Kentucky Car Accident Laws: Deadlines, Fault Rules & Insurance
A plain-English guide to the rules that shape a car accident claim in Kentucky — how long you have to file, how the state handles fault, whether it's a no-fault state, and the minimum insurance drivers must carry. If you were injured and want help, we can connect you with a vetted, Kentucky-licensed attorney in our network.
General information, not legal advice. Filing deadlines and fault rules change and have many exceptions. The figures below are a starting point only — confirm the details of your specific case with an attorney licensed in Kentucky before relying on them.
Filing Deadline
1 Year
Statute of limitations (injury)
Fault Rule
Pure Comparative Negligence
No-Fault Auto?
Yes
Min. Liability
$25,000 / $50,000
Worth knowing in Kentucky
Kentucky's general one-year injury deadline is a national outlier; motor-vehicle claims under no-fault are often treated differently. Confirm which deadline governs.
The deadline to file in Kentucky
Kentucky generally gives injured people 1 year from the date of a crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit. Miss it and the court will almost always refuse the case, no matter how strong it is. The clock can run differently for claims involving a government vehicle, an injured minor, or a death, so the single most important early step is to confirm your actual deadline.
How Kentucky handles fault
Kentucky uses pure comparative fault: you can recover even if you were mostly to blame, with your compensation reduced by your own percentage of fault.
No-fault vs. at-fault in Kentucky
Kentucky is a no-fault auto state. After a crash you generally turn first to your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills and certain wage losses, no matter who was at fault. You can step outside no-fault to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries cross the state's threshold.
Minimum insurance in Kentucky
Drivers in Kentucky must carry at least $25,000 / $50,000 in liability coverage. Those minimums are often far below what a serious injury actually costs, which is why your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can end up being the coverage that matters most.
Injured in Kentucky? Talk to a Kentucky-licensed attorney.
CarInjuryLaw.com is a referral service. We'll connect you with a vetted attorney admitted in Kentucky for a free case review — no cost and no obligation to hire.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Kentucky?
Kentucky's personal-injury statute of limitations is commonly cited as 1 year from the date of the crash. Deadlines have important exceptions (for minors, government defendants, and wrongful death, among others) and can change, so confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case with a Kentucky-licensed attorney before relying on it.
Is Kentucky a no-fault or at-fault state?
Kentucky is a no-fault auto state. After a crash you generally turn first to your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills and certain wage losses, no matter who was at fault. You can step outside no-fault to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only when your injuries cross the state's threshold.
What happens if I was partly at fault for the Kentucky crash?
Kentucky uses pure comparative fault: you can recover even if you were mostly to blame, with your compensation reduced by your own percentage of fault.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Kentucky?
Kentucky's minimum liability limits are commonly cited as $25,000 / $50,000. Minimum coverage is often far less than a serious injury actually costs, which is why underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage matters. Confirm current requirements with the Kentucky insurance regulator or a licensed attorney.