The Five Most Common Factors in Kentucky Vehicle Accidents

There are five factors contributing to most Kentucky vehicle accidents, according to state police statistics. They list 26 factors in their annual report on traffic accidents for 2023. These top five cause a substantial number of accidents that injure and kill people on Kentucky’s roads.

If you or a loved one is severely injured in a traffic accident, Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys can be your boots on the ground. Talk to a skilled personal injury lawyer about how an insurance claim or legal action might work for you. Call our office in Louisville toll-free at 855-385-9532 or complete our contact form to get started.

Kentucky’s Top Five Factors Leading to Vehicle Accidents

The 2023 report states these were the top five factors in causing vehicle collisions in the state:

  1. Driver inattention 36.5%
  2. Not under proper control 12.42%
  3. Failed to yield 11.74%
  4. Misjudge clearance 9.17%
  5. Following too close 6.06%

In 2023, there were 139,022 reported vehicle accidents, according to the Kentucky State Police.

1. Driver Inattention

    This happens when the driver isn’t fully focused on driving and what’s going on around the vehicle. This could be caused by distractions, fatigue, intoxication, impairment, a medical emergency, or the person could be asleep.

    This situation is more dangerous as the vehicle’s speed increases. As that happens, the driver has less time to recover, and the force of the car when it strikes something or someone increases, boosting the chances of severe or fatal injuries happening as a result.

    2. Not Under Proper Control

    Not maintaining proper control of a vehicle means the driver failed to safely and effectively operate the vehicle. Common signs of this include the following:

    • Swerving or drifting between lanes
    • Overcorrecting (jerky or exaggerated steering)
    • Losing traction on curves or slippery roads
    • Failing to slow down for traffic or hazards
    • Braking too hard or too late
    • Inability to keep a steady speed
    • Releasing the steering wheel

    The causes can be very similar to driver inattention, including distraction, drowsiness, and impairment. The driver may not realize they’re not under control. But a driver may intentionally drive dangerously, or there may be something wrong with the vehicle, preventing them from controlling it.

    3. Failed to Yield

    When there are conflicts or potential conflicts between multiple vehicles, the “rules of the road” spell out who has priority and who should wait their turn. There are many examples, including the following:

    • Someone taking a left turn must wait for oncoming traffic to clear first
    • A person merging onto a highway must wait for space to open up to move into the travel lane
    • There is a stop or yield sign at an intersection
    • A driver should get out of the way of emergency vehicles responding to a call

    Failing to yield may do more than aggravate another driver. It could cause an accident.

    4. Misjudge Clearance

    Understanding the distance between your vehicle and another vehicle, an obstacle, or a pedestrian is critical to safe driving. You must also know whether this distance is remaining the same, growing, or shrinking as your vehicle and others move. Only when it’s safe should you maneuver your vehicle to where you want it to be.

    To understand the distance, you must also be aware of it. Unthinkingly turning or moving into another lane is another way to cause a crash.

    5. Following Too Close

    You must maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. That means controlling and changing your speed to maintain this gap. If you’re too close and the other vehicle suddenly slows or stops, you risk rear-ending it. If you slam on your brakes to avoid a collision, you may lose control of your car, especially if the roadway is covered in water, ice, or snow.

    If the vehicle in front of you is going below the speed limit, you should only pass it when and where it’s safe to do so, or you risk a head-on collision with oncoming traffic.

    How These Factors Play Into Your Compensation Claim

    If you’re injured in a vehicle crash caused by another driver committing one of these errors, and that can be proven, it strengthens your case because it’ll be easier to establish the other party is liable (is legally responsible to pay your compensation). If your mistakes also contributed to the crash, your recovery can be reduced by your share of the fault due to the state’s comparative negligence laws.

    Speak To a Kentucky Vehicle Accident Attorney Today

    If you are injured or a loved one is killed in a Kentucky car or truck accident, Satterley & Kelley, PLLC can help you get the compensation you deserve. Put boots on the ground with our help.

    To discuss your situation and how Satterley & Kelley, PLLC can help, call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation.

    At the Intersection of Driver Negligence and Serious Injuries

    Accidents are common at intersections because that’s where vehicles conflict. Famed criminal Willie Sutton was asked why he robbed banks. He replied that’s where the money was. Why are there so many accidents at intersections? Because that’s where vehicles are. You can get into a vehicle accident by yourself with no one around, but the chances are much higher it’ll happen where other cars and trucks are.

    If someone else’s negligence causes injuries to you or a loved one in a car accident, Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys can help you take legal action. Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your situation by calling our Louisville office at 855-385-9532.

