When pedestrians are struck by car, the consequences are usually serious and can be fatal. This recent story from the Courier-Journal reveals that pedestrian deaths in Jefferson County are on the rise. Although the driver of the car’s insurance will provide no-fault benefits to cover medicals and lost wages for injuries received regardless of fault, that is poor compensation when the driver of the car is at fault for causing the injury or the fatality. Liability insurance in Kentucky is required on all cars with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 accident. This might be enough insurance to cover a sore back or other minor injury but clearly not enough to cover a death or broken bone of the main bread-winner of a family. That is why it is advisable to protect you and your family from the negligence and harm caused by others by obtaining underinsured motorist benefits in case the driver has inadequate insurance or uninsured motorist benefits should the driver have no car insurance whatsoever. Uninsured and underinsured motorist benefits that you have purchased for your car will cover you even when you are not in your car should you get hit by a car while a pedestrian or even when you are a passenger in another’s car.
Here is the Courier-Journal story.
Pedestrian fatalities on rise in Louisville
The number of pedestrian fatalities in Louisville this year is on pace to be one of the highest since merger in 2003 — despite a city campaign stressing road safety.
Through Wednesday, 15 pedestrians have been killed this year, compared to 10 in all of 2009. The numbers include bicyclists and people struck while standing outside broken-down vehicles along the road.
The highest number of pedestrian deaths since merger came in 2008, when there were 27 deaths — 24 pedestrians and three bicyclists.
Police and safety officials say they’ve not identified any single reason for the increased number of deaths this year over last.
The increased number of deaths by pedestrians continues in spite of a city wide program to help prevent them.
See the following story this summer from WLKY.com: City Pushes For Safety After 3 Pedestrian Deaths, Mayor, Police Chief Share Personal Stories Of Safety Issues
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Three recent pedestrian deaths on Louisville streets are eye opening reality checks on what can happen when motorists, cyclists and pedestrians don’t follow the rules of the road.The city unveiled a new phase of an ongoing marketing campaign to reduce the deadly numbers on Friday. The city launched the Street Sense campaign last summer and the new phase unveiled Friday morning has new ads and new messages targeting unsafe behavior. City officials said the drivers are not always at fault.
