Big Rigs, Bigger Problems
On Kentucky’s highways, nearly 1 in 8 traffic deaths involved a heavy truck.
Here’s what the state crash data tells us and what it means for liability, strategy, and your case.
Kentucky’s Truck-Crash Snapshot
2. Top Driver Causes
Kentucky crash investigators code up to two “driver contributing factors” per vehicle.
| Rank | Factor | % of All Truck Collisions | % of Fatal Truck Collisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inattention / Distraction | 34.9 % | 24 % |
| 2 | Misjudged Clearance & Blind-Spot Errors | 20.5 % | 8 % |
| 3 | Not Under Proper Control / Over-steer | 13.1 % | 25 % |
| 4 | Failed to Yield Right-of-Way | 9.2 % | 12 % |
| 5 | Failed to Keep Proper Lane | 8.1 % | 27 % |
| 6 | Following Too Closely | 4.3 % | — |
| 7 | Speed—Too Fast / Over Limit | 2.3 % | 19 % combined |
| 8 | Fatigue / Fell Asleep | 1.7 % | 6 % |
| 9 | Impairment (Alcohol 9 %; Drugs 12 %) | 1.8 % | 21 % |
| 10 | Load / Equipment Failures | <2 % each (tires, brakes, securement) | sporadic |
Equipment & Environmental
Tire failures led all mechanical defects (96 incidents).
Over-size/Over-weight loads showed up in 40 collisions, and twice as often in fatal wrecks.
Hazmat loads were present in 176 crashes; 39 % occurred on interstates.
Weather & slick pavement factor into ≈12 % of KY truck wrecks.
National Context
The FMCSA’s Pocket Guide placed 13.5 % of U.S. fatal crashes on those involving large trucks, almost identical to Kentucky’s 13 % share last year FMCSA.
Action Steps After a Kentucky Truck Crash
Call 911 and request a Kentucky State Police reconstruction unit: their diagram beats a local police report.
Be sure they document everything: photos, lane markings, lighting, skid distances.
Get a lawyer who litigates trucking cases—fast: demand the carrier preserve EDR, ECM, and driver-facing cam footage.
See a medical provider: don’t try to play tough. Injuries happen, and gaps in getting checked out could be used against you.
FAQs
Q: Do local drivers cause most KY truck crashes?
No. 41 % of truck drivers in Kentucky wrecks live in-state; 44 % of fatal-crash drivers are out-of-state.
Q: Does a violation of FMCSA hours-of-service rules prove liability?
No. But it is important evidence of fatigue, putting profits over safety, and leveraging a punitive-damages argument.
Q: What if roadway construction contributed?
KYTC or its contractor can share fault. We subpoena lane-closure logs, MUTCD compliance photos, and traffic-control plans.
Q: Will my settlement be taxed?
Probably not for damages other than punitives. Talk to a tax pro before you sign.
At Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, we build leverage that forces insurers to pay every dollar you’re owed.
And with our Bigger Share Guarantee®, you’ll always net more.
Call 502-888-8888 —24/7. No fee unless we win.