    Accidents at Kentucky Intersections Constantly Happen

    They range from minor fender benders to crashes causing multiple deaths. Just a few recent ones include the following:

    • Two people riding a motorcycle were killed after a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Berea Road and Center Drive in Richmond on August 14, reports WKYT
    • A 59-year-old man was killed in a vehicle accident on June 30 at an intersection where fatal accidents are common, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, reports Fox 56. A Chevrolet car passed another vehicle on Highway 90 before colliding with an eastbound Toyota pickup truck with two adults and two children inside. The 59-year-old Chevrolet driver died at the scene. The four Toyota occupants were taken to hospitals, two of them by helicopters
    • An April accident in Walton at the intersection of US 42 and Beaver Road left two women dead and another critically injured, according to WCPO. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office stated a Chevrolet heading eastbound on Beaver Road stopped at the intersection. It was taking a left turn when it was struck by a dump truck going north on US 42. The truck then hit several parked cars before coming to a stop inside a restaurant. Two Chevrolet passengers were killed, and the driver was taken to a hospital. The Sheriff’s Office later reported there had been 24 accidents at that intersection in the last five years. Fourteen of them resulted in injuries, and two caused fatalities

    The Federal Highway Administration states that 12,036 of the 42,514 traffic fatalities that occurred in 2022 involved intersections.

    Why are Intersections So Dangerous?

    Each accident is unique, but intersection characteristics could make specific causes more likely.

    • Drivers leaving a nearby highway may be more likely to speed
    • A poorly designed intersection may have poor sight lines, so it may be difficult for a driver to see oncoming traffic
    • Drunk drivers may be more likely to be at an intersection near restaurants or bars that serve alcohol

    Drivers’ negligence can be on full display at a busy intersection, including the following:

    • Drivers may cut off oncoming traffic when taking left turns, or not stop for pedestrians or vehicles with the right of way
    • Impatient or distracted drivers may not check cross traffic or blind spots before proceeding
    • Stop signs and red lights could be ignored intentionally or by mistake
    • Drivers can underestimate how fast oncoming traffic approaches or overestimate a gap in traffic
    • Distractions take the driver’s focus from the intersection and other traffic, making an accident more likely. The driver may be focused on a smartphone, a GPS, or having a conversation with a passenger. It can only take a second of distraction at an intersection to cause an accident while cars are stopping, accelerating, or turning in different directions
    • Aggressive, intoxicated, or impaired driving can result in drivers accelerating into an intersection before a light turns red, or they may ignore the fact that the stop light turned red before driving through it. A driver tailgating a vehicle may rear-end it if it suddenly stops due to other traffic, a stop sign, or a light

    The problem may not just be the other driver. Negligent intersection design or maintenance can cause accidents, including the following:

    • The layout may be confusing, the signage could be incomplete, and the markings faded and difficult to see
    • It may be difficult to stop at an intersection that doesn’t properly drain accumulated water
    • A lack of dedicated turn lanes can make navigation less safe
    • Stop signs instead of traffic signals at busy intersections increase accident risk
    • Lighting may be poor, which, when combined with bad weather, can reduce visibility and make accidents more likely

    Local officials can not only be negligent by creating a dangerous intersection, but they can also be at fault because they fail to make improvements after problems become apparent.

    Speak To a Satterley & Kelley, PLLC Vehicle Accident Injury Lawyer Today

    If you’re injured in an accident at an intersection, Satterley & Kelley PLLC lawyers can protect your rights to compensation for your losses and injuries. Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation.

    How Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma? (update)

    If you’ve heard of mesothelioma, you’ve probably heard of asbestos. Asbestos exposure is the main confirmed cause of mesothelioma, accounting for over 80 percent of all cases. However, the exact way that a carcinogen like asbestos causes cancers like mesothelioma (and similar medical conditions) is not as commonly understood.  

    What is Asbestos?

    Asbestos is a mineral fiber that naturally occurs in rocks and soil. It is very strong and resistant to heat and corrosion. For this reason, asbestos was widely used in a range of industries, often serving as insulation or protection from friction, heat, or fire damage. It was also used in many products, including those used in residential construction (such as insulation, floor tiles, shingles, textured paint, pipes, electrical wiring, and boilers), and those used in car manufacturing (including heat-resistant fabrics, clutches, and breaks).

    In the second half of the 20th century, it became increasingly clear that asbestos causes significant health problems. In the early 1970s it was officially declared to be a carcinogen and was mostly banned from use in the United States in 1978—though some manufacturers and industries continued to use it regardless, well into the 1980s and 1990s.

