February 3, 2012

Cynthiana, Kentucky (Harrison County) Car And Truck Accident Claims Life And Causes Serious Injury

Investigating authorities say 49 year old Curtis Becker sustained fatal injuries when he lost control of his Toyota Camry in a curve on Ky. 1054, left the roadway, overcorrected and began sliding into oncoming traffic. A Dodge 3500 truck crashed into the Camry. The truck was driven by an unidentified 66 year old man. He sustained serious injuries and had to be airlifted for emergency care.

Our sympathies and condolences go out to the Becker family. The Becker family and the injured driver of the truck must be asking how and why this happened. Hopefully, a full investigation looks at all potential causes in addition to driver error. Faulty mechanics, design or manufacture flaws and defects and negligent maintenance or repair are just a few of the possibilities. Car and truck wrecks, such as these, also often involved complex questions of law regarding insurance coverage.

We use our blog as a forum to educate the public using real life events. However, we are very sensitive to the fact that these real life events have resulted in a tragedy that will inflict great pain and sorrow on those involved and those close to the victim(s). As such, we understand that they may not approve, and we will immediately remove a post if a victim or their loved ones makes that request.

January 29, 2012

Two Injured in Four Vehicle Pile-Up on KY 210

A four vehicle pile-up sent two to the hospital last Wednesday, Jan. 18th. Campbellsville Police reported that Sean Nelson had stopped his vehicle in front of the entrance to Taylor County Animal Shelter when he was rearended by Ricky Judd. Judd's vehicle was then rearended by a 2002 Ford Taurus driven by Andrea Coomer. Coomer's vehicle was then rearended by a pickup truck driven by Ethen Spencer.

Coomer and her passenger, Stephanie Thomas, 26, of Elizabethtown were transported to Taylor Regional Hospital by Campbellsville/Taylor County EMS personnel. Both were treated and released.


January 29, 2012

Clay County Wreck Kills Woman, Injuries Her Child

A wreck in Clay County today has reportedly killed one woman and injured two others.

Police have indicated that Sherri Turner, age 39, turned in front of an oncoming car at the intersection of Hwy 80 and Add Hollow Road around 6:30 p.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Ashtin Turner, age 4, was a passenger in Ms. Turner's car. The child and the driver of the second vehicle, Sophia Feltner, age 70, were flown to UK Hospital.

Officials say the child is in critical condition. Feltner was listed in serious condition.

The crash remains under investigation. Our hearts go out to all involved.

January 28, 2012

Parents Of Girl Killed While Texting And Driving On A Mission To Warn Other Teens Of Distracted Driving Dangers

The parents of Alex Brown, a Texas teenager who was killed in 2009 when she lost control of her vehicle due to texting while driving, were recently in Kentucky speaking to teenagers at high schools to warn them of the dangers. As a vivid example, they bring the pickup truck Alex was driving preserved from the day of her accident.

The government web site dedicated to the issue, www.distraction.gov, provides that drivers are 23 times more likely to crash if texting while driving and teenagers, as a group, are more likely than any other to be involved in a fatal crash when texting while driving.

The Browns have spoken to groups in 26 states so far and have engagements into next year already. The foundation they started to carry out their mission is the Remember Alex Brown Foundation.

This spring, the American Association for Justice is planning a Distracted Driving campaign in which lawyers all across the country will simultaneously visit schools to discuss this issue. It will take place over one week in April.

January 26, 2012

Clark Memorial Bridge (a.k.a. Second Street Bridge) Car, Bicycle And Pedestrian Accident Results In Serious Injury

38 year old Michael Amick of Louisville sustained serious injuries when a car stuck him after he was knocked into oncoming traffic by a cyclist. Mr. Amick was walking across the Clark Memorial Bridge a.k.a. the Second Street Bridge as is his daily custom from his home in Louisville to his job in Jeffersonville, IN and back. The cyclist was riding on the sidewalk and collided with Mr. Amick sending him into the roadway where a car could not avoid striking him. He sustained head trauma and abdominal injuries that required emergency surgery.

The accident occurred close to the Indiana side of the bridge. The Jeffersonville Police Department, which responded, stated that bicycles are not permitted to be ridden on sidewalks.

Hopefully, Mr. Amick will make a speedy and full recovery and those responsible for the harms and losses he has suffered have adequate insurance coverage to make it right.

The location of this accident gives rise to interesting questions about which state's law will apply. I previously posted about this in relation to another accident on this bridge. If you look at Google Maps with the state borders, and assuming it is accurate, there is actually shoreline in on the north shore of the Ohio River that is technically Kentucky.

Why does it matter? Well, the laws of the State of Indiana and the Commonwealth of Kentucky when it comes to a car accident case can and do vary greatly. For example, Kentucky has a no-fault system designed to provide no-fault or personal injury protection (PIP) benefits and Indiana does not. The statute of limitation for the states differs, as well.

An attorney experienced in handling car accident cases should be able to determine the correct law that applies to any given case and pursue the case in the most advantageous way possible under the law for his client. One important question to ask is in what states the attorney is licensed to practice. If he or she determines that a state's law in which he or she is not licensed to practice applies to a case, then the lawyer should disclose that to the client, and he or she should consider hiring an attorney who is licensed in the state whose law will apply.

