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The driver of a car and two horse riders were hospitalized Thursday, August 15, 2019. According to a Calloway County Deputy at the scene, two horses and riders were in the median of U.S. 641 at Wadesboro Rd in Dexter when the horse took off and ran into the northbound lanes and was struck by a car.

The horse landed about 20 feet away and died at the scene, and the rider, a 14-year-old female, was found in the northbound lanes. Officials say that she was in an out of consciousness and was transported to the hospital. A 15-year-old boy was on another horse and wasn’t involved in the collision, but was taken to the hospital for emotional disturbance.

The driver of the car sustained injuries and was also taken to a local hospital. The condition of those injured are not known at this time. Officials are still investigating the accident.

Horse and Car Collisions

Each year, thousands of horses and cars collide injuring and killing riders and drivers alike. Kentucky is known for their horses. Lexington is called the Horse Capital of the World and Louisville is home to the Kentucky Derby.

Many children in the state grow up riding horses, and it’s a way of life for a great number of Kentucky residents. It’s not uncommon to see horses ride into town with the cars and bicycles, and horses and riders commonly walk along and cross over country roads and highways across the state.

Unfortunately, with all this riding on or near roads comes accidents between horses and vehicles, and with those come injuries. When a horse and vehicle collide, the rider is more likely to be injured, but sometimes the driver of the car is injured or killed.

Horse-Vehicle Collision Injuries

The National Center for Biotechnology Information reports that the most serious injuries to a rider is a head injury. When a rider and a car collide, the rider almost always falls from the horse and head injuries are common.

Some of the most common injuries to horse riders are:

  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Severe Concussion
  • Broken wrists
  • Broken arms
  • Fractured Ribs
  • Nerve Damage

Horse and Vehicle Liability

Riders and owners of horses can get horse liability insurance that pays for damages caused by horses. Most insurance claims are paid out because a horse gets loose and gets hit by a vehicle. The liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage for anyone hurt by a horse.

However, many times a horse owner isn’t insured, and if the driver of a vehicle is injured, then there may not be any funds to pay for the damages. If the driver has uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, then he or she can use this to pay for their own injuries and losses.

A homeowner’s insurance policy also may cover damages from a horse even if the accident took place off the property. It is really up to each policy. Some homeowners also get an umbrella policy—usually at $1 million—to cover any liability they may have that isn’t covered in a primary insurance policy.

Of course if the driver of the car is at fault, then the driver’s auto insurance will pay for damages done to the rider and the horse, including medical bills and burial costs for the horse if it was killed.

Do I Need an Attorney?

If you’ve been injured in a horse and vehicle accident, you need to talk to an attorney who understands equestrienne, personal injury and insurance law. Horse insurance issues can be tricky, and a good attorney knows how to find out sources of compensation wherever they exist.

At Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, we offer a free consultation where you can talk to an attorney about your specific case. Don’t go it alone, rather get someone on your side who knows how to deal with the insurance companies, their lawyers and the courts.

Call the attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, and they will stand behind you to make sure that you are treated fairly and that you get the highest compensation allowed by the law.

 

 

 

 

 

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