US 27 in Nicholasville: Starbucks, Red Robin, and Lots of Accidents

Is US 27 in Nicholasville a busy, commercial suburban road bordering Lexington, or a scene from the next Mad Max movie? On this roughly two-mile stretch of commercial road, there have been more than 100 vehicle accidents in the past year. You shouldn’t have to risk your health and safety to get a bacon cheeseburger and bottomless fries, but here we are.

Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys represent clients severely injured in vehicle accidents throughout Kentucky. If you or a family member is injured in an accident on US 27 or any other Kentucky road, call us toll-free at 855-385-9532 to learn more.

What is US 27 in Nicholasville?

The southern end of US 27 starts in Columbus, Georgia, and the route ends in Lexington. It traverses Nicholasville’s commercial strip. This stretch is a four-lane divided highway with churches, fast food restaurants, gas stations, Hobby Lobby, apartment buildings, schools, and chain retailers. You’ll pass through signalized intersections as the road winds through the heart of Nicholasville’s retail zone.

How Bad is this Road?

There have been 125 collisions on a stretch of US 27 over just the past 12 months, including 23 accidents with injuries. That’s up from roughly 100 crashes in 2024. The area runs from the Brannon Crossing intersection (by the Red Robin) to Kohl’s Drive (roughly the location of the Starbucks), according to LEX 18.

Local police report 36 crashes in the past year at the Bannon Crossing/US 27 intersection alone, five of which caused injuries.

What Makes This Part of US 27 So Dangerous?

There are several reasons:

• There’s heavy traffic, with thousands of vehicles using it daily. It’s the main road from Nicholasville to Lexington and a major commercial artery. Vehicles are constantly turning on and off US 27 from business on the road, changing lanes, and often violating the rules of the road
• Vehicle travels at high speeds. There’s a 55 mph speed limit on US 27, as well as slower speeds and stop lights on the road. Someone going highway speeds who’s not paying attention, distracted, or impaired could crash into slower or stopped traffic ahead
• Turns are made at stop lights and intersections, creating traffic conflicts
• Local police say the single biggest cause of crashes on this part of US 27 isn’t drivers running red lights. Distracted drivers are the main culprits. Texting, talking on cell phones, and general inattention are the biggest problems, especially in heavy traffic at high speeds
• Rear-end collisions are the most common crash on this road. Too many drivers are following too closely and/or are distracted and don’t notice other vehicles slowing or stopping. At 55 mph, it takes about 150 feet in ideal driving conditions (much longer if traction is poor) to bring a vehicle to a complete stop, and too many drivers don’t leave themselves that much space. Ideally, put three to four seconds of travel time between yourself and the next vehicle

Several of these reasons, and others, may combine to cause an accident that results in injuries.

US 27 is a Jack of All Trades and Master of None

US 27 in this part of the state was supposed to safely and quickly move lots of traffic. With economic development comes jobs, but when it also brings lots of traffic, accidents, and injuries follow. Now, parts of US 27 are high-speed, mixed with slower and stopped traffic.

The US 27 Bypass runs west and north around most of Nicholasville. It was completed in 1986. It became a victim of its own success when it became a high-volume, high-conflict commercial hub of stores and restaurants. There is a half-done, perhaps permanently unfinished bypass planned going east of town.

More development is coming to the intersection of the bypass and Route 169, which is south of where the worst traffic accidents are occurring. This commercial project could include sit-down restaurants, a grocery store, and retail shops. It’s the first major development within the heart of Nicholasville in a long time, according to Mayor Alex Carter.

Putting more and more distracted, negligent drivers on the same road isn’t a recipe for traffic safety. Along with jobs and development, those in the area should expect more traffic accidents, injuries, and possibly related deaths.

What Should I Do If I’m Injured in an Accident on US 27?

If you’re hurt in a collision on U.S. 27 in Nicholasville (or anywhere else), the first thing you need to understand is not to panic. Vehicle accidents aren’t ideal, but you’ll get through this.

• If you can safely get your car out of the roadway, move it
• If you need an ambulance because you’re injured, or think you may be, call 911
• Exchange your license and insurance information with the other driver(s). Cooperate with first responders who come to the scene
• Don’t argue with others on the scene, stay calm, and say nothing that may be interpreted as an admission that you’re at fault for the crash
• Take photos and videos of the scene if you can.
• If the driver appears impaired and you see bottles of alcoholic drinks in their car, take videos
• If there are witnesses at the scene, ask for their names and contact information

No one plans to get injured in a vehicle accident. Everyone faces challenges in their lives, and you may have just added a car crash and injuries to that list. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys have helped thousands of people like you get through this, and we can help you, too.

Get the Help You Need from Attorneys You Can Trust

If you’re injured or a loved one is killed in a vehicle accident, call us at 855-385-9532 or locally at 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation with a Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorney. We can discuss what happened, how Kentucky law may apply, and what we can do for you and your family.