London, Kentucky Car Wreck Law Firm

Let Us Help You Pursue Your Personal Injury Claim or Car Wreck Lawsuit

While bringing a personal injury claim or filing a lawsuit may be the last thing that you want to do, it may be the only path to obtaining justice if you or a loved one have been harmed by the negligent, dangerous, or reckless driving of someone else. You don’t need to be stressed, worried, or concerned about the path forward—we are here to help. You deserve an experienced, trusted Kentucky personal injury law firm to represent you and fight for what you deserve.

Do not try to navigate the civil legal system alone—call the trusted car accident law firm of Freeman Childers today at 606-528-1000. Our team will evaluate your case and discuss next steps to help you understand the best way to pursue your claim or file your personal injury lawsuit. Our goal is to make sure your rights are protected.

The team of lawyers at Freeman Childers has been fighting for those injured by the negligence of others since 1990, and over that time we have recovered over $100 million on behalf of our client. Each case is different, and each matters. You need a team of lawyers with the experience to get the job done, and to get it done right. You need Freeman Childers.

No Costs and No Fees Unless We Win

At the London, Kentucky car accident law firm of Freeman Childers, we pride ourselves on our diligence, thoroughness, and professionalism. When you meet with us for your free initial consultation, we will expertly review your personal account of the car, truck, or motorcycle wreck. Should you decide to retain one of our experienced personal injury lawyers, our legal team will go to work on pulling police motor vehicle collision reports, obtaining medical records, photographs, deposing witnesses, gathering physical evidence—doing whatever it takes to prepare your case. Preparation is the key to our success. Our goal, as plaintiffs’ attorneys, is to go into every settlement negotiation and courtroom battle knowing more than the insurance company’s attorneys. This practice has resulted in a proven track record of winning large settlements and jury awards for our clients.

Types of Damages You Can Recover in a London, KY Car Accident

The impacts of a car wreck can directly impact the lives of many people, and we understand the profound importance of maximizing the amount of your recovery. For example, if your injuries prevent you from going to work for a period of time, you may suffer difficulties paying your mortgage, feeding your family, paying medical bills, repairing your damage to your vehicle, and more. So often clients fear that they will have to dip into their savings or pull from a child’s college fund to take care of their bills. Here at Freeman Childers, we fight to make sure that doesn’t happen—our goal is to ensure that the at-fault party and their insured pay you every dollar that you deserve. Here are some of the types of damages that our London, Kentucky car accident lawyers will work to have awarded to you:

• Property damage

• Pain and suffering

• Lost Wages

• Current and future medical bills related to your injuries

• Costs related to rehabilitation and recovery (such as physical therapy)

• Permanent injury or disability

• Loss of career or earning potential

• Reduced earning potential

• Mental anguish and emotional duress

• Permanent disfigurement and scarring

• Loss of consortium

• Out of pocket expenses (such as a rental car)

• Punitive damages

• Wrongful death damages for in the tragic event that the accident resulted in the death of a family member

What is PIP Coverage and How Does it Work?

Because Kentucky follows a “no-fault” insurance system, most accident victims must first turn to their own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for help. PIP is designed to cover medical costs, lost income, and certain household or replacement services after a collision—no matter who caused the crash.

That said, PIP benefits are limited. In serious accidents—especially large truck collisions or wrecks resulting in catastrophic injuries—your losses may far exceed what PIP will pay. Victims facing long-term medical care or permanent disabilities often need additional financial recovery. In those situations, our Kentucky car accident attorneys can step in to help you pursue fair compensation, whether through the insurance company or by filing a lawsuit against the negligent driver.

Under Kentucky law, you can only file a car accident lawsuit if at least one of the following conditions applies:

• Your medical expenses exceed $1,000

• You suffered a bone fracture

• You experienced permanent disfigurement or a serious, lasting injury

Who is Liable for Your Injuries in a Car Accident?

Determining who is at fault for your car accident, and thus who is liable for your injuries, is one of the key determinations we will make. Often times the question is answered very simple, such as when one car runs a red light and hits another car. But sometimes the question is more complicated—what if one car swerved to avoid a car that almost hit them, and collides with you on accident because of that? What if a car ahead of you slams on it breaks, causing the car before you to collide with your vehicle? What if someone waived you into traffic in front of them, and then a car hits you once you pull out? Depending upon the circumstances of your car wreck, various different parties could be held liable, including:

• The driver of the vehicle that caused the accident

• The employer of the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident

• Your own insurance company for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

• An insurance company who denies your claim or offers you an insufficient settlement

• The manufacturer of a faulty vehicle or vehicle part

• The entity that designed or built the roadway

• The entity charged with maintaining the roadway

• The estate of an uninsured or underinsured driver

• Any party that can be shown to have contributed to the cause of the accident

• A bar or restaurant that served a drunk driver that caused the accident

Car Insurance Law in Kentucky

In Kentucky, every vehicle owner is legally required to maintain active car insurance coverage. This mandate is strictly enforced—drivers who fail to carry insurance risk having their vehicle registration revoked and may face additional penalties. The state treats insurance compliance as a serious public safety matter.

All vehicle owners in Kentucky must maintain at least the following minimum liability coverage:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in a single accident

• $50,000 for bodily injury or death of all persons involved in one accident

• $25,000 for property damage in any one accident

As an alternative, drivers may instead carry a single combined policy providing at least $60,000 in total coverage for all damages—both bodily injury and property damage—arising from a single crash.

Failure to meet these insurance requirements can lead to serious consequences, including cancellation of registration, fines ranging from $500 to $1,000, and even up to 90 days in jail.

Can I Bring a Claim If I Was a Passenger in the Car of the At-Fault Driver?

