Paducah Car Accident Lawyers Helping Those Injured By Negligent Drivers

Standing Up For Motorcycle Riders Throughout Kentucky

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, people are 27x more likely to get in an accident on a motorcycle than in another vehicle. One reason for that discrepancy is that motorcycles are hard to see. They are smaller and harder to spot when stopped at an intersection. We fight for bikers after an accident.

Motorcyclists can be at the mercy of other drivers. When a distracted minivan pulls in front of a bike, the minivan is usually fine. It’s the bike (and its rider) that pays the price. At Edwards & Kautz Law Firm, we understand the frustration bikers feel and fight hard to get riders the compensation they deserve after an accident.

What Causes Commercial Vehicle and Trucking Accidents?

Truck drivers are often tired and pushed to meet tight schedules, creating the conditions for a crash. If you are involved in a tractor-trailer accident, you should immediately contact the law firm of Edwards & Kautz Law Firm in Paducah, Kentucky. Our lawyers can help you secure the full compensation you need to pay for medical bills, lost income and other expenses related to your accident.

There are several reasons trucking accidents can happen:

Driver fatigue. Not getting enough sleep, loading and unloading heavy loads and putting in overtime can impair not only a driver’s ability to drive but also to judge how well they are driving. Drivers get paid only when they deliver their loads. They are constantly pressured to deliver on time. Federal guidelines mandate how much sleep a driver must have. If they fall behind on a trip, they should not make up time by using stimulants or driving while tired.

DUI. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law. When truckers drive drunk, they risk not only the lives of the other people on the road but their own livelihoods. If you’ve been injured by a truck driver driving under the influence, the state’s criminal case against the driver won’t help you, but a personal injury lawsuit could.

Bad weather. Poor weather, like snow, fog or even rain, can cause truck accidents. Semi-truck drivers can struggle to spot motorcyclists, pedestrians or even smaller cars.

Reckless/distracted driving. Truckers need to follow the rules. If they do not they can hurt people by:

• Playing the radio or texting and not watching the road
• Following too close
• Not using blind spot mirrors
• Speeding
• Improperly braking
• Making quick lane changes
• Driving with unsecured or poorly loaded cargo
• Not using a signal to turn

Jackknifing. This usually happens when a driver slams on their brakes while traveling at a high speed. Then the entire truck, trailer and all can start to skid. Jackknifing causes major damage and can be deadly to other motorists. In addition, the truck can roll, causing an even worse accident.

Truck Accident Lawyers Who Understand The Short- And Long-Term Effects

Truck accident victims face many long- and short-term effects in the wake of a crash.

You must also cope with the pain and physical impairments your injuries may cause, which can be short- or long-term. Complicating matters, auto insurance companies often fail to offer a settlement that covers the victim’s losses.

At Edwards & Kautz Law Firm, our experienced truck accident attorneys understand that you will likely face long-term consequences from the accident as well. It is important to make certain that the settlement you accept will address all the accident effects and cover all related costs.

An unfortunate and often overlooked consequence of accidents involving commercial trucks is that they can interfere with your current and future earning capacity. Perhaps you can no longer work or must take a job that pays less, which could drastically reduce your income. You may be entitled to compensation for this earning potential if the accident changed the course of your life.

Further, you must consider the long-term economic effects of your accident injuries. With serious issues like spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injury, you can expect overwhelming treatment costs in the long term, possibly even for the rest of your life. A well-prepared accident claim can help you cover the costs of medication, physical rehabilitation, future surgeries, in-home care and other injury expenses.

Unfortunately, severe truck accident injuries can disrupt your overall enjoyment of life, especially with debilitating issues like paralysis and disfigurement. Seeking noneconomic damages (pain and suffering) can compensate you for loss of life enjoyment, psychological distress, and any lasting pain and hardships you may experience.

The right truck accident lawyer can help you overcome the negative short- and long-term effects of your truck accident injuries. They can relentlessly pursue fair compensation and help you hold the truck driver or the trucking company financially responsible.

What To Do In Case Of A Motor Vehicle Accident