How many miles do you drive a day? According to Car and Driver, the average American drives around 13,476 miles a year. That breaks down to around 39 miles a day. Most of us stick to the same routes. We use the same roads to work, school, church, and shopping. Occasionally, you might branch out for a road trip somewhere across the state’s 80,000 miles of road across the state.
No doubt, wherever you drive, you’ve probably driven by the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident in Kentucky. Among those routes, are there more accidents on highways or local roads? The TRIP, a National Transportation Research Nonprofit, published a report that found the rate of fatalities on Kentucky’s non-Interstate, rural roads was two and a half times higher than on other roads.
The Rural Roads Problems
Overall, there were 446 fatalities on rural roads in 2022. One of the reasons for the increase is the nature and condition of the roads. The further you drive from urban centers, the more likely you are to encounter narrow lanes, sharp curves, and other potential hazards. There is also the unfamiliarity factor. If you haven’t driven on those roads before, you might not know all the twists, turns, and drop-offs. That can lead to an increased risk of accidents.
The condition of the roads is also something to consider. That same TRIP report found that 20% of rural roads are in mediocre condition. Seven % of bridges are rated as poor or structurally deficient. Those kinds of problems also cause accidents.
Additional Road Hazards
Additional road hazards contribute to accidents on Kentucky roads, and those hazards aren’t equal on highways and local roads. Consider the deer. According to the crash report published by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), there were a total of 3,073 collisions with deer in 2022. There were also another 2,947 collisions with other types of animals like cows and horses. Those are not the same types of collisions that happen on I- 65.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
There is also a significant gap between the number of hit-and-run accidents on highways versus local roads. According to the KYTC report, there were 1,227 hit-and-run accidents on Kentucky interstates and another 1,720 on U.S. Routes. Compare that to the 4,558 hit-and-runs on city streets and another 432 on country roads.
A significant portion of these accidents involved property damage or injuries. In 2022, there were only 28 fatal hit-and-run accidents on all Kentucky roads.
Reporting the Collision
No matter where an accident occurs, it needs to be reported to the Kentucky State Police if the accident resulted in a death, injury, or more than $500 worth of damage. Of course, any accident that does involve an injury or death at the scene will undoubtedly have police respond to the scene. When that happens, the responding officer will generate their own official report. That report will contain the following items:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Names and contact information of the parties involved
- Statements from the involved parties
- Witness statements, if applicable
- Road conditions
- Weather
- Any other relevant details
You are entitled to get a copy of that report, and it will become an important part of any insurance claim you might want to file.
You must also speak with an experienced car accident attorney like you’ll find at McCoy & Hiestand, PLC. We know what it takes to investigate all types of car accidents regardless of where they take place. It is essential to line up all the evidence that will support your version of the accident. That is the surest way to get the compensation for the losses that you’re entitled to.
