Make sure you comply with your legal duties after a Kentucky car accident, such as contacting the police and exchanging information.
If you are involved in a car crash in Kentucky, it is important to understand the state’s car accident laws. You need to know your legal obligations if you get into a collision.
Keep reading to learn what Kentucky law requires of you after an accident. You can also check out Chapter 189 of Kentucky’s Motor Vehicle Code for more information.
1. Kentucky Driver Exchange of Information Law
Under Kentucky law, you must immediately stop after a car crash if it results in injury, death, or property damage. If requested, you must also provide your vehicle registration number, your name and address, and the names and addresses of any other occupants and the owner of the car.
The operator of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or resulting only in damage to a vehicle or other property shall immediately stop and ascertain the extent of the injury or damage.
The operator shall give the occupant of the vehicle, if requested, the registration number of the vehicle, if any, and also the names and addresses of the owner, the occupants, and operator. The total names need not exceed five in number.
2. Kentucky Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
After a car accident in Kentucky, the law legally requires you to provide “reasonable assistance” to anyone who is injured. This duty includes taking someone to the hospital if they ask to go or obviously need medical treatment. You can also make other arrangements for their transportation, such as calling an ambulance.
The operator of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury shall render reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or making of arrangements for the carrying, of such person to a hospital for medical treatment if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary, or if such carrying is requested by the injured person.
3. Kentucky Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
Kentucky law mandates the reporting of car crashes if the collision hurts or kills someone, or damages a vehicle to the point it is inoperable. The driver of any vehicle involved in the accident must report it to local law enforcement. However, if the driver does not (or cannot) report the accident, then the owner of the vehicle or any occupant must do so.
Additionally, if you are involved in a crash causing injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more and a police officer does not conduct an investigation, you must file a written report with the Department of Kentucky State Police within ten days of the accident.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident which results in a fatality or injury or damage to a vehicle which renders the vehicle inoperable shall immediately notify a public safety answering point, law enforcement agency, or law enforcement officer if the operator is physically capable of doing so.
In the event an operator fails to notify or is incapable of notifying law enforcement, the responsibility for reporting the accident within a reasonable amount of time shall rest with the owner of the vehicle or any occupant of the vehicle at the time of the accident, if the owner or occupant is physically capable of doing so.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death or in which total property damage of five hundred dollars or more is sustained, and in which an investigation is not conducted by a law enforcement officer, shall file a written report of the accident with the Department of Kentucky State Police within ten days.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Kentucky?
If you are involved in a Kentucky accident as a driver and do not report it as required, you can be fined between $20 to $100. However, passengers and non-driver owners who are legally obligated to report an accident are not subject to any penalties if they fail to do so.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of KRS 189.570 to 189.590, except subsection (6)(b) of KRS 189.580, shall be fined not less than twenty dollars ($20) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense.
No penalty shall be assessed for a violation of KRS 189.580(6)(b).
4. Kentucky Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
According to Kentucky law, if you are involved in a car accident that only results in damage to property, you must stop immediately and assess the damage. Once you have confirmed that no one is injured, the law requires you to move your vehicle off the roadway, unless a hazardous material is involved.
You must also provide your information upon request to anyone else involved in the accident.
The operator of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle or other property shall immediately stop and ascertain the extent of the damage.
If an accident that occurs on an interstate highway does not involve death, known or visible injury, or the transportation of hazardous material, the operator shall move the vehicle off the roadway to a place as close to the accident scene as practicable without obstructing traffic as soon as the vehicle can be moved without the risk of further injury or damage.
The operator or person having or assuming authority of the operator, or ownership of the vehicle, shall give any other person involved in the accident, if requested, the registration number of the vehicle, if any, and also the names and addresses of the owner, the occupants, and the operator of his or her vehicle, and insurance information for the vehicle.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Kentucky?
If you hit a parked car in Kentucky, you must stop as close to the accident scene as possible. You must then either locate the owner or attach a written notice in a conspicuous place on the parked car. Either way, you must provide your name, address, and registration number of your vehicle.
You can also opt to file a police report with a local law enforcement agency.
The operator of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended resulting in any damage shall immediately stop and shall either locate and notify the owner of his or her name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle or attach securely in a conspicuous place on such vehicle a written notice, or file a report with the local police.
Before you get behind the wheel, it’s crucial that you know Kentucky car accident laws and your legal obligations after a crash. By understanding the law and obeying the rules of the road, you can protect yourself from the severe penalties that can result from failing to comply with your duties.
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