Pregnant Mother And Kids Hit By DUI Driver Near YUM! Center

Pedestrian collisions can happen at any time. According to the NHTSA, 4,743 people were killed in pedestrian and motor vehicle crashes in 2012. That makes 12 fatalities every day of that year. On the other hand, 76,000 were reported injured, which makes one injured person every seven minutes. However, walking is a healthy activity, but it still poses some safety risks. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings when you’re walking on sidewalks or crossing the street. Also, avoid using a cell phone or listening to music as you cross the street. Both are distracting, and you may not hear oncoming traffic.

YUM! Center pedestrian accident
A pregnant woman and her two children, ages 3 and 6, were hospitalized after being hit by an SUV on Thursday, September 18, 2014 outside the KFC Yum! Center. The accident caused the mother to go into labor early and gave birth to a 6-month-old infant. She and her kids are recovering. According to the Metro Corrections, the driver of the car ran a red light while the victims were crossing the street. Russell Mullins, 64, was arrested Thursday night and charged with driving under the influence, three counts of first-degree assault and two counts of wanton endangerment.

Related: Recent Study Shows Distractions Put Pedestrians at Risk

What to do if you are involved in a pedestrian accident
If you have been involved in an accident, keep copies of medical expenses you incurred. These documents will be beneficial to you if you file for compensation. If you are the driver and your get into an accident, make sure to call the police immediately. Also, do not leave the scene of the accident, and cooperate with officials. Driving away from the accident scene is only going to make matters worse for you.

I understand that this situation may leave you shocked, so try to stay calm. Pull over so that traffic may keep moving, and stay close to the scene of the accident. Call 9-1-1 for immediate medical assistance and notify your insurance company of the accident.

As a Kentucky Pedestrian Accident Attorney, I want to emphasize how important it is to be aware of your surroundings. Listening to music or talking on the phone is a great way to pass time, but it distracts us from what is going on around us. We also need to look out for traffic when we cross the street, even when we have a walk sign saying we can go. You never know when a driver may be drunk or when a car makes a right turn and hits you. So, to help avoid that, we need to always keep an eye on our surroundings and pay attention to the road.