Kentucky citizens utilize the state’s roadways every single day to accomplish their tasks and goals. Just in 2016, Kentucky’s roads were traveled for a total of 49.196 billion miles. Because of the constant travel, it’s no surprise accidents occur. Most of these accidents, however, are entirely preventable. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you have legal options that our lawyers can assist you with.
In order to understand why the majority of Kentucky car accidents are preventable, let’s take a look at the most common causes of collisions in the state.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving contributes to the majority of car accidents across the United States. Kentucky is no exception. According to the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS), Kentucky saw 53,500 distracted driving crashes resulting in 14,000 injuries and 169 deaths in 2014.
There are three main types of road distractions: visual, manual, and cognitive. A visual distraction occurs when the driver takes their eyes off the road – like when checking a text or looking in the backseat. A manual distraction happens when the driver’s hands are removed from the wheel. This most frequently happens when a person is picking up their phone or reaching for something like food or drink. Cognitive distractions happen when the driver is not completely focused on the road, like when daydreaming.
KOHS lists the following as the most common car distractions in Kentucky:
- Reaching for an object
- Using music controls
- Talking or listening to passengers
- Reading or writing
- Eating, drinking, or smoking
- Combing hair
- Using an electronic device
It’s also important to note that children and pets can be a distraction. In order to combat distraction issues with children and pets, drivers should make sure children are properly latched in safety seats and pets are gated or caged securely.
Drunk Driving
While there has been a decreasing trend in the number of alcohol-related crashes and fatalities, some irresponsible drivers still choose to drive under the influence. As a result, hundreds of fatalities occur each year. A driver over the age of 21 is considered impaired when their blood alcohol concentration limit is at or exceeds 0.08 percent. There is a zero-tolerance policy for underage drivers.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous because the alcohol affects how your brain and body process your surroundings and abilities. Even a single drink can limit your ability to make good driving decisions or act diligently behind the wheel.
Fatigue
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving claimed the lives of 846 victims in 2014. The majority of these accidents occurred from midnight to 6:00 AM, when our internal clocks naturally dip. Fatigue can have a similar effect on drivers that alcohol does. It often affects a driver’s ability to adequately judge their surroundings and make quick decisions when necessary.
It can be difficult to prove fatigue caused your car accident, which is why you’ll benefit from hiring a lawyer from Golden Law Office, who will be able to collect the evidence needed to prove why the accident occurred.
Reckless Driving
When a driver chooses to disobey traffic laws and put others’ lives at risk, they are in violation of Kentucky statute 189.290. That statute requires all drivers in Kentucky to operate their vehicles in a careful and responsible manner.
The most common acts of reckless driving are:
- Improper or erratic lane changes
- Illegal passing
- Drag racing
- Driving more than 15 miles per hour above the posted limit
- Passing incorrectly
- Disregarding public safety with other violations
Because the reckless driving definition in Kentucky is fairly broad, car accident claims can become incredibly complex. Our attorneys can help you identify which reckless action lead to your wreck.
Speeding
Speeding is a contributing factor in many car accidents because when a driver speeds they lack control of their vehicles and their ability to stop effectively declines.
Kentucky has absolute and basic speed limit laws. The absolute laws state that if an individual is driving faster than the posted sign, they are in direct violation and can be cited. Generally, a vehicle can travel 35 miles per hour in business and residential districts, 65 miles per hour on most highways and parkways, and 55 miles per hour on other highways. The basic speeding law prohibits drivers from going faster than is reasonable for the traffic and conditions they’re in.
You may be feeling overwhelmed and confused after a car accident, especially when your accident was caused by the negligent actions of another driver. Our car accident lawyers in Lexington can provide you with the legal guidance you need to seek compensation that will aid in your recovery. For more information, contact our office today.
