When you’re walking in Brandenburg, Kentucky, you have the right to feel safe. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents can happen in an instant, and when they do, the consequences can be devastating. Whether you’re crossing the street in downtown Brandenburg, walking through a parking lot, or simply enjoying a stroll in your neighborhood, a moment of driver negligence can change your life forever.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident in Brandenburg and are facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and pain, you’re not alone, and you’ve found the right law firm to help you.
The Fleck Firm, PLLC has been providing caring and compassionate legal advice and skilled representation to pedestrian accident victims throughout central Kentucky. As a U.S. Army veteran who served in the JAG Corps, attorney Tyler Fleck understands what it means to fight for those who need protection. Our firm is dedicated to holding negligent drivers accountable and securing the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been struck by a vehicle while walking in Brandenburg, you need to speak with a qualified Brandenburg personal injury attorney who can provide legal advice you can trust. The Fleck Firm has been fighting for injured Kentuckians, and we’re confident we can assist you after a pedestrian accident.
What Type of Injuries Can Happen in a Pedestrian Accident in Brandenburg?
Pedestrian accidents are among the most dangerous types of traffic incidents because pedestrians have absolutely no protection against the force of a vehicle. While drivers and passengers have seatbelts, airbags, and the metal frame of a car to protect them, pedestrians are completely vulnerable when struck by a car, truck, or SUV.
The injuries from pedestrian accidents are often severe and life-changing. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a pedestrian is killed every two hours in motor vehicle crashes across the United States. Kentucky has seen its share of these tragic incidents, with Brandenburg being no exception.
When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, the injuries can range from painful to catastrophic. There are a variety of pedestrian accident injuries possible, such as:
- Cuts, bruises, bumps, and severe road rash
- Burns from contact with hot vehicle parts or road surfaces
- Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash, torn muscles, strains, and ligament damage (sprains)
- Broken bones and fractures (both simple and compound fractures)
- Injuries to the head, shoulders, and neck
- Spinal cord injuries that can result in partial or complete paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that may cause long-term cognitive impairment
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Pelvic fractures and hip injuries
- Knee and leg injuries
- Amputation of limbs
- Permanent disability
- And tragically, even death
When you’ve been in a pedestrian accident, it’s critical to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you feel okay initially, some injuries, particularly internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Only a qualified medical professional can properly assess the full extent of your injuries.
We know you’re in enough pain, not just from your injuries but also from the financial hardships that come from being unable to work or live your life to the fullest after a pedestrian accident. The Fleck Firm will work to hold those responsible for your injuries accountable for their actions. We will fight for the maximum compensation possible for our clients.
If we choose to take your case, you will not pay anything up front. The Fleck Firm works on contingency fees, which means you pay NOTHING unless we win your case and recover money for you.
What Should You Do After You’ve Been in a Pedestrian Accident in Brandenburg?
The moments after a pedestrian accident can be chaotic and frightening. You may be in shock, in pain, or disoriented. However, the actions you take immediately following the accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation later.
After a pedestrian accident, if you or anyone else requires immediate medical assistance, call 9-1-1 right away to get emergency first responders to the scene. Your first and most important priority should be to seek medical attention if you’ve been injured. You may not be able to tell the full extent of your injuries on your own, and some serious injuries may not be immediately apparent. You need an examination by a qualified medical professional as soon as possible.
If you are seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, you may need to be transported by ambulance to a local hospital such as Hardin Memorial Health in nearby Elizabethtown, or another emergency facility. However, if your injuries are not immediately life-threatening and you are physically able, there are several important steps you should take:
First, contact the police so they can come to the accident scene and create an official accident report. This police report will be crucial evidence for your injury claim. While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, if you’re able, look around for any potential witnesses to the accident and get their names and contact information. Witness statements can be invaluable in establishing what happened and proving the driver’s fault.
Then, if you’re physically capable, use your cell phone camera to take photos and videos of the accident scene. Document everything you can: the position of the vehicles, the crosswalk or area where you were struck, any skid marks on the road, traffic signals, weather conditions, your visible injuries, damage to the vehicle that hit you, and any other relevant details. This documentation is important because once the scene is cleaned up and traffic begins flowing again, much of the valuable evidence of the accident will be gone forever.
At this point in the process, it’s a wise decision to speak with an experienced Brandenburg pedestrian accident attorney who can review your case, advise you on your legal rights, and recommend the next steps for getting you the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible.
After you’ve dealt with the police and visited a medical professional for injury assessment and treatment, you’ll need to contact the driver’s insurance company. Having a pedestrian accident attorney to advise and assist you with the insurance process is strongly recommended, so you have someone on your side who knows what kinds of tactics the insurers might try to use against you.
Keep in mind: while you may be required to report the accident to the insurance company, be very careful what you say to any insurance representatives. Their goal is often to pay out as little as possible, so they may try to get statements from you with the intention of denying your claim. They may also try to get you to admit certain things that could potentially be used against you or minimize the value of your case.
How Do You Establish Who is at Fault in a Pedestrian Accident in Brandenburg?
