When a truck accident in Manchester, Kentucky, turns your life upside down, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer who can help you demand financial accountability.
Manchester is a small city in eastern Kentucky and the seat of Clay County. Manchester’s roads include the intersection of U.S. Highway 421 (White St) and KY 9006 (Hal Rogers Pkwy). These roads have been the locations of several truck accidents in recent years, including one in November 2023 and another 11 months earlier that killed two after the driver of a tractor-trailer crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a pickup truck. These incidents demonstrate the seriousness of truck accidents and their consequences on those who live in Manchester, KY.
If you have suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a truck crash in the area, a Manchester injury attorney who handles truck accident cases can help you understand your legal rights. If you have a truck accident injury case, a skilled attorney at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can help you seek compensation for losses such as your medical expenses, lost wages due to missed work, and pain and suffering.
Our experienced attorneys has the skills and resources to help you pursue financial accountability at this challenging time. Call us today or contact us online for a free case evaluation and learn more about how we can help you.
Statute of Limitations on Truck Accident Lawsuit in Manchester, KY
Each state has its own deadlines for how long personal injury victims have to initiate legal action to recover compensation from those responsible for their injuries. In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a truck accident victim must file a lawsuit within two years of the accident date, or their claim will be dismissed as untimely. If you fail to file a personal injury lawsuit within the time allowed, you may lose the right to recover compensation for your losses.
While two years might seem like a generous amount of time, truck accident cases require investigation and preparation. Investigating the accident, identifying all at-fault parties, calculating the full value of your losses, and negotiating with the insurance company can take many months. You should consult with an experienced Manchester truck accident attorney as soon as possible to get started on your case.
Common Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents in Manchester
Due to their size and weight, trucks and other commercial vehicles can do considerable damage in the event of a collision, leading to injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – The sudden impact of a truck accident can cause the brain to collide with the interior walls of the skull, leading to bruising, bleeding, swelling, and other damage. A serious traumatic brain injury can result in lifelong physical and cognitive disabilities.
- Spinal cord injuries – High-impact truck crashes can compress, tear, or sever the spinal cord. A truck accident victim who suffers catastrophic spinal injury may be left partially or fully paralyzed.
- Amputations – When a person’s arm or leg gets caught or crushed in a truck crash, the limb may need to be surgically amputated. This may cause permanent disability and require prosthetics.
- Organ damage – Being slammed around in a truck accident can lacerate organs such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, and bowels. This causes internal bleeding and may require surgery.
- Broken bones – The immense force of a truck collision can break large bones like the femur, hip, or pelvis. These fractures often require surgery and can heal improperly if not treated by orthopedic specialists.
How Often Truck Accidents Happen in Kentucky?
Truck accidents in Kentucky are far more common than many people realize. According to data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), large trucks are disproportionately represented in fatal accidents. They made up 11 percent of the vehicles involved in fatal traffic crashes in a recent year, leading to 118 deaths. Figures from the Kentucky Transportation Center show that more than 8,700 traffic accidents involve commercial trucks each year.
When Do You Need to Consult with a Truck Accident Lawyer?
If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash, it’s important to speak with a Manchester truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Our experienced team can launch an accident investigation, gather evidence, identify all liable parties, and seek compensation for you. You should contact a truck accident lawyer if:
- You or a loved one suffered an injury in the crash. Serious complications from things like concussions and soft tissue damage can develop over time.
- The truck driver was cited by the police for causing the accident. An accident lawyer can establish negligence and fight for your right to a fair settlement.
- Your serious injuries will require long-term medical treatment or impair your ability to work. An attorney can fight to get you full and fair compensation.
- You believe the trucking company acted in a way that caused the crash. This could include inadequate driver training, overloaded cargo, or defective equipment.
An insurance company contacts you and offers you a quick settlement agreement. Insurers do this when they know an accident victim has a strong case and they want to limit the trucking company’s liability.
You should consult a qualified truck accident lawyer in Manchester after any collision involving a commercial truck. Prompt legal action can lead to a substantially greater recovery.
Compensation For Your Truck Accident Claim
The compensation available in your truck accident case will depend on various factors, such as the severity of your injuries and the details of the crash that caused them. You may be eligible to seek compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses, including ambulance rides, emergency room visits, doctor’s appointments, diagnostic scans, surgical procedures, hospitalization, assistive devices, physical and occupational therapy, and medications. You may also be entitled to receive payment for medical expenses you are likely to incur in the future.
- Lost income, caused by your absence from work while you were healing or attending medical appointments.
- Reduced earning potential if your injuries force you to take a lower-paying job.
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering, including loss of enjoyment of life.
- Property damage, including compensation for the replacement or repair of your vehicle or other items damaged in the collision.
In cases involving intentional or grossly negligent conduct on the part of the at-fault party, a court may also award punitive damages. Talk with a knowledgeable Kentucky truck accident attorney who can review the details of your injury and offer an informed perspective on how much you can reasonably expect to claim in compensation.
Benefits of Having a Truck Wreck Lawyer in Manchester, KY
Your choice of attorney to handle your truck accident case can affect the rest of your life. By choosing Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer to represent you, you get:
- An experienced team that has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.
- Decades of combined experience handling a wide range of truck accident cases and car accident cases.
- Legal professionals who are honored to use our legal skills to help our fellow Kentuckians and for the betterment of our community.
- A free case evaluation to discuss your accident and get to know you and address your questions.
- A contingency fee structure, which means you don’t pay a dime unless we obtain a settlement or court award for you.
Taking on trucking companies and their insurance representatives can be daunting. Multiple insurance companies may be involved. We have the Kentucky Courage needed to hold those at-fault accountable and demand justice for you. If you have suffered injuries in a truck accident in Manchester, KY, contact Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today for a FREE personalized consultation.
FAQs: Truck Accidents
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?
In Kentucky, you typically have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim related to a truck accident. However, it is prudent to talk to a personal injury lawyer promptly to understand your legal options, allow evidence to be preserved, and build the strongest case possible.
When Is a Company Liable for Truck Accidents?
Companies can be held vicariously liable for truck crashes caused by their employees during work hours or duties. In many cases, trucking companies push their drivers to disregard the federally mandated limits on daily and weekly driving hours in an attempt to increase productivity. When truck driver fatigue contributes to a crash, the trucking company may share responsibility. Negligent hiring, inadequate training, overloaded cargo, faulty equipment maintenance, and other factors may also constitute direct company negligence.
Can Family Members Be Compensated for Wrongful Death in a Truck Accident?
Kentucky permits some immediate family members such as spouses, parents, and children to seek compensation in wrongful death lawsuits after fatal truck accidents to recover money for losses including funeral expenses and loss of companionship. Dependents may also be eligible to receive compensation for lost income in these cases.
What Should I Do After a Semi-Truck Accident?
One of the most important steps you can take after suffering injuries in a truck accident is to preserve as much evidence as possible. Retain all documentation of your injuries, such as medical bills and hospital records. Keep pay slips and tax forms. Request a letter from your HR department to verify your missed time at work. Consult an experienced truck accident attorney who can use this evidence to build a solid claim on your behalf.
Contact Our Manchester Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers
If someone else caused your serious injuries, you should not be stuck with the medical bills and other expenses. Our truck accident lawyers can help you demand truck accident compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Call Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today or use our online contact form.
