How Long Does a Car Accident Stay on Your Record in Kentucky?

Car accidents can leave lasting marks on your driving record, insurance history, and even your ability to recover fair compensation after a crash.

How long an accident stays on your record in Kentucky depends on several important factors, including who was at fault and whether any legal claims were filed. Your Lexington car accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C. can guide you through your next steps.

How Car Accidents Are Recorded and Reported in Kentucky

After a car accident in Kentucky, it is not just the police who keep a record of what happened. Your insurance company, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and even future employers or insurers might end up looking at pieces of your accident history.

Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 189.635, accidents must be reported to law enforcement, but knowing where else those records show up can help you stay ahead of any surprises later. Here are some of the places your accident information might be recorded:

• Police accident reports kept by local or state law enforcement
• DMV records tracking crashes that meet certain reporting thresholds
• Insurance company claim files from your current and past policies
• Court records if a ticket, lawsuit, or criminal charge followed the crash
• Driving record points added if traffic violations were involved
• Reports used by insurance companies to calculate your rates
• Lawsuit filings if you filed or defended a personal injury claim
• Claims history reported to industry databases used by insurers
• Property damage claims filed through your insurance or the other driver’s insurance

How Long Different Types of Accident Records Stay Active in Kentucky

Not every record from a car accident stays on file forever. Some reports drop off after a few years, while others might stick around longer depending on the details.

The Kentucky Revised Statutes § 186.570 explains how accidents and violations can impact your driving record, but there are a few different systems you should know about when thinking about your accident history.

DMV Driving Records and Points

If you received a moving violation or had an accident reported to the Kentucky DMV, that information typically stays on your driving record for about five years.

Points added for traffic violations can affect your insurance rates and even your ability to keep your license if too many add up. Watching your points and checking your record can help you stay ahead of any surprises down the road.

Insurance Claims and Premium Increases

Insurance companies often look at your full claims history when deciding what premiums to charge. Minor fender-benders might only affect your rates for a couple of years, but crashes involving catastrophic injuries tend to stay on an insurer’s radar much longer.

When injuries are serious or involve major property damage, insurance impacts can stretch out for five years or more depending on the company.

Court Records and Civil Litigation History

If your accident led to a personal injury lawsuit or a court case, those records may stay available through public court databases for many years. Different courts have different policies about how long they keep records accessible.

Even if your case was settled years ago, some online record systems might still show the filing, especially for cases involving serious injuries or high damages.

Contact a Kentucky Car Accident Law Firm to Protect Your Record and Recovery

Getting help from a car accident attorney in Kentucky from The Law Offices of Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C. can make all the difference when it comes to managing your driving record and protecting your injury claims.

Our firm has decades of experience helping Kentuckians deal with insurance companies, settlement negotiations, and record issues after a crash. You can contact us today to request your free, no-obligation consultation.