Modern motor vehicles have many standard safety features. But many drivers still act carelessly or recklessly and cause preventable car accidents. A new report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration analyzed changes in driving behaviors since the pandemic began and identified an increase in the number and rate of traffic deaths.
Among drivers who remained on the road, some engaged in riskier driving behavior including speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and extreme speeding of 20 miles per hour or more above the speed limit.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s carelessness or negligence, you deserve to receive fair compensation for your accident-related losses. To present a strong claim, you’ll need evidence to show who was at fault for the accident. Our experienced attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can investigate the car accident and then file a claim on your behalf.
To learn about your rights to seek compensation after a car accident caused by another driver, contact the trusted attorneys of Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer.
We have offices located across Kentucky in Lexington, Somerset, Manchester, London, North London, Hazard, Paducah, Paintsville, Prestonsburg and Princeton. We will review the details of your case and provide professional legal advice during your free initial consultation.
Collisions by the Numbers in Kentucky
According to the Kentucky State Police, the total number of collisions in the Bluegrass State declined by nearly 24 percent from 2019 to 2020. But the number of people fatally injured in traffic accidents in Kentucky increased by 6 percent during the same period.
A total of 780 people were killed and 29,058 people injured in motor vehicle accidents in Kentucky in the most recent year for which statistics are available.
- About 1 of every 24 licensed drivers in Kentucky was involved in a collision in 2020.
- About one of every 154 Kentuckians was injured in a traffic collision.
- Young people ages 15 to 24 accounted for 18 percent of all people killed in Kentucky traffic accidents, the largest share of any age group.
- Collisions with other moving vehicles caused about 60 percent of all collisions reported.
- Alcohol-related collisions caused injuries to 2,662 people and resulted in more than 181 drunk driving accident deaths.
- Trucks accounted for 5 percent of all vehicles in collisions, but 9 percent of vehicles in fatal collisions.
- Nearly 900 collisions involving pedestrians occurred in Kentucky with a total of 92 pedestrians killed and 656 injured in pedestrian accidents.
- More than 10,000 hit-and-run collisions occurred, involving injuries to 1,251 people and 30 deaths.
- July 4th is the holiday with the highest number of collisions, with more than 300 people injured and 8 fatally injured.
Common Causes of Car Accidents Due to Driver Error
The majority of all car accidents can be attributed to errors, negligence, or wrongdoing on behalf of drivers, such as:
- Distracted driving – Driving requires complete focus at all times. When drivers are focused on cell phone messages, conversations with passengers, or other distractions behind the wheel, their full attention isn’t where it needs to be. Distracted drivers are significantly more likely to overlook other vehicles in their blind spots, drift into neighboring lanes of traffic, or fail to stop in time to avoid accidents.
- Driving under the influence – The effects of alcohol and certain intoxicating drugs can dangerously hinder driving abilities. Even if a driver is not technically over the legal limit, a small amount of alcohol can still impair vision and judgment and slow reflexes. Alcohol or drug impairment affects judgment and reflexes and increases the risk of accidents. Alcohol-related collisions increased in Kentucky in 2020 when compared to the previous year, with a 38 percent increase in drunk driving deaths.
- Speeding – Speed is a contributing factor in many car accidents. When drivers exceed posted speed limits or drive too fast for conditions, they place themselves and nearby road users at risk. Drivers who are speeding leave themselves less time and distance to slow down or stop, increasing the risk of a collision. Accidents that occur at high speeds tend to result in severe or fatal injuries.
- Reckless driving – Reckless driving occurs when drivers operate motor vehicles without regard for their safety or the safety of others. Common reckless driving behaviors include lane weaving, street racing, unsafe lane changes, and failing to signal the intent to turn or merge. If you encounter a reckless driver on the road, the safest thing to do is give them plenty of space and notify your local police.
- Aggressive driving – Aggressive drivers engage in unsafe behavior such as tailgating, deliberately cutting others off, weaving lanes, and intentionally trying to run other vehicles or road users off of the road.
- Drowsy driving – According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Staying awake for just 18 consecutive hours has the same psychological effect as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05 percent. Staying awake for a full 24 hours is cognitively equivalent to having a BAC of 0.10 percent, above the legal limit in every state.
- Failure to yield the right of way – All drivers must yield when other road users have the right of way. When drivers fail to yield as required, they may cause collisions. Many failure-to-yield accidents occur when drivers accidentally or intentionally run red lights or stop signs. Failure to yield accidents also commonly occur when negligent drivers attempt to make unsafe turns or lane changes.
- Inexperienced driving – Teen drivers and other drivers with limited experience are more likely to be involved in certain types of accidents. Inexperienced drivers are less likely to recognize imminent traffic hazards, intuitively follow other vehicles at a safe distance, or realize when it’s time to slow down or signal in preparation for a driving maneuver.
- Improper maintenance – Automobile owners are responsible for keeping their vehicles in safe operating condition. This means getting periodic inspections to ensure critical systems are functioning correctly, completing routine maintenance procedures such as oil changes and tire rotations, and addressing issues promptly.
Common Causes of Car Accidents Unrelated to Driver Error
Although many car accidents are the result of driver error, some collisions are the result of negligence on behalf of other parties.
Common causes of accidents unrelated to driver error include:
Negligent road users
Sometimes, the negligence of other road users such as pedestrians or cyclists is to blame. For example, an intoxicated pedestrian may step into an active traffic lane. In that case, another driver may swerve to avoid colliding with the pedestrian and end up in a vehicle accident. In this situation, the pedestrian would likely be at least partially at fault for the resulting damage or injury.
Defective vehicle components
If critical vehicle components such as the tires, steering systems, brakes, or airbags are defective and fail to work properly, even safe drivers can become involved in dangerous loss-of-control accidents. When car parts fail due to design, manufacturing, or assembly defects, the manufacturers or other parties involved in the product’s chain of distribution may be financially responsible for a collision.
Inadequate road maintenance
When local roads are improperly designed or maintained or lack proper signage, dangerous road conditions can contribute to serious accidents. The government agency responsible for maintaining the road may be legally liable for accidents that occur as a result.
Why Does Fault Matter After an Accident?
If you were injured in a Kentucky car accident, you may have questions about who is responsible for paying for your medical bills and the car repair bills. Kentucky requires the owners of cars and trucks to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage, which pays for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash.
However, there are reasons you should pay attention to fault after an accident in Kentucky. Kentucky is technically a choice no-fault state. Drivers can choose to decline PIP no-fault insurance requirements and may seek to recover accident losses by filing a claim against the driver who causes the accident.
Even if you have PIP insurance, your insurance policy may not be enough to cover your medical expenses after a severe accident. If another driver was at fault, you could still make a claim against the at-fault driver for additional compensation if:
- You incurred at least $1,000 in medical bills as a result of the accident
- You suffered permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, a permanent loss of a bodily function, the fracture of a weight-bearing bone, or a compound, compressed, or displaced fracture of any other bone as a result of the accident
Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Kentucky Today
If you suspect you have grounds for a Kentucky car accident insurance claim or lawsuit, contact the dedicated car accident attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer today. The attorneys that you see in our Kentucky Courage televisions ads are the same lawyers who will handle your case. Our car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping injured Kentuckians seek justice after accidents caused by the negligence of others. Our law firm can start work on your case immediately at no up-front cost to you, and our initial consultations are always free.
