Unfortunately, almost all of us will be involved in a car crash at one point or another. We all know at least one person whose life was affected by a car accident, whether it was fatal or non-fatal. When your life is flipped upside down by a car crash, a legal battle may seem like the last thing you want to trouble yourself with. If you have lost a loved one, no amount of compensation is ever going to make the pain go away, and the process will undoubtedly be stressful. However, if you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to get in touch with an attorney quickly in order to hold the guilty party responsible and receive damages to cover medical expenses or loss of income.
Car Accident Laws In Kentucky
Kentucky is what is called a No-Fault state. This means that regardless of who caused the accident, all parties involved are insured by the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) program for up to $10,000 for medical expenses and any lost wages if you end up missing work. Obviously, $10,000 will not always cover your expenses, sometimes not by a longshot. This is when you will have to start constructing a case against the driver who caused the accident.
The Legal Process of Getting Compensation After a Car Accident
- Case Intake: The first thing you need to do to get the ball rolling is contact a qualified attorney and prepare to give them all the necessary information. This includes the details of the accident, your injuries, your insurance situation, and any other important factors.
- Treatment: It is important to have a clear idea of the type of the medical treatment you need so that you know what to request in your lawsuit. Sometimes doctors will discover things you did not know about when you get assessed, upping the costs of overall treatment. Work with your lawyer to get a clear idea of your medical situation.
- Evidence: This is the stage where your lawyer will have to obtain all the documents pertaining to your case that can be used as evidence. This includes police reports, medical records, PIP logs, evidence of lost wages, and other proof of your losses. This can take one or two months.
- Demand: After gathering all the evidence, your lawyer will then submit the demands to the responsible insurer to prove your case and to attempt to get you compensated without going to court. This usually takes a couple weeks.
- Negotiation: After the demand has been made, your lawyer will negotiate with the other party, and relay any counter offers or statements they have made. Your lawyer can advise you, but it is always your decision as to whether you accept the other party’s offer.
- Settlement or Negotiation: Finally, you and the other party must come to a decision as to whether to go to court or agree to a settlement. A settlement can take a couple weeks whereas litigation in court can take years.
Do You Require Compensation for a Car Accident?
If you have suffered a car accident, pursue justice now by reaching out to Roberts Law Office today. We will help you start the process in your car crash case.