Experienced lawyers explain why accidents happen on Kentucky highways
Interstate 64 in Kentucky is one of the most dangerous highways in the country, especially in terms of fatalities. One study even found that I-64 in Jefferson County, where Louisville is located, ranks in the top 10 nationwide for the most motor vehicle fatalities per fatal accident – meaning there are more multi-fatality accidents on that stretch of highway than almost any other in the nation.
So how bad is the problem? Why are accidents so common on Interstate 64 in Kentucky? It’s important to understand such information since injury victims may be entitled to receive financial compensation for their accident-related expenses, especially if another driver caused their crash. But actually getting the money injury victims deserve can often be much more complicated than many people might realize, and understanding the factors that lead to crashes is key.
How common are car accidents on Interstate 64 in Kentucky?
Thousands of motor vehicle accidents happen every year in Kentucky. In one recent year, there were more than 132,000 car accidents statewide, resulting in over 700 fatalities and more than 32,000 injuries, according to statistics compiled by the Kentucky State Police and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Many of these injury accidents and fatalities happened on interstate highways in Kentucky. Specifically, 11.7 percent of motor vehicle accidents occurred on interstates, resulting in 84 fatalities and 3,239 injuries. And right near the top of the list was I-64. In one recent year, 2,435 accidents occurred on Interstate 64 in Kentucky, resulting in 23 fatalities and 551 injuries.
And according to another recent study conducted by Value Penguin, I-64, and particularly the Jefferson County section, is one of the deadliest highways in the country in terms of multi-fatality accidents. An average of 124 fatalities occur for every 100 fatal accidents.
What are other dangerous highways in Kentucky?
I-64 in Kentucky is not the only dangerous highway in the state. According to the Kentucky State Police, other highways where accidents often occur in Kentucky include:
- Interstate 65, where 2,891 accidents resulted in 17 fatalities and 580 injuries one recent year in Kentucky. I-65 runs 137 miles south of Louisville.
- Interstate 75, which recorded 4,200 accidents, 23 fatalities and 818 injuries. I-75 in Kentucky runs 191 miles north to south through Lexington and many other communities in the state.
- Interstate 264, which had 1,669 accidents, resulting in two fatalities and 349 injuries one recent year. I-264 runs 22 miles around Louisville and serves as an auxiliary road for I-64.
- Interstate 71, which had 1,119 accidents, resulting in three fatalities and 220 injuries one recent year. I-71 in Kentucky runs 95 miles through Louisville and many other communities in the state.
- Interstate 265, which had 844 accidents, four fatalities and 148 injuries one recent year. I-265 in Kentucky runs 38 miles in Kentucky around Louisville and serves as an auxiliary road for I-65.
In addition, the list of the country’s 100 most dangerous highways compiled by Value Penguin contained parts of certain highways in Kentucky, including:
- US Route 60 in Kentucky ranked as the 60th most dangerous highway in the country, with the most dangerous stretch being in Fayette County.
- US Route 68 in Kentucky ranked as the 84th most dangerous highway in the country , with the most dangerous stretch being in Warren County.
- US Route 27 in Kentucky ranked as the 88th most dangerous highway in the country, with the most dangerous stretch being in Campbell County.
These are just some of the dangerous highways in Kentucky. Accidents also often occur on other roads and highways. And in each case, a thorough investigation should be conducted to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Why do these accidents happen?
Accidents on highways and interstates occur for many different reasons. But some of the most common causes include:
Speeding – Drivers who go too fast frequently cause highway accidents. An average of 128 people died in speeding accidents in Kentucky during the past five years, according to the NHTSA. In Jefferson County, KY, that figure was 18 speeding fatalities on average each year. Statewide, speeding plays a role in more than 11 percent of fatal accidents or roughly 1,100 accidents each year, according to the Kentucky State Police.
Drunk driving – Drivers under the influence of alcohol frequently cause accidents on highways and interstates. In the past five years, drunk drivers in Kentucky caused 167 fatalities on average each year, including 23 alcohol-related fatalities in Jefferson County on average each year. Statewide, alcohol plays a role in nearly 12 percent of all fatal accidents in Kentucky, according to the Kentucky State Police.
Distracted driving – Instead of focusing on other vehicles on the highway, some drivers are texting while driving, talking on the phone or engaging in other distracting behavior. Statewide, driver attention plays a role in more than 49,000 accidents each year in Kentucky or roughly 37 percent of accidents, according to the Kentucky State Police.
Asleep at the wheel accidents – Tired drivers often fall asleep at the wheel and cause serious collisions on highways and interstates. Tired drivers and sleeping drivers account for more than 2,000 accidents each year in Kentucky, according to the Kentucky State Police.
