Every driver on the road, no matter what vehicle they’re operating, has a responsibility to abide by the established traffic laws and operate their vehicle in a manner that could not potentially harm others. There are negligent drivers, however, who act as though they are above the law by disobeying the set speed limit.

Speeding can result in catastrophic consequences, especially when a commercial truck is involved. Injuries or fatalities are likely when a smaller passenger vehicle collides with a tractor-trailer. Victims of truck accidents have the right to pursue legal action in an attempt to seek compensation for the damages incurred as a result of the negligent trucker’s actions.

Thousands of injuries and hundreds of unnecessary deaths occur on Kentucky roads every year. The majority of the accidents are caused by human error – which means they’re almost always preventable. In 2016 alone, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 834 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in Kentucky. Of those individuals, 111 were motorcyclists, 81 were pedestrians, and 9 were bicyclists.

If you were injured in an accident or lost a loved one, it can be difficult to cope with the fact that the collision could have been prevented. At the Law Office of Todd W. Burris, we want to promote safe drivers and driving habits. Let’s take a look at five ways we can help keep Kentucky roads safe for you and your family. If you take these tips into consideration, you’ll be aiding in accident prevention and saving lives.

As a motorcycle rider, you probably know that motorcycles require more attention than other automobiles because of the exposure to the elements, the force it takes to brake and accelerate, and the constant vibration of the engine. In order to ride responsibly, it’s important to properly maintain your motorcycle.

Prior to each ride, there are steps you can take to ensure you’re being as safe as possible. You should always examine the tires for damage and gauge the tire pressure. You’ll want to check your fuel and oil levels and make sure everything else looks as it should. In addition to these quick steps, properly maintaining your motorcycle can take a bit more time; however, it will be time well spent.

Imagine driving through the countryside with nothing to see except agricultural fields and the occasional cow. Now picture driving through rush-hour traffic with honking horns, high speeds, and constant movement from all directions. You may think you’d be more likely to end up in an accident in the urban setting; however, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tells us otherwise.

According to the NHTSA’s 2016 Rural/Urban Comparison of Traffic Fatalities, there were a total of 34,439 fatal vehicle accidents resulting in 37,461 deaths. Of these accidents, 50 percent occurred in rural areas and 47 percent occurs in urban areas. Three percent of the accidents occurred in areas where not enough information was available to determine if the crashes were inside urban or rural boundaries.

A variety of traumatic events, like car accidents, can happen to us at any time. It’s during these instances we often have little control over what’s happening. When faced with such trauma, our bodies and minds may sustain serious injuries and suffer both physically and mentally.

One of the most severe and often invisible injuries is shock. The body can go into either medical or psychological shock, or both. If left untreated, shock victims can experience life-threatening complications.

A car accident involving a motorist and a pedestrian can be particularly traumatic for both parties. The pedestrian may sustain a variety of injuries depending on the circumstances, and the motorist is likely to be emotionally stricken and confused.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 129,000 pedestrians received emergency medical treatment for nonfatal crash-related injuries in 2015. That same year, 5,376 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents. Older adults, children, and drivers or pedestrians who are intoxicated face a higher risk for this type of accident.

Determining fault in the event of a pedestrian car crash is often complex. While it’s easy to blame the driver for an accident with a pedestrian, pedestrians have a duty of care just like any driver. They must take reasonable steps to ensure their own safety in proportion to the dangers involved with walking near moving vehicles. There are instances where the pedestrian may be found at least partially at fault.

After a car wreck, you’re probably focusing on holding the negligent driver responsible for their actions. A big part of this comes from your medical records and what your doctor has to say about your accident-related injuries.

When you file your claim, it’s important to include your doctor’s notes. These notes will show the extent of your injuries, your treatment plan, and what your recovery looks like. This information is imperative when seeking compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. Read on to learn about the doctor’s notes that’ll best support your claim.

Seeking Medical Treatment After an Auto Accident

Regardless of how minor your injuries look or feel, it’s important to seek medical treatment after a car accident. Serious injuries can take time to manifest, and it’s always better to catch issues early.

Whether you go to the hospital after an accident or make an appointment with your family physician the next day, a full workup will likely be conducted. They may want to perform certain neurological tests to make sure you haven’t sustained a brain injury. Depending on any pain or bruising you have, they may choose to order X-rays or an MRI.

Concussions are the most common type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). They are a mild form of TBI caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Doctors consider this a “mild” brain injury because they are not usually life-threatening. While they may not be life-threatening, it’s important to recognize why concussions happen and how they affect your body – that way you can treat the issue, in the event of one, and return your life to normal as quickly as possible.

The Causes of Concussion

As stated above, a concussion can occur when the head is struck in some way. In emergency rooms, the leading causes of concussions are falls, automobile accidents, accidentally being hit by or against an object, assaults, and sports.

There are bound to be a plethora of things on your mind after a car accident. You’ll likely be focusing on your recovery and concerned about the possible financial burdens. Filing and settling a car accident claim has the potential to ease those burdens. Keep in mind that the type of settlement you’re looking for will have a big impact on how long the entire process takes.

Reporting a Car Accident Claim

After a car accident, you’ll need to make a report to the Kentucky State Police and your insurance company. Typically, you’ll be providing contact and vehicle information for the drivers involved and any personal property damages and injuries.

Your insurance company will file your claim and work on getting you your compensation. They will want to review the accident reports and your medical expenses. They’ll also try to determine if you’ll have any residual problems from your injuries and what treatments you may need in the future. This process may take some time.

The Law Office of Todd W. Burris understands how difficult it can be to manage all the logistics of a car accident when you should be focusing on recovery. We’re here to help you understand Kentucky’s car accident laws and find ways to ease your financial burden, so you can focus on what matters most.

If you’ve been involved in car wreck in Kentucky, we compiled a list of some of the most important information you need to know about car accident laws in our state, how to report an accident, and how to begin a legal settlement if you choose to.

What Do I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?

Address Medical Concerns First. Call 911. If you are in a condition to move your vehicle and it will move, get it out of the way of any incoming traffic. Assess the situation by evaluating your own wellbeing and wellbeing of other motorists, passengers, or pedestrians. Make sure the police are notified as well so an accident report can be started.

Exchange Information. In Kentucky, you are required to provide and receive the following information to and from any other parties involved in the accident:

• Name, address, and contact information
• Driver license number
• License plate number of the vehicles involved
• Auto insurance information for the motorists involved