Despite the term “accident” being used to describe vehicular collisions, the truth of the matter is that many of these events are not accidents in the true sense of the word. In fact, too many people in Kentucky are seriously injured or even killed due simply to the negligence and recklessness of other people.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of people killed in crashes in Kentucky in which alcohol was involved in 2017 actually rose compared to the prior year. The 181 such deaths in 2017 were more than in 2016, 2014 and 2013. In the prior five years, only 2015 saw more drunk driving deaths statewide with a total of 192. Speeding is another factor in many fatal wrecks and claimed 138 lives each in 2016 and 2017 and another 140 lives in 2015. Between 2013 and 2014, 250 lives were lost in these collisions.
Between 2013 and 2017, Pulaski County recorded 57 vehicular fatalities in all, 14 of which involved alcohol and another seven of which involved excessive speed. Among its neighboring counties, only Laurel County experienced more deaths with a total of 60 lives lost. In that county, drunk driving was attributed to 14 of the fatalities and speeding to 12 deaths. Drunk driving and speeding are just two examples of decisions made by drivers that result in the senseless and preventable loss of life.
If you would like to learn more about the factors often involved in fatal accidents and how to get help after you or a loved one is involved in a serious accident, please feel free to visit the crash compensation and assistance page of our Kentucky personal injury website.