Reckless driving – Many drivers take unnecessary risks on the road that result in serious highway accidents. In Kentucky, drivers who are “not under control” account for more than 16,000 accidents statewide each year or roughly 12 percent of accidents and 31 percent of fatal crashes, according to the Kentucky State Police.
Whatever the cause of your Kentucky highway accident, make sure you have local law enforcement or the Kentucky State Police investigate your crash. When you have the police investigate your crash, you’ll have an official Kentucky car accident report, which can be an important piece of evidence when seeking compensation for your crash.
How much is my claim worth?
If you were injured in a highway accident caused by another driver, you deserve to be compensated for all your accident-related expenses. What you might not realize is such expenses include short-term as well as long-term expenses years after an accident. This includes:
- Past, present and future medical care, including surgical procedures, follow-up doctor’s appointments, physical therapy and other medical treatments.
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs.
- Replacement income if you cannot work while you’re recovering from your injury.
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work due to a permanent disability.
All these expenses – and many more – can easily be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more. Remember, you didn’t do anything wrong. You should be fully compensated for all your accident-related expenses. That’s why it’s important to talk with a lawyer who can provide an accurate estimate of how much your accident claim could be worth.
Kentucky is a ‘choice no-fault’ car insurance state – what does that mean?
When it comes to car insurance, Kentucky has what’s known as a “choice no-fault” car insurance system. As the name suggests, this means that drivers have a choice of two types of insurance:
- No-fault “personal injury protection” (PIP) insurance – This type of insurance pays up to $10,000 for medical bills, replacement income and certain other accident expenses. Injury victims file the PIP claim with their own insurance company, regardless of who was at fault.
- Opting out of the no-fault system – Kentucky drivers can choose to opt out of the state’s no-fault system, which gives injury victims the right to pursue an injury claim or file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Drivers must opt out of the no-fault system in writing by filling out a special form, known as the Kentucky No-Fault Rejection Form.
In addition to PIP insurance, all drivers in Kentucky must have the following minimum amount of car insurance:
- $25,000 per person for injury-related expenses.
- $50,000 per accident for injury-related expenses
- $10,000 for property damage per accident.
Kentucky drivers can also choose to have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist coverage. However, they also have the right to reject such insurance in writing.
And even if a driver has no-fault PIP insurance, anyone injured in the accident can file a claim or a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if the following conditions apply:
- The injury victim has more than $1,000 in medical bills due to the accident.
- The injury victim sustained a permanent disability or severe injury as defined by the state.
Car accident insurance claims in Kentucky can be complicated. To learn more about the legal options available after your highway accident, talk to a lawyer familiar with Kentucky’s unique car insurance system as soon as possible.
Who’s responsible for paying for my accident?
If you have a serious injury, then in most cases, you will need to pursue a claim against the at-fault party that caused your interstate accident. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will be responsible for paying your damages. In theory, this should be straightforward. But actually getting the money you rightfully deserve can often be a challenge.
Insurance companies will often do everything they can to pay injury victims as little as possible or nothing at all. This is because accident claims can add up to a lot of money. To demand the money you deserve, talk to an attorney right away to learn more about the options available to you.
Can I ask for more money?
Insurance companies often make settlement offers to injury victims soon after a bad car accident. Such settlement offers might seem great at first, especially if you already have a lot of bills due to your highway accident.
Unfortunately, many settlement offers from insurance companies don’t even come close to covering all of your accident-related expenses, especially if you have long-term medical issues due to your injury.
But what you might not realize is you don’t have to accept their lowball settlement offer. You can – and should – ask for more money. If you didn’t cause your accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s reckless or negligent behavior. That’s why it’s important to talk to an attorney right away to learn more about how they can help you demand the money you deserve.
Why should I hire a Kentucky car accident lawyer?
When you have an experienced attorney on your side after your car accident on I-64 or another highway in Kentucky, you can decide what happens next. Instead of insurance companies telling you what to do, your lawyer can make sure your best interests come first.
Some of the ways your attorney can help you after your Kentucky highway accident include:
- Conduct an in-depth, independent investigation into your accident.
- Present evidence in support of your claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company.
- Deal directly with the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf.
- Negotiate the best possible settlement offer for your injury claim.
- File a lawsuit on your behalf if necessary.
The stakes are high after many Kentucky highway accidents. Insurance companies know this. That’s why they will do everything they can to reduce or deny your injury claim. Your lawyer can take on insurance companies and anyone else who stands in your way after your accident.
Discover how a Kentucky car accident lawyer can help you after your I-64 accident. Contact a law firm familiar with Interstate 64 and other highways in Kentucky, along with the state’s insurance system. The evaluation is free, and the information you’ll get about your legal rights is priceless.