    Who is at Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

    People have been exposed to asbestos in several major ways, but the main form of heavy asbestos exposure was traditionally occupational (meaning that it occurred at work). Many industries used asbestos throughout the 20th century, and workers in those industries may be at risk of developing mesothelioma. These include, but are not limited to:

    • Shipbuilding
    • Military (especially the U.S. Navy)
    • Construction/Demolition
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
    • Chemical plants
    • Power plants
    • Steel mills
    • Automotive industries (including mechanics)
    • Industrial or residential repair (including HVAC technicians, electricians, plumbers, engine repairmen, and machinists)

    Asbestos exposure can also occur “second-hand” when someone who was brings asbestos fibers home with them on their bodies or clothing. It may also occur environmentally, if a person is exposed to asbestos fibers where they live or work despite not being involved in an asbestos-related field. Additionally, people can be exposed through a product that contains asbestos, including insulation, tiling, flooring, boilers, and other parts of many American homes built before 1978, as well as certain car parts, protective clothing, and other items. This risk is particularly relevant for those attempting DIY home repair; if a home contains asbestos, these repairs could disturb the fibers and cause severe health risks if not handled by a professional.  

    Overall, with strict regulation, asbestos exposure occurs much less frequently than it once did. However, exposure to asbestos was widespread for many years, and many people may therefore be at risk for mesothelioma. It is important to remember that while risk of mesothelioma rises significantly with the length of exposure (becoming especially high among those who are repeatedly exposed for a prolonged period of time), there is no safe amount of exposure to asbestos. According to NORD and other research, it is possible to develop mesothelioma after only one asbestos exposure—though most people diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed repeatedly at work over the course of years.

    How Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?

    Asbestos is made up of many tiny fibers. When the material is disturbed or handled, these microscopic fibers are sent up into the air. Those exposed to asbestos may either inhale or swallow the airborne fibers.

    Once asbestos fibers are inside the body, they may become lodged in the mesothelium, a thin protective tissue lining that covers several major internal organs. Asbestos fibers that are inhaled tend to lodge in the pleura (the lining between the lung cavity and the chest wall), while those that are swallowed and ingested tend to lodge in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). In extremely rare cases, asbestos fibers can travel through the blood stream and lodge in the pericardium, the lining around the heart, or the tunica vaginalis, which protects the testicles.

    Sharp asbestos fibers can pierce the mesothelial membrane and become embedded in the tissue. The mesothelial cells react to the asbestos fibers by becoming inflamed, in an attempt to remove the foreign body. However, the fibers often remain lodged in the tissue, since they are too durable and small for the body to remove. As a result, the mesothelial cells keep getting inflamed again and again, and scar tissue starts to form. Over time, this chronic inflammation harms the mesothelial cells. It can cause damage by interfering with cell division, and by physically altering the DNA code that tells the cell how to function which can lead to so much cellular damage that formerly healthy cells mutate and begin increasing uncontrollably, forming tumors. The result of this process is  mesothelioma, a cancer that causes malignant tumors to grow on the mesothelium, and to potentially spread (or metastasize) to other parts of the body.

    The location of the lodged asbestos fibers and damaged tissue generally determines what sort of mesothelioma a person develops. Mesothelioma that forms around the lungs is referred to as pleural mesothelioma, and mesothelioma that forms in the lining of the abdomen is called peritoneal mesothelioma. The two much rarer types of mesothelioma affect the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) and the lining of the testicles (testicular mesothelioma).

    Normally, this process of chronic inflammation, cell damage, and scarring takes many years, and mesothelioma patients are generally diagnosed with mesothelioma decades after their asbestos exposure. This is referred to as mesothelioma’s “latency period.” Each patient’s case is different, but on average, mesothelioma has a latency period of around 20-60 years, with a mean of 40 years between asbestos exposure and diagnosis. Generally, the longer and more intense a person’s exposure to asbestos, the shorter their latency period will be. Pleural mesothelioma also tends to have a longer latency period (30-60 years on average) than peritoneal mesothelioma (20-40 years on average).

    Unfortunately, mesothelioma tends to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. There are many reasons for this, including the long latency period, late onset of symptoms, and the fact that the earliest symptoms (most commonly shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue) are often misdiagnosed as other conditions. Mesothelioma is relatively rare, and patients often don’t think to report asbestos exposure in the distant past, leading to further misdiagnosis.

    Why You Should Hire Satterley & Kelley, PLLC for Your Mesothelioma Case

    If you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for what you’ve endured. This includes physical and mental pain and suffering, financial costs, medical bills, and how the disease impacts your relationships.

    You need a law firm with experience representing victims taking legal action against the asbestos industry. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys have helped asbestos victims for more than 20 years.

    We have relationships with the best experts in the world to help us prove that asbestos caused your injury and the physical, emotional, psychological, and financial harm you suffered.

    Call Us Today for a Free Consultation

    After a mesothelioma diagnosis, there’s no time to waste because there’s a lot of work behind an asbestos claim or lawsuit. Satterley & Kelley PLLC attorneys are your boots on the ground if you or someone you love in Kentucky suffers from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.

    Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation with a Satterley & Kelley PLLC lawyer.

