Kentucky is a choice no-fault state: drivers carry PIP but can reject the limits on suing. I-65 and I-75 carry heavy freight between the Great Lakes and the South, and Louisville is a major air and trucking hub. Kentucky follows pure comparative fault.
Is Kentucky a no-fault state?
Kentucky is a choice no-fault state. Kentucky is a choice no-fault state. Drivers carry no-fault coverage, but the options chosen on your own policy can affect whether — and how easily — you can claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering.
Kentucky requires PIP (basic reparation benefits), but drivers can reject the no-fault limits on their right to sue in writing.
Learn more in our guide to what a no-fault state is.
How does shared fault work in Kentucky?
Kentucky follows pure comparative fault. If you were partly to blame, your compensation may be reduced by your share of fault, but you are not barred from recovering — even if your share is large.
For example, if a Kentucky jury decided you were 30% at fault, your compensation could be reduced by 30%. Because there is no cut-off, you may still recover something even if you were mostly to blame.
Read more: what comparative fault means.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the injury, with some exceptions. For motor vehicle claims, Kentucky generally allows two years from the injury or from the last PIP payment, whichever is later — shorter than some people expect for other injury claims.
Other deadlines can be much shorter. Your insurance policy may require prompt notice of the crash, PIP and uninsured-motorist claims can have their own timelines, and claims against a city, county or the State of Kentucky often need formal notice within months. Different rules can also apply to minors and wrongful death claims.
What are Kentucky's minimum car insurance requirements?
Kentucky requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
Minimum limits are often not enough to cover a serious injury. If the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, medical payments coverage or PIP may help. See what to do if an uninsured driver hit you.
What should I do after a car accident in Kentucky?
Get safe, get medical care and protect your evidence. These steps apply anywhere in Kentucky:
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and move out of traffic if it's safe — especially on busy roads like I-64 or I-65.
- Call the police and ask how to get the crash report. Kentucky generally requires reporting crashes that cause injury, death or significant damage.
- Exchange names, insurance and plate numbers, and photograph the vehicles, the scene and your injuries.
- Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
- See a doctor promptly, even if you feel fine — Kentucky PIP claims can depend on prompt treatment.
- Notify your own insurer, but be careful about giving the other driver's insurer a recorded statement.
- Talk to an independent Kentucky attorney before signing any release, keeping the two years deadline in mind.
Our full what to do after a car accident guide goes into more detail.
Where do car accidents happen in Kentucky?
Crashes happen everywhere, but traffic is heaviest in and around Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro and Covington. Major routes include I-64, I-65, I-75, I-71 and I-24. Our attorney-matching service covers every county in Kentucky.