If you’ve been injured in a car crash, because of a doctor’s error, by a defective product or in another type of accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Under Kentucky personal injury law, accident victims can sue the individual or organization responsible for their injuries. For your lawsuit to be successful, your Pikeville personal injury lawyer must demonstrate:
- That the party responsible for your accident had a legal obligation to keep from hurting you
- The party violated that obligation by acting in a careless, reckless or intentional manner
- You were injured as a result and suffered damages, or financial losses, as a result
Types of Kentucky Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury is an area of Kentucky law that covers many types of accidents. In addition to motor vehicle accidents, injuries resulting from dangerous or defective products (known as product liability) and medical malpractice, personal injury law also covers birth injuries, asbestos-related health conditions, construction accidents, nursing home abuse and neglect, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, Mesothelioma and work accidents. Your Kentucky personal injury lawyer can review the details of your accident and resulting injuries and determine whether you have a valid case.
Time Limit to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Before filing a lawsuit with the Kentucky District Court, your personal injury attorney will probably attempt to negotiate an out-of-court settlement with the party responsible for your injuries or with their insurance company. If these negotiations are unsuccessful, your lawyer will then prepare and file a lawsuit.
You typically have one year from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit with the court. This deadline, called a statute of limitations, is strictly enforced. If you’re even just one date late in filing your claim, you will be unable to recover any money for your injuries. (If your injuries weren’t immediately discovered or diagnosed, the time limit may be extended.) There is a lot of work that goes into preparing to file a lawsuit, so you should hire a Pikeville accident attorney as soon as possible after being injured. This gives your lawyer sufficient time to try to negotiate with the responsible party, and to prepare and file your claim with the court.
Damages in Pikeville Personal Injury Cases
If your lawsuit is successful, you’ll receive damages, or compensation for your accident-related expenses. These may include money to pay for:
- Doctors’ and hospital bills, as well as related medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Other injury-related expenses
- Pain and suffering
