Negligence is a concept that’s crucial to all types of personal injury cases. Car accident claims, truck accident claims, and wrongful death claims, for instance, all rely on proving that negligence was in place when the incident that caused injury or death occurred. Negligence, as defined, is any conduct that does not meet the reasonable standards for protecting a person from foreseeable risks of harm. In the cases of auto accidents, negligence can be defined as any reckless or careless driving behaviors or actions.

Inside the broader definition, there are many different forms of negligence that fit under the same umbrella. Here are three of the most common elements that define negligence in Kentucky and some examples of how each apply to certain situations:

Car accidents occur every day, without warning, and can involve even the most careful and cautious drivers on the road.  After an accident, you will probably be shaken up.  But it is important to begin collecting evidence right away.  Your memory of the crash and the events leading up to the crash are freshest in your mind in the immediate moments after it occurs.  Settlement of your claim may not take place until months later, and important details about the crash risk getting lost.  Here are four types of car accident evidence that are important to collect to help you build a strong case.

Photographs.  Take pictures of everything.  Visual evidence is invaluable when describing the event to someone who was not at the scene.  Vehicle damage, vehicle positions, the road itself, license plates, and injuries, such as cuts and bruising, are all valuable images to have when building evidence for your case.  Take pictures from several angles using a good quality camera.  Cell phone cameras today are more than capable of capturing clear images, and are usually on hand to capture the photographic evidence you need.

In 2015, 35,200 people were killed in car accidents in the United States. This was a 7.7% increase from 2014 and the worst death toll we’ve seen since 2008. During that same year, we also saw a huge rise in the number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths. There were almost 5,400 pedestrian fatalities in 2015 compared to the 4,800 we saw during 2014. This is a 10% jump.

In 2016, the numbers looked even worse. According to the 2016 report, there were almost 6,000 pedestrian deaths during that year. This is an unprecedented jump. This statistic was enough to make news headlines nationwide and even be reported on TV shows like the Today Show.

Motorcycles are without a doubt a fun and exciting way to travel.  However, when involved in a crash, motorcyclists are at a much greater risk of suffering catastrophic injuries or death.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle deaths occur 30 times more than fatalities in other vehicles and motorcyclists are 5 times more likely to be injured.

There are many myths that surround the increased crash risk that motorcyclists face.  Debunking these myths is important to improving motorcycle safety.  If drivers of all vehicles on the road have a better understanding of motorcycle driving laws and techniques, we can better share the road and keep everyone safe.

Lawyers get a bad rap at times. We’ve all seen the late-night TV commercials touting overeager lawyers who seem obsessed about getting cold, hard cash and nothing else. The good news is that most lawyers aren’t actually like that. Most personal injury attorneys choose to become attorneys for one reason—they understand the complexities of the U.S. legal system and wish to help others obtain justice.

Want more good news? The idea that all attorneys are out to strike it rich is simply a myth. There’s no such thing as a “guaranteed win” personal injury case. Lawyers work hard to succeed with their cases and often place a great deal of reputation on the line when representing a client in a complex case. Law firms aren’t panning for gold. We’re looking to help those in need.

Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in car crashes on United States roadways.  Driving is one of the more dangerous activities we engage in on a daily basis.  Recent research has shown that more than 94% of all accidents are caused by people and the irresponsible choices drivers make behind the wheel.  Understanding the common causes of car crashes can help drivers know what activities they need to avoid to stay safe.

Speeding.  Speeding is one of the most common risk factors for car crashes in 2017.  It is estimated that 30% of all driving accidents involve a driver who was speeding.  The fast pace we keep, traffic, and deadlines encourage drivers to speed every day.  But accidents involving excessive speed are also more likely to be deadly.  No deadline is worth the ultimate sacrifice.

After being involved in any type of car crash, you’ll most likely be advised to visit your nearest emergency room as soon as possible. Even if you are not in pain and do not notice any injuries right away, you’ll be advised to seek medical attention regardless. This advice is given as a precaution due to the fact that many symptoms from car accident injuries appear in a delayed manner.

Why are car accident injury symptoms often delayed? The answer to this question has to do with the trauma of being in a car accident and the toll that trauma takes on our bodies. Everyone reacts differently during traumatic experiences and being involved in a car accident is one such example of a traumatic event. We can never prepare 100% for a car accident so being in one is inherently traumatic and comes as a shock.

There were almost 8,000 truck crashes in the state of Kentucky alone in 2013. Over 2,000 of those accidents resulted in injuries or fatalities. After looking at these numbers, there’s no denying the fact that semi and commercial truck accidents cause a lot of devastation on Kentucky’s roadways.

Many of the deadliest trucking accidents are crashes involving the underride of a semi-truck. These collisions happen when a passenger vehicle strikes a tractor trailer from the side. In worst-case scenarios, the top of the car becomes sheared off, often instantaneously decapitating the passengers inside. It’s estimated that at least 200 people are killed every year in the U.S. from underride crashes.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 70,000 pedestrian accidents happen every year in the United States.  Nearly 5,000 of these accidents are fatal.  Pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in a vehicle collision than a vehicle passenger.  Additionally, thousands of pedestrians are injured every year due to poor parking lot maintenance, sidewalk defects, and construction debris.

Whether the accident involves a vehicle or a property defect, injured pedestrians may recover damages if someone else’s negligence caused the accident to occur.  This money can be used to help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

From the second you first notice brake lights flashing and tires squealing as a car crash happens before your eyes, your heart begins to race. You may frantically slam on your brakes or swerve to get out of the way of a tumbling passenger car or semi-truck. You may fumble for your phone, say a few prayers, or just close your eyes and wait for it to be over. There’s one thing you’re doing for certain at the onset of an accident if you have children, however. You’re going to do everything you can to keep them safe.

Here are 3 ways to protect your children during a car accident:

Get Off the Road

If you have room to maneuver the vehicle safely, turn off the road if possible or merge into other available lanes. If you see an out-of-control car heading your way, a quick swerve in the right direction can save the lives of everyone in your vehicle. Even if you’re clear of the crash itself, you may want to change lanes or get off the road immediately regardless. You never know when a piece of debris will head in your direction.