A crash involving a commercial truck can leave you facing serious injuries, lost income, and overwhelming medical bills. These aren’t ordinary motor vehicle accidents; they’re high-stakes cases that require specialized legal experience. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident on I-64, I-75, I-71, or anywhere in Kentucky, you need a lawyer who understands the complexities of trucking law and knows how to stand up to powerful trucking companies and their insurers.
At Munley Law, truck accident litigation isn’t just something we do—it’s what we’re known for. Our truck accident attorneys are recognized nationally for their expertise in commercial truck crash cases. Marion Munley and Daniel Munley are among the nation’s most respected truck accident lawyers, having held top leadership roles in organizations like the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA) and the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group. Their work includes helping to set the standards that other lawyers across the country follow.
We’ve won some of the largest truck accident verdicts and settlements in the United States, and we bring that experience and commitment to every case we take. When you hire Munley Law, you’re choosing a team with the knowledge, resources, and reputation to take on the biggest opponents and win.
Call today for a free consultation with a Kentucky truck accident lawyer. You pay nothing unless we win.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$20 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Work Injury
$11 Million Truck Accident
$9 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury
Why Truck Accidents Are More Complicated Than Other Kentucky Motor Vehicle Accidents
While all motor vehicle accidents can be traumatic and costly, truck accidents are often far more challenging legally and financially. From the severity of injuries to the tangle of liability and insurance issues, several key factors make truck crash claims uniquely challenging in Kentucky.
Severe Truck Accident Injuries Mean Higher Stakes
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. That’s far more than the average passenger vehicle. This size and weight difference means that collisions involving large trucks are far more likely to cause catastrophic or fatal injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, skull fractures, brain swelling, and other head trauma
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Bone fractures and internal injuries
- Amputations or severe burns
These injuries often require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and assistive devices. They may permanently alter a victim’s quality of life or ability to work. As a result, the damages in a truck accident case are often significantly higher than in a standard car crash.
Liability in a Kentucky Truck Accident Case May Involve Multiple Parties
In a typical car accident, liability usually falls on one or both drivers involved. But in a truck accident, many different parties could be responsible, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company (which may be liable for negligent hiring or supervision)
- A third-party maintenance provider
- A cargo loading company
- A truck or parts manufacturer (if a defect caused the crash)
Determining who is legally at fault requires a thorough investigation, access to records like driver logs, black box data, and maintenance reports, and knowledge of both state negligence laws and federal trucking regulations.
Additionally, trucking companies and their insurers often have legal teams that respond immediately after a crash to limit liability and protect their bottom line. Without an experienced truck accident attorney, victims can easily be overwhelmed or misled into accepting less than they deserve.
Commercial Trucks’ Insurance Coverage
All drivers in Kentucky must carry auto insurance, but truck drivers and motor carriers are subject to far more complex and higher-value insurance policies — often involving multiple layers of commercial coverage.
For example, a trucking company may carry separate policies for liability, cargo, and excess (umbrella) coverage. The driver may also have individual insurance, and contractors or subcontractors involved in the shipment may carry additional policies. Coordinating claims across these various insurers can be time-consuming and contentious. Insurers often deny, delay, or undervalue claims in an effort to limit payouts, especially when high-dollar damages are on the line.
Navigating this maze of coverage requires legal experience and a deep understanding of Kentucky’s insurance laws, especially as they relate to commercial carriers and the state’s choice no-fault system.
What is a black box? Why does it matter in a Kentucky truck accident claim?
The black box is another name for the electronic data recorder (also called the “event data recorder”) found on tractor trailers and other large commercial trucks. This device records information about the truck’s operation before, during, and after a crash. The black box may capture:
- The truck’s speed at the time of the crash
- Brake usage
- Acceleration and deceleration
- Hours of service (how long the driver was behind the wheel)
- GPS location and driving patterns
- Sudden stops or impacts
This data provides an objective, time-stamped record of what was happening in the moments leading up to and during the accident. It can prove negligence or trucking industry regulatory violations by showing whether the truck driver was speeding, whether the brakes were applied, and more. Black box data is important evidence in a truck accident case, so it is necessary to have a Kentucky truck accident lawyer who knows how to preserve, obtain, and analyze this data.
