When a passenger vehicle is struck by an 80,000-pound commercial truck, the result is rarely a simple “fender bender”. These collisions involve catastrophic injuries, federal safety regulations, and corporate insurance companies that move immediately to protect their bottom lines. As a Louisville truck accident lawyer, I understand these stakes.

At my Old Louisville law firm, I do not operate a high-volume “settlement mill.” I limit my caseload to focus on serious trucking litigation where careful investigation and medical development are the only path to full recovery. For specific truck questions, see our Frequently Asked Trucking Questions.

What Makes a Louisville Truck Accident Lawyer Different from a General Personal Injury Attorney

Unlike standard car accidents, trucking cases are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). Liability often extends beyond the driver to the trucking company, cargo loaders, and maintenance contractors.

Attorneys must operate with more urgency than a standard car accident claim. Proving negligence requires an immediate “Preservation of Evidence” letter to secure black box data and driver logs before they are overwritten.

Feature	Standard Car Accident	Commercial Truck Accident
Liable Parties	Usually just the other driver.	Multiple parties may be responsible, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, and insurers.
Evidence & Data	Police reports, witness statements, and photos.	Electronic data such as black box (ECM) data, electronic logging device (ELD) records, GPS tracking, dispatch records, and onboard cameras.
Regulations	State traffic laws only.	Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), including hours-of-service, maintenance, inspection, and driver qualification rules.
Insurance Coverage	Standard personal auto insurance limits.	High-limit commercial policies, often with multiple layers of coverage totaling millions of dollars.
Deadlines & Urgency	Generally a 2-year statute of limitations in Kentucky.	Immediate action required — critical evidence like logs and electronic data can be lost or overwritten within days.

The Critical “State Line” Factor (KY vs. IN)

As an attorney licensed in both Kentucky and Indiana, I understand the subtle differences that can change the value of your trucking claim:

• Kentucky (Pure Comparative Fault): You can recover damages even if you are partially at fault.
• Indiana (51% Rule): If you are found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing.
• Medical Bill Recovery: Kentucky allows you to recover the “sticker price” of treatment, whereas Indiana often limits you to the amount actually paid after insurance discounts.

My Strategic Investigation Checklist

As your Louisville truck accident lawyer, I prepare every serious truck crash for trial from day one. My investigation protocol includes:

• Black Box (ECM/ACM) Downloads: Capturing speed, braking, and engine data at the time of impact.
• FMCSR Compliance Review: Identifying “Hours of Service” violations, driver fatigue, or improper hiring practices.
• Cargo & Load Securement: Determining if a “Jackknife” or “Rollover” was caused by improperly balanced freight.
• On-Site Photos: Preserving the crash scene, skid marks, and sightlines before they disappear.

Common Catastrophic Injuries from Semi-Truck Crashes

The massive weight disparity between a big rig and a car often leads to life-altering trauma:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Including “locked-in” syndrome and permanent cognitive impairment.
• Spinal Cord Trauma: Resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia.
• Severe Burn & Crush Injuries: Often occurring in underride or head-on collisions.
• Wrongful Death: Holding corporations accountable for the loss of a family member.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?

Under Kentucky law, you typically have two years from the date of the collision or the discovery of the injury to file a claim. However, because critical evidence like driver logs can be lost or overwritten in days, an early legal review is essential to protect your rights.  

Who is responsible for my injuries after a semi-truck crash?

 Liability often extends beyond the driver. The trucking company is often responsible for the actions of its employees through vicarious liability. Other liable parties can include cargo loaders, vehicle owners, or parts manufacturers.  

Is there more insurance coverage for truck accidents?

 Generally, yes. Commercial trucking fleets often carry significantly higher insurance limits than standard passenger vehicles. Identifying every available policy, including those for the tractor, trailer, and carrier is a core part of my investigative process.   

Why should I hire a Louisville truck accident lawyer instead of handling this myself?

Trucking cases involve complex federal regulations (FMCSR), multiple liable parties, and insurance companies with teams of lawyers protecting their interests. A Louisville truck accident lawyer who focuses on commercial vehicle litigation knows how to preserve critical evidence, identify all insurance policies, and build cases that maximize your recovery.

Have technical questions about 49 CFR regulations? If so, see our Frequently Asked Trucking Questions.

If you, or someone you care about, has suffered injuries in a truck accident, contact an experienced Louisville truck accident lawyer at lawhelplouisville@gmail.com or call 502-771-0588.