Kentucky Injury Law News

Motorcycle Awareness can Reduce Crashes

2011-04-26T07:45:00.003-04:00

Although a recent report indicates motorcycle fatalities are on the decline, motorists still need to be reminded that they share the road with their two-wheeled neighbors on the road. I think the drop in motorcycle deaths likely reflects that motorcycle riders are paying more attention to safety by taking training courses, driving sober and wearing helmets and other protective gear – but other drivers have responsibility as well.

The fact is that many motorcycle accidents, injuries and deaths are caused by the car or truck driver failing to see the motorcycle or reacting too slowly to the motorcycle’s presence. So, we have to stay vigilant in raising drivers’ awareness of motorcycles. I founded the Lexington personal injury law firm, Frank Jenkins Law Office, in order to represent motorcycle accident and other vehicle accident victims in Fayette County and throughout Kentucky.

And although the report is “good news”, motorcycle safety advocates should not get overly excited about the report issued this week by the Governors Highway Safety Association, which found that the nation’s motorcycle fatalities have fallen for the second straight year after 11 straight years of increases. The report analyzed preliminary data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and found that motorcycle fatalities for the full year nationwide are expected to be 4,376 or fewer, a decrease of at least 2 percent from the 4,465 fatalities of 2009.

In Kentucky, motorcycle deaths dropped to 66 in the first nine months of 2010, or 12 fewer than 2009. Which is great news. However, the decline in motorcycle fatalities is short of the 16 percent drop in 2009, and according to the report, the rate of deadly motorcycle wrecks was actually higher in the second half of 2010 than in the first part of the year. So even though the report is encouraging, we still have to be cautious about the numbers. To me, this report indicates that we’re making strides in motorcycle safety – but we can do better.

Motorcycle Awareness Month in May is the perfect time to inform the public about the need to be more aware of motorcycles. It’s also a time to remind motorcycle riders that they deserve to be compensated for their injuries when they are harmed by a motorist who has negligently or recklessly failed to respect their presence on the road.

Following too closely, turning ahead of the motorcyclist and running the bike off the road are examples of accidents caused by other vehicle drivers. Because motorcycles are significantly outweighed by cars and trucks, and because motorcyclists generally lack protection – even when wearing a helmet – a motorcycle accident can be tragic.

That’s why our law firm is committed to securing compensation for motorcyclists and their families when they are the victims of another’s carelessness.

The Facebook Problem

2011-04-14T11:31:00.001-04:00

Currently, there are over 500 million active Facebook accounts across the globe. Of the 206 million people in the United States who use the internet, it is estimated that over 71 percent of them are using Facebook. What you may not know, though, is that if you are an active Facebook user and have recently filed a personal injury lawsuit, you could end up jeopardizing your claim. You can be sure that the opposing attorneys will do everything they can to minimize your claim or refute it entirely, and they sometimes find a treasure trove of information on social media sites like Facebook to make their job easier. For example, if you are claiming an injury in your lawsuit that hinders your ability to move around or perform daily tasks, it’s probably not a good idea to post photos on your page of you playing football or dancing at a club after the date your accident occurred. Your Facebook friend list presents another golden opportunity for investigators as it can help them stumble upon damaging information about you that was posted by your buddies on their pages. Many people mistakenly believe that privacy settings on Facebook will prohibit opposing attorneys from accessing their pages, but the defense can ask the judge to required written authorization from you for access to your Facebook account. Even if that request is denied and your privacy settings only allow your Facebook friends to see your page, you still may run into problems. A creative investigator for the opposing counsel could trick you into being “friends”, leaving your Facebook account open to scrutiny. For plaintiffs in the midst of a personal injury lawsuit, it is highly recommended that using Facebook be strictly avoided until after the case is over.