January 22, 2012

Wreck on I-65 Near Sellersburg, Indiana Leaves One Dead

It is being reported that one person was killed Friday morning in a three vehicle accident on northbound I-65 near Sellersburg, Indiana. State police said that at approximately 8:30 a.m., a vehicle struck the rear of a tractor-trailer parked on the shoulder. Northbound lanes of I-65 near Sellersburg were closed at 9 a.m. The authorities have not released any information that would explain exactly why this wreck occurred, but with any fatal wreck an accident reconstructionist should be consulted.

We use our blog as a forum to educate the public using real life events. However, we are very sensitive to the fact that these real life events have resulted in a tragedy that will inflict great pain and sorrow on those involved and those close to the victim(s). As such, we understand that they may not approve, and we will immediately remove a post if a victim or their loved ones makes that request.

January 17, 2012

Louisville, Kentucky Car and Truck Pile Up Accident After Tornado Claims Life

The aftermath of the tornadoes that struck the Louisville are turned deadly on the Gene Snyder Freeway (I-265) when a line of vehicles slowed by overturned tractor-trailers caused by 95 mile per hour winds was slammed into by a van traveling at a high rate of speed. This set off a chain reaction that resulted in the death of a passenger in the first vehicle, a Chevy Impala, and serious injury to its driver. The Impala struck a Toyota Camry, and the Camry then struck a Hyundai SUV. The drivers of both of those vehicles were injured as well.

There are many questions here, the most obvious one being why the driver of the van could not appreciate that traffic was slowed or stopped in front of him. Of course, driver error is the first cause that jumps to everyone's mind, but there are other possible factors that must be explored. Faulty mechanics, design or manufacture flaws and defects and negligent maintenance or repair are just a few of the possibilities. Car and truck wrecks, such as these, also often involved complex questions of law regarding insurance coverage.

We use our blog as a forum to educate the public using real life events. However, we are very sensitive to the fact that these real life events have resulted in a tragedy that will inflict great pain and sorrow on those involved and those close to the victim(s). As such, we understand that they may not approve, and we will immediately remove a post if a victim or their loved ones makes that request.

January 16, 2012

Fatal Accident in Adair County Blamed on Texting

Kentucky State Police is investigating a two vehicle collision that resulted in the death of Travis Fair. The wreck occurred Friday, January 13th, in the afternoon, approximately 8 miles east of Columbia on KY 80.

KSP's investigation reveled that Travis Fair, of Columbia, was operating a 2000 Saturn when it crossed the center line and struck a 2009 Ford pickup, being operated by Daryl Flatt. Mr. Fair was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Adair County Coroner. Mr. Flatt and a passenger, Candi Flatt (both of Columbia), were transported to Westlake Regional Hospital where they were treated and released. All occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision. Preliminary indications suggest the Mr. Fair was possibly texting at the time of the collision. It is unknown at this time if alcohol was a contributing factor to the collision, however there is toxicology pending. The investigation is reportedly still ongoing.

This tragic wreck again highlights the dangers of texting while driving. It simply isn't safe to text while driving. Hopefully, drivers are becoming more aware of the tragic consequences that texting can have.

We use our blog as a forum to educate the public using real life events. However, we are very sensitive to the fact that these real life events have resulted in a tragedy that will inflict great pain and sorrow on those involved and those close to the victim(s). As such, we understand that they may not approve, and we will immediately remove a post if a victim or their loved ones makes that request.

January 15, 2012

Bullitt County Wreck Kills One and Injures Two

Authorities are reporting that one person was killed in a car accident in Bullitt County this afternoon. The wreck occurred at Old Bardstown Road and Landis Lane in Mount Washington around 3 p.m.

It is being reported that a 73-year-old man turned his car into the other car which was being driven by a 27-year-old female. The man died on the scene. The woman and her small child have been transported to University Hospital and Kosair Children's. Authorities have not yet released the name of the victim.

We use our blog as a forum to educate the public using real life events. However, we are very sensitive to the fact that these real life events have resulted in a tragedy that will inflict great pain and sorrow on those involved and those close to the victim(s). As such, we understand that they may not approve, and we will immediately remove a post if a victim or their loved ones makes that request.

January 15, 2012

A sad reminder about texting while driving and wearing seatbelts

Particularly at this time of year, with ice, snow and other winter driving hazards around, safe driving habits are all that much more important. This includes ALWAYS wearing a seatbelt and NEVER texting while driving. Sad news from Ripley County by the Courier Journal reports that a female teenager from Osgood, Kentucky, Emily M. Huntington, was killed when she was ejected from the van she was driving as it left the roadway and overturned in a field. According to another teen who was a passenger in her car, Emily was not wearing her seatbelt and was texting at the time of the accident. The facts were confirmed by Kentucky State Trooper Matt Holley, who determined that no seatbelt was worn and found Emily’s cell phone near the accident site with a partial, unsent text message.

Bahe Cook Cantley & Nefzger PLC wants everyone to have a safe winter. That starts with safe winter driving. Please drive in a way that is appropriate for road conditions (snow, ice, etc.). ALWAYS wear your seatbelt and NEVER text while driving.