Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic and distressing experience for all parties involved. Typically no one expects to be involved in an accident while they are commuting, however, vehicle accidents do occur and they’re usually when we least expect it. Oftentimes the involvement in an accident can cause disorientation and cloud judgement calls while victims are going through the initial shock of the crash.

As personal injury lawyers, it is our job to provide you with tools and resources to help guide you and organize your thoughts and plan of action in the event that you are an involved party in a car crash. It should also be noted that if you are involved in a serious crash that medical treatment is of the highest importance and in the event you need immediate medical treatment to use the resources available at the crash in order to do so such as the ambulance, medics, and other medical providers.

If you’re looking to maximize your auto insurance in order to ensure you and your family are protected no matter the type of car accident you may one day be involved in, no type of coverage can quite protect you like UM/UIM coverage. What is UM/UIM coverage and how does it work? Let’s find out. Here are 5 things you need to know about UM/UIM insurance coverage and how it protects you:

1. What is UM/UIM Coverage?

Under Kentucky Law all Owners of a Motor Vehicle must carry a minimum of $25,000/$50,000 in Bodily Liability Coverage. However, the two most important types of coverage are what is called UM and UIM coverage. Bodily Liability Coverage covers the other person if you cause an accident. Bodily Liability Coverage covers the other person if you cause an accident. UM/UIM covers you and your injuries if the other party is at fault.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious car wreck, you may feel pressured by your insurance company (or the other driver’s insurer) to act more quickly than you are comfortable with or accept a settlement offer that you know isn’t fair. Car insurance companies, at the end of the day, are looking out for their profit margins. As such, they may not be interested in truly helping you and your family.

Insurance companies are also known to sometimes use unfair tactics or “tricks” to try and get clients to agree to low settlement amounts or agree to policy terms that don’t favor them. As unfortunate as it is, some insurers or adjusters will do anything they can to save their company a buck or two. Below are some of the tactics used by insurance companies to try and get what they want:

During my time as a personal injury lawyer here in Paducah, KY, I’ve come across a great deal of misinformation that clients come to me regarding. The legal profession is one that often seems shrouded in a curtain of mystery. Legal information tends to be difficult to come across– especially information that isn’t hard to digest and/or full of legal speak or what is commonly referred to as “legalese”.

As such, I’ve realized that there are a few common myths we see at our law office. Many of these myths are shared by friends and family members of our clients who come to us seeking legal assistance. Other times, myths come to life on television or in a movie and are consequently believed to be true.

In the unfortunate event of a car accident or other type of motor vehicle accident that causes injuries in the state of Kentucky, individuals involved may have the ability to file a lawsuit depending on the nature of the accident and the resulting injuries. In general, the driver or individual who is responsible for the motor vehicle accident is legally liable for damages incurred to the injured individual.

This means that an injured accident victim can file a personal injury lawsuit to potentially receive financial compensation that can be used for paying medical bills, recover loss of wage costs, and even pain/suffering costs. These funds can make a massive difference in a family’s ability to recover from a tragic car wreck.

However, the thought of filing a lawsuit or even beginning a claim has a tendency to overwhelm most individuals. Lawsuits are complicated. It should also be noted that many insurance companies representing the at-fault party frequently try to negotiate a settlement that’s unfair to the victim. When a settlement isn’t reached or when one is unfair, that’s the time to file a lawsuit.

Below are some of the more frequently asked questions our law office receives about car accident lawsuits in Kentucky: