Being hit by a semi-truck, 18-wheeler or tractor trailer can upend your life. Serious injuries, time away from work, and the stress of dealing with multiple insurance companies can feel overwhelming. If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident in Kentucky, you don’t have to go through it alone. With offices in Paducah and Murray, the experienced truck accident lawyers at Saladino & Schaaf, PLLC help crash victims pursue the compensation they need to move forward.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck crash cases are quite different from car wrecks. Multiple companies may be involved, federal safety rules apply, and critical evidence can disappear quickly if it’s not preserved. The trucking company and its insurer start building a defense immediately. A skilled truck accident attorney levels the playing field, protects your rights, and builds a strong claim under Kentucky law.
At Saladino & Schaaf, PLLC, we can investigate fast, help secure key records from the motor carrier, interview witnesses, work with qualified experts, and negotiate for full and fair compensation while you focus on healing.
No Fee Unless We Win or Settle Your Case.
Call (270) 444-0406 or Click for a Free Consultation.
How Truck Cases Differ from Car Cases
Truck and commercial vehicle cases often involve:
- Stricter safety rules. Semi-truck drivers and motor carriers must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, including Hours of Service limits, drug and alcohol testing, commercial driver’s license standards, and inspection and maintenance duties.
- More potential defendants. Depending on the facts, responsible parties can possibly include the driver, the motor carrier, a broker, the truck’s owner, a maintenance contractor, the shipper or loader, or manufacturers of faulty parts.
- Time-sensitive evidence. Electronic logging device data, driver logs, bills of lading, dispatch records, ECM “black box” data, and maintenance files can be overwritten or discarded under federal record-keeping schedules if not preserved quickly. Many duty status records must be kept for six months, and maintenance inspection reports are commonly retained for three months.
Kentucky Rules That Often Matter
- No-fault threshold. Kentucky’s no-fault system generally requires $1,000 in medical expenses or a qualifying serious injury like a fracture, permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, or death before you can claim pain and suffering from the at-fault party.
- Comparative fault. Under Kentucky’s comparative fault system, each party’s degree of fault is assessed, and compensation is adjusted accordingly. If you’re found to share a percentage of fault for the accident, your total compensation may be reduced by that percentage. For example, if you’re deemed 20% at fault, and your damages are valued at $10,000, you would receive $8,000 (80% of the total damages).
- Deadline to file. Most Kentucky motor vehicle injury claims must be filed within a certain amount of time or you will not be able to move forward with your claim. So speak with a lawyer promptly.
- Accident reporting. If police do not investigate, you must file a report with Kentucky State Police when property damage exceeds $500, and injury or inoperable vehicles must be reported immediately.
Common Injuries in Semi-Truck Accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs and spinal cord damage
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Severe lacerations and scarring
These injuries often require extensive treatment and time away from work. Our truck accident lawyers consider both current needs and future medical care when building your claim.
What Saladino & Schaaf Can Do for You
- Immediate investigation and preservation of evidence through letters that require the motor carrier to keep ELD data, driver qualification files, logs, maintenance records, and onboard electronic data. Relevant federal rules require carriers to retain certain records for defined periods, which is why it’s important to act quickly.
- Identify liable parties and all available insurance coverage.
- Work with experts in accident reconstruction, truck operations, life care planning, and economics.
- Handle the insurers so you do not have to.
- Prepare every case for trial so we can negotiate from strength.
Types of Compensation
As a truck accident victim, you may be entitled to several types of compensation, depending on the specifics of your case. Our team will evaluate your claim to determine the full extent of the damages you may recover, which may include:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for hospital bills, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and future medical treatment related to your injuries.
- Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income lost while recovering from your injuries, including future earnings if your injury prevents you from returning to work.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress you endure due to your injuries.
- Property Damage: Reimbursement for repairs to your vehicle or the cost of a replacement if your car was totaled.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the ways in which your injuries affect your ability to enjoy everyday activities or hobbies.
What To Do After a Truck Accident
Taking the right steps after an accident with an 18-wheeler or any other truck can help protect your legal rights and improve your chances of receiving compensation. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, it’s important to:
- Get medical care even if symptoms are mild.
