Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Louisville, Kentucky
The firms in this guide
1. Morgan & Morgan
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, product liability
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, accident reconstruction, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: One of the largest personal injury law firms in the nation with offices throughout the United States including Kentucky. Extensive experience handling truck accident cases. The firm has recovered billions for injured clients nationwide.
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Contact: https://www.forthepeople.com
Consultation: Free consultation
2. Thomas Law Offices
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Truck accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, brain injuries, birth injuries, construction accidents, negligent security
Legal Services: Personal injury litigation by trial attorneys, 24/7 intake, client portal
Background: Thomas Law Offices is a Louisville-based personal injury firm that cites more than 30 years of experience and also practices in Ohio, including Cleveland.
Location: 9418 Norton Commons Blvd #200, Louisville, KY 40059
Contact: (502) 473-6540 | https://www.thomaslawoffices.com/
Consultation: Available 24/7; contact the firm for a case review
3. Karl Truman Law Office
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler crashes, commercial vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations analysis, trucking company negligence claims, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: Louisville personal injury attorney with experience handling complex truck accident cases. Understanding of federal regulations governing the trucking industry.
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Contact: (502) 222-2222 | https://www.karltruman.com
Consultation: Free consultation
4. Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, tractor-trailer wrecks, commercial truck crashes, delivery truck accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, trucking regulations analysis, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: Kentucky personal injury firm with offices in Louisville. Experience handling truck accident cases and understanding of both federal and state regulations.
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Contact: (800) 800-8888 | https://www.isaacsandisaacs.com
Consultation: Free consultation
5. Crocker Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler crashes
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: Louisville personal injury law firm with experience in commercial truck accident litigation. The firm works with experts to build strong cases for maximum recovery.
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Contact: https://www.crockerlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation
Truck Maintenance, Hazardous Loads and Wrongful Death Recovery in Louisville Truck Crash Cases
A Louisville truck crash can raise the carrier’s federal duties on truck maintenance, coverage for a hazardous load and a driver’s alcohol concentration. Kentucky law then sets the wrongful death recovery, including punitive damages for willful acts or gross negligence, and the punitive damages standard.
Maintenance and Inspection
Under 49 CFR 396.3, every motor carrier must systematically inspect, repair and maintain each vehicle subject to its control, keep maintenance records for 1 year where the vehicle is housed or maintained, and keep them for 6 months after the vehicle leaves its control. Under 396.17, each commercial motor vehicle, including each unit of a combination, must have passed a periodic inspection within the preceding 12 months.
Hazardous Loads and Alcohol
Under 49 CFR 387.9, listed oil and hazardous materials not covered by the higher rows require $1,000,000 in public liability coverage, and bulk hazardous substances and listed explosive, poison and radioactive categories require $5,000,000. Under 382.201, a driver subject to the federal testing rules may not report for or remain on safety-sensitive duty with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater.
A Wrongful Death Action
Under KRS 411.130(1), damages for a death may be recovered from the person who caused it or whose agent or servant caused it, the personal representative brings the action, and punitive damages may be recovered if the act was willful or the negligence gross. Under (2), the recovery after funeral, administration and recovery costs goes to the spouse, the children, or both, and otherwise to the parents.
The Punitive Damages Standard
Under KRS 411.184(1) and (2), punitive damages require clear and convincing evidence of oppression, fraud or malice, and malice includes conduct carried out with a flagrant indifference to the plaintiff’s rights and a subjective awareness that it will result in death or bodily harm.
Louisville Truck Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue after a Louisville truck crash?
Under KRS 304.39-230(6), two years after the injury, the death, or the last basic or added reparation payment, whichever is later. For a city or county truck, KRS 65.2001 applies the local government claims statutes, which preserve governmental immunity for counties and, under 65.2003, exclude discretionary acts. If a defect in a city street, bridge or other public thoroughfare caused the crash, KRS 411.110 requires notice to the city within 90 days of the occurrence before any action can be maintained.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Under KRS 411.182, the judgment states each party’s equitable share by percentage of fault. For example, imagine $260,000 in damages and 35 percent of the fault on the injured driver, with 65 percent on the truck driver: the recovery would be $169,000.
What must a truck driver do after a crash?
Under KRS 189.580(1)(a), stop immediately, ascertain the extent of the injury or damage, render reasonable assistance including arranging transport to medical care when needed or requested, and on request give the vehicle’s registration number and the names and addresses of the owner, occupants and operator.