In the South, road work doesn’t just happen in the summer. Since Kentucky rarely sees snow or extreme cold, we’re able to work on our roadways almost year-round. Work zones are dangerous for workers because there usually aren’t hard barriers protecting them. This makes workers more vulnerable in the event of a car accident because there’s nothing between them and reckless drivers.

But work zones aren’t just dangerous for workers. Drivers are just as much at risk to be injured in a car accident in a work zone. Whether you’re a local or just visiting Lexington, you should know the laws and precautions to take when driving through Kentucky work zones.

Lexington is full of charm and has plenty of scenic routes. Unfortunately, though, car crashes can still happen even in the most picturesque locations. In Kentucky, about 800 people die in car accidents each year, as reported by the Insurance Information Institute (III).

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 20% of car accidents are caused by brake-related problems. Whether your brakes need to be replaced or were faulty, you never expect them to completely fail and potentially cause a car collision. Brake failure can be deadly, so it’s important for you to know what actions to take if you find yourself in that situation.

Many drivers depend on the highway every day. There are many kinds of highway lanes that each have their own set of dangers. When someone drives negligently and ignores the rules of the road, they can cause devastating car accidents. While you cannot stop another’s negligence, you may be able to decrease your risk of getting in an accident by knowing which parts of the highway might be the most statistically dangerous. We’ll discuss the different lanes and what you should look out for when driving in each.

As a driver, you’re responsible for safety while on the road. This applies to more than practicing safe driving behaviors like keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. You’re also supposed to make sure your car is safe to drive. One of the main components drivers need to pay attention to is their tires. When they’re neglected, tires can blow out and accidents can happen, which can cause terrible injuries. If a driver caused an accident because of a tire blowout that resulted in injuring you, there are legal steps you can take to financially recover. Golden Law Office has experienced Lexington car accident lawyers who will stand by your side and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Yearly car inspections are probably when people hear about the conditions of their tires. But perhaps if they knew what led to blowouts, they’d be able to identify problem without waiting a long time for a mechanic to find it. Let’s take a brief look at how tire blowouts happen.

Responsible drivers know to be on the lookout for dangerous situations; however, it can be difficult to anticipate the possibility of an accident when the danger is underneath your tires. There are millions of motor vehicle accidents every year in the United States, and a significant number of those are the result of poor road conditions due to insufficient or improper maintenance.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 4,436 of the 14,116 bridges in Kentucky, which is 31.4 percent, are structurally deficient or structurally obsolete. It’s also been calculated that 34 percent of the roads in the state are in poor or mediocre condition. As a result, $543 million is spent every year by drivers who are making repairs to their cars because of the roads that need to be fixed. That $185 per person.

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.

Millions of drivers access Kentucky’s roadways every single year. Thousands of miles are covered resulting, unfortunately, in thousands of accidents. According to the Analysis of Traffic Crash Data in Kentucky by the Kentucky Transportation Center, just in 2016, there were over 140,000 car collisions resulting in over 37,000 injuries and 830 deaths.

Whether you’re a resident of Kentucky or just passing through, it’s important to understand the car accident laws and settlement process. If you’re in a car accident, you have the right to compensation for your damages; however, you’ll only be eligible for those awards if you follow through with your legal obligations. Keep reading to learn about handling and settling car accidents in Kentucky.

You may be wondering how to proceed after your car accident. You’ve taken care of your medical needs, reported the accident to the proper authorities, and filed your insurance claim. Now what? The answer to that question depends on your situation. In some instances, especially if the car accident was minor or only involved a single vehicle, an attorney may not be necessary; however, in most cases, you’ll only receive the justice you deserve with the help of knowledgeable legal representation.

An experienced lawyer can help you hold the negligent party responsible for their actions, as well as help you negotiate settlements with pushy insurance companies. No matter the question, a reliable car accident attorney will have or will find you the answers you need.

You may not need to seek legal representation if your vehicle was not damaged, you or your passengers sustained no injuries and did not seek medical treatment, and your life after the accident was not significantly altered.

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver collides with another vehicle, fixed object, or a pedestrian, and chooses to leave the scene without helping anyone or identifying themselves. Any victim of this type of accident could be left shaken and confused, and worried about what to do next.

Hit-and-Run Accidents in Kentucky

Kentucky Statute 189.580, duty in case of an accident, states the operator of any vehicle involved in a crash that results in injury, property damages, or death should first focus on acquiring medical assistance for the parties that need it. The driver should then be prepared to provide and collect personal and vehicle information to and from the other drivers. For the full statute, click here.

Choosing to disregard this law and leave the scene of an accident can result in serious legal consequences including criminal penalties, administrative penalties, and civil penalties.

Neck injuries, like whiplash, are incredibly common in car accidents in Kentucky and nationwide. If you are in an accident and are diagnosed with whiplash, you probably have a lot of questions about what you’ll experience and how soon it’ll go away. At Golden Law Office, we hope to ease your mind and answer your questions.

Experiencing Whiplash

Whiplash is a broad term that covers a variety of neck injuries – mostly having to do with soft tissue damage to the neck. This is common in rear-end collisions because the body will propel forward, while the neck and head stay in place – hyperextending the neck.

While whiplash is not a life-threatening injury, it can result in a prolonged period of suffering and disability. Because of this, whiplash may lead to increased medical expenses and lost wages. If you’ve experienced whiplash and are worried about your finances, you may want to consider seeking the guidance of a Lexington car accident lawyer.