- Call the police and obtain the report number. Kentucky requires reporting for qualifying crashes.
- Preserve evidence by taking photos and saving damaged items.
- Avoid recorded statements with the trucking insurer until you have received legal advice. Insurance adjusters may try to get you to admit fault or settle for less than you deserve.
- Contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible so key electronic records are preserved under federal retention rules.
Why Choose Saladino & Schaaf, PLLC
At Saladino & Schaaf, PLLC, we are committed to standing up for the rights of truck accident victims in Kentucky and Illinois. Here’s why clients trust us to handle their truck accident cases:
- Decades of Experience: Our truck accident attorneys have a proven track record of success in personal injury cases, having helped thousands of clients recover millions of dollars in compensation.
- Personalized Attention: We understand that no two cases are the same. Our attorneys will take the time to understand your unique circumstances and tailor our approach to meet your needs.
- No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free, and you can trust that we will work tirelessly to maximize your compensation.
- Compassionate Advocacy: We know how difficult the aftermath of a truck accident can be, and we are here to provide the legal guidance and support you need during this challenging time.
Don’t Wait – Contact Saladino & Schaaf, PLLC Today
If you were injured in a truck accident, talk with one of our experienced truck accident lawyers today. At Saladino & Schaaf, PLLC, we are ready to fight for your rights and help you recover the compensation you deserve. Your first consultation is always free, and we only get paid if we win or settle your case. Call us at (270) 444-0406 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation with our experienced Paducah truck accident lawyers today.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Table of Contents
- How long can truckers drive without resting, and why does it matter in my case?
- What records should be preserved after a truck crash?
- Will Kentucky’s no-fault rules stop me from seeking pain and suffering?
- What if I was partly at fault?
- Do truck drivers have to take drug and alcohol tests after certain crashes?
- Do I need to file an accident report myself?
- How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
How long can truckers drive without resting, and why does it matter in my case?
Federal Hours of Service rules limit how long most property-carrying truck drivers can be on duty and require off-duty rest periods. Proving a violation can support liability.
What records should be preserved after a truck crash?
Key items include ELD data, driver logs, bills of lading, dispatch and route records, maintenance and inspection files, and post-accident drug and alcohol test results. Carriers must keep duty status records for six months and retain certain maintenance documents for three months.
Will Kentucky’s no-fault rules stop me from seeking pain and suffering?
No, not if you meet Kentucky’s threshold, which includes at least $1,000 in medical expenses or a serious injury such as a fracture or permanent disfigurement.
What if I was partly at fault?
Understanding the concept of comparative fault is important, especially in states like Kentucky. Comparative fault refers to the legal principle that multiple parties involved in an accident may share varying degrees of responsibility for the incident. Kentucky employs a comparative fault system, which can significantly impact the compensation you’re entitled to receive.
Under Kentucky’s comparative fault system, each party’s degree of fault is assessed, and compensation is adjusted accordingly. If you’re found to share a percentage of fault for the accident, your total compensation may be reduced by that percentage. For example, if you’re deemed 20% at fault, and your damages are valued at $10,000, you would receive $8,000 (80% of the total damages).
An experienced truck accident lawyer can help: prove the other driver’s greater fault, minimize your share of responsibility and maximize the compensation you receive. Don’t let partial fault discourage you from seeking the compensation you deserve.
Do truck drivers have to take drug and alcohol tests after certain crashes?
Yes. Federal rules require post-accident testing in specific circumstances, and carriers must document reasons if tests are not completed within the required time frames.
Do I need to file an accident report myself?
If police do not investigate and property damage exceeds $500, you must report the crash to Kentucky State Police within ten days. If there are injuries or a vehicle is inoperable, immediate notification is required.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay any upfront fees and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Our Attorneys
Saladino & Schaaf, PLLC is dedicated to providing high quality, aggressive legal representation to victims of personal injury and wrongful death. Since 1984, this firm and its predecessors have had one goal in mind – to help the victims of personal injury put the pieces of their lives back together.