    Asbestos Exposure at Ghent Powerhouse: What You Need to Know

    The Ghent power station, located in Carrollton, Kentucky, has been a key provider of electricity for homes and businesses. However, beneath its vital role in the community lies a lesser-known danger. Like many of Kentucky’s older industrial sites, its past is linked to asbestos use which has contributed to serious health problems former workers, including mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer associated caused by asbestos exposure.

    If you or a loved one has an asbestos-caused disease like mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation from those responsible for your situation. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC helps clients obtain the compensation they deserve. Call us today at 855-385-9532.

    What is a Powerhouse?

    It’s a complex of buildings where all the equipment needed for producing and providing electricity is located.

    What is Asbestos?

    Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber present in soil and rocks. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause lung diseases and other health conditions, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and colon cancer. The fibers are tiny, light, and strong. When they become airborne, they can be easily inhaled or swallowed by anyone in the area.

    Why is Asbestos Dangerous?

    Asbestos fibers are so strong and durable that the human body can’t break them down. They remain and over years or decades and cause scar tissue, inflammation, and genetic changes that can result in cancer tumors.

    What Is the Ghent Powerhouse?

    The Ghent Powerhouse, or Ghent Generating Station, is owned by Kentucky Utilities, which is part of PPL Corporation. It began construction in the early 1970s and is located about halfway between Louisville and Cincinnati. The plant has four operational units, each consisting of boilers, turbines, and other equipment used to generate electricity. Construction of these units spanned from 1971 into the 1980s.

    The powerhouse’s construction and operation occurred during a period when asbestos use was widespread, especially in industrial settings like power plants. When the power plant was first constructed, asbestos-containing products were part of the original design and engineering.

    Asbestos in the Ghent Powerhouse

    Ghent Unit One, which began construction around 1971, was practically built with asbestos from the ground up. This included insulation for turbines, boilers, pipes, valves, gaskets, and even firebrick. At the time, asbestos was standard in thermal insulation because of its durability and heat resistance.

    Ghent Unit Two was built shortly after federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations began restricting asbestos in 1972. It was supposed to be asbestos-free. But, despite specifications calling for safer alternatives, urgency and project delays led the plant’s contractors to use asbestos materials because non-asbestos products weren’t available on schedule.

    How Workers Were Exposed

    A wide variety of people on the site were exposed to asbestos, including the following:

    • Construction workers, including pipefitters, insulators, electricians, and millwrights, came into direct contact with asbestos during installation
    • Maintenance crews were exposed during routine repairs, particularly when equipment like boilers and turbines had to be stripped and re-insulated
    • Engineers, supervisors, and operators were also at risk if they weren’t handling asbestos directly due to airborne fibers drifting during construction and overhauls

    In many cases, asbestos insulation was removed and reinstalled during turbine overhauls. Dust from blankets, blocks, and cement-based insulation filled the air, putting anyone nearby at risk.

    The Legal Reality for Victims

    If you worked at the Ghent Powerhouse and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may have a legal claim. Kentucky victims have just one year from the date of diagnosis to file a lawsuit.

    That might seem like a lot of time, but it’s not, especially when you’re juggling medical decisions and treatment options. Many mesothelioma patients don’t live beyond six to 18 months after diagnosis.

    An experienced Satterley & Kelley, PLLC asbestos attorney can file your claim, collect your deposition, and begin pursuing compensation. All while you still have the strength to participate.

    Why Experience Matters

    Asbestos litigation is complex. It requires detailed knowledge of exposure sources, product history, and industrial job sites like the Ghent Powerhouse. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC has handled these cases for decades. We have a database of materials, product specifications, and job site histories that can make legal actions more efficient.

    Call Us Today for A Free Consultation

    If you or a loved one worked at the Ghent Powerhouse and are diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, the time to act is now. Get your medical care plan in place and don’t delay in seeking legal help.

    To discuss your situation and how Satterley & Kelley, PLLC can help, Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation.

    Kentucky Residents More Likely to Die in Fires Than US Average

    Thousands of Americans will be injured and die in fires this year. Kentucky residents’ chances of dying in a fire are far higher than the national average, though their risk of being injured in one is less than what’s expected nationwide. Injuries and deaths caused by fires started or worsened by negligence or defective products could be the subject of a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit.

    Lawsuits involving fires can be complex because it may be difficult to determine what caused a fire and who is responsible. But don’t let that stop you from talking to a Satterely & Kelley, PLLC attorney if you believe your injury or a loved one’s death was caused by fire caused by negligence. We can be reached at 855-385-9532.

    Fires Regularly Cause Injuries and Deaths Across the US and in Kentucky

    Home fires in the US from the start of the year through mid-July caused 1,180 fatalities, reports the US Fire Administration (USFA). During the same time frame, 43 firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty. In 2025 up through mid-July, the USFA reports 32 Kentucky residents were killed in home fires, and two firefighters died on duty.

