Morrin Law Office
Truck Accident Lawyer in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and the 28th largest city in the United States. As of 2021, there were an estimated 176,334 commercial trucks registered in the state of Kentucky. Both the city’s population and large amount of traffic along the packed Louisville highways contribute to the growing issue of truck collisions.
Truck collisions often result in serious injuries or death to those involved. Trucks are considered much larger than a standard passenger vehicle. When a truck collides with another vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian, it can turn deadly. It is imperative to know and understand your rights if you have been injured in a truck accident in Louisville, Kentucky.
An accident caused by the negligence of the truck driver or truck company may be eligible for seeking compensation through a personal injury claim. While each case is different, this page will cover the basics for causes of truck accidents and steps to take when filing a personal injury claim.
Personal Injury Attorney in Louisville, KY
Getting injured in a truck accident can leave you with a long road to recovery. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be forced to pay for expensive medical care and treatment. However, you should not let these unforeseen costs affect your mental and emotional health.
If you were injured at the hands of another person or company’s negligence, you should receive compensation to cover the financial costs. An experienced personal injury attorney with Morrin Law Firm can provide your Louisville truck accident case with a free consultation when you call us at (859) 358-0300.
Kentucky Truck Accident Data Summary
The Kentucky Transportation Center released an analysis of traffic crash data in the state from 2006-2010. The following lists the data found for the number of total truck collisions, truck collisions with injuries, and fatal truck collisions for each year:
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Total Truck Collisions | 9,709 | 9,176 | 8,782 | 7,902 | 8,036 |
| Truck Collisions with Injury | 1,757 | 1,607 | 1,490 | 1,292 | 1,305 |
| Fatal Tuck Collisions | 103 | 104 | 98 | 105 | 87 |
More recent data published in the Kentucky State Police’s 2020 Traffic Collision Report found that there were 8,667 trucks involved in the overall collisions that took place in Kentucky during 2020. Trucks accounted for 5% of the vehicles in all collisions and 9% of the vehicles in fatal collisions.
Major Roadways in Louisville
In 2012 WLKY released a report stating that various Louisville roads in Jefferson County accounted for over 30,000 crashes in 2001. That is the equivalent of 83 crashes every day. According to WLKY’s report, the following are the most dangerous roads and highways in Louisville:
- Greenbelt Highway
- Fern Valley Road
- Taylorsville Road
- Gene Snyder Freeway
- Watterson Expressway
- Interstate 65
- Third Street Road
- Preston Highway
- Poplar Level Road
- Dixie Highway
Additionally, the report found that Dixie Highway or “Dixie Die-way” reported 280 accidents with injury in 2011, with 69 injuries occurring along one single mile of the highway.
Causes of Truck Accidents
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) to figure out what causes truck collisions. Their study analyzed 120,000 truck collisions from 2001-2003 that involved at least one truck that resulted in an injury or fatality. The following lists the associated factors found that contributed to truck collisions:
- Brake problems
- Traffic flow interruption (from congestion or previous collision)
- Prescription drug use
- Traveling too fast for conditions
- Unfamiliarity with roadway
- Roadway problems
- Required to stop before crash (traffic control device or crosswalk)
- Over-the-counter drug use
- Fatigue
- Driver inattention
- Illegal driving maneuver
- External distraction
- Truck cargo shift
- DUI
What are Contributing Vehicle Factors?
A contributing vehicle factor is any problem with the vehicle itself with may cause a wreck or collision. When operating a commercial truck, it is the driver or driving company’s responsibility to ensure the truck is working correctly to avoid any contributing vehicle factors.
According to the 2021 Kentucky Traffic Collision report, the following lists the possible contributing vehicular factors in a truck collision:
- Defective brakes
- Defective headlights
- Other lighting defects
- Steering failure
- Tire failure
- Tow hitch failure
- Overload/Improper load
- Oversized load
- Load securement
- Other
Recent Truck Accidents in Louisville, KY
The following lists two recent truck collisions in Louisville, Kentucky:
- June 19, 2023 – The Louisville Metro Police Department responded to a stolen vehicle which ended in a fiery vehicle collision at the intersection of East Chestnut Street and Brook Street around 3:30am. An ambulance with Bullitt County was at the scene to transport a teenager involved in the motor vehicle wreck to the Louisville Hospital.
While the ambulance was driving through a red light with its lights and sirens on—as standard practice for ambulances in emergencies—a semi-truck heading northbound on Interstate 65 crashed into it as it was exiting the ramp to Brook Street. One of the paramedics, 60, was thrown from the back of the ambulance when the semi-truck made its impact. The paramedic suffered serious fractures and internal injuries which required surgery. His identity has remained anonymous at the request of his family.
