Was your pedestrian safety put at risk due to a negligent driver? Before anything else, contact an attorney to make sure that your rights are protected. While you can follow all the pedestrian rules and do everything right, you can’t stop a driver from being negligent. At GSAS, we are dedicated personal injury attorneys experienced with pedestrian accident cases. We can help make sure that you take the right steps after your accident to avoid being taken advantage of.
How Common Is a Pedestrian Accident in Kentucky?
Kentucky is a beautiful state. From the densely wooded Appalachian Mountains to the stunning bluegrass region of the Knobs, everyone should take the time to get outside and enjoy the natural splendor set forth within Kentucky’s borders. And, fortunately for most, walking allows them to do just so. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are also all too common and often a daily walk alongside a Kentucky road can turn into something much more deadly.
In 2020, 894 pedestrians were injured in a pedestrian accident according to data supplied by the 2020 Kentucky Traffic Collision Report. Of these 896 pediatricians, 96 were killed and 177 suspected a major injury as a result of the accident. Sadly, even those who reported minor injuries were more likely to experience a drastic change in quality of life.
Luckily, while it is true that a large number of civilians are injured in a pedestrian accident every year there are some things that you can keep in mind to lower your risk of being one of them. But before we get into that, let’s briefly go over just what Kentucky pedestrian laws and traffic laws are in place to protect you.
What Kentucky Pedestrian Laws Are in Place to Protect Pedestrians?
Kentucky pedestrian laws are a specific set of laws that apply only to pedestrians within the state of Kentucky. These laws are created to help protect you and can include:
- KRS 189.570 (4) | Drivers of vehicles are required to yield to pedestrians when traffic control signals are not working, on a sidewalk, and at any marked crosswalk
- KRS 189.570 (6a-6b) | Pedestrians are to yield to drivers when crossing the street outside of a crosswalk
- KRS 189.570 (13) | When a sidewalk is not available a pedestrian can only walk on the shoulder as far away from the road as possible
- Pedestrians are not allowed to walk in the road when a sidewalk is available
- No pedestrian shall pass through a crossing gate or barrier
Many of these laws are common sense and are in place to keep you safe. In general, always remember to look both ways when crossing the street – especially crossing without a marked crosswalk. Never go behind road barriers, and if you must walk on the road – walk on the shoulder as far away from the road as possible.
What Traffic Laws Affect Pedestrian Safety?
Just as pedestrians have a set of laws in place to protect from vehicles, so do drivers to prevent injury to pedestrians. These traffic laws can include:
- KRS 189.570(7) | No vehicle should drive through or within a safety zone
- Operators of vehicles should yield to pedestrians on sidewalks
- KRS 189.575 | Vehicles should always yield to a visibly blind person
As with the pedestrian laws, remember that the traffic laws are in place to help and protect everyone. If you follow the law, the chances of sustaining an injury will diminish.
Top Pedestrian Safety Tips
So, what can you do outside of maintaining an awareness of Kentucky pedestrian and traffic laws? Quite a lot!
- If a sidewalk isn’t available, always walk facing oncoming traffic and as far away from the road as possible.
- Always cross streets at sidewalks and intersections. If there isn’t a sidewalk or intersection available, find a visible area where both you and the driver can see one another. Wait for a pause in traffic before crossing and remember to stay vigilant as you cross.
- Be aware of your surroundings! Understand that a car may surprise you by backing out of a driveway.
- Don’t go for a walk if you’ve been drinking or doing drugs. If you need to get anywhere, ask a sober friend to drive you.
- Always maintain an awareness of what is going on around you. Keep your eyes and ear open to avoid distractions.
Your risk of experiencing a pedestrian accident will go down if you follow these easy tips. So remember to stay vigilant and look out for one another. With your help, the amount of Kentucky pedestrian accidents can go down.
Injured in a Pedestrian Accident? Call Spivak & Sakellariou
If you’ve done everything right and are still the unfortunate victim of a pedestrian accident don’t hesitate to reach out to Spivak & Sakellariou. You may be entitled to financial compensation for any missed wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering you’ve experienced.
Insurance companies and adjusters are masters at negotiation. It pays for them to pay out as little as possible and they spend a lot of time and money ensuring that they are positioned to do just that.
That’s where an Accident Attorney from Spivak & Sakellariou comes in. We have your best interests at heart and are focused on getting you the results you rightly deserve. We’ve negotiated hundreds of settlements for our clients and have a proven track record of results and satisfied clients.
