Staying safe on the roads is one of the most important things for almost every driver. Whether commuting to work or going on a family road trip, most drivers take precautions to ensure they get wherever they are going safely. Sadly, fatal car accidents occur on almost every type of road. Yet here in Kentucky, authorities have found that most fatal accidents in the state occur on rural roads and not urban streets or interstate highways. In fact, in 2023, there were 814 deaths due to traffic accidents, with an astonishing 40% occurring on rural roads. Nationally, 43% of roadway fatalities occur on rural roads, even though only 20% of America’s population lives in rural areas. This is why it is important to follow safe driving habits no matter which road you are on.
Why do Most Fatal Accidents Occur on Rural Roads in Kentucky?
There are a number of reasons why this occurs. First, people tend to drive faster in rural areas than on urban streets. This is because urban areas have higher population densities, more crowded roads, and a greater number of traffic jams. Also, the authorities in urban areas tend to put lower speed limits on drivers. Speed is often cited as the most important factor in causing the severity of a collision.
Rural roads also have poorer infrastructure than urban ones. Few rural roads have street lights, while there are many that lack safety features like guardrails and median dividers. In addition, there are more stop signs and traffic lights in urban areas than rural ones. All of these will contribute to a greater rate of fatal accidents on rural roads.
Another factor that contributes to roadway fatalities is a lack of emergency services. There are more police, firefighters, and EMTs in urban areas, as well as a greater number of hospitals. In addition, the distance that emergency services will have to travel to an accident scene and then to a medical facility is greater in rural areas. Time is of the essence when someone has severe or critical injuries, and it is common for accident victims to die before reaching the hospital or receiving the assistance of a first responder.
This is why it is important to take greater care on rural roads. Pay attention to all roadway signs, use your high beam headlights if you need to, and drive slower when you are driving in rural areas. No matter where you are driving, avoid driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Taking the right precautions can increase the chances that you will arrive at your destination safely.
What Should You Do If You are Involved in an Accident?
Even if you take all of the necessary precautions, you may still get into an accident with another vehicle. If this happens, the first thing you should do is contact law enforcement. The police can take control of the accident scene, call for an ambulance if anyone is injured, and put together an accident report that you will need for any insurance claim or lawsuit.
Next, you should check to make sure that none of the passengers in your car or the other vehicle have been injured. It is crucial that everyone receive immediate medical care if necessary. In fact, personal injuries may not manifest until later, such as with internal injuries. That is why it is a good idea for you and all of the other people involved in the accident to go to an emergency room to get checked out.
While you are waiting for the police to arrive, you should document the accident scene. Use your phone to take pictures of your vehicle, the other car, any injuries to passengers, and the area where the accident occurred. These can come in handy as evidence if you need to file a lawsuit. You should also exchange information with the other driver, including copies of driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, insurance cards, and contact information.
How Can You Get Compensated for Your Injuries?
Kentucky is a no-fault state. This means that each driver and their respective passengers will look to the PIP (Personal Injury Protection) under their automobile insurance. PIP covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses up to certain limits, even if you were at fault for the accident. If you were not the at-fault driver, and your injuries are serious or exceed the PIP limits, you have the right to sue the other driver. The grounds for suing the at-fault driver in Kentucky are medical expenses over $1,000, suffering a permanent injury, permanent disfigurement or broken bone, and fatal injuries.
You should keep in mind that Kentucky has a two year statute of limitations for car accident claims. This means that you have two years from the date of the accident or the last PIP payment to file a lawsuit against the other driver. Therefore, if you have been in a serious auto accident, you should contact an experienced Kentucky personal injury attorney as soon as possible. In addition, you should file a claim with your insurance company immediately after the accident. In fact, many drivers take the step of calling their auto insurer from the accident scene. They will not only help process your claim, but can even help you get assistance right away.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney Today
Driving on rural roads in Kentucky increases your chances of being involved in a serious accident. This is why you should always exercise extreme caution, especially when driving through rural areas. If you are injured in an accident here in Kentucky, the experienced car accident attorneys at Dickman Law Office can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us today so we can begin assisting you with your case.
Posted in: Car Accidents