New Kentucky Texting ban is not strong enough

2011-01-19T16:53:00.002-05:00

As enforcement of Kentucky’s new anti-texting law begins this month, I believe we need to eliminate all forms of distracted driving. Although I'm glad that Kentucky law enforcement officers can now ticket drivers for texting, I wish the police could crack down on other forms of distracted driving. I believe the texting ban is a move in the right direction, but I don't think it's far enough.

To make our roads safer, we need to prohibit drivers of all ages from using any type of electronic device while behind the wheel. Whether it’s texting, talking on a cell phone or trying to punch an address into a GPS system, it’s distracting, dangerous and reckless – and I believe we need to put an end to it.

The new Kentucky law signed by Governor Steve Beshear in April and took effect in July. Starting January 1, Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement officers can now enforce the law by issuing citations, with the penalties being $25 on a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. Prior to the start of the year, officers could only give out warnings.

The law prohibits drivers of all ages from sending or reading text messages while a vehicle is in motion unless it is an emergency situation. The law also bans the use of cell phones by all drivers under age 18 and prohibits them from entering information into a GPS device while the car is in motion.

However, the law still allows drivers over age 18 to read and enter telephone numbers and names into a cell phone while they are driving. They can also still use GPS systems.

Trying to text a message while you’re flying down the road in your car is the epitome of reckless driving, but dialing a number, talking on your cell phone or looking up an address on your GPS isn’t very different, in my opinion. The bottom line is that we shouldn’t sanction any type of activity that takes drivers’ minds off the road.

Is your employer stealing your wages?

2010-12-15T07:42:00.002-05:00

We ran a story about this back in August, but since then we have received additional reports of corporate wrong-doing. With the economy in recession, businesses are struggling to survive. Uunfortunately, some companies are boosting their profits illegally by ripping off their workers.

EXAMPLE: One chain of retail stores has been forcing its hourly workers to “clock out” for lunch, but then forces them to work through their lunch hour! So each worker has that hour’s work stolen from them, each and every day. That kind of money adds up!

This practice is highly illegal and wrong! Several workers from this company told us about this unfair scam, and so now we are pursuing a lawsuit against the company, to try and get all of those workers’ wages back.

There are many other forms of “wage theft” going on out there today. We urge you fight back, if this abuse is happening to you. If you or someone you know is having their wages stolen—by this method, or through some other scam--Give us a call!

We’ll talk to you for free, and tell you honestly if we think you have a case. And as always with the Frank Jenkins Law Office, if you choose to hire us, you will owe us nothing until we win or settle your case.

2010-11-15T16:02:00.003-05:00

Problems from a Hip Replacement?

Many people who have had hip replacement surgery were told that the procedure would last them a good 10 to 15 years. Unfortunately, for some people that has not turned out to be true.

Hip replacement parts are “medical devices”, and they are manufactured by various companies. Recently, numerous reports indicate that some hip replacement products are defective and are causing people severe and often permanent problems, after their surgery.

If you have had a hip replacement surgery, and you have had severe problems from it, including severe pain; breakage; or repeat surgery to remove defective or broken parts, then you may have a claim against the manufacturer.

CHECK and SEE if your hip replacement surgery involved parts made by any of the following manufacturers:

· Zimmer Durom Cup hip implant

· Johnson & Johnson DePuy ASR hip replacement

· Biomet hip replacement

· Stryker hip replacement

If any of these companies provided your hip replacement parts, you may have a
claim for money damages.

But you need to CALL US, and find out. We will talk to you about your case for
FREE. Then, as always, you will not owe us any fee whatsoever, until we win or settle your case. Call today. In Lexington: (859) 389-9344 or from anywhere in Kentucky: 1-800- 227-9732 (We are accepting these cases from anywhere in Kentucky.)

FREE book about KY Workers Compensation!

2010-10-04T15:22:00.004-04:00

I've written a new book to help people who have been injured on the job. My goal is help people navigate the "dangerous waters" of the Kentucky Workers Compensation system. You can request your copy for FREE through my website at www.frankjenkinslaw.com

Getting hurt on the job is a terrible experience, and when you combine that with the possibility of losing your job, it can get really scary, really fast. That's why I wrote 8 Mistakes that can Destroy your Workers Compensation Claim, and how to avoid making them.