- June 27 2023 – The Hardin County Sheriff’s Department responded to a fatal truck collision involving three semi-trucks on Interstate 65 that resulted in an 11-hour interstate closure. The report indicated that one semi-truck was driving in the slow lane and did not see the traffic backup resulting from the Glendale roadway construction project.
The first semi-truck hit the second semi-truck, who then collided with a third semi-truck in chain reaction collision. Both the first and second semi-trucks caught fire, resulting in the death of the first semi-truck’s driver. His wife was injured but transported to the University of Louisville Hospital. The second driver was transported to Baptist Health with multiple injuries, and the third semi-truck driver was unharmed.
Possible Injuries and Damages Caused by Truck Accidents
A truck is defined by the Kentucky Transportation Center as a vehicle with a registered weight of 10,000 pounds or more. Since trucks are much larger and heavier than a standard motor vehicle, a truck collision can result in extremely serious injuries. In the worst cases, it can result in death. If you have experienced any of the following injuries following a truck collision, you should consider contacting a personal injury attorney:
- Whiplash
- Burns
- Broken bone(s)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations, cuts, or bruises
- Amputations
When filing a personal injury claim, an experienced attorney with Morrin Law Firm can assist with helping you recover compensation for any of the following damages:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral expenses (for wrongful death cases)
- Any other truck accident-related expenses
It is important to remember that each case varies in its details as well as possible compensation. Insurance companies will try to get you to settle as quickly and for as little as possible. By hiring a personal injury attorney, you will have access to a knowledgeable legal professional who can help with negotiating with insurance companies or fighting for compensation in trial.
Steps to File a Truck Accident Injury Claim
Getting into an accident with a commercial truck can be both painful and confusing. Morrin Law Firm advises you to follow these steps for filing a truck accident injury claim:
- Seek medical help – Even if you do not feel any initial pain, you should always seek medical attention following a truck collision. This will help determine your injuries and provide documentation from the responding ambulance or doctor’s visit.
- Contact law enforcement – It is highly important for a personal injury case to obtain the police collision report. When a police officer responds to a wreck, they will fill out a report with all party’s contact information, details from the collision, and potentially addressing fault. You should obtain and keep a copy of the collision report for your personal injury claim.
- Gather evidence – If you can, take pictures and videos of the collision scene, any property damage, injuries, or other vital details from the wreck. If possible, the truck driver’s logbook or maintenance records should be collected. You should also collect and keep any medical records documenting your injuries, treatment, and/or recovery costs.
- Contact a personal injury attorney – Once you’ve completed the above steps, an experienced truck accident attorney with Morrin Law Firm can answer any questions and help you file the personal injury claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?
One of the most important aspects of a personal injury claim is filing within the allotted time. Kentucky Statute Section 413.125 explains that any person who wishes to file a personal injury claim involving a motor vehicle is two years from the date of the truck accident or discovery of injury.
However, Morrin Law Firm continuously stresses to our clients that the worst thing you can do for a personal injury claim is to wait to file. By waiting, you run the risk of losing important evidence from the truck accident. If you wait too long, your case can get barred. That means your case would be ineligible for filing a personal injury claim, and you would not be able to receive the compensation your injuries deserve.
Avoid the stress and worry surrounding the Statute of Limitations by contacting Morrin Law as soon as possible to get started on your personal injury case.
Wrongful Death in Kentucky
If you have lost a family member or friend in a truck accident in Louisville, you may be eligible for a wrongful death claim.
When a truck accident results in a lost life, the unthinkable has occurred. Morrin Law Firm understands how difficult losing a loved one is. During this trying time, the last thing on your mind should be stressing over legal issues. Our attorneys will alleviate the legal hassle by answering any questions or concerns you may have. We can also help by addressing the insurance companies on your behalf. Our firm will ensure your family receives the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Louisville Truck Accident Attorney with Morrin Law Firm
Have you recently been injured in a truck accident in Louisville, Kentucky? If so, consider consulting with a personal injury attorney regarding your case. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, which Morrin Law Firm can help you recover. We can provide aid by speaking with insurance companies on your behalf and working to negotiate a fair settlement. Our goal is to help you recover and get your life back on track. We will only take on your case if we believe we can add value and work on a contingency basis—so we only get paid if you do! Contact our office today for a risk-free case evaluation at (859) 358-0300.