3 Die in Head-on Collision in Glasgow, Kentucky
On January 13, 2023, at approximately 12:30 pm, an auto accident occurred when 74-year-old Robert E. Purcell, from Louisville, crossed the centerline on Happy Valley Road in Glasgow, Kentucky and struck a pick-up truck occupied by Matthew Webb and Matthew Shrock. Webb and Purcell died at the scene and Shrock died while being transported to a Nashville Hospital. Another head-on collision results in death due to the combined speed of the vehicles traveling in opposite directs. There was no explanation for why Purcell crossed the center line.
How to Prevent Head-On Collisions- Watch for the Drifter!
Due to efficiency and costs, our roads are constructed with lanes travelling in opposite directions and right next to each other. If safety was our primary concern in the construction of our roadways, there would be dividers between the lanes like we find on many interstates or all roads with speed limits above 35mph would be one-way. I am not sure of the precise distance between the right side of the roadway on a state highway and the wrong side, but it looks to me to be about one foot. It does not take much veering of an automobile to travel 1 foot.
Beyond the normal considerations of keeping a lookout ahead and avoiding distractions as we drive, I think it is important for all drivers on two-lane roadways where the speed limit is above 35mph, to pay particular attention to approaching vehicles and how close they are to the centerline. Normally, when a vehicle crosses a centerline on a roadway they do not do so suddenly. If we are watching closely to see where the approaching car may be leaning, we can detect when they are starting to drift into our lane and use our horn to correct the situation and/or begin to travel on the outer portion of the lane to avoid them. You may response to my suggestions by saying that the other vehicle just needs to stay in their lane and everything will be fine. If that is your thought, you forget that the object is to stay alive and avoid accidents instead of just not being at fault in the accident.
Insurance Behind the Auto Accident Determines the Limit on Your Personal Injury Claim
During my 36 plus years of representing victims, I have had a number of them be surprised that their claim is limited by the insurance available to them. The accident in Glasgow is likely to be a good example of this fact. Two individuals lost their lives in this accident and have claims that are worth at least $500,000.00 and it is very unlikely that the at-fault driver will have sufficient insurance to satisfy these claims. I have handled death claims where the available insurance was the statutory minimum of $25,000.00 and I am sure there are death claims where there is no insurance. You can always sue the at-fault driver and obtain a judgment against them, but they can avoid it by filing bankruptcy or by the fact they have no assets to claim against.
Contact Kentucky Auto Accident Attorney!
The circumstances involved in the deadly accident described above will require the services of an experienced Kentucky auto accident attorney to investigate and locate all available evidence to determine liability and to maximize all insurance benefits available to the victim in this auto accident. Matthew Troutman, Louisville auto accident lawyer, of the Troutman Law Office has been handling auto accident claims, almost exclusively, since 1986 and has the experience and talent to obtain the best result for the victims in the above car accident. It is very likely that the at fault driver will not have enough insurance to fully compensate the victim’s estate, and, therefore, it will be important for there to be underinsured motorist benefits available to the victims.
If you need legal assistance due to a motor vehicle accident, contact Kentucky auto accident attorney Matthew Troutman directly at 859-696-0001 or 502-648-9507 and he will meet with you in the hospital, your home or wherever is convenient for you. He will give you direct access through his cell phone and guide you through the difficult process necessary to obtain the best result possible for you in your car accident claim. To learn more about Kentucky car accident attorney Matthew Troutman and the Troutman Law Office, click here.