Don't be taken advantage of by the workers comp insurance company. Keep in mind that they are NOT on your side, they are on the company's side!

My book is packed with tips and information that can help you when you've been hurt on the job. Then after reading the book, if you have questions about your case, fee free to call us. We'll talk to you for free about your case, with no arm-twisting or pressure. In the Lexington area, call 859-389-9344. Or Toll Free from anywhere in Kentucky to 1-800 WORKERS (967-5377)

We look forward to hearing from you.

The Worst Insurance Company in America

2010-09-22T09:57:00.003-04:00

A report listing the 10 worst insurance companies was recently compiled, based upon claim denials, premium increases, and refusing coverage to those who need it most. And guess who made the top of the list?

Allstate. That's right, The good hands people! Were found to be the very worst when it comes to putting profits over policyholders.

At a time when the economy is in a shambles, and unemployment still hovers around 10%, insurance industry profits are skyrocketing!

And one of the main ways the insurance industry makes $30 Billion in yearly profits is by denying, delaying, and unfairly defending against legitimate claims. Claims for injury made by people just like you and me.

Allstate is the worst, but they're not the only bad apple. If you would like the list of the 10 Worst Insurance Companies in America, just shoot me an email and I'll send it to you. Email me at fmj@frankjenkinslaw.com

Allstate is the Worst of the Worst

2010-09-14T09:48:00.003-04:00

Allstate’s advertising slogan is “You’re in good hands with Allstate.” However, in 1999 the company was exposed for trying to persuade injured people to take less than full recovery for their claims – and those same insurance practices continue to this day.

More than 10 years ago, several states took action against Allstate, alleging deceptive insurance practices, and two class action lawsuits were filed by consumers. Despite those legal cases, Allstate is still engaging in similar practices.

Allstate’s procedures are aimed at holding down the company’s costs in claims payouts. Allstate seeks out injured claimants who have not hired an attorney, and tries to settle claims with them directly in order to produce a lower settlement.

In 1999, the procedure was performed in a number of steps, including:

• Making the injured person believe they were dealing with an advocate, not an adversary;

• Sending letters to anyone not represented by counsel;

• Sending a brochure titled “Do I Need an Attorney?” to claimants who had not retained counsel;

• Rewarding claims representatives based on the percentage of unrepresented claims they processed.

Two primary concerns were raised about Allstate’s policy. First, Allstate failed to disclose the true nature of the relationship between itself and the driver. Allstate referred to the injured driver as its “client,” but that is not true. The injured driver was actually Allstate’s adversary in the claim; the party who had injured the driver was Allstate’s client.

Second, Allstate was talking to injured motorists about whether an attorney was needed for their claim. They were also advising accident victims about the statute of limitations deadline for their claims. Giving that type of advice is usually considered an unauthorized practice of law.

After over a decade, Allstate still follows many practices aimed at tricking claimants without attorneys into a settlement that s lower than they deserve.

If you have been injured by a driver who is insured by Allstate, you may need the advice of an attorney. If you have legal questions, contact the Frank Jenkins Law Office today. It’s our job to fight for your rights so that you can concentrate on your health and family, while we deal with the insurers and those responsible for your injuries. Call us today at 1-800-CAR-WRECK or contact us via email.

Another Win for Kentucky Workers!

2010-09-07T09:54:00.004-04:00

I believe that when a lawyer takes a case, he should be willing to take it all the way. Sometimes that means all the way to the Kentucky Supreme Court.

We were hired by a nice lady who was injured at the American Greetings factory. She tried to get lost wage and medical benefits, but American Greetings and their workers compensation insurance carrier refused to pay her one dime. They claimed that the injury did not "arise out of her employment".

