Are you searching for a proven lawyer to handle a personal injury claim for a pedestrian injury in Shepherdsville or Louisville? As we approach the 4th of July and the middle of the summer, the people of Shepherdsville, Mount Washington, Shelbyville, Taylorsville, Radcliff, Elizabethtown, Jeffersontown, or Louisville, Kentucky, are outside and active. Pedestrian traffic has increased in town and throughout our park system and public spaces.
Many local children and residents of all ages opt for alternative means of exercise and transportation this time of year. Our streets and sidewalks must be shared with walkers, joggers, skateboarders, as well as bicyclists and electric scooter riders. All drivers should exercise an extra measure of caution when approaching an intersection, the entry to a public park or shopping center, as well as in and around parking lots and shopping areas.
It might surprise you to learn how many people suffer a pedestrian injury in Shepherdsville or Louisville each year, and where these accidents typically occur. A recent NHTSA study shows 12.5% of annual traffic-related fatalities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky were pedestrians. Most fatal accidents occur at or after sunset (78%) and in urban areas (85%). However, it might surprise you to learn that 75% of those fatal accidents did not occur at an intersection. Therefore, it is prudent to be aware of your surroundings at all times, but especially toward the end of the day and at night.
In that same study, 26.1% of traffic-related fatalities in the Louisville area involved pedestrians. The most important takeaways for drivers throughout our area include an awareness that pedestrians are everywhere, not just in crosswalks or at intersections. Your odds of injuring a pedestrian or being involved in a fatal pedestrian accident in Kentucky are 3 times higher from sunset to sunrise. It is prudent to exercise caution in all areas where children may be present, including our neighborhoods and parks.
Pedestrians should ensure they walk in designated areas, facing traffic whenever possible. Never assume a driver sees you or is aware of your presence. If crossing a street after dark, look for a well-lit area and a substantial break in traffic.
Distractions, including the use of cell phones, pose a hazard to both drivers and pedestrians. A pedestrian injury in Shepherdsville or Louisville is more common than you might have realized. It is our collective responsibility to be more vigilant this time of year, especially in areas such as parking lots, parks, and urban streets. Alcohol or drug impairment will only increase the odds of a poor outcome.
Summertime is quite beautiful here in the Greater Louisville area. It is also a time when the risks of injury in a car accident, on a motorcycle, or as a pedestrian are significantly increased. Awareness and attention are the keys to reducing your odds of an injury accident, as well as to a safe and enjoyable summer.
Have you been injured in a pedestrian accident here in the Louisville area? We invite you to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490 to get the important advice and counsel required to protect your personal injury claim and achieve full and fair compensation for having to endure and recover from your injuries. John Schmidt is a personal injury lawyer who has served the people of Shepherdsville, Mount Washington, Shelbyville, Taylorsville, Radcliff, Elizabethtown, Jeffersontown, or Louisville, Kentucky, for more than 25 years.
