Drunk driving remains a major concern on Kentucky’s roads, with impaired drivers causing a significant share of serious accidents, injuries, and deaths each year. Despite ongoing prevention campaigns and strict DUI laws, alcohol-related crashes still put countless families at risk. Taking a closer look at the numbers behind these incidents helps highlight how widespread the problem is.
This understanding is critical, not just for strengthening prevention and education efforts, but also for informing legal actions after a crash occurs. Below are some statistics that Louisville car accident lawyers suggest are important to be aware of:
- In 2023, Kentucky recorded 814 total traffic deaths from 767 fatal crashes, with DUI drivers responsible for 177 of those deaths. This means over one out of five roadway fatalities last year involved alcohol impairment.
- Prior to 2024, the percentage of Kentucky traffic deaths caused by drunk drivers consistently stayed below 18% each year since 2016.
- Over the past five Christmas and New Year holiday periods combined, Kentucky saw 452 crashes linked to impaired driving, causing 179 people to be injured and claiming 11 lives statewide.
- The year 2024 saw a significant safety improvement, with the state’s highway fatality count dropping to 707 – the fewest killed on Kentucky roads in at least a decade.
- Nearly 19% of these 2024 highway deaths were still alcohol-related, showing that drunk driving continues to be a persistent issue.
These figures show that while overall fatalities are decreasing in Kentucky, alcohol-impaired driving continues to play a major role in tragic, preventable loss of life on the state’s roads.
Legal Recourse For Those Injured By a Drunk Driver
If you’re hurt in a car crash caused by a drunk driver in Kentucky, the law gives you a few ways to seek compensation.
Insurance Claim
Your first step usually involves filing an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s car insurance company. This claim can help pay for your medical costs, vehicle repairs, and sometimes pain and suffering, but insurance policies have limits and may not fully cover all your losses.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
If the insurance payout is not enough or if the driver is uninsured, you have the right to representation from a Louisville personal injury lawyer to help file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. Through a lawsuit, you can demand compensation for both immediate expenses and long-term harm, such as ongoing therapy, lost earning capacity, and emotional distress.
In especially serious drunk driving cases, you may even be eligible to pursue punitive damages.
A plaintiff shall recover punitive damages only upon proving, by clear and convincing evidence, that the defendant from whom such damages are sought acted toward the plaintiff with oppression, fraud or malice.
The goal of a personal injury lawsuit is to hold the wrongdoer accountable and discourage such reckless behavior in the future.
How a Lawyer Can Help If You’re Injured by a Drunk Driver
Getting help from a drunk driving accident lawyer in Louisville after being injured by a driver under the influence of alcohol can make a difference in how your case unfolds and how much support you receive. Here’s what they can do for you:
- An attorney will gather police reports, medical records, and eyewitness accounts to build a strong claim on your behalf.
- They know how to deal directly with insurance companies, pushing back against low offers or unfair claim denials.
- Your lawyer can calculate and justify all your losses, from hospital bills and missed paychecks to long-term pain or emotional trauma.
- If needed, they can file a lawsuit and handle each part of the legal process, aiming for justice either through settlement or in court.
With the right legal guidance, your stress is reduced and your chances of securing full compensation are much higher. If you have any questions about a possible claim, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.