We argued that the insurance company should be ordered to pay what they owe. Unfortunately, the original judge on the case sided with the insurance company, and dismissed our lady's case. We thought that was totally wrong, so we appealed to the Kentucky Workers Compensation Board, and we won.

But the insurance company still refused to pay! Their lawyer appealed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, so we had to keep on fighting, and we won. But the insurance company lawyer appealed again! This time to the Kentucky Supreme Court.

We kept on fighting for our client, and we won.

If you read the opinion, it will show you just how hard insurance companies are willing to fight in order to NOT PAY BENEFITS to injured workers. Get on the internet and check out:

http://opinions.kycourts.net/sc/2010-SC-000179-WC.pdf

At the Frank Jenkins Law Office, we take pride in how hard we fight for our clients. If you hire us to handle a workers comp case, or any other type of injury case, we will fight for you as hard as we can!

Are your wages being stolen?

2010-08-25T08:32:00.005-04:00

We all know the economy is in bad shape. People and businesses are struggling. But unfortunately, some companies are trying to raise profits by short-changing their workers.

EXAMPLE: One chain of retail stores in Kentucky has been forcing its hourly workers to “clock out” for lunch, but then continue working through their lunch hour! Each worker therefore has an hour’s work stolen from them, every day. That kind of money adds up!

This practice is highly illegal and WRONG! Several workers from the company described above contacted us and told us what was happening. So now we are filing a lawsuit against the company, and fighting to get back the workers’ wages that were stolen.

Unfortunately, this type of “wage theft” has become common among companies today. And there are many other, different ways, in which employers can rip off their workers. This is just one example of what has been happening. You may see this type of situation described as wages and hours cases.

If this type of wage theft is happening to you, I urge you to FIGHT BACK! If you or someone you know is having their wages stolen (Whether by the "lunch hour" method, or through some other scam) Give us a call!

We’ll talk to you about your situation for free, with no obligation. We will tell you honestly if we think you have a case. And as always with the Frank Jenkins Law Office, if you choose to hire us, you will owe us nothing until we win or settle your case.

So give us a call ASAP, and let us help you hold onto your hard-earned wages!

3rd Readers' Choice Award in a Row

2010-08-13T08:27:00.003-04:00

I'm happy to report that the Frank Jenkins Law Office has won the "Favorite Attorney" award in the 2010 Readers' Choice Awards through Kentucky.com, the website for the Lexington Herald-Leader.

This award is won by whomever gets the most votes from readers, either mailed in or through the website. People from all over Lexington and Central and Eastern Kentucky vote on this award, so I am very proud to win it, now for the THIRD year in a row!

We try very hard to provide the best in client service, and I believe winning this award shows that we succeed in taking good care of our clients.

I you've been injured in a car wreck or at work or in any other way, please don't hesitate to give us a call to talk about your injury case. Call toll-free at 1-800 CAR WRECK; local at 859-389-9344; or visit our website at www.frankjenkinslaw.com

Injured by Toyota?

2010-04-15T10:29:00.002-04:00

By now I’m sure you have heard about the problems people have had with certain Toyota vehicles accelerating uncontrollably. Toyota recently issued a recall of thousands of their vehicles relating to this dangerous problem. (Including some Lexus models, which Toyota also makes)

There was a case in California where a family of four was killed when a Lexus they were riding in began accelerating uncontrollably. The car roared to speeds up to 120 mph on a busy highway. The father driving was an off-duty California Highway Patrolman. He tried the brakes but they didn’t work. He called 911 on his cell phone and frantically told them what was happening, but of course there was nothing they could do. One minute later, the car flew over an embankment, rolled several times, and burned. The entire family of four was killed.

Numerous examples of this type of terrifying incident have happened across America. We believe that design or manufacturing defects are causing this and other incidents, and that innocent people are being killed or severely injured as a result.

