Holidays in Kentucky are a time for special gatherings with friends and family to relax and enjoy some much-needed time off work. But with so many people taking to the roads, the holiday season always comes with a high risk of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are roughly 493 fatal car accidents per year on Thanksgiving, making it the most dangerous holiday for drivers.
But no matter what time of the year it is, if you’ve been injured in a car accident due to a reckless driver, knowing your rights can protect you from liability and ensure you are compensated for your damages. At Kaufman & Stigger, we stand up for injured victims who have been hurt by reckless drivers around the holidays in Kentucky.
For more information, contact the law office of Kaufman & Stigger today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation and see what legal options are available for your situation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
During the holidays, Kentucky can feel like a magical place. For example, people travel from all over the state to experience the Festival of Lights at Pattie’s in Lexington, or Lights under Louisville, where people drive through 17 miles of Christmas lights. But these attractions typically lead to an influx in tourist drivers who are more prone to accidents if it is their first time trying to navigate heavy traffic in a new city. So, what should you do if you find yourself in an unfortunate holiday accident?
If you suffer injuries in a car accident, it is important to get medical treatment and consult with an attorney about the details of your accident. Injured car accident victims typically need extensive medical treatment, lose the ability to work, and suffer long-term health complications such as permanent disability as a result of a serious accident. And despite these facts, insurance companies will still attempt to reduce or deny compensation owed to injured car accident victims.
But that’s where the attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger can help. We ensure car accident victims in Kentucky are taken care of. Our attorneys will hit the ground running and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance companies on your behalf. In addition, we’ll protect you from liability and ensure you are fully compensated for the following damages:
- Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
- General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
- Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
- Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the driver engaged in reckless driving with the intention of hurting you, then you could sue for punitive damages
Steps You Should Take After a Car Accident in Kentucky
A car accident can be life-altering, which is why it is important to make sure you take the necessary steps to get your life back on track. At Kaufman & Stigger, we can handle your case for you, so you don’t have to worry about being taken advantage of by the insurance company or missing out on compensation you may need for current and future medical procedures. We recommend taking the following steps to ensure you have a strong case if you’re injured in a car accident:
- Collect Medical Records: Even if your injuries seem minor, they can manifest into something much worse weeks later. So, it is recommended to check in with a doctor and get a record of your injury. An MRI or an X-ray can reveal substantial damage that you might not be aware of. These documents will be essential to building a strong case.
- Get a Police Report: Failing to alert the police does not help your case, especially if the case comes down to your word over the person responsible for your injuries. A police officer will file an accident report and may even assign blame based on their assessment. A police report is critical evidence in any claim and will play a key role in ensuring you are fully compensated.
- Gather Evidence: You should document the accident as thoroughly as possible. Take pictures of the property where the accident occurred. Take a video of yourself recounting the accident while it is still fresh in your mind.
- Collect Eye Witness Statements: if there are any eyewitnesses, try and get a statement from them. Or, at least, get their names and numbers, as they can testify on your behalf or provide a statement to corroborate your story later.
- Collect General Information: Exchange insurance information with the party responsible for your injuries, and be sure to get their name, phone number, and contact information.
- Contact Kaufman & Stigger: Our firm is standing by to help car accident victims in Kentucky, physically and financially recover. Call, text, or email. Our door is always open to the community, and we’d love to help you through this difficult time.
Holiday Car Accident Statistics
Understanding which holidays are the most dangerous can help you avoid certain travel days, or plan ahead to reduce risk of a car accident while driving. Below are some statistics that can give you an idea of which holidays put drivers at risk:
- According to the NHTSA, Halloween averages roughly 380 fatal traffic accidents each Halloween night, with 52% of the drivers being reported drunk behind the wheel.
- Thanksgiving accounts for 507 fatal car accidents every year as it is the busiest travel holiday compared to other holidays, according to the National Safety Council.
- An estimated 345 fatal accidents occur every year during the Christmas holiday period, with 35% of drivers driving while intoxicated.
- During New Year’s celebrations, roughly 376 fatal car accidents occur every year, with 42% of drivers operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
How to Know if You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident
This is unlikely, but If you only suffered minor scrapes or bruises from a car accident, you may not need a lawyer. However, the majority of car accidents in Kentucky do result in some sort of injury requiring medical attention. The following is a list of factors where it is recommended to consult with an attorney:
- There were serious injuries: You will need compensation to cover your current and future medical bills if you’ve suffered serious injuries. Kaufman & Stigger can ensure both.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one has passed away due to the accident you will need compensation for funeral expenses and damages related to the untimely loss.
- Fault: If you are blamed for the accident, but are not at fault, an attorney can protect and assign liability to the at-fault parties. At Kaufman & Stigger, we will reduce liability if you are liable to some extent or eliminate it entirely. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about fault, we are happy to help.
- Multiple parties involved: Multiple parties make cases complex. Our attorneys will manage your case while protecting your best interests and right to compensation from all liable parties.
- False police report: If a police report places blame on you, and you disagree, we will gather evidence such as street cam footage, witness statements, and dash cams to support your claim.
Contact Kaufman & Stigger | Kentucky Car Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to a car accident around the holidays in Kentucky, the Car Accident Attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger can help. Car accidents can quickly become complicated, especially around the holidays, but with our law firm, they can be as simple as making a phone call. Get started today by calling us for a free consultation and case evaluation to see what legal options are available for your situation. There are no upfront fees, and you don’t pay a cent until we’ve won your case.
