When you’re driving in one of the city’s many residential neighborhoods, it gives you a bit of a reprieve from the hustle of heavy traffic on interstates or in more crowded areas. But that doesn’t always mean that you won’t be in a car accident–and you won’t get injured or have damage to your car. And when you factor in multiple drivers and cars, it usually makes things even more difficult.
That’s what happened in a recent three-car collision in the Tyler Park neighborhood of Louisville on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, according to a story from WAVE3. Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers responded to the scene, where they found that a car headed east on Eastern Parkway attempted to make a left turn onto Barrett Avenue, which resulted in a collision with a car being driven westbound by a woman. The impact of the collision caused the woman’s car to collide with another car that was stopped at a red light.
After being treated at the scene by EMS, the woman that caused the initial collision was taken to UofL Hospital, where she later died of her injuries. The drivers of the other two vehicles were unhurt.
Who Pays For Damages When The Person At-Fault For the Car Accident Dies?
Stories like the one above show just how dangerous a typical car accident can be in Louisville. But it also brings up a fairly interesting question: if the person that caused the accident–and is legally responsible for the damage–dies as a result of their injuries, how can you get help for your injuries or other losses from the accident?
Thankfully, even if the driver doesn’t survive, you can still file an injury claim. The reason is because when you file a claim, you file it with the driver’s insurance company, not the person themselves. But here’s where things get more complicated.
Since the other driver is no longer here to respond to a lawsuit or insurance claim, someone has to step in on their behalf. In Kentucky, this person is known as the personal representative of their estate. They may be named in a will—or appointed by the court if there isn’t one. Once that’s taken care of, you can move forward with:
- Filing a claim through the other driver’s insurance
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit against their estate, if needed
The focus of your claim won’t be on the fatality—it will be on what you lost in the accident. That might include:
- Medical expenses, both current and in the future
- Lost income from missed work or a loss of earning potential if you can’t work anymore
- Repair/replacement costs for your car or other damaged property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Any lasting effects on your health or ability to work
In Kentucky, most personal injury claims must be filed within one year from the date of the accident. But when someone’s estate is involved, timelines can shift—and delays in probate court can eat up valuable time. Acting quickly gives you the best shot at building a strong case while the evidence is still fresh.
Kaufman & Stigger Helps Car Accident Victims in Louisville
When you’re in a car accident in Louisville, it brings up a lot of questions. Most of the time, you’re able to get initial information from the other driver, but in cases like the story above, that might not be possible. That’s where our Louisville car accident lawyers at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC can really help you.
We’ll help gather the evidence, figure out what the legal path forward looks like, then stand beside you the whole way. Set up a free consultation today to get started.
