Deadly truck wrecks in Kentucky are becoming more frequent

The number of fatalities from truck crashes in Kentucky more than doubled in the span of 10 years, according to a recent report.

In 2012, 82 people died in wrecks involving large trucks in Kentucky. The number recorded in 2021 was 128. Like most U.S. states, Kentucky is seeing fatalities rise, which indicates that the roads are becoming more dangerous each year.

Though car drivers sometimes make mistakes and cause wrecks, this article will focus on the risks posed by drivers of commercial motor vehicles. Large trucks weigh several times more than cars and can inflict deadly damage. At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, our attorneys have spent decades studying commercial motor vehicle law and representing crash victims.

Our attention is focused on Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Kentucky. We have lawyers licensed in each of these states.

What areas of Kentucky are the most dangerous?

The 128 deaths that occurred on Kentucky roads in 2021 were spread across the state.

The top five Kentucky counties by number of deaths are:

1. Jefferson, 15 deaths

2. McCracken, 9 deaths

3. Warren, 7 deaths

4. Pike, 4 deaths

5. Boone, 3 deaths

About 35 of these deaths resulted from crashes in work zones.

Work zones are especially dangerous because they cause traffic jams, speed limit changes and excess distractions. If you’re driving and you see those orange, diamond-shaped signs, pay attention. You’ll need to slow down to the posted work-zone speed limit. Be prepared to brake, and only change lanes after you’ve alerted other drivers with your turn signal.

Two of the deadliest semi-tractor-trailer wrecks that we have been involved in were in Kentucky on I-65. One occurred near Elizabethtown and the other near Bowling Green. We represented victims in both wrecks. In one, a semi-driver fell asleep and rear-ended our client in a construction zone, and in the other, a semi crossed the median and hit our client head-on.

The bigger picture

Kentucky is one of 43 states that have seen an increase in truck wreck deaths in the last decade. Data from the Institute for Safer Trucking shows that large commercial vehicles are becoming more dangerous. Here are a few reasons:

1. Online shopping and quick delivery: Beginning several years ago but climbing steeply during the COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping has flooded our roads with trucks. Delivery deadlines are quick, sometimes on the same day, meaning drivers feel pressured to rush and cut corners.

2. Higher speed limits: Many states are raising speed limits. Faster vehicles cause more catastrophic wrecks, especially when large trucks are involved.

3. Cheap insurance policies and minimal oversight: When trucks have the lowest coverage allowed, they slide under insurance companies’ radars until it’s too late and a tragic wreck occurs.

For more in-depth information on the risks of the trucking industry in the United States, check out our recent blog post.

What to do in the case of a Kentucky truck wreck

The statistics are on the rise, with more people dying in truck wrecks each year. If you are in an accident caused by a large truck’s negligence, you should reach out to a personal injury attorney. Attorneys who have received board certification in truck accident law are your most reliable resource.

At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, we have attorneys with decades of experience handling cases involving semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, box trucks and other commercial motor vehicles. We represent our clients and ensure fair compensation from reckless trucking and insurance companies. Contact us for more information.

David W. Craig sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families, written to help people navigate a terrible situation by answering questions that come after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large truck drivers that do not follow Indiana law safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.