Pedestrian accidents are frequent in big cities along busy streets. It’s where we think of the dangers of being on foot the most. But any time drivers exit their vehicle, even along a rural Kentucky road, they become a pedestrian and can end up the victim of a careless driver.
Kentucky State police reported that in 2018 officers responded to 1,024 accidents involving pedestrians. They saw a tragic 79 pedestrians killed in those accidents. On the Louie B. Nunn Parkway alone, officers responded to 170 collisions in a single year.
Pedestrians are unprotected in these accidents often making the results that much more severe.
Russell County Collision Kills Pedestrian
A trailer being pulled by a pickup truck struck and killed a pedestrian near Russell Springs Wednesday afternoon. ABC13 News reported the accident happened along the Louie B. Nunn Parkway at the 61-mile marker on July 29, 2020.
Kentucky Police believe the Ford pickup driver from Bowling Green was towing a trailer and for an unknown reason went off the right shoulder of the road. The trailer struck a Columbia man who was walking along the road. The trailer also struck a Dodge Pickup that was parked in the emergency lane.
The Columbia man was flown to the University of Kentucky Hospital and later died from his injuries. A passenger in the Dodge Pickup suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Wrongful Death Claims In Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are even more tragic when a careless or distracted driver made a mistake that cost a life. Families are grieving the loss of a loved one when hospital bills and funeral costs can start appearing in the mailbox. It’s especially hard to face these costs after the victim’s paycheck from work can no longer be counted on to help support the family.
Families in these situations should know that they are protected under state law. They are allowed to file a wrongful death claim against anyone who had a part in causing the death of the victim. A representative of the family will be chosen to bring a civil lawsuit on behalf of the family.
A wrongful death claim can recover money for the financial and emotional loss the family has suffered. The family would have to pay for these costs themselves otherwise. The claim can request compensation for hardships like any medical bills before the death, funeral costs, the lost wages the victim would have provided, the loss of companionship and guidance to the spouse and children. There are many other damages that can be included in a claim.
Statute of Limitations for Filing
It’s important to know that Kentucky law provides family members with one year to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The period begins on the day the victim passes away. It can be harmful to your case to wait the full year, however. The more time that passes after an accident, the harder it will be to collect evidence and documents to build a strong case.
Contact a Wrongful Death Attorney Today
If you’ve lost a loved one in an accident caused by another driver you may wonder if you need an attorney, and the answer is almost always yes. Insurance company agents have years of experience and are good at their job which is to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. You need someone just as experienced to help you level the field.
Talk to a Kentucky Wrongful Death Attorney you can trust to be on your side and get you what is yours under the law. The attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, have that knowledge and a combined 100 years’ experience in helping clients get compensation after a tragic accident. To discuss your case, call Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC today, at (800) 937-8443 or click here to contact them online.
