The driver of a Saturn SUV crossed over the centerline of Kentucky Highway 185 and struck a pickup truck carrying two people. According to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened Saturday afternoon, March 27, 2019, near the 8800 block of Highway 185.
The driver of the Saturn died at the scene, and both occupants of the pickup truck survived but were taken to a local hospital. One of the victims was a 12-year-old child, and it’s unknown at this time on the condition of either victim.
Head-On Crashes
Of all types of crashes, a head-on collision produces the highest number of fatalities and serious injuries. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported that head-on collisions only make up two percent of all crashes yet they account for over 10 percent of all fatalities.
The Danger of a Head-on Collision
The reason is for this is that in a head-on collision, both vehicles hit each other making the impact double that of many other accidents. Most head-on collisions happened on roads where the speed limit is 50 and over thus adding to the impact of the accident. After the collision, cars going at these speeds often leave the road or rollover after the impact making the risk of serious injury or death even higher.
Common Injuries With Head-On Collisions
The high impact and secondary impacts (rollovers, etc) make severe injuries a high probability—even if everyone is seat-belted in. Because of this, there are common injuries associated with a head-on collision:
- Blunt Force Trauma
- Head Injuries/Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Internal Injuries/Bleeding
- Air bag injuries
Losses and Damages that Come from Head-On Collisions
When someone is injured in a head-on collision, their injuries are likely to be severe. This creates a significant amount of financial losses for the victim as they have to pay their co-pays and co-insurance—if they have healthcare. To make matter worse, they are often unable to work while they are recovering from their injuries. Under Kentucky Law a person is entitled to monetary compensation for their financial losses. Many of these damages are obvious, but some are not. A good attorney can determine which damages to seek from the at-fault driver. Some of these are:
- Medical Bills
- Lost wages, past and future
- Permanent injuries/disabilities or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of a quality of life/consortium
- Wrongful Death compensation
- Emotional distress
Should I get an Attorney?
While money alone does not put make the person whole again, dealing with the physical and emotional aspects of a traumatic accident is made more difficult as the financial losses add up creating more anxiety and stress. Many victims of these accidents wonder if they need to get an attorney.
In most cases, the answer is yes. You need to understand your rights and what you are entitled to under the law so you can make the best decision. 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. Contact them today by calling (800) 937-8443.
