According to the Kentucky Transportation Center, there were 1,090 pedestrian collisions statewide in 2023. That number might seem small compared to the hundreds of thousands of crashes that occurred statewide, but these incidents often lead to particularly severe outcomes. Pedestrian collisions made up less than 1 percent of all traffic crashes in the state, yet they caused a disproportionate share of traffic deaths and injuries.
These collisions cost 125 people their lives and injured another 873. Those 125 deaths accounted for more than 15 percent of all traffic fatalities in Kentucky that year. In total, police recorded 123 fatal pedestrian collisions, which made up more than 16 percent of all deadly traffic crashes in the state.
Many deadly pedestrian crashes involved drivers who fled the scene. Pedestrians made up 37.8 percent of all people killed in hit-and-run collisions across Kentucky in 2023. In addition, 119 pedestrians were injured in hit-and-run crashes, representing 9.4 percent of all injuries reported in those types of accidents.
These numbers show that, even though pedestrian crashes are less common overall, they account for a substantial portion of Kentucky’s traffic deaths and crash injuries.
Factors That Contribute to Pedestrian Accidents in Kentucky
Each year, hundreds of pedestrians are injured or killed in traffic accidents across Kentucky. While many things can contribute to these crashes, driver behaviors are a common factor. Here are the most common driver-related factors that reportedly contributed to pedestrian collisions throughout Kentucky in 2023:
- Driver inattention contributed to 302 (27.73 percent) of all the pedestrian crashes that year—the most of any single factor.
- Failure to yield the right of way led to 119 (10.93 percent) of all pedestrian crashes.
- Distraction was involved in 36 (3.31 percent) of all incidents involving pedestrians.
- Drivers who were disregarding traffic signals or signs contributed to 30 pedestrian collisions, representing 2.75 percent of the total.
Some driver behaviors are linked to fatal outcomes in pedestrian accidents. The data below break down the most frequently reported driver-related contributing factors in Kentucky pedestrian crashes that resulted in fatalities in 2023:
- Driver inattention also topped the list in fatal cases, playing a role in 16 pedestrian deaths—that’s 13.11 percent of all fatal pedestrian collisions.
- Seven fatal pedestrian crashes (5.74 percent) involved distracted driving.
- Another seven pedestrian fatalities (also 5.74 percent) occurred in crashes involving drivers who were exceeding the posted speed limit.
- Alcohol use was involved in eight fatal pedestrian collisions, accounting for 6.56 percent of deadly pedestrian crashes.
What to Do If You Were Injured in a Pedestrian Accident
A pedestrian crash can turn your life upside down in an instant. If you or someone you care about was hit by a driver while on foot, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure about what to do next. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your legal rights:
- Get medical care, even if you don’t feel hurt. Some injuries take time to show up. A doctor can check for hidden problems and document them in your medical records.
- Collect contact information from witnesses. If anyone saw the crash, their statements could support your side of the story.
- Take photos of the scene. If you can, get pictures of where the crash happened, the vehicle, your injuries, and anything else that seems important.
- Keep track of your medical records and bills. Save all documents related to your care, including prescriptions and receipts.
- Avoid talking to the driver’s insurance company alone. The insurer might try to get you to say something that hurts your case.
- Talk to a personal injury lawyer. An attorney can explain your rights, answer your questions, and handle all the legal aspects of your claim.
Contact a Kentucky Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If a pedestrian accident hurt you or someone you love, contact Dickman Law Offices, P.S.C., today for an initial consultation. You can tell us what happened and learn about your options. Our team will take the time to listen, answer your questions, and help you move forward.
Posted in: Pedestrian Accidents