If you or someone you know has experienced this type of incident with a Toyota (or Lexus) vehicle, and you or someone else has been severely injured or killed as a result, you may be able to make a claim against Toyota for money damages for your losses.

Call us as 1-800 CAR WRECK or visit our website at www.frankjenkinslaw.com and fill out the contact form and we will get back with you ASAP to talk about your case. Please act quickly, because as always, there will be deadlines for filing a claim.

Let us hear from you!

Should you "go to court" on your KY injury claim?

2010-04-07T08:23:00.002-04:00

When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s carelessness, you already have a lot on your mind: How to pay for medical bills? Who will pay my bills while I can’t work? Who’s going to drive the kids to practice? Or daycare?

Then another question arises, later in the process: Should you settle your injury case, or Go to court?

There is no easy answer to this one.

Once you’re finished with medical treatment, your attorney should promptly put together a settlement package to send to the insurance company. If this “takes forever”, then that’s a bad sign about your lawyer.

Later, when the insurance company makes a settlement offer, discuss it at length with your attorney. Ask questions. It usually takes several rounds of back-and-forth before a reasonable offer is obtained.

Okay, then what? If you’re not satisfied, what do you do? Your attorney should explain all the potential outcomes. Is the insurance company’s offer reasonable? Should you accept the offer, or file a lawsuit? If you feel like you are being reasonable, but your attorney is “strong-arming” you, then that is another bad sign about your attorney. (Of course, the key is for you as the client to be reasonable and realistic. Insurance companies never pay what you think your injury deserves.)

Ask your lawyer if she thinks the offer is reasonable. If the lawyer says it’s too low, then you should file suit. But keep in mind: There are no guarantees! You could lose your case at trial and end up with nothing. Also, pursuing a lawsuit is expensive. Your lawyer will probably pay your expenses along the way, but when the case settles or wins at trial, you will have to repay the expenses, on top of your attorney fee.

Different insurance companies do things differently. Some will pay fair settlements without you having to go to court, but some won’t. Nowadays, it’s common to have to file a lawsuit to in order to get fair value on an injury claim. Talk this over with your lawyer early on! Ask them if they are willing to go to court if necessary. Then when the time comes, hold them to it!

Great News for Kentucky Workers!

2010-03-30T07:42:00.003-04:00

The Kentucky worker's compensation law sets out the benefits you get when injured on the job. It basically pays for lost wages and medical treatment made necessary by your work-related injury.

There is a formula in the law that determines how much money you get per week for a permanent "partial" disability. The most important part of the formula is the "impairment rating". The impairment rating is determined by doctors, using a big book put out by the AMA (American Medical Association) called the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.

The Kentucky system has been using the 5th Edition of the AMA Guides for years. Recently the AMA came out with a 6th Edition, but the lawyers who represent injured workers smelled a rat. It turned out that the new edition would have slashed percentage ratings on many common work injuries! This means that money benefits for injured workers would be slashed!

So a group of concerned people worked hard and convinced the KY Legislature to pass a bill keeping the 5th Edition permanently. This bill should become law very soon. It maintains current benefit levels, and keeps injured workers from financially sinking even farther in their time of need.

Worker's Comp benefits are "stingy" enough as it is. So it's great news that the 5th Edition AMA Guides have been made permanent!

8 Arguments Adjustors use to Damage your KY Car Wreck Case

2010-03-08T16:57:00.001-05:00

Auto insurance companies use all types of arguments and tactics to avoid paying claims. The following list contains arguments commonly used by insurance adjustors who want to pay you little or nothing for your injuries and other damages.

The insurance company may try to argue that:

1. Your vehicle was the cause of the wreck, due to bald tires, faulty brakes, or tail lights not working.

2. You had “warning of the danger” within enough time to have avoided the accident if only you had been paying attention.

