Car Accident Attorney in Owensboro, Kentucky

Most Dangerous Roads in Owensboro, KY

According to the 2021 Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts Book, 1 in every 5,526 residents in Kentucky died from a fatal traffic collision on a public Kentucky road. There was a total of 806 deaths on public roads in 2021, with a total of 29,372 individuals injured.

Between 2017 and 2020, the city of Owensboro had 18 recorded fatalities from car accidents. Based on statistics from City Data, the following lists the dangerous roads where fatal Owensboro accidents took place:

• US-60
• Ridgewood St
• Pennbrooke Ave & W 5^th St
• Blk Medley Rd
• SR-2262 & E 9^th St
• Frayser Ln & W 2^nd St
• US-231 & US-60
• SR-2698 & Bittle Rd
• W 9^th St & Maple St
• E Byers Ave & Friendship Dr
• E 25^th & Allen St
• SR-144
• SR-54 & Ralph Ave

Example Case

On April 12^th, 2023, the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office responded to a collision that took place along the 1700 block of the U.S. 60 bypass in Owensboro, Kentucky.

According to the report, two vehicles were both heading eastbound when the car swerved and side-swiped the Jeep. Both vehicles were sent towards the median. The car veered into the median where it hit a pedestrian, 42-year-old Maikel Valdes-Diaz.

The car continued to roll and ended up airborne before hitting another vehicle heading westbound. Two passengers in the car sustained serious injuries and were transported to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital.

After spending several days in a Louisville hospital, Valdes-Diaz died from his injuries sustained in the accident.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Owensboro, KY

The moments following a car accident are stressful and confusing. If you’ve been involved in a roadway accident in Owensboro, Kentucky, it’s imperative that you take certain steps to ensure your safety, protect your legal rights, and gather the necessary information for insurance purposes. The following list details the steps you should take after getting into a roadway accident:

1. Ensure safety and assess injuries – The first thing you should do is check yourself and the passengers for any possible injuries. Call for an ambulance immediately if anyone requires medical attention. If it’s safe to do so, move your vehicle to the side of the road to prevent any further traffic congestion or wrecks.
2. Contact law enforcement – Regardless of the severity of the accident, Kentucky law enforcement should be contacted to document the wreck, create an accident report, and assist in managing the situation. In Owensboro, Kentucky you can contact the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office or the Owensboro Police Department.
3. Exchange information with other driver(s) – Following a car wreck, all parties should exchange contact and insurance information. This may include all names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, driver’s license numbers, addresses, and insurance information. It may be helpful to obtain contact information from any witnesses as well.
4. Take documentation of the accident scene – If you are in a safe position to do so, take images or videos of the scene of the accident. This may include the vehicles involved, position of the wrecked vehicles, skid marks, immediate injuries, or any other relevant details.
5. Notify the insurance company – Your insurance company should be informed about the car accident as soon as possible. They should inform you of the claims process and required documentation, including detailed information about the wreck.
6. Receive medical attention – Even if you do not notice any immediate pain or injuries, it’s still important to receive medical attention. Certain injuries may have delayed symptoms, or the shock of the wreck may prevent the person from feeling the extent of their injury. It’s important to your personal injury case to keep a record of all medical evaluations, treatments, and expenses related to the accident.
7. Contact a personal injury attorney – If you’ve suffered significant injury or property damage after a roadway wreck, you should prioritize speaking with a personal injury attorney. The attorneys at Morrin Law can help answer any questions you may have regarding the legal process.

Causes and Types of Car Accidents in Owensboro, KY

The most common causes of car accidents in Owensboro, Kentucky include:

• Distracted driving;
• Speeding;
• Impaired driving;
• Reckless driving;
• Weather conditions;
• Failure to obey traffic laws; and
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At Morrin Law, our firm represents clients who have been involved in any of the following types of roadway accidents in Owensboro, Kentucky:

• Head-On Collision
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bike Accidents
• Bus Accidents
• Hit and Run
• Rear-End Accidents
• “T-Bone” Collision
• Car Share App Accidents

Common Car Accident Injuries

Aside from dealing with the legal nuances after a car wreck, managing pain and injuries can be both stressful and disorienting. Depending on the severity of the wreck, those involved in an accident in Owensboro may suffer any of the following injuries:

• Broken Bone(s)
• Concussion
• Soft-Tissue Damage
• Loss of Limb(s)
• Facial Scarring
• Psychological and Emotional Trauma
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The types of injuries sustained in a car wreck can vary, including when and how the pain sets in. That is why you should always receive medical attention after a car accident, even if you initially feel fine. Speak with a professional personal injury attorney if you have any further questions regarding injuries sustained in a car wreck.

Damages and Recovery

In the context of a personal injury case, “damages” refers to the losses and harm suffered by the injured person after a car accident which led to personal injury. Damages are the monetary compensation sought by the injured person or party to address the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of the injury.

Damages are broken down into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are the quantifiable financial losses caused by the injury, which can include:

• Medical devices
• Hospital bills
• Medication costs
• Rehabilitation costs
• Future medical treatment expenses
• Lost wages or income
• Property damage
• Punitive damages
• Funeral and burial costs

Non-economic damages are the more subjective and intangible losses, which are not as easily measured in monetary terms, however it still plays a big role in the injured person’s injury. Non-economic damages can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Mental anguish
• Impact on relationships caused by the injury

Contact the personal injury attorneys at Morrin Law Firm to evaluate your case and determine which damages we will fight to recover.

Kentucky’s Liability and Fault System in Owensboro, KY

For roadway accidents in Owensboro and the surrounding Kentucky area, the state uses a no-fault system. That means each driver can be compensated for any medical expenses or lost wages caused by a car wreck. Each driver is provided this compensation under their Personal Injury Protection policy (PIP).

Drivers in Owensboro are likely to have a $10,000 coverage from insurance through their PIP. However, depending on the injuries sustained, medical bills accumulated, and work missed due to a car wreck, it is not uncommon for the damages to exceed this amount.

In Kentucky, you can file a personal injury claim if the damages from the accident exceed the following thresholds:

• Over $1,000 in medical expenses
• One or more broken bone(s)
• Permanent injury or disfigurement
• Death

How and When to File a Personal Injury Claim

So, you’ve been in a car accident in Owensboro, Kentucky. After following all the right steps, your damages have exceeded what your insurance company covers. Now what? If you are seeking to file a personal injury claim, it is imperative that you understand the State’s maximum time for filing.

Kentucky Statute Section 413.125 covers the Statute of Limitations for personal injury claims from a motor vehicle accident. In Kentucky, a person who has been in a car accident can file a personal injury claim within two years from the date of the accident or from the last PIP payment.

Although it is somewhat of an extended period, our attorneys want to remind Kentucky drivers that waiting to file a claim is not in your case’s best interest. By waiting to file, you may lose evidence or other information that is imperative to the case. In addition, waiting to file your personal injury claim can result in your case getting barred. This means you would no longer be eligible to pursue compensation for the damages caused by the wreck. With that in mind, it is in your best interest to file your Kentucky personal injury claim as soon as possible.

Call Morrin Law Office at (859) 358-0300 if you have any questions about Kentucky’s Statute of Limitations or how to file a personal injury claim.