Car accidents happen every day across Kentucky, and the Lexington metro sees its share on the busy interstates and surface corridors that run through Fayette County. When another driver's carelessness puts you in the hospital, Kentucky law gives you the right to pursue compensation from the responsible party. To protect that right, you should quickly find an experienced local accident attorney, like the Lexington car accident attorneys at Portner & Shure! We have been handling serious accident cases for more than 30 years. If you or a loved one was injured on I-64, I-75, New Circle Road (KY-4), Man o’ War Boulevard, Nicholasville Road, or anywhere in the Lexington area, our team is ready to help today.
5 Things You Should Do After a Car Accident in Kentucky
- Call 911 and report the crash. Kentucky requires drivers to report accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage. A police report creates an official record of what happened at the scene.
- Get medical attention right away. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Prompt treatment protects your health and helps connect your injuries to the crash, which also matters for your no-fault (PIP) benefits.
- Document everything. Photograph the vehicles, the scene, road conditions, and your injuries. Collect names, phone numbers, and insurance information from everyone involved.
- Watch what you say. Do not apologize or admit fault at the scene — Kentucky uses comparative fault, and insurers will use any admission to shift blame onto you.
- Contact a Lexington car accident lawyer before you talk to the insurance company. The insurer's adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you.
2 Things You Should Never Do After a Car Accident
- Never give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer without speaking to an attorney first. These statements are often used to reduce or deny claims.
- Never rush to accept an early settlement offer. Early offers are often far below what your claim may actually be worth once the full extent of your injuries is known.
Kentucky's No-Fault System and Your Car Accident Claim
Kentucky operates under a no-fault insurance system. After a crash, personal injury protection (PIP) benefits — generally paid by the insurer of the vehicle you occupied, subject to Kentucky's coverage-priority rules — cover initial medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash, with a minimum of $10,000 in benefits. Kentucky is a choice no-fault state, so drivers can opt out of no-fault to preserve their full right to sue from the outset. Drivers who remain in the system can still step outside it and pursue a liability claim against the at-fault party when medical expenses exceed $1,000 or the crash causes a permanent injury, permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement, a qualifying fracture, or death.
Kentucky's Pure Comparative Fault Rule
Kentucky follows a pure comparative fault rule, which means that even if you were partially responsible for the crash, you can still recover compensation — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% at fault and your total damages were $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies frequently try to inflate an injured victim's share of fault to reduce what they owe, and experienced Lexington counsel helps counter those tactics.
How Long Do I Have to File? Kentucky's Statute of Limitations
For a motor vehicle crash in Kentucky, the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the accident or from the date of the last no-fault (PIP) benefit payment, whichever is later (KRS 304.39-230). Missing the deadline typically means losing your right to pursue compensation, and when the clock starts can depend on the facts of your case — so you should get case-specific guidance as early as possible. The sooner you call, the more time we have to preserve evidence and protect your claim.
Preserving Evidence After a Lexington Crash
The evidence gathered in the first days after a crash often decides the outcome. Skid marks fade, vehicles get repaired or scrapped, traffic-camera and business surveillance footage is overwritten, and witness memories blur. Our Lexington team moves quickly to secure the police report, photographs, dash-cam and surveillance video, and witness statements — and, where needed, to bring in accident-reconstruction experts. Lexington's heavy traffic on I-64, I-75, and New Circle Road (KY-4) produces complex, multi-vehicle wrecks where this kind of early investigation is especially important. Many of the serious crashes we handle occur where I-64 and I-75 run together on the outskirts of town and along the busy stretches of New Circle Road near the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. A claim arising from a Fayette County crash is generally filed in the Fayette County courts, and we handle that process for you.
Examples of Negligence in Car Accidents in Lexington, Kentucky
- Distracted driving — texting, phone use, and inattention
- Drunk and impaired driving
- Speeding and aggressive driving on Lexington's highways and corridors like Nicholasville Road and Richmond Road
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Failing to yield or follow Kentucky traffic laws
Types of Car Accidents in Lexington, Kentucky
Our Lexington accident team handles the full range of motor vehicle collisions and the serious injuries they cause, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other catastrophic injuries:
- Rear-end and stop-and-go collisions on I-64 and I-75
- Intersection and left-turn crashes on New Circle Road (KY-4) and Man o’ War Boulevard
- Highway merge and lane-change wrecks
- Rideshare (Uber and Lyft) accidents
- Hit-and-run and uninsured motorist crashes
- Commercial truck and tractor-trailer collisions
Should You Retain an Attorney & Pursue a Personal Injury Claim?
If you were injured because of another driver's negligence, there are real advantages to having experienced counsel on your side. Injured victims who hire an attorney are often able to pursue a fuller recovery, and an attorney handles the insurance company so you can focus on healing. At Portner & Shure, you pay nothing up front and no attorney's fee unless we recover for you.
What Can I Expect to Recover in My Accident Case?
Every case is different, but Kentucky law allows accident victims to pursue compensation for:
- Medical bills — past and future
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Long-term care and rehabilitation for serious injuries
Our attorneys work to document every dollar of your losses so the insurance company cannot minimize what you are owed.
Who Negotiates with the Insurance Company?
We do — so you can focus on healing. From the moment you hire us, the Lexington car accident attorneys at Portner & Shure handle every conversation, letter, and negotiation with the insurance companies. We know their tactics, and we do not let them push our clients around. If they refuse to offer a fair amount, we are fully prepared to file suit and take your case to court when necessary.
We Can Help If English is Not Your First Language
Portner & Shure proudly serves Lexington's diverse communities. Our multilingual team can assist clients in Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese, so nothing gets lost in translation when it matters most.
Contact Our Lexington Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident anywhere in the Lexington area, do not wait. Call Portner & Shure or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover for you. Learn more about our firm and our full Kentucky team.
Other Injury Cases We Handle in Lexington
- Lexington Truck Accident Lawyers
- Lexington Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
- Lexington Personal Injury Lawyers
- Lexington Wrongful Death Lawyers
- Lexington Premises Liability Lawyers
- Lexington Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
- Lexington Bicycle Accident Lawyers
- Lexington Dog Bite Lawyers
- Lexington Brain Injury Lawyers
- Lexington Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
- Lexington Medical Malpractice Lawyers
- Lexington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
- Lexington Bus Accident Lawyers
