Many people wonder who pays for property damage in the aftermath of an automobile accident in Kentucky. It might be confusing, particularly because Kentucky is a no-fault state when it comes to auto insurance. This means that individuals usually turn to their insurance carrier to recover compensation for injuries sustained in an accident. Recovering compensation for property damage is determined by who caused the incident.

If the Other Driver Caused the Accident

If another driver is responsible for causing a car accident and the subsequent damage that occurs to your vehicle, then the at-fault driver’s insurance is the primary source of compensation recovery. Every driver in Kentucky is required by law to carry $10,000 worth of property damage liability insurance. Some drivers choose to carry more, but often, drivers carry the minimum.

In many cases, the $10,000 minimum insurance is sufficient enough to cover property damage expenses, but not always. If a newer vehicle is involved in the accident or if the incident is relatively severe, drivers may experience more than $10,000 worth of property damage. In this situation, they may need to file a civil property damage lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover additional compensation through the driver’s assets.

If You Were At-Fault for the Collision

If you were at fault for an accident, then you will likely need to turn to your insurance carrier for property damage expenses. Collision coverage is not required by law in Kentucky, but many drivers choose to carry this type of coverage anyway. Additionally, if you finance a vehicle or lease a vehicle, the lender will likely require you to carry collision coverage.

When you have collision coverage as part of your insurance policy, you will be able to file a claim against your insurance carrier for property damage expenses up to the limits of your policy.

What About Uninsured Drivers or Hit-and-Run Accidents?

Some drivers operate without insurance. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, or if the driver who hit you leaves the scene of the accident, you can turn to your uninsured motorist coverage. However, uninsured motorist insurance is not required under Kentucky law, so we encourage you to look at your policy ahead of time to ensure that you carry this type of coverage available. Uninsured motorist coverage is not expensive, and it helps pay property damage expenses in the event this type of collision occurs.

Working With a Louisville Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or somebody you care about has been involved in a vehicle accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver in Kentucky, we encourage you to reach out to a skilled Louisville personal injury lawyer immediately. They will examine the facts of your case and help you recover the compensation you are entitled to. Not only will this include property damage compensation, but also coverage of medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering damages.