When someone becomes seriously injured after an accident they are usually unsure as to what they should do next: File a claim? File a lawsuit? Hire a lawyer?
The first two questions should be answered with the assistance of a Kentucky injury professional. The third question can be answered with the fact that an injury professional who handles injury claims every day can add exponential value to your claim by simply understanding the injury and insurance laws of Kentucky, making sure ALL of your damages are covered by the insurance company, negotiating on your behalf, and organizing demands that accurately portray injuries and experiences caused by the accident.
Don’t take our word for it, though. The study referenced below demonstrates the significant value hiring the right injury professional can add to an injury insurance claim.
Insurance Research Council Study
The Insurance Research Council (IRC) conducted a study comprised of 6,000 individuals. All participants had been injured in auto accidents and their injuries, treatment, damages, and compensation were all studied.
The study found that accident victims with legal representation garnered 350 percent more in compensation than accident victims without the same type of representation. In addition, the IRC found that 85 percent of all benefits paid out by the insurance companies were to accident victims who had an attorney representing them. Interestingly, the study also showed that accident victims with larger losses were more likely to hire an attorney than those with smaller injuries.
The study was a clear indication that when accident victims do not have representation, it is easier for insurance companies and negligent parties to take advantage of them. None of us know what we don’t know. We go up against the insurance companies in Kentucky on behalf of injured Kentuckians every day.
Compensation Available for Accident Victims in Kentucky
Serious injuries resulting from an accident cause physical and emotional damage that can financially and physically cripple accident victims. When the accident was the fault of someone else, compensation is often available, but the insurance companies will not take folks seriously who represent themselves, unfortunately. Even a general practitioner, a lawyer who handles a lot of different kinds of cases, may not be able to maximize your claim in the same way an injury professional who handles injury claims in Kentucky every day.
In Kentucky, compensation is divided into two categories; economic (AKA “special”) and non-economic (AKA “general”). Economic damages are those that have an actual dollar value. Some types of economic damages a person can claim after an accident are:
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Medical expenses, including costs for doctor’s visits, rehabilitation therapies, medication, and medical devices;
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Lost income including wages, benefits, bonuses, and incentives;
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Funeral and burial expenses; and
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Property damage costs.
The second type of damages available in Kentucky is non-economic damages. These are sometimes more challenging to calculate because they do not have a dollar value. Some factors that contribute to this calculation that can vary from case to case include, potential jury pool in the proper venue for the claim, accuracy of the medical records, accuracy of the police collision report, whether or not immediate medical care is sought, whether or not there will be any kind of permanent impairment or symptom, and more. Most non-economic damages are referred to as pain and suffering damages. Non-economic damages can provide compensation for:
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Physical pain and suffering;
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Mental anguish such as shock, fear, or depression;
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Disfigurement;
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Loss of quality of life;
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Loss of enjoyment of marital relations;
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The increased likelihood of medical complications in the future;
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Permanent physical impairment; and
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Loss of services, such as caring for children.
According to Section 411.184 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, punitive damages are available in certain personal injury cases. This type of compensation is not like others. While economic and non-economic damages are meant to restore the accident victim’s health and life to the way it was before the accident, punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party. These damages are only awarded when the at-fault party showed gross negligence.
A Richmond Personal Injury Lawyer Can Get You More Compensation
Anyone who is seriously hurt after an accident should have an injury professional review and analyze their case, injury, and medical records for the purposes of obtaining an adequate claim settlement. They should speak with a Kentucky personal injury lawyer at the Morrin Law Office; professionals who can help the injured through the claim process and obtain the full amount of compensation they should receive under Kentucky law.
If you have been injured in an accident and someone else was at fault, you don’t have to go through the process of dealing with the insurance companies alone. Contact the Morrin Law Office at (859) 358-0300 and find out how we can help you avoid litigation while receiving full and fair compensation for your injuries. We will speak with the insurance companies on your behalf, and will help you throughout the entire process of filing your claim and making sure you don’t lose your claim through the statute of limitations. If you have been hurt, then call now for a free consultation to discuss whether or not our representation is a good fit and if you qualify for our no up-front cost representation.
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