Kentucky Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer

If you or a loved one were walking from one place to another and were struck by a vehicle, the chances are good that you suffered an injury, one that may have been serious. Depending on the size and speed of the vehicle, a mistake by a driver can result in the death of a pedestrian or a serious injury that could affect a person for a lifetime.

Pedestrians — those who travel by foot, wheelchair, stroller or other similar means — are some of the most vulnerable users of roads and sidewalks.

• In the next 24 hours, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average 430 people will be treated in a hospital emergency department for vehicle accident-related injuries.
• A pedestrian is killed on or next to a U.S. roadway every two hours, on average.
• A total of 4,735 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2013, with more than 156,000 pedestrians treated in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries.

From 2001 to 2010, 47,392 pedestrians died from traffic crashes across the country, according to the CDC.

• The death rate for males was 2.5 times greater than for females.
• Pedestrian death rates increase with age.
• African-Americans and Hispanics were more likely to be killed as pedestrians than Whites.
• Pedestrians living in cities were most likely to die in vehicle accidents.

Think of it: This number of pedestrians killed is more than twice the capacity of Rupp Arena!

In Kentucky in 2014 and 2015, 130 pedestrians were killed in vehicle accidents, according to the Kentucky State Police.

• In 2014 the number of pedestrian deaths was 59, and that increased to 71 in 2015.
• In those years, collisions between pedestrians and vehicles were less than 1% of all traffic accidents but resulted in nearly 10% of all fatal accidents.
• 13% to 14% of the fatalities were of those 14 and younger; 8% were those 65 and older.
• The two top causes of traffic fatalities are collisions with other moving vehicles and fixed objects.
• The total deaths related to traffic accidents in 2014 was 672, and in 2015 it jumped to 761.

Some of the more common pedestrian-related factors involved in these accidents are:

• Walking in a roadway
• Wearing dark clothing
• Darting into a roadway
• Entering or leaving a vehicle
• Alcohol consumption
• Not crossing at an intersection.

The CDC states that falling into certain categories and taking certain actions increases the dangers for pedestrians.

• Those 15 to 29 years old are more likely to be treated in hospital emergency departments for traffic accident-related injuries compared to other age groups.
• Children have a higher risk of injury or death because of their small size, difficulty in judging distances and speeds, and lack of experience with traffic rules.
• 20% of traffic deaths among children are as pedestrians.
• Pedestrians 65 and older were 19% of all pedestrian accident deaths and were an estimated 10% of all pedestrians injured in 2013.
• When alcohol played a role in vehicle accidents involving pedestrian fatalities, there were more than twice as many intoxicated pedestrians as drivers. Alcohol involvement was reported in 49% of traffic accidents crashes causing pedestrian deaths in 2013; 34% of fatal crashes involved a pedestrian with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of greater than or equal to .08 grams per deciliter (the level that can result in a driver’s being arrested for DUI); and 15% involved a driver with the same BAC level.

The CDC has these suggestions for improving pedestrian safety:

• Cross the street at a crosswalk or intersection when possible.
• If walking at night, use a flashlight and wear reflective clothing.
• Walk on a sidewalk — if there isn’t one, walk on the shoulder of the road facing traffic.
• Avoid distractions, such as electronic devices, that can take your attention off the road and vehicle traffic.

For every pedestrian death, there is a family impacted. A father, son, husband, mother, wife or daughter is lost with each fatality. A pedestrian injured in a vehicle accident may face lifelong disabilities, lost wages, decreased earnings and potential medical bills to pay for in the present and for years into the future. We understand the trauma and stress accident victims and their families endure after a vehicle accident, and we work with them so they get the right medical treatment and obtain fair compensation for their injuries.

If you or a loved one was a pedestrian involved in a vehicle accident in Kentucky and it is not your fault, you should know your rights and seek legal protection. You can bet the driver’s insurance company knows what to do to keep you from getting fair compensation. We can help. Call Julie Butcher, the Lexington, KY Vehicle Accident Lawyer at 859-233-3641 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.