Other evidence your truck accident attorney will obtain includes the truck’s dashcam footage, the truck driver’s cell phone, and the trucking company accident and safety records.
Causes of Kentucky Truck Crashes
Kentucky sees between 2,000-3,000 crashes involving large trucks each year on major thoroughfares like I-24, I-64, I-65, I-71, and I-75. Some of the most common causes are as follows:
Truck Driver Fatigue
Federal regulations requiring rest periods for truck drivers to combat fatigued driving are administered through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), but actual enforcement can be challenging. Drivers often push beyond legal limits due to pressure from employers or financial incentives, reducing alertness and slower reaction times. Consequently, the negligent actions of fatigued drivers ultimately cause semi-truck accidents.
Distracted Driving
With the rise of technology, distractions have increased in most areas of life. Ignoring safety protocols by texting, using GPS devices, eating, and adjusting the radio can take a driver’s much-needed attention away from the road. Given the size and weight of trucks, even momentary driver inattention can result in catastrophic accidents and severe injuries.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Trucks’ large size and weight make speeding particularly dangerous. High speeds increase stopping distances and the severity of crashes. Reckless driving behaviors by negligent parties, such as tailgating and frequent lane changes, exacerbate the risk of semi-truck crashes and truck accident injuries.
Impaired Driving
Substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs, remains a problem despite strict regulations. Prescription medications can also impair a semi-truck driver’s abilities. Truck drivers must undergo regular testing, but incidents still occur, impacting their driving capabilities and creating unsafe conditions.
Poor Weather Conditions
Adverse weather significantly impacts truck driving. Rain can reduce tire traction, fog can obscure vision, and snow and ice can make roads slippery. With their longer stopping distances and higher centers of gravity, trucks are particularly vulnerable in such conditions.
Inadequate Training
Proper training by trucking companies is crucial for handling large vehicles. New or inadequately trained drivers may not know how to respond to challenging situations, such as sudden stops, sharp turns, or emergency maneuvers. Continuous training and safety policy enforcement are important for keeping our roadways safe.
Mechanical Failures
Regular maintenance is critical for big rig safety. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and engine problems can all lead to accidents. Routine inspections and timely repairs are necessary to prevent mechanical issues from causing crashes.
Improper Loading
Trucks must be loaded correctly to maintain balance. Overloading or uneven weight distribution can lead to rollovers or loss of control. Cargo must be secured to prevent shifting during transit, which can destabilize the vehicle and cause a severe truck accident.
Road Conditions
Potholes, uneven roads, and construction zones are dangerous for trucks. Bad road conditions can make trucks lose control, especially when driving fast or in bad weather. Potholes can cause tires to blow out or damage the truck, making it hard to steer, and uneven roads can make trucks tip over. Construction zones have narrow lanes and sudden stops, making it tricky for truck drivers to avoid crashes.
Other Drivers
Passenger vehicles often do not understand trucks’ limitations, such as longer stopping distances and wider turns. Dangerous behaviors like cutting off trucks, abrupt lane changes, and not allowing enough space can lead to truck wrecks and fatal crashes.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Kentucky Commercial Truck Accident?
Several parties can be held liable in a truck accident, depending on the circumstances of the crash, some include:
- Truck Driver: The commercial truck driver can be held responsible if their actions directly led to the accident. This includes behaviors such as distracted driving (using a phone, eating, or other distractions), speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or violating traffic laws. Driver fatigue, due to long hours on the road without adequate rest, is also a common cause of accidents where the driver can be held liable.
- Trucking Company: The trucking company may be held liable as a responsible party for several reasons. Under Kentucky law, a trucking company can be held vicariously liable for the actions of its drivers. If the truck company failed to enforce federal motor carrier safety regulations or provided inadequate driver training to their drivers, they could be responsible as an at-fault party in an accident. Additionally, if the trucking company sets unrealistic schedules that pressure drivers to speed or skip rest breaks, they can be held responsible for resulting accidents. As a truck owner, trucking companies are also responsible for proper vehicle maintenance and ensuring their fleet is safe to operate.