3. You could have avoided the accident if you had not been going “too fast for conditions”.

4. You made an unnecessary and unexpected stop.

5. You made a sudden and unsafe lane change without warning.

6. You gave no “stop” or “turn” signal.

7. There are supposedly no “independent witnesses” who can be found to substantiate your version of what happened.

8. There are supposedly witnesses the insurance company knows about, who dispute your version of the facts or substantiate the wrongdoer’s version.

YOU GET THE PICTURE…AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS MORE!

The Insurance Adjustor considers it their job to seek out and find as many defenses and arguments as possible against you in your case. The Adjustor will question you carefully. It all starts when the Adjustor “Just wants to take your statement”. Do NOT give the insurance company a statement until AFTER you talk to an attorney.

Do you have to give a "recorded statement" to the insurance company after a car wreck?

2010-03-05T09:44:00.000-05:00

When you’ve been injured in a car wreck that wasn’t your fault, you’ve got a lot of things on your mind, most of them unpleasant. Such as dealing with your pain, the hassle of missing work, the need for medical treatment. What happens to my damaged vehicle? Who’ll take my kids to school while I’m in the hospital?

It can be overwhelming. So the last thing you need to worry about is being grilled by an insurance adjustor. Unfortunately, it happens a lot. The more severe the wreck, the more urgently the insurance company wants to get a recorded statement. And here’s the kicker: The at-fault adjustor is not a neutral party. The adjustor is actively trying to trip you up, so that their insurance company will not have to pay!

Many times, an adjustor will imply or tell you outright that you must give a recorded statement. They’ll say that in order to “set up their file”, you’re required to talk to them. If you refuse, they threaten that you won’t be able to make a claim later!

This is not true! You are not required to talk to the insurance company for the driver who caused your wreck. Furthermore, it is a bad idea to do so, at least before you’ve talked with an attorney experienced at handling auto injury cases.

Remember, the insurance company for the driver who caused your injuries does not want to pay you anything. They are not in your corner.

5 Phases of a Workers Compensation Case

2010-03-03T07:08:00.000-05:00

A serious injury on the job can throw your whole life into confusion. So the last thing you need is uncertainty from your lawyer. This post lays out the phases of a typical case, and what happens at each phase. Although each individual case will have its own twists and turns, but they all have similarities, too.

Phase 1: Investigation

You meet with an attorney and find out if you have a case. You decide to hire the attorney to represent you on the claim. You sign a contract and provide needed information to the attorney’s office. The attorney’s office opens your file and you typically have a case manager assigned to work on your case along with your attorney.

Phase 2: Treatment

For approximately 30 days, the attorney will gather additional information, such as medical records and any claim information from the State Department of Workers Claims or Industrial Commission (depending on which State you are in) and also from the workers compensation insurance company for your employer. Once the requested information is received, the attorney will contact you to check your status. The attorney’s office should call you at least monthly for an update on your medical treatment and status. During this time, you will be treating with your medical doctor and following his advice on recommended treatment to help you recover. When you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (“MMI” or, “as good as you’re going to get”), your doctor will release you and your attorney can begin on the next phase of your case.

Phase 3: Released

Once your doctor has released you from care, any income benefits you may be receiving from the workers compensation insurance company will stop. Your attorney’s staff will begin working to obtain an Impairment Rating from your doctor, or an independent medical evaluator, so that your attorney can begin settlement negotiations for you with the insurance company.

Phase 4: Settlement Negotiation

Your attorney will begin negotiating with the insurance company (or their attorney) for a settlement that is fair and reasonable under your State’s Workers Compensation Law guidelines.

Phase 5: Litigation

If your attorney cannot reach a satisfactory settlement with the insurance company, then he attorney will file a formal claim with your State Department of Workers Claims and your case will be assigned to a Judge for a decision.

Call the Frank Jenkins Law Office if you have questions, at 1-800 WORKERS or visit our website at www.frankjenkinslaw.com

How are Auto Insurance Rates Set in Kentucky?

2010-02-24T08:24:00.000-05:00

Insurance companies evaluate each applicant individually, and they use a variety of factors. When buying auto insurance in Kentucky, remember that insurance companies need your business just as much as you need their promise of protection.

