A person crossing an intersection on foot or walking beside the road is vulnerable to severe injuries in any collision with a car or truck. Pedestrians account for almost 16 percent of all annual traffic deaths, according to a study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That amounts to more than 4,500 pedestrian fatalities every year.
Contrary to popular belief, pedestrian accidents are not a phenomenon limited to big cities. Kentucky’s pedestrian fatality rate, which is 1.29 per 100,000 residents, is comparable with the national average. Pedestrians are easy to overlook, particularly when they are walking or standing in locations where motorists do not expect to see them. Drivers in Kentucky must do a better job of remaining alert for pedestrians. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, please contact an experienced Kentucky car accident attorney for immediate legal assistance.
Pedestrian accidents take place for a wide variety of reasons. However, there is a common thread between these accidents: The majority occurs because of a driver’s negligence. Some typical examples of driver negligence that puts pedestrians at high risk include:
Pedestrian accidents also have some other common factors in addition to driver error. An NHTSA analysis of fatal pedestrian accidents found that:
While it is always important for pedestrians to stay vigilant, it is especially critical to do so in high-risk situations that involve walking at night and walking in cities such as Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, or Cincinnati, OH.
According to the Kentucky Collision Facts Report, 161,393 motor vehicles accidents took place in the state in 2015, the most recent year for which data are available. Nearly 24,000 non-fatal injuries were reported along with more than 700 fatalities. Of the fatalities, 71 were pedestrians. Another 158 pedestrians suffered incapacitating injuries, while 800 more pedestrians sustained mild or moderate injuries. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet defines an incapacitating injury as one that requires an emergency trip to a medical facility.
In the event that you have been struck by a vehicle, you should seek immediate medical attention. You should have a medical examination even if you believe that your injuries are relatively minor. Many car accident injuries are worse than they initially seem. You may be more stiff and sore a day or two after being struck by a car than immediately afterward. Beyond protecting your physical safety, you also need to visit a doctor to document your injuries related to the collision. The at-fault driver may be held responsible for the full extent of your damages. However, you will have difficulty pursuing an injury claim without medical evidence that documents your injuries.
In Kentucky, injured victims can hold the at-fault party liable for the full extent of their damages. This means that if you are a pedestrian and are injured as a result of a driver’s error, you may be entitled to financial relief for:
Ambulance costs and emergency room fees;Most of the time, injured pedestrians will seek compensation from an insurance company. Victims should be aware that insurance companies will not be on their side. Insurance companies have a financial incentive to minimize any claim payment or settlement. It is important that you are cautious when dealing with insurance adjusters. Please keep the following in mind:
At the Becker Law Office, our compassionate personal injury attorneys have helped many people recover full and fair accident compensation after serious accidents. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, please contact us today to set up a confidential case evaluation. From our offices in Louisville, Florence, and Lexington, we represent victims throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
