Although it is not required by law to hire an attorney to file a claim for compensation after an accident, it is strongly advised. Insurance companies have a lot of experience and have been doing this for a long time. You need someone familiar with the law and who has experience obtaining the maximum compensation available under the law to fight for you and what you deserve.
Even during very low-speed collisions, many injuries can occur. When the adrenaline wears off, people may notice they have a soft tissue injury like whiplash. While some types of whiplash go away, others can last a long time. Soft tissue injuries can take days or weeks to manifest after an accident. Chronic head pain, lower back pain and even a cracked sternum are examples of injuries that don’t always show up right away. Concussions are another type of injury that can have long-term consequences, as can being in a car accident while pregnant. If your injuries don’t show up for days or weeks, you can still contact us for a free consultation and case evaluation. We’ll review your case and talk you through your legal options.
“How much is my car accident claim worth?” is one of our attorneys’ most common questions. The answer is that it depends.
Every car accident, especially in Lexington, is unique. Many factors determine the value of your case, whether it’s a 10-car pileup on the interstate or a simple fender bender on Nicholasville Rd. The damages you might be able to recover are determined by the following set of circumstances:
At Hughes & Coleman, we work to get you the best possible settlement for your accident. We will consider your current situation, medical bills, and any future expenses you may incur when fighting for you.
To answer this question, you must first determine the value of your claim. You’ll need to be able to determine how much you should receive in a settlement offer if you know how much the car accident cost you.
Our lawyers go over all the costs, giving you an accurate estimate of what your settlement offer should be. The following are some of the factors that go into these calculations:
Anxiety, stress, depression, and other forms of emotional distress are also considered when determining the value of your auto accident claim; your insurance company will use the same calculations. The insurance company will multiply the total by a predetermined number once the expenses have been added up. Unfortunately, these figures rarely, if ever, yield a reasonable settlement figure. The claims adjuster is seeking ways to minimize your damages to reduce the value of your claim. These are reasons why it’s critical to speak with an experienced Lexington car accident lawyer. We’ll figure out how much your claim is truly worth, and without your permission, we will not accept an offer on your behalf.
Most cases will settle out of court; however, we prepare for trial from day one. If the insurance companies won’t settle for what you deserve, we will not hesitate to litigate your case in court.
If the settlement offers received from the insurance company do not compensate you fairly, or if we cannot reach a settlement with the insurance company and negotiations fail, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court. We will be able to present a strong case in court using the evidence we gathered. If the court rules in your favor, you will be awarded damages from those responsible.
Economic Damages: The purpose of these damages is to compensate the victim or the victim’s family for any expenses incurred due to the accident. Medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and any future expenses are all included in these damages.
Non-Economic Damages: These damages are a little more challenging to quantify. The most common is pain and suffering, which is a legal term for any injury you may have sustained due to the accident. This encompasses not only physical but also emotional and mental harm.
Punitive Damages: The court may also award punitive damages in exceptional circumstances. These damages are intended to punish the other people or entities who caused the accident, hoping that they will never act negligently again. Punitive damages are only awarded in Kentucky when the other party’s actions were egregious or deliberate.
According to Kentucky law, the victim must show that the other driver was negligent and that this negligence caused the victim’s injuries. The court will consider the driver’s actions and compare them to what a reasonably prudent driver would do in the same or similar circumstances to determine negligence.
We offer free consultations 24/7 and there will always be someone here to take your call. Call our personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation or fill out this form and we will contact you.
We serve clients across Tennessee and Kentucky and we have several offices throughout both states. See all of our locations and contact us today.
