Pedestrian Accidents in Lexington, Kentucky

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Lexington, Kentucky?

A Kentucky State Police analysis determined that 10% of all deadly Kentucky crashes in 2021 involved pedestrians.

According to a recent news article by WKYT, Fayette County has averaged the highest number of pedestrian collisions in all of Kentucky for the last three years. The following lists the different Kentucky counties and their average number of pedestrian collisions from 2020-2022:

• Fayette County – 117.67
• Jefferson County – 274.67
• Lee County – 1.67
• Henderson County – 10.00
• Kenton County – 37.00
• Campbell County – 19.67
• Calloway County – 7.67
• Daviess County – 21.33
• Clark County – 7.33
• Statewide: 810.67

The article stated the following main causes for pedestrian accidents in Fayette County:

• Pedestrians walking in roadway;
• Pedestrian wearing dark clothing or not being visible to drivers;
• Drivers traveling straight instead of making a turn;
• Speeding; and
• Distracted driving.

In the plan to reduce collision numbers, Kentucky street planners stress the three E’s: engineering, education, and enforcement. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council adopted a “complete streets” policy to consider all street users when designing streets, instead of only thinking of motorists.

Chris Evilia, director of the Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, addressed the growing issue of pedestrian accidents and explained it’s partly due to the active level of biking and walking activities which create more opportunities for pedestrian or bicycle collisions. The following is a statement from Evilia:

“Any time someone is hurt on our transportation network, that is a point of concern for us…Unlike a car, we don’t have crumple zones. We’re not wearing a helmet, necessarily, like a bicyclist might be. We’re vulnerable. So basically, for pedestrians, we’re trying to eliminate those types of crashes altogether—or if something does happen, that it would be a low-speed type thing.”

Kentucky Right-of-Way Laws

Any person who chooses to travel on foot, bike, or in a motor vehicle in Lexington should be aware of the State’s right-of-way law. Kentucky Statute Section 189.570 states that pedestrians are required to obey any instruction of the official traffic control devices when applicable to them. The exception is if a law enforcement officer or other designated official otherwise directs them.

Further, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet provides that pedestrians have the right-of-way in Lexington during the following circumstances:

• On sidewalks;
• Within any zone clearly marked for pedestrian use;
• On a marked sidewalk or intersection when the light indicates for pedestrian crossing; or
• On a marked sidewalk or intersection when the traffic light is not working or not present.

Steps for Filing a Personal Injury Claim

If you’ve found yourself a victim of a pedestrian accident in Lexington, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the steps to take in building a personal injury claim. First, you should immediately contact the police and emergency medical services. This will help establish fault and determine any immediate injuries.

Once you’ve dealt with the police and medical services, the insurance company may try and offer you a settlement. It’s important to note that insurance companies will attempt to offer you too low of a settlement for your injuries. In some instances, the at-fault party may refuse to accept liability. This is when Morrin Law Firm can help you file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. We’ll ask for your help in the following steps:

1. Collecting evidence to support the claim, including documentation of the accident, accident report, and witness statements.
2. Establishing fault by proving the motor vehicle’s reckless or negligent behavior which led to the accident and your injuries.
3. Contacting the insurance companies to discuss possible settlement options.
4. Negotiating or settling with the insurance company, the at-fault party, or in the courtroom with a jury.

The laws surrounding Kentucky personal injury cases can be nuanced, which is where Morrin Law Firm can help. Call our office today at (859) 358-0300 and let our attorneys represent you and your case.

Insurance for Pedestrians

When a collision involves two motor vehicles, both drivers receive the first $10,000 in medical bills through their insurance’s personal injury policy (PIP). However, a pedestrian collision works under Kentucky’s “choice no-fault” rule. That means a pedestrian who is injured by a motor vehicle would receive the driver’s PIP coverage for the first $10,000 in medical bills and expenses. If the pedestrian’s medical expenses exceed the $10,000 PIP coverage, the costs would be taken out of the driver’s liability policy. Contact Morrin Law to have an experienced personal injury attorneys review the specific details of your case.

Filing within Statute of Limitations

If you are considering filing a personal injury claim, it is very important that you understand Kentucky’s Statute of Limitations. Section 413.125 of Kentucky Law specifies that any personal injury claim involving a motor vehicle has a limit of two years for filing.

Despite the statute spanning two years, any personal injury attorney will warn you that waiting to file is the worst thing you can do for your case. You may lose crucial evidence, such as the accident report, witness statements, images or videos documenting the collision, etc. In some instances, waiting too long to file can result in your claim getting barred. This means you could be ineligible to receive compensation for your damages. To avoid stressing over the statute of limitations, contact Morrin Law Firm to get started on your personal injury claim as soon as possible.

Example Cases in Lexington

The following lists recent pedestrian collisions in Lexington, Kentucky:

• May 2023 – The Lexington Police responded to a hit-and-run pedestrian collision that took place on May 6^th, 2023. The report indicated that the accident occurred around 11:30pm by the intersection of Sandersville Road at Atoma Drive. The victim was 60-year-old Lynette Laine, the school nurse for Rise STEM Academy for Girls. Laine was rushed to UK Hospital, where she was unfortunately pronounced dead due to the injuries.
• June 2023 – Kentucky officials responded to a crash involving a semi-truck, passenger car, and a pedestrian on June 13^th, 2023. The report stated that the collision occurred on I-75 North near mile marker 110. The pedestrian was struck by both the semi-truck and the car, but it remains unclear how the crash occurred. The pedestrian victim was transported to a nearby hospital to treat life-threatening injuries.

Lexington Pedestrian Safety Tips

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government posted the following safety tips for pedestrians:

• Use sidewalks or a path off-road whenever possible;
• Be visible with brightly colored clothing or be cautious when walking in low-light conditions;
• Make eye-contact with drivers and make sure they are stopped before crossing in front of them;
• Stay alert by keeping your head up as you walk, and avoid texting or wearing headphones;
• Cross at crosswalks or at a well-lit intersection;
• Avoid standing or walking in the roadway or on a median; and
• Avoid approaching a vehicle that is stopped in traffic.

To review the Lexington-specific pedestrian rules, you can refer to the Code of Ordinances here.

Contact a Lexington Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If your life has been turned upside down due to an unforeseen pedestrian accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Morrin Law Firm. Our attorneys provide non-stop support for our clients, and make sure all their rights are protected throughout this process. We believe you deserve compensation for your injuries, to help you recover back to normal health and feel financially stable. The attorneys at Morrin Law can help gather evidence, contact insurance companies, and fight to negotiate or settle your case. If you need representation in Bowling Green, Covington, Georgetown, or Owensboro, consult a Kentucky personal injury attorney with Morrin Law. We provide completely risk-free case evaluations when you call our office at (859) 358-0300.