    The USFA states that for 2023, on average, for every thousand fires in Kentucky, there were an average of 3.4 deaths and 4.7 injuries. The national average for every thousand fires is 2.1 deaths and 6.4 injuries. While those in the state are injured less often in fires, they’re about 50% more likely to die in one compared to national averages.

    Nationwide, from 2014 to 2023, the number of fires dropped 6% and related injuries decreased by 8%, while the number of deaths caused by fires increased by 5%. For this time frame, there were fewer fires in the US, but more fatalities caused by them.

    Where are the Nation’s Fire-Related Death Rates Highest?

    From 2015 to 2019, fire-related death rates varied considerably by state. The safest state was 4.7 per million population, and the worst was 23.7. The national average was ten. Nine of the ten states with the highest overall death rates were in the South.

    Higher fire death rates are found in states where more people:

    • Have incomes below the poverty line
    • Live where at least 20% of the population lives below the poverty line
    • Are disabled
    • Smoke tobacco
    • Are Native American, Alaskan Native, or Black
    • Live in rural areas

    None of the above causes fires or fire deaths, but there’s a correlation between these factors and fire-related deaths.

    Older, Black Americans Face a Higher Risk of Dying in a Fire Compared to Whites

    When the USFA considered the age and color of those suffering fire-related deaths, they found that Black and White Americans had similar rates (though it was higher for Black Americans) up to age 55, but that difference widened greatly when people were older.

    The following are age groups, and the fire-related death rates per million residents:

    • 55 to 64: White 16, Black 25
    • 65 to 74: White 21, Black 36
    • 75 to 84: White 28, Black 55
    • 85+: White 34, Black 88

    Poor Americans generally have older possessions, often find it more difficult to pay for repairs or routine maintenance, may work multiple jobs, and are likely to have more stress in their lives. They may also have less energy and money to spend on safety. The poverty rate of American Blacks is more than twice that of White Americans, according to KFF.

    In a study published in 2016 of 1988 to 1992 fire death rates in counties with at least 250,000 residents, researchers found that areas with a high proportion of Black Americans and low median incomes tend to have exceptionally high fire death rates.

    What are the Most Common Causes of Residential Fires?

    The USFA states the top causes of 2023 residential fires are the following:

    • Cooking – 167,800
    • Unintentional, careless acts – 31,500
    • Heating system malfunctions – 27,900
    • Electrical system malfunctions – 23,700

    Any of these causes, depending on the facts, could be the basis of a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Negligence is, generally, not using reasonable care in a given situation, and as a result, someone is injured or killed.

    An insurance claim or lawsuit for compensation could be based on the following:

    • Unsafe cooking practices, especially if natural gas is used
    • Careless acts, which are almost by definition, negligent
    • Heating or electrical systems that are negligently installed, maintained, or repaired, or that contain defective parts

    A fire’s cause can only be determined through an investigation. If you believe your injury or a family member’s death was caused by a fire due to someone’s negligence, it’s critical you contact us as quickly as possible so a thorough investigation can be done before evidence supporting your claim is lost.

    Lawyers Experienced in Kentucky Injury Law

    Satterley & Kelley PLLC attorneys take on insurance companies and win when accidents injure innocent people. We have recovered millions of dollars for victims and their families in personal injury and wrongful death settlements and verdicts.

    Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation with a Satterley & Kelley PLLC lawyer.

    For Many Young Drivers, Driving is a Great Time for Screen Time

    Technology evolves, and modern technology is creating more driver distractions every day. A recent survey found teen drivers knew distracted driving is dangerous, but spend about 20% of their time behind the wheel on their smartphones anyway.

    Distracted drivers are a common cause of vehicle accidents. If you or a family member is severely injured or killed by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation. To learn more about your legal rights and how Satterley & Kelley, PLLC can help, call our Louisville office at 855-385-9532.

    Is Using a Phone While Driving Illegal in Kentucky?

    State law prohibits texting for drivers of all ages while the vehicle is in motion. For those 18 and older, the use of global positioning devices and reading, selecting, or entering a number or name to make a call is permitted.

    For drivers under 18, using personal communication devices while the vehicle is in motion is illegal. Using a global positioning system is allowed, but entering information into the device must be done when the vehicle is stopped.

    Teen Drivers Use Smartphones to Entertain Themselves While Driving

    Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers had more than 1,100 US teen drivers complete a questionnaire about phone use while driving. They also interviewed 20 high school drivers in person. The survey results were recently published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention.

    Most respondents indicated they understood the dangers of distracted driving, but they also reported spending 21.1% of their car trips on their smartphones. On average, that means they’re interacting with their phones for one out of every five minutes driving. More than a quarter (26.5%) stated they focused on their phone for at least two seconds.

