Collisions Up, But Injuries Down In Louisville Auto Accidents
According to the Kentucky State Police Collision Data Base, the number of collisions for the first half of 2009 is slightly higher than the same time period last year, but the number of collisions with injuries is down slightly.
January 1, 2009 to June 1, 2009, in Jefferson County, Kentucky
Total Collisions found: 11,304
Collisions w/injury: 1,921
Collisions w/fatality: 21
Collisions w/property damage: 9,362
Total injuries: 2,835
Total fatalities: 22
January 1, 2008 to June 1, 2008, in Jefferson County, Kentucky
Total Collisions found: 11,407
Collisions w/injury: 2,094
Collisions w/fatality: 23
Collisions w/property damage: 9,290
Total injuries: 3,115
Total fatalities: 23
Bahe Cook Cantley and Jones personal injury lawyer, Larry Jones, recommends that if you are involved in a collision you should always seek medical attention, even if you do not think that you are injured. Larry reports that many times car accident victims do not think that they are injured or do not want to be seen as overacting so they delay seeking medical attention.
A few hours or even days later they can find themselves in real pain. Larry says that it is always better to be safe rather than sorry, but he understands the reluctance to seek medical attention. He says that after his mother-in-law was rear-ended while taking his kids to school, he and his wife debated about whether to take the kids in for a check-up because they appeared fine. “We did not want to be seen as over protective so we almost did not go in. However, the doctor said we definitely made the right decision. In fact, the doctor said that no matter your age, it pays to be checked out after an accident of any sort. The kids were fine and we were glad for the peace of mind that came with having had them looked over by a doctor.”
This point was driven home this past spring with the tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson. Ms. Richardson fell while taking a skiing lesson in Canada. After the fall, she did not show any immediate signs of injury and was able to talk and walk normally. She refused medical care and returned to her room. An hour or so later she complained of a severe headache and was transported to a nearby hospital. She died a few days later of a brain injury. Some doctors speculate that Richardson’s life might have been saved if she had received prompt medical attention.
So if you happen to be one of the 11,000 plus people that will likely be involved in a car accident in Jefferson County during the second half of 2009, play it safe and get checked out. It will only take an hour or so out of your day and could even save your life.
For more information about your rights as a victim of of a auto accident, please visit Bahe Cook Cantley & Jones at http://www.kentuckyinjurylaw.com/
