Kentucky Fatal Accident Statistics
While the number of traffic fatalities has fallen in Kentucky over a ten-year period, there is much more the state can do to reduce further the numbers of innocent lives that are lost each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 884 drivers were involved in the deaths of 672 people in 2014. Both of these numbers showed a significant decrease from 2005 when 1,317 drivers took part in the deaths of 985 people.
A closer look at the statistics shows that 498 passenger car occupants died in crashes. Sadly, 285 of these occupants were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision. One of these victims was an unrestrained child under the age of four. The government agency estimates that 78 more lives could have been saved if all vehicle passengers would wear their seatbelts every time they travel.
The data also show that of the 884 drivers who were involved in fatal crashes, 79 were under the age of 21, and one was under the age of 15. While these numbers are also far too high, they reflect a significant decrease from 2005 when 168 young drivers were involved in fatal accidents.
The Universal Helmet Law was repealed in 1998, and unfortunately, many bikers in Kansas chose not wear head protection. As such, 48 of the 86 motorcyclists who died in crashes in 2014 were not wearing helmets. The NHTSA estimates that helmet could have saved an additional 18 lives.
Crash type data shows that in Kentucky in 2014 –
- Single vehicle accidents took 395 lives
- 456 lives were lost when a vehicle left the roadway
- 200 people died in rollover accidents
- Speeding was a factor in the deaths of 125 people
- 68 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks
When we looked at the number of fatalities involving particular vehicle types, we found that –
- 115 were in pickup trucks
- 84 were in light utility trucks
- 21 were in vans
- 9 were in large trucks
The state has not realized any significant increase in safety for the most vulnerable people on the road- walkers and joggers. In fact, 57 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in 2014, up from a low of 41 in 2009, and down from a ten year high of 66 in 2008. Clearly, more needs to be done to ensure safety for these people.
Bicyclists are also at a particular disadvantage when traveling with motor vehicles, however, unlike pedestrians, cyclists have realized a significant decrease in the number of fatal motor vehicle crashes. In 2005, about 12 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle accidents, and in 2014, about four were involved in fatal collisions.
Drunk drivers face harsh penalties in Kentucky, yet the number of impaired drivers on any given day remains stubbornly high. In 2014, drunk drivers took the lives of 171 people, up from a ten-year low of 166 in 2013.
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident? Call Us Today!
Kentucky’s highways and bi-ways are dangerous. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you need a dedicated team of attorneys and legal professionals fighting for your rights. Our attorneys have a long and proven record of helping the victims of car accidents get the compensation they deserve.
Call us today if you or a loved one were injured in a
- Commercial bus crashes
- School bus accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck crashes
- Motorcycle collisions
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Semi-truck crashes
We’ll fight insurance companies, negligent operators, and reckless drivers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.