The process by which insurance companies consider applications is called underwriting. Each company follows different guidelines for underwriting, and therefore you will get different premium quotes from different companies. The most common factors used are:

Driving Record

This is the most important thing to the insurance company. “Safe drivers” are rewarded with the lowest insurance rates.

Where You Live

The area in which you live can influence your auto insurance premium. Insurance companies analyze categories of data including (but not limited to):

• Population density

• Number of vehicles on roadways at any given time

• Road conditions and maintenance

• Auto accident statistics

• Auto repair and replacement costs

• Medical care costs

Generally speaking, people living in cities pay higher premiums than those in rural areas.

Automobile Type

If you purchase a brand new luxury sedan, or a super-fast sports car, you will pay a higher rate for auto insurance than if you were to buy that dependable used sub-compact car. The evaluation of this factor is usually based on the following:
· Style & type of vehicle (Sedan, SUV, station wagon, sports car, etc)
• Actual Cash Value (ACV)
• Cost of repairs, replacement and maintenance
• Likelihood of theft
Use Of Automobile
The more you drive, the more you pay. If you commute twenty miles to work everyday, your premium will be higher than if you only drive to the grocery store once a week. It makes sense: The daily use of your automobile increases your chances of being in a wreck, which increases your risk to the company, therefore increasing your premium.
As you are prepare to buy auto insurance, sit down and think about the factors just described and apply each one to your current situation. Remember: The better you look to the insurance company, the better your auto insurance policy will look to you!

7 Mistakes Car Wreck Victims Make in Kentucky

2010-02-18T08:41:00.000-05:00

This is like Letterman’s Top Ten List, but it’s no laughing matter. Once a crash happens, there are things you need to do, and things you need to avoid doing, that are important:
1. Failing to take action at the crash scene to preserve your rights will hurt your case. Make sure the police know your side of the story, and that your account gets documented in the accident report. Check to make sure others are okay, but do not discuss fault for the wreck with anyone other than the police;
2. Failing to document all of your injuries, medical treatment, and symptoms will hurt your case. Write down everything you remember about the crash as soon as you get home. Remember, you can only be compensated for what you can prove;
3. Failing to get medical treatment for your injuries. Many people have symptoms soon after a wreck, but they hold off getting medical treatment in the hope that the pain will go away. Do not make this mistake! Get treatment for your injuries promptly and do what your doctor tells you to do;
4. Talking to an insurance adjustor before talking to an attorney is not smart. Do not give a recorded statement and do not sign anything until you seek legal advice;
5. Failing to hire a qualified and experienced lawyer. Lots of people fail to hire an attorney because they don’t want to pay the fee. But if you don’t have a lawyer, you won’t know if you’re getting a fair shake from the insurance company. Hire a lawyer who concentrates in injury law;
6. Not being fully honest with your lawyer. When a client fails to tell their lawyer about ALL past injuries they’ve had, it hurts their case. You MUST tell your lawyer everything, and do it EARLY on;
7. Exaggerating your injuries will BADLY hurt your case. In an injury case, as in life, the best practice is to be totally honest. The fastest way to ruin your case is to over-blow your injuries, so that doctors end up not believing anything you say.

If you are involved in a car wreck, and especially if you get injured, you need to avoid making the mistakes listed above. I hope this information helps, and I wish you safe driving!

If you have been injured in a car wreck, call the Frank Jenkins Law Office to get your questions answered. Call toll-free: 1-800 CAR WRECK (227-97325) or visit our website at www.frankjenkinslaw.com
You can also get my information-packed books FREE:
"7 Mistakes Car Wreck Victims Make in Kentucky, and How to Avoid Making Them"
and my NEW book: "The Ultimate Guide to Buying Auto Insurance in Kentucky"

Just call or visit our website, request one or both books, and we'll send them to you FREE!