    Why all this time on their phones? Respondents stated the following:

    • 65% of the time was spent on entertainment
    • 40% of the time was spent texting
    • 30% of the time was spent on navigation

    The fact that drivers need to be entertained shouldn’t be surprising. How many of us listen to music, podcasts, or talk radio while we drive? Chevrolet introduced the first radio-equipped car more than a hundred years ago, according to Techhistorian.

    Today’s technology adds video, so we can not only engage our ears, but also our eyes, when we drive. Phone calls, video calls, and texts also require mental and physical effort to engage with someone else.

    Distracted Driving by the Numbers

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that the distance you travel for five seconds while driving at 55 mph is about the length of a football field.

    There are many dangers you could encounter in that space, from vehicles cutting into your lane, someone suddenly stopping in front of you, or you might start drifting into another lane without realizing it. Being distracted and unaware of what’s going on while all this happens could easily cause an accident and severe or fatal injuries for yourself and others.

    NHTSA also reports that about 324,819 people were involved in distracted-driving-related accidents in 2023, causing 3,275 deaths. That’s about 890 crashes daily related to distracted driving involving the equivalent of more than half of Louisville’s population.

    What This Means for Your Insurance Claim or Lawsuit

    Insurance policies cover potential liabilities, which are legally required payments because of an obligation. That obligation could be owing compensation to someone harmed by the insured’s negligence.

    Negligence is the legal theory behind nearly all vehicle accident and personal injury claims. The plaintiff (the party filing the lawsuit) has the burden of proving the following:

    • Due to the relationship between the defendant (the party sued) and you (you’re using the same roadway near each other at the same time), they have a legal obligation or duty to do or not do something, given the situation
    • The defendant failed that obligation or breached that duty
    • That breach or failure is the factual and legal (or proximate) accident cause
    • The accident caused you harm
    • Under Kentucky law, the defendant must pay your damages (a measure of your injury in dollars)

    Someone driving down a Kentucky road or highway has a legal obligation to do so reasonably safely. Using a smartphone while driving is not reasonable, given the distractions it causes and the increased risk of an accident, especially if the driver is an inexperienced teen who is a poor judge of risk.

    If we can prove that the driver’s phone use and the resulting distractions led to the accident causing your injuries, you may have a strong case that an insurance company would be willing to settle for an acceptable amount.

    Speak To a Satterley & Kelley, PLLC Vehicle Accident Injury Lawyer Today

    If you’re the victim of an accident caused by a distracted driver, Satterley & Kelley PLLC attorneys can protect your interests and rights to compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation with a Satterley & Kelley PLLC lawyer.

    Killing People With Asbestos is Still a Profitable Business

    Many companies have no problem poisoning people with asbestos fibers as long as there’s a profit to be made. Despite centuries’ worth of medical information showing asbestos can kill those exposed to it, there are businesses spreading lies about its hazards to boost their bottom lines.

    Satterley & Kelley PLLC in Louisville has more than two decades of experience representing clients in Kentucky asbestos and mesothelioma cases. Due to our success, including millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements, we’re known as one of Kentucky’s leading law firms for those with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Call us today at 855-385-9532.

    No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

    Seventy-three nations have banned the use of asbestos. The US substantially limits its use, and failing a successful legal challenge, a ban should go into effect for all uses in five years. Many third-world countries have little or no asbestos regulation. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reports on efforts in Indonesia to require safety warnings on asbestos products sold in the country and retaliation by asbestos companies.

    Last March, Indonesia’s Supreme Court ordered that a label warning buyers of the risks of asbestos exposure be put on products containing it. Health and workers’ rights groups brought the legal action. The country’s asbestos industry is now suing these groups in the Indonesian legal system for lost revenue caused by the decision.

    This is seen as an effort by the asbestos industry to silence its Indonesian critics. Companies making money from asbestos include those from Kazakhstan, China, and Russia. The Fibre Cement Manufacturers’ Association (FICMA), based in India, claims that “white” asbestos, or chrysotile fibers, is a harmless chemical. They falsely state the fibers quickly break down in the body and don’t pose a threat.

    FICMA demands damages that are the equivalent of $520,000 a month, plus a $463 daily penalty for any failure to pay.

    FICMA is also suing three individuals from an Indonesian workers’ rights group, the Local Initiative for OSH (Occupational Safety and Health) Network (LION). It’s demanding that they:

    • Apologize on national television and in newspapers for discrediting chrysotile asbestos
    • Declare that it’s not hazardous

    FICMA also wants the website of Indonesia’s Ban Asbestos Network (INABAN) to be cleared of any references to chrysotile.

    Leo Yoga Pranata, LION Indonesia’s director of public policy, is one of the individual defendants. He says the legal action seeks a “fantastic, illogical amount of money” that could set a dangerous precedent to discourage warnings of asbestos’ dangers.