Very often the driver who is responsible for causing an accident is not alone in their vehicle and has passengers riding with them. In situations like that, it is not uncommon for the at-fault driver’s passengers to be injured in the car wreck along with the individuals in the other vehicle. Many times, those injured when riding as a passenger to the driver at fault do not realize that they can bring a claim against their driver. In the same way that the driver’s negligence injured the occupants of the other vehicle, their negligence also led to the injuries of the passengers in their own vehicle. Whether that driver is a friend, family member, co-worker, or any other party, you may be entitled to compensation from them or their insurance company for your pain, suffering, lost wages, and other damages. 

Bad Faith Insurance Practices in Kentucky

Although Kentucky operates under a no-fault insurance system, that doesn’t always mean your insurer will promptly or fully pay what your claim is worth. Insurance companies are profit-driven businesses, and delays or denials of valid claims are not uncommon. While they focus on protecting their bottom line, accident victims can be left struggling with significant financial stress.

To help prevent these unfair outcomes, Kentucky law provides strong protections for policyholders. State courts recognize an implied duty of good faith and fair dealing in every insurance contract. Additionally, Kentucky law outlines a series of unlawful insurance practices, including:

• Misrepresenting key facts or policy terms

• Failing to respond promptly to claims

• Refusing to settle in good faith when liability is clear

• Unreasonably delaying investigations or payments

If your insurer has mishandled your claim after a motor vehicle accident, you may have grounds to file a bad-faith insurance claim for their failure to act honestly and fairly in settling your case.

Kentucky No-Fault Car Insurance

In most car accident cases, recovering compensation depends on proving who was at fault. The driver determined to be responsible is generally required to cover the losses of the other parties involved. Unfortunately, establishing fault can be a slow and complicated process, especially when insurance companies work to limit their financial exposure. While this back-and-forth unfolds, injured victims are often left waiting—sometimes without the funds they need for medical bills or repairs.

To prevent these kinds of delays, several states—including Kentucky—have implemented no-fault insurance laws. Under this system, often called Personal Injury Protection (PIP), drivers can receive compensation for their medical expenses and related losses without first proving who caused the crash. The goal is to streamline the claims process and reduce overall costs associated with car accidents.

Kentucky law also sets a monetary threshold to help control costs. An injured person must typically incur at least $1,000 in medical expenses before filing a lawsuit against an at-fault driver.

However, there are important exceptions. Victims who experience any of the following injuries may pursue a claim against the responsible driver without meeting the $1,000 threshold:

• Bone fracture

• Permanent disfigurement

• Loss of a limb or body part

• Permanent injury to a reasonable medical probability

• Permanent loss of bodily function

• Death

Even though no-fault insurance is meant to simplify the process, disputes can still arise. Insurance companies may challenge your claim, arguing that your medical bills are excessive, unnecessary, or unrelated to the crash. When that happens, it’s important to have an experienced Kentucky car accident attorney on your side—someone who can protect your rights and ensure you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to.

How to Opt Out of No-Fault Insurance in Kentucky

While Kentucky follows a no-fault insurance system, drivers have the option to opt out—making it a “choice no-fault” state.

Under Kentucky law, every insurance provider must notify policyholders of their right to reject the no-fault limitations on their ability to file a lawsuit. Drivers who choose to reject those limitations retain the full right to pursue all damages, including non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, regardless of whether their medical expenses exceed the standard $1,000 threshold.

However, opting out also comes with added exposure: by waiving the no-fault protections, a driver likewise opens themselves up to being sued for damages following an accident.

Common Causes of Kentucky Car Wrecks

Identifying the cause of your crash is the first and most important step toward securing the compensation you’re entitled to. Some of the most common causes of car wrecks in the Kentucky include:

• Distracted driving

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• Excessive speed

• Reckless or aggressive driving

• Hazardous weather conditions

• Running red lights or ignoring traffic signals

No matter what led to your collision, our Kentucky car accident attorneys are ready to investigate the circumstances, determine liability, and fight to recover the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost income, and other losses.

What is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident in Kentucky?

A statute of limitations is a legal deadline that sets how long you have to file a lawsuit. If you miss that window, the court will likely dismiss your case as time-barred, meaning you lose the right to pursue compensation—no matter how strong your claim may be.

Under Kentucky law, car accident victims have two years to settle their claim or file a lawsuit. The clock starts running either on the date of the accident or on the date of your last no-fault (PIP) insurance payment—whichever occurs later.

Knowing and acting within this time frame is crucial to protecting your rights and ensuring your claim can be heard.

What if a Defective Part Caused Your Car Accident?

Not every car accident is caused by driver error. Sometimes, crashes occur because of defective vehicles or faulty auto parts. There are several common safety-related defects that can lead to serious accidents:

• Steering system failures that cause a sudden or total loss of control

• Faulty fuel system components that may leak and spark vehicle fires

• Accelerator pedals that stick or break

• Cracked or broken wheels that lead to loss of control

• Malfunctioning vehicle components that break apart while driving

• Airbags that deploy unexpectedly or fail to deploy when needed

• Defective child safety seats

In cases like these, the at-fault party may not be another driver but rather the manufacturer of the defective part or vehicle. Injured victims may have grounds to bring a product liability claim against the company responsible for producing the defective component that caused the crash.

Under Kentucky law, a manufacturer can be held liable for injury, death, or property damage resulting from the use of their product in its original, unaltered condition. However, a claim may fail if the injured party did not properly maintain the vehicle or if the accident was caused by unauthorized alterations or modifications to the product.

That said, when a failure results from normal wear and tear or a defect that existed at the time of sale, the injured person may still have a valid legal claim. Similarly, a product liability case may not succeed if the manufacturer can show that the victim’s failure to use the product with ordinary care was a substantial factor in causing the accident. Even if a defect exists, a claimant’s negligent use or maintenance can prevent recovery.