Kentucky Traffic Deaths 2017
According to the Kentucky State police annual report, the state of Kentucky saw over 136,979 public road traffic collisions in 2017. While that was about 2.5% less than in 2016, many of these collisions could have been prevented with proper driver attention and care. Below is an up-to-date breakdown of the number of traffic collisions in the state of Kentucky, and what to do if you or a loved one were involved in an accident.
If you’ve recently been in a car accident in Kentucky and are seeking the legal advice of a Louisville car accident lawyer, contact our office today to discuss the details of your case over a free initial consultation. No fee unless you win.
Kentucky Motor Vehicle Accident-Related Fatalities 2017
A fatality is the worst outcome of a vehicular accident. According to the KSPD report, about 782 traffic deaths occurred on Kentucky public roadways in 2017. When a family loses a loved one in a collision, they have much more to face after the crash than the emotional turmoil of their loss. Medical expenses, funeral expenses, and lost future wages can all put a grieving family under extreme financial duress. If the accident was caused by the negligence or carelessness of another driver, the family may be able to pursue compensation for the damages they’ve incurred.
2017 Accident-Related Injuries
Far more people were injured in Kentucky traffic collisions than were killed, and over 17% of the total crashes in 2017 resulted in an injury.
Injuries can be costly for the victim and his or her family, requiring extensive medical care and time out of work. In cases of debilitating or life changing injuries, the victim may never be able to work again and must adapt to a new lifestyle. Not only is this exceptionally challenging emotionally for a family, the costs associated with being critically injured in a Louisville car accident are astronomical. From surgery to medications and physical therapy, it’s easy for a family to become financially overwhelmed.
To learn more about the types of injuries that qualify a car accident injury claim in Louisville, visit our car accident page.
2017 Traffic Deaths with Alcohol Involvement
Even though getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol is illegal, it doesn’t stop people from doing so. Of the traffic collisions that caused injury in Kentucky in 2017, roughly 9% of those were contributed to by alcohol. Under Kentucky law, driving while intoxicated is immediate grounds for a negligence case, and families who were affected by a drunk driving accident are often able to bring a claim against the driver and/or the driver’s insurance to recoup many of the costs associated with the accident.
2017 Traffic Deaths Where Distracted Driving Was a Contributing Factor
Distracted driving can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, but many people continue to text and drive or drive distracted in some way, thereby increasing the chances that they will cause a traffic collision. Of the crashes that caused injury in Kentucky in 2017, about 24% were caused by people driving while distracted. If proof of distracted driving can be obtained, the driver who caused the collision may be held legally responsible for his or her negligence and the victim of the accident may be able to obtain compensation for damages.
Updated: 3/16/2018