Jim Desmond, Louisville Auto Accident Lawyer
Aggressive Representation in Kentucky and Indiana
Car Accident · Truck vs. Car · Pedestrian · Bicycle
In a motor vehicle accident claim, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer who can address the many legal issues that arise:
- What benefits am I entitled to under no-fault insurance?
- What damages can I recover in a lawsuit?
- What is the other driver's insurance coverage?
- How long do I have to file a claim?
Call Me at 502-609-7657 for a Free Case Evaluation
Based in Louisville, Desmond Law Offices represents clients throughout northern Kentucky, southern Indiana, and southwestern Indiana. I am Jim Desmond, a solo practitioner lawyer with 12 years of experience obtaining maximum compensation in all types of motor vehicle accidents:
Auto accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Tractor-trailer accidents
Pedestrians and bicyclists hit by cars
Injuries and Deaths
- Indiana recorded 938 motor vehicle fatalities in 2005.
- Motor vehicle accidents killed 985 people in Kentucky in 2005.
- More than 100,000 people are injured in auto accidents each year in the two states combined.
- Speed-related crashes alone cause more than $1 billion in medical costs and property damage each year Kentucky and Indiana
Indiana Law vs. Kentucky Law
There are significant differences in the laws of Kentucky and Indiana regarding insurance requirements and recovery of damages.
- Kentucky is a no-fault insurance state. Every driver is required to carry a minimum of $10,000 per person in P.I.P./no-fault coverage. Regardless of who was at fault, your insurance covers medical care and lost wages up to the amount of your coverage.
- Indiana is a Med-Pay state. Vehicle owners are covered for injuries to occupants in either vehicle up to the amount of coverage. However, there is no minimum coverage amount and Med-Pay does not cover lost wages.
If the other driver does not have insurance (as required by law), or if their insurance does not cover all damages, your own Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage will pay the amount above and beyond the No-Fault or Med-Pay policy. However, payment is limited to the amount of your coverage. I strongly recommend you carry at least $100,000 in UM/UIM coverage - more if you can afford it. You can sue the other driver, but they may have no recoverable assets if they can't afford basic auto insurance.
Auto Accidents
Whether you were involved in a rear-end collision, a rollover accident, or an intersection crash, prompt investigation is critical to recovering compensation. I frequently visit the scene of the accident myself (or send an investigator) to take photos of the vehicles, interview witnesses and note conditions at the site. To recover compensation for injuries and losses beyond your no-fault coverage, you must prove that the other driver was negligent.
Desmond Law Offices aggressively pursues all avenues of compensation, through negotiated insurance settlement or at trial. I am dedicated to recovering full damages for medical treatment and future medical care, lost wages and lost future earnings, as well as compensation for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life for catastrophic injuries or permanent disability.
Truck Accidents
- 3,015 people were injured and more than 150 killed in truck accidents in Indiana in 2005.
- In Kentucky, 1,852 were injured in 2005 and more than 100 died.
When a tractor-trailer collides with a car, the results are often devastating for the occupants of the passenger vehicle. The massive weight and momentum of an 18-wheeler or other large truck typically leads to fatality or catastrophic injury (including paralysis, lost limbs, traumatic brain injury, multiple broken bones, and neck or back injury.)
Negligence of the truck driver and the other trucking company are the primary cause of many car vs. truck collisions. In seeking personal injury or wrongful death compensation, I will investigate:
- The trucker's fatigue, use of drugs or stimulants, and driving history
- Actions by the trucker (negligence) that may have caused the crash
- The trucking company's hiring and training practices
- The condition of the truck (brakes, tires, lights, proper loading and restraints)
Pedestrians and Bicyclists
When a car or truck strikes a pedestrian or bicycle, critical injury and death are the likely outcome. Head injury is a leading cause of death, even if the bicyclist was hearing a helmet. Multiple fractures and spinal cord damage are also common. Desmond Law Offices will aggressively investigate the circumstances to determine if the driver was inattentive, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, violating traffic laws, or failed to exercise reasonable care.
Dedicated Representation in Kentucky and Indiana As a Louisville auto accident attorney, my first concern is proper medical care and recovery of benefits under your no-fault or Med-Pay policy. I am committed to my clients in providing compassionate legal counsel of the highest quality, and obtaining maximum compensation for your losses. Contact me directly on my cell phone or e-mail Desmond Law Offices to arrange your free consultation. The Kentucky State Bar requires us to say that COURT COSTS AND CASE EXPENSES WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CLIENT.