    Asbestos Hazards, Including Those Posed by Chrysotile, are Widely Accepted

    The World Health Organization (WHO) states that all asbestos, including chrysotile, causes cancers, including those of the lung, ovaries, and larynx. It can also cause mesothelioma, a fatal cancer of the linings of the lung, heart, abdominal organs, as well as the linings of the chest and abdominal cavities.

    The WHO estimates that about 1,600 Indonesians and more than 200,000 people worldwide die from asbestos-related diseases. The organization estimates asbestos causes more than 70% of the world’s work-related cancer deaths.

    The US National Cancer Institute states that when asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can be trapped in the lungs and remain there for the rest of the person’s life. These fibers cause scarring and inflammation. This impairs breathing and may lead to severe health conditions, including cancer.

    Asbestos is classified as a cancer-causing substance by the following:

    • The US Department of Health and Human Services
    • The US Environmental Protection Agency
    • The International Agency for Research on Cancer

    A 1999 article on chrysotile asbestos in the Industrial Health journal states the following:

    “Clinical and epidemiologic studies have established incontrovertibly that chrysotile causes cancer of the lung, malignant mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum, cancer of the larynx and certain gastrointestinal cancers…Comparative analyses have established that chrysotile is 2 to 4 times less potent than crocidolite asbestos in its ability to cause malignant mesothelioma, but of equal potency of causation of lung cancer.”

    The risk of developing these diseases increases with chrysotile exposure and over time.

    Indonesians Pay the Price for Corporate Greed and Indifference to Their Safety

    It’s estimated that up to 15% of Indonesian structures contain chrysotile asbestos. The Pacific country north of Australia is made up of more than 17,000 islands. It has a population of about 281 million people, about 50 million fewer residents than the US population.

    While many developed nations restricted or banned asbestos’ use, international asbestos corporations worked to keep Asian nations importing and using the toxic fibers. Indonesia’s asbestos use has increased over the past 20 years, and the number of those dying as a result may not peak for many years.

    Call Us Today for A Free Consultation

    If you have an asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation. To discuss your situation and how Satterley & Kelley, PLLC can help, call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation.

    Mesothelioma Treatment: A Guide to Chemotherapy & Your Legal Rights

    In our previous article in this series, we covered the basics about chemotherapy for mesothelioma. Now it’s time to get down to what mesothelioma patients can expect from their chemotherapy experience: specifically, from systemic IV chemotherapy. This is the most common type of chemotherapy for mesothelioma patients, and refers to what most people think of when they think of “chemo”: chemotherapy drugs delivered into the bloodstream over multiple sessions, spanning several weeks or months. Mesothelioma patients may also receive other types of chemotherapy, which you can read about here.

    As is often the case when it comes to mesothelioma treatment, your mileage may vary: mesothelioma patients experience chemotherapy in different ways, depending factors like overall health, mesothelioma type and staging, and treatment goals. However, there are a number of common experiences that mesothelioma patients often find helpful when starting their chemotherapy journeys.

    How do I prepare for chemotherapy?

    There are a number of things you can do in advance to prepare for your chemotherapy. You can continue to utilize these tips throughout your chemotherapy process.

    • Arrange caregiving assistance. During chemotherapy, you may need assistance with activities of daily living. Try to make arrangements for assistance in advance by asking friends or family members to help with specific tasks or care needs. You can always adjust your requests as your needs become clearer.
    • Get a dental checkup. Before you start chemotherapy, try to schedule an appointment with a chemotherapy-experienced dentist. They may be able to identify and address infections or other issues, reducing the risk of oral and dental side effects.
    • Take care of your body and mind. Prioritize reducing physical and mental stress in the days before and after your chemotherapy sessions. Focus on eating nutritious meals, drinking plenty of water, and getting a full night’s sleep.
    • Chemo-proof your home. Chemotherapy side effects often put mesothelioma patients at increased risk of injuring themselves. It may help to go through your house and eliminate physical risks (e.g., covering or blunting sharp corners and removing slipping hazards).
    • Plan for side effects and take advantage of palliative care: While you won’t know your side effects for sure until you experience them, it’s often helpful to plan for the most common effects in advance, just in case. For example, you may want to preemptively cut your hair or purchase wigs if your chemotherapy drug causes hair loss. Once you have a better sense of how chemotherapy affects you, you can and should seek palliative care to address those effects.
    • Prepare or arrange for meals in advance. During chemotherapy, mesothelioma patients often lack the energy to prepare meals for themselves. Many find it helpful to prepare or arrange for meal delivery in advance to make eating as easy as possible.
    • Stay away from people who are sick or may be sick. Remember that you will be very immunocompromised during chemo, and should therefore avoid interaction with anyone who is sick or may be sick. You may want to cancel plans that involve large crowds, especially during COVID-19 surges and cold/flu season. 

