Morrin Law Office
Truck Accident Lawyer in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green is one of the most populated cities in Kentucky. It is no surprise, then, to find that the Bowling Green highways and roads experience collisions involving both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks.
A commercial truck is considered any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used by a company for interstate commerce, according to the Federal Motor Carry Safety Administration (FMCSA). The Kentucky Transportation Center defines a truck as a vehicle with a registered weight of 10,000 pounds or more.
It is common for accidents involving commercial trucks to result in severe injury or death. Due to the excessive size and weight in comparison to a passenger vehicle, truck collisions can be catastrophic.
Personal Injury Attorney in Bowling Green, KY
After an unexpected truck accident, you may be left feeling pain and confusion. Given the extent of your injuries, you may be faced with a long road to recovery. This can result in expensive medical bills, or other unforeseen financial costs. Do not let yourself drown financially and emotionally. Contact a personal injury attorney to represent your Bowling Green trucking accident claim. The attorneys at Morrin Law Firm can provide legal guidance throughout the investigation, analysis, and litigation process. Receive a free consultation today when you call (859) 358-0300.
Kentucky 2021 Crash Data Summary
According to the Annual Crash Data report by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, there were an estimated 196,738 vehicles involved in collisions during 2021. The following lists additional data on 2021 truck collisions in Kentucky:
- Total truck collisions – 9,225
- Truck collisions involving injuries – 1,374
- Truck collisions involving fatalities – 122
Bowling Green Major Roadways
Bowling Green is the third most populous city in Kentucky, with an estimated population of 60,600.
According to Kentucky’s accident data center, the following lists the major roadways in Bowling Green:
- Interstate 65
- Interstate 66
- S. Route 231
- S. Route 31W
- S. Route 68/Kentucky State Road 80
What Causes Truck Accidents?
The following lists the contributing factors of truck accidents in 2021, according to the Kentucky annual crash data report:
- DUI
- Cell phone use
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Fatigue/falling asleep while driving
- Improper turning
- Improper passing
- Disregarded traffic control
Recent Truck Accidents in Bowling Green, Kentucky
The following highlights recent truck accidents in Bowling Green:
- April 7th, 2023 – Kentucky State Police responded to a truck collision involving three vehicles that resulted in three fatalities on Interstate 65 near mile marker 26 in Warren County. According to the report, around 9:30pm 36-year-old Donald Kabwenge crashed his 2012 Freightliner box truck into the back of a 2020 Nissan Altima after failing to see the slowed traffic due to construction. The Nissan then crashed into the back of a 2018 Freightliner tractor-trailer. The driver of the Nissan, 22-year-old Alyssa Aldrete, and 21-year-old passenger Alexis Coker both died in the crash, along with Kabwenge. The driver of the 2018 Freightliner was not injured.
- April 20th, 2023 – Kentucky State Police responded to a request from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office for a fatal truck collision that took place on Bowling Green Road near Pleasant View Drive. According to the report, 39-year-old Michael J. Raus was operating a semi-truck with a flatbed trailer attached to the back when he attempted to make a turn at the median of the road. However, Raus’ truck blocked both the left and right lanes, causing 39-year-old Robert T. Bryant to crash his 2015 Dodge pickup into the truck. Bryant was announced dead at the scene.
Injuries and Damages Caused by Truck Accidents
Given the sheer size and weight of a commercial truck, it is no surprise that they can cause extensive damage and injuries to those involved in a truck collision. You may be facing long-term injuries that require extensive time and money. This is where a personal injury claim can benefit those who have become victims of a truck accident. If you file a personal injury claim in Bowling Green and it is successful, you may be able to receive compensation for any past, present, or future damage caused by the collision. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Funeral expenses for wrongful death; or
- Any other accident-related expenses.
It is important to first consult with a personal injury attorney when filing a claim. An experienced attorney can review your case to help determine your injuries and the impact it has caused on your life.
If you are injured in a truck accident in Kentucky, it is important to provide evidence of who is the at-fault party. Determining the at-fault party is the first step in a personal injury claim, to determine who the claim should be brought against. In a Kentucky truck accident, the at-fault party may include any of the following:
- The truck driver;
- The trucking company;
- The manufacturer of the truck or defected parts of the truck; or
- The mechanic or authorized person who worked on the truck.
As each truck accident will differ in its specific cause, so will the at-fault party. For example, the truck driver would be the at-fault party if they were found operating the vehicle under the influence or while violating traffic laws. The truck manufacturer would be the at-fault party if a specific part of the vehicle broke off or was defected to the point of causing the truck collision.
If you are injured in a truck accident in Bowling Green, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney who is knowledgeable in all aspects of truck safety regulations and truck accident litigation. Contact Morrin Law Firm today to discuss your case and options.
Filing a Truck Accident Injury Claim
In Kentucky, there are certain steps you should take following a truck accident and for filing a personal injury claim. Following a Bowling Green truck accident, you should take these steps to get ahead of your personal injury claim:
- Seek medical attention, then obtain and store all medical records, medication, rehabilitation, or any other vital information pertaining to your injuries;
- Obtain police accident report that includes information of who was involved and at fault for the collision, witness statements and contact information, and any arrests or citations given after the wreck; and
- Contact a personal injury attorney to begin the process of filing a personal injury claim.
Once you have contacted a personal injury attorney at Morrin Law Firm, we will help guide you through the legal proceedings. Our firm aids in discussing settlement options with both the trucking and insurance companies. Taking this on alone is not advisable—the at-fault party and insurance companies are known for offering as little settlements as possible. If you accept a settlement without first working with a personal injury attorney, you may only receive pennies on the dollar for what your injuries deserve.
When you plan to file a personal injury claim, our firm requests that you collect the following evidence to help prove your claim:
- Truck driver’s logbook
- Images or videos of the collision
- Truck maintenance records
- Police collision reports
- Witness statements
- Video monitor recordings from the truck
Collecting evidence is extremely important to your personal injury claim, as you will need to prove that the truck driver, manufacturer, or company was negligent and caused your injuries due to the negligence.
Kentucky’s Truck Accident Statute of Limitations
Each state has its own statute of limitations when filing a personal injury claim. The statute of limitations highlights the maximum amount of time allotted to file a claim. However, any personal injury attorney will warn you that waiting is the worst thing you can do.
Kentucky Statute Section 413.125 provides that the statute of limitations for any person who wishes to file a personal injury claim involving a truck or motor vehicle is two years from the date of the accident or discover of injury.
Morrin Law Firm wants to stress that you should never wait to file a personal injury claim. Waiting longer to file a claim can result in the case getting barred. Contact our personal injury attorneys today to get a head start on your claim.
Wrongful Death
Morrin Law Firm understands how tragic losing a friend or loved one is. If your Bowling Green truck accident resulted in a fatality, you may be eligible for a wrongful death suit. You may be feeling too overwhelmed to focus on the legal aspects of a wrongful death. Let the experienced wrongful death attorneys at Morrin Law Firm answer any questions or concerns you may have and take on your wrongful death claim to receive the compensation you and your family deserves.
Contact an Experienced Bowling Green Truck Accident Attorney
Have you or a loved one recently been injured in a truck accident in Bowling Green, Kentucky? If so, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you can receive compensation for the damage caused by the accident. The recovery can help you get your life back on track after an unforeseen truck accident.
Contact Morrin Law Firm if you need a personal injury attorney. Our firm has a broad understanding of Kentucky’s laws and regulations when it comes to personal injury claims. We will fight aggressively for you and your deserved compensation. To receive a risk-free consultation regarding your case, call Morrin Law Firm at (859) 358-0300 today.