In many states, accident victims injured in auto accidents caused by someone else's carelessness can seek compensation from the responsible driver's insurance company, leveraging the right to sue to seek a fair settlement for their losses. However, other states, including Kentucky, employ different types of “no-fault systems,” in which injured drivers partially give up their right to sue in exchange for faster, more reliable compensation from their own insurance company.

As the car wreck lawyers at Curt Davis Law Office PLLC in Somerset, KY, explain, this system is intended to simplify the process while reducing the workload of overburdened civil courts.

How Kentucky's No-Fault System Works

Like most other states, drivers in Kentucky are required to carry a minimum amount of personal injury and property damage insurance. However, this coverage is meant to cover your own losses, as well as those of your passengers, while the other driver will be covered by theirs.

When You Can Sue

In Kentucky, drivers whose damages exceed a certain amount — usually $10,000 — have the option of suing the other driver once their own insurance is exhausted. Collecting these additional funds can often require the services of a skilled car wreck lawyer, who will help represent your interests and navigate your case through the courts.

Waiving the No-Fault System

Drivers in Kentucky do have the option of opting out of the no-fault system by filing a form with the Kentucky Department of Insurance. While doing so gives you the right to sue if you're injured in an accident, it also exposes you to legal liability if you cause a crash.

The attorneys at Curt Davis Law Office PLLC have been helping Kentucky drivers get the compensation they deserve for over 30 years. Visit their website to learn more about their personal injury services, or call (606) 378-2525 for a consultation with a car wreck lawyer today.