Posted in Pedestrian Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on August 22, 2017
Two women were struck by a vehicle in Hyden, Kentucky on Monday, causing one to suffer fatal injuries and the other to suffer serious injuries.
Per a report by Clarksville Now, the accident happened when the two women were standing on a sidewalk watching the solar eclipse and a vehicle crossed the center line, struck a utility pole, and then struck the women.
A spokesperson with Kentucky State Police says that the 23-year-old woman who was struck by the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 41-year-old woman was flown to the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, which is around 120 miles away, to receive treatment.
The driver of the vehicle that collided with the women was also injured, and she was transported to a hospital.
Police have confirmed that the women were watching the eclipse at the time of the accident, but it’s unknown what caused the driver to lose control and her vehicle to exit the roadway and drive onto the sidewalk.
3 Dangers Pedestrians Face
There’s always an element of danger when pedestrians walk near moving traffic. Pedestrians have nothing to protect them in the event of an accident, and being struck by vehicles that are moving at even low speeds can have serious and often fatal consequences for victims.
In response to the inherent dangers that pedestrians face and the growing demand for walkability, many cities throughout the South have begun building additional sidewalks and installing more crosswalks. While those initiatives help reduce risks, pedestrians still get seriously hurt by vehicles throughout the country every day.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Bowling Green pedestrian accident lawyers know that people who walk or stand near vehicles and busy roadways face these three dangers:
Crosswalks are one of the most important safety features for pedestrians when they’re attempting to cross a roadway. Without crosswalks, pedestrians put their lives on the line every time they attempt to cross a street—and that’s why it’s illegal to cross outside of crosswalks in many areas. Unfortunately, crosswalks can’t eliminate the risk of serious accidents, as some drivers simply ignore stop signs or red lights and drive directly into the paths of pedestrians.
Sidewalks are another vital layer of protection for pedestrians. They keep pedestrians well out of the path of traffic and at an elevation. However, when drivers lose control of their vehicles or drift out of their lanes due factors like distraction or intoxication, they may drive onto nearby sidewalks and into the path of pedestrians.
Pedestrians aren’t just people who are walking from place to place. That term also includes people who are standing on or near a roadway. People frequently get out of their vehicles on Kentucky’s highways and interstates after accidents or after they experience vehicle troubles. Drivers are already required to move over for stopped emergency vehicles, but it’s important for them to also move over when approaching accident scenes or disabled vehicles—especially when occupants have exited vehicles are standing near traffic.
Staying safe as a pedestrian requires staying alert, cautious, and sticking to sidewalks and crosswalks when they’re available. But it also requires drivers being aware of the presence of pedestrians, moving over when necessary, coming to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights, and never getting behind the wheel when they’re distracted, intoxicated, or impaired.
If you or someone you know was injured in a pedestrian accident that was caused by a negligent driver, you may be eligible to pursue a claim for compensation. We’ve helped many victims like you, and we know that your accident-related expenses can accumulate fast—especially when you’re too hurt to go back to work.
Let us put our experience to work for you. Just dial (270) 282-0110 or complete a free online consultation form.