Determining fault in a pedestrian accident is critical to recovering the compensation you deserve. In Kentucky, pedestrian accident cases are generally governed by traditional fault-based liability rather than no-fault insurance, which means the at-fault driver can be held responsible for your injuries and losses.
Under Kentucky law, drivers have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians. This duty exists whether the pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk, an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, or even in other areas where pedestrians may be present. According to Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 189, which governs vehicle operation and pedestrian rights, drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian.
However, fault isn’t always straightforward. Kentucky follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule under KRS § 411.182, which means that even if you bear some responsibility for the accident, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were crossing the street in Brandenburg at a location where there was no crosswalk and the driver was speeding, fault might be shared. Perhaps the driver is found 80% at fault for speeding and failing to keep a proper lookout, while you are found 20% at fault for not using a crosswalk. In this scenario, if your total damages are $100,000, you would be eligible to receive $80,000 (reduced by your 20% share of fault).
Common causes of pedestrian accidents where the driver is typically at fault include:
- Failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Distracted driving (texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting the radio)
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Making illegal turns
- Failing to check blind spots when backing up
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Driving in poor weather conditions without appropriate caution
That’s why it’s so important to have elements like a police report, eyewitness statements, and as many photographs and videos as you can gather. They will help tell the truth about what happened and demonstrate to the insurance companies and the at-fault driver what their level of responsibility is.
The Fleck Firm will conduct a thorough investigation of your pedestrian accident to gather all available evidence, interview witnesses, consult with accident reconstruction experts if necessary, and build the strongest possible case to prove the driver’s negligence and maximize your compensation.
Is a Lawyer Really Necessary for Your Pedestrian Accident Case in Brandenburg?
In Kentucky, no one is required to have an attorney to handle their pedestrian accident case. You have the legal right to negotiate with insurance companies and represent yourself. However, here’s the crucial truth that insurance companies don’t want you to know: they DON’T want you to have an attorney. It’s much better for them if you try to handle your case alone.
Why? Because insurance companies know that the average person doesn’t understand the complex laws surrounding pedestrian accidents, doesn’t know how to properly value their claim, and doesn’t have the experience or resources to fight back when the insurance company uses tactics to deny or minimize their claim.
Insurance companies are businesses, and their primary goal is to protect their bottom line, not to fairly compensate you for your injuries. They will use every tactic possible to avoid paying you what you truly deserve.
Multiple studies have consistently shown that injury victims who hire an attorney not only have a much higher likelihood of receiving compensation, but they also typically receive settlements that are several times higher than those who try to negotiate on their own, even after attorney fees are deducted.
Pedestrian accident attorneys like The Fleck Firm are skilled negotiators who always push for the maximum compensation possible. We know how insurance companies operate, what tactics they use, and how to counter their strategies effectively.
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Contact us today for a free consultation to see how we can put our years of experience to work for you.
Here’s what an experienced pedestrian accident attorney can do for you that you cannot do yourself:
- Accurately calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical expenses and long-term impacts
- Gather and preserve critical evidence before it disappears
- Obtain and analyze police reports, medical records, and witness statements
- Consult with medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and economists to strengthen your case
- Handle all communication with insurance companies so you don’t say anything that could harm your case
- Use the power of the law to compel evidence, make demands, and request documents that insurance companies might otherwise hide
- Navigate complex Kentucky pedestrian accident laws and statutes of limitations
- Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement
- Take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation
That’s why retaining a pedestrian accident attorney like The Fleck Firm is a smart choice. Attorney Tyler Fleck has experience negotiating with insurance companies on behalf of injured clients, so he knows what strategies they are likely to try to use against you. The Fleck Firm can use the power of the law to bring forth and compel evidence, make demands, and ensure your claim remains transparent so the insurance company can’t hide anything or take advantage of you.
The Fleck Firm Can Help with Your Brandenburg Pedestrian Accident Case
Don’t spend your time after a pedestrian accident struggling alone to put your life back together and get the compensation you need. You deserve someone in your corner who will fight to get you everything you need to recover and get back to living the life you had before the accident.
At The Fleck Firm, we fight for our clients’ rights and work tirelessly to recover the compensation they deserve after suffering injuries from a driver’s negligence. Attorney Tyler Fleck is a U.S. Army veteran who served as an Attorney and Officer in the JAG Corps before dedicating his career to helping injured Kentuckians. Our team is professional, experienced, and ready to take on the insurance company or take your case to court if necessary. We’ll build a strong case so you can focus on your recovery and rebuilding your life.
Were you just injured in a Brandenburg pedestrian accident? Don’t wait, our dedicated pedestrian accident attorney can start fighting for your compensation TODAY. We offer free consultations by phone or in person at our convenient Elizabethtown office, which serves Brandenburg and all of Meade County.
If you can’t come to our office, attorney Tyler Fleck can come to you, even if you’re in the hospital or confined to your home due to your injuries. Our legal team will advise you, answer all your questions, and be there by your side throughout the entire legal process.
The Fleck Firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay absolutely nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs, no hidden fees, and no financial risk to you. We only get paid when you get paid.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a pedestrian accident in Brandenburg, Kentucky, don’t waste another minute: Call or text us for a FREE, no-obligation case review, or fill out the contact form on this page to get started.