- Maintenance Provider: The maintenance provider can be held accountable if the accident was due to mechanical failures resulting from poor maintenance practices. This includes issues like brake failures, tire blowouts, or steering malfunctions. Maintenance providers are responsible for conducting regular, thorough inspections and repairs to ensure all truck parts are properly working. If inadequate maintenance leads to an accident, they can be held liable.
Multiple parties can share liability in commercial vehicle collision cases. A Kentucky truck accident attorney will conduct a detailed investigation to determine who is at fault and each party’s role in causing the accident.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Truck Accident Case?
Truck accidents often result in life-altering injuries, significant financial losses, and emotional trauma. If you were hurt in a crash caused by a negligent truck driver or trucking company, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. The goal of a truck accident claim is to make you whole again by recovering damages for all that you’ve lost.
Here are the types of compensation you may be able to recover in a truck accident case:
Medical Expenses
This includes all current and future healthcare costs related to your injury, such as:
- Emergency room visits
- Surgeries and hospital stays
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- In-home care or medical equipment
- Future anticipated treatments
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working — temporarily or permanently — you can recover compensation for:
- Time missed from work due to recovery
- Lost business income if self-employed
- Reduced ability to earn a living in the future
- Loss of job benefits or retirement contributions
Pain and Suffering
Truck accident victims often experience intense physical pain and emotional distress. You may be compensated for:
- Physical pain from your injuries
- Mental anguish, depression, or anxiety
- PTSD or trauma from the crash
- Loss of enjoyment of life or daily activities
Wrongful Death Damages
If a loved one died in a truck accident, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim, which can include compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of future financial support
- Loss of love, guidance, and companionship
- Emotional pain and suffering
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, how the accident occurred, the insurance coverage available, and whether you share any fault. At Munley Law, we work with medical experts, economists, and accident reconstruction professionals to determine the true value of your case and fight for every dollar you’re owed.
Contact us today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
Kentucky follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule, which means that as long as you were not 100% at fault for the crash, you can still seek compensation for your injuries. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault that you hold for the crash. So, if you are deemed 10% at fault, your recoverable compensation will be reduced by 10%. An experienced Kentucky truck accident lawyer can advocate for you to ensure you are not wrongfully assigned blame.
What is the time limit to file a truck accident lawsuit in Kentucky?
The time limit to file a lawsuit for an injury is known as the statute of limitations. In Kentucky, the statute of limitations for a car or truck accident case is two years from the date of the crash. While other personal injury claims are bound by a one-year statute of limitations in Kentucky, motor vehicle accident victims have two years.
There are some exceptions to this rule. If the truck accident victim is a minor, they have until two years after their 18th birthday to take legal action. Likewise, if the injured person is unable to pursue a claim because they are incapacitated by the truck accident, the clock will not start ticking on the statute of limitations until they regain capacity.
It is important to note that in wrongful death claims associated with motor vehicle accidents, the deceased person’s estate has one year from the date of death to file a lawsuit.
This limited time frame makes it all the more important to contact and hire a truck accident attorney as early as possible. Even if you don’t have all the facts yet, waiting too long to seek help can prevent you from getting the justice you deserve.
Free Kentucky Truck Accident Consultations
At Munley Law, we offer free consultations for anyone involved in a truck accident. Understanding the stress that comes with truck crashes, our goal is to provide you with immediate support and guidance without any financial burden. During your free consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the details of your case with one of our experienced truck accident lawyers.
We will listen carefully to your account of the truck accident injury case, review any evidence you have, and provide an honest assessment of your legal options and claim for compensation. This initial meeting will answer your questions, clarify the legal process, and help you understand what to expect moving forward.
If you decide to proceed with your case, you can rest assured knowing that you won’t owe us anything unless we win compensation for you. This way, you can focus on your recovery during this challenging time while we handle the legal complexities of your case.
Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation with a truck accident attorney.
