Fatal Accident In Elizabethtown

A couple died following a fatal car accident Sunday, August 18, 2013 in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The Kentucky State Police said the couple was riding in a maroon Buick LaSabre when the driver of the Buick was making a left turn from Lincoln Parkway to Round Top Road. Then they struck a green Chevy Blazer. The victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities have not been released. Meanwhile, the two people in the Chevy Blazer were taken to Hardin Memorial Hospital for the treatment of non-life threatening injuries. According to the police, the driver of the Chevy may have been under the influence of alcohol and speeding.

Related: Car Accidents

Statistics

• In 2011, speeding was a contributing factor in 30% of all fatal crashes and 9,944 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes. During the same year, 35% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding.
• Young males are the most likely to be speeding. In 2011, 39% of 15 to 20-year-old and 37% of 21 to 24-year-old male drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding.
• The top three U.S. states with the highest speeding-related traffic fatalities in 2011 were Texas (1,165), California (890) and Pennsylvania (615).

Alcohol and speeding are a deadly combination
Speeding is considered one of the most prevalent factors leading to traffic crashes. Statistics also reveal that alcohol is involved in speeding-related crashes. In 2011, 42% of speeding drivers had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL). Alcohol and speeding are the most common forms of negligence in a vehicle crash. In the Elizabethtown crash, the couple’s family may file a wrongful death lawsuit caused by the negligent action of the driver of the Chevy.

Kentucky law (411.130 Action for wrongful death — Personal representative to prosecute — Distribution of amount recovered) states that, “Whenever the death of a person results from an injury inflicted by the negligence or wrongful act of another, damages may be recovered for the death from the person who caused it, or whose agent or servant caused it. If the act was willful or the negligence gross, punitive damages may be recovered. The action shall be prosecuted by the personal representative of the deceased.” If you’re in an accident and feel like legal action is necessary, then please call a personal injury attorney. They will help you get the compensation you deserve for your case.

Related: Speeding And Under-Development Are A Deadly Issue for Teen Drivers

As a Kentucky Car Accident Attorney, I never like hearing about accidents. I especially don’t like hearing about accidents that killed someone and could have been prevented. If you’re going to an event that has alcohol, please remember to drink responsibly. If you don’t know your limits or have trouble not drinking, please have someone you know drive you home or call a cab. This will not only allow you to get home safely, it will also keep other drivers safe as well.