Richmond, Kentucky (Madison County) Accidents Result In Death And Injury
The Kentucky State Police say that a wreck on Ky. 52 near the Madison-Estill county line occurred when Roy T. Burgess of Irvine, Kentucky crossed the center line in a 1999 Ford Taurus and collided with a 1998 Volkswagen Beatle driven by Steven A. Skaggs of Jeffersonville, Kentucky. Mr. Burgess sustained fatal injuries. He was 63 years old. Mr. Skaggs and Jillian M. Willoughby, a passenger in the Taurus, were injured and taken to separate hospitals.
In an unfortunate and ironic twist, KSP Trooper Chris Chenault, who was at the scene investigating the crash, was struck by a Madison County ambulance coming to the scene to assist with the injured. Trooper Chenault was taking photographs at the time he was struck and had to be taken to a hospital for treatment.
Our sympathies and condolences go out to the friends and family of the victims of this accident. Hopefully, the injured victims will make quick and full recoveries and be able to return to their normal lives very soon.
Anytime a so-called cross-over accident like this happens, it is important to question causes other than simple driver error. While it may prove true that Mr. Burgess' driver error was the sole cause of this accident, as it appears from media reports, causes such as defective maintenance and repair, defective manufacturing of the vehicle, defective manufacturing of a tire, road conditions and other factors must be examined.
If Mr. Burgess is ultimately found at-fault, the injured parties will be able to make claims against his estate and or insurance coverage for their injuries and damages from this crash. Hopefully, the vehicle was insured with sufficient limits to satisfy the damage done in this accident.
As a side note, Trooper Chenault appears to have a claim against the operator of the vehicle that struck him for his injuries and damages in addition to a workers' compensation claim with his employer.
This consumer protection and accident victim information is provided by attorney Will Nefzger, a lawyer based in Louisville, Kentucky and a partner at Bahe Cook Cantley & Nefzger PLC. Visit a page containing biographical and other information and e-mail Will.