    What are the main steps of the chemotherapy process?

    1. Consultation. The chemotherapy process starts with a meeting with your mesothelioma care team to discuss your chemotherapy regimen and how it fits in with your treatment goals. This is your time to address any questions and concerns; many patients find it helpful to make a list beforehand and bring it with them. It may also be helpful to bring a trusted companion to help you advocate for yourself and record important information.

    During your consultation, your care team may also conduct preliminary testing or imaging. They may also install a catheter (a tube inserted into a major artery that remains in place for the duration of your chemotherapy), or a port (a round metal or plastic disk inserted under the skin). Catheters and ports make repeated chemotherapy sessions quicker, easier, and less painful to administer.

    • Infusions: Your chemotherapy will likely consist of several infusions, in which chemotherapy drugs are delivered into your body through an IV (or through your catheter or port). Chemotherapy infusions are generally given in hospitals, cancer centers, or other outpatient treatment centers, and do not require inpatient care. Infusions range in length, but most take several hours.

    You may want to bring a companion with you to your first chemotherapy session. In addition to emotional support, they can also make sure you get home safe.

    When you first come for your infusion, you may have a brief wait, as chemotherapy drugs are generally prepared to order for each patient. When your infusion is ready, a nurse will help you get settled and place all necessary lines. They may give you fluids or other premedication to help with side effects.

    During infusions, you will usually be seated in a comfortable chair, attached to an IV bag of medicine which will be delivered into your body over several hours. You may want to bring your computer, phone, tablet, books, or craft projects with you to pass the time, as well as pillows and blankets in case you’d like to nap.

    • Post-Infusion: Once the infusion is complete, you may be kept briefly to monitor for serious adverse reactions. After treatment, make sure to get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids, avoid people who may be sick, and eat nutritious meals if possible. Side effects may occur immediately or in the following weeks or months. It is often helpful to write down your side effects as they occur.

    How often will I have to go to chemotherapy?

    Most chemotherapy treatments are given in repeating cycles of 3 to 6 weeks, each consisting of several infusions, with rest periods in between. On pemetrexed and cisplatin, the most common chemotherapy combination for mesothelioma patients, infusions are given every 21 days.

    After around two cycles, your mesothelioma care team will evaluate how the drug is working. If it is working, they may continue your regimen; if it isn’t working, or if there are intolerable side effects, they may adjust dosages, or switch to another drug.

    What are the side effects of chemotherapy, and what can I do about them?

    Chemotherapy has a large range of side effects which vary from patient to patient. Chemo works against mesothelioma by targeting rapidly multiplying cells, as are found in mesothelioma tumors. However, in the process, they may also damage healthy cells that multiply rapidly, especially in bone marrow, hair follicles, skin, and the linings of the mouth and intestines, among other areas. This is largely what causes chemotherapy side effects.

    Common side effects include:

    • Nausea, vomiting, and G.I. upset (constipation, diarrhea)
    • Tips: Anti-nausea and GI medications can be administered before, during, and after treatment. You may also try complementary therapies like meditation and somatic exercises.
    • Mouth and throat sores (mucositis)
    • Tips: Brush your teeth several times a day with fluoride toothpaste, using a soft toothbrush or a sponge on a stick. Gargle with baking soda rinse (½ tsp of salt and ½ tsp of baking soda in a glass of water). Choose foods that are soft, lukewarm, and non-acidic.
    • Lack of appetite, taste changes, and weight loss:
    • Tips: Focus on high-calorie, high-protein foods, and eat 4-6 small meals a day. Experiment to find food that’s appetizing. Utilize nutrition shakes.
    • Fatigue, cognitive effects, and “chemo brain”: Chemotherapy often causes fatigue (abnormal exhaustion not resolved with rest), as well as “chemo brain”, cognitive changes including impaired thinking, memory, and attention, mental fogginess, and difficulty speaking clearly or finding the right words.
    • Tips: Consult with your care team about potential medication adjustments and check for vitamin deficiencies. Get as much healthy sleep, socialization, and exercise as possible. Stick to a daily routine, utilize memory supports (i.e., writing things down or having others remind you), and do cognitive exercises (i.e., challenging games like crossword puzzles and Wordle).
    • Hair loss: Some chemotherapy drugs may cause hair loss, usually starting within weeks of your first treatment, and continuing for several weeks after your last treatment. Some patients experience scalp irritation or itchiness during hair loss.
    • Tips: Some patients use a scalp cooling cap during infusions, which may reduce follicle damage and hair loss. Consider shaving your head early in the process to reduce itching as hair falls out.
    • Headaches, muscle aches, and soreness:
    • Tips: Pursue palliative care with your mesothelioma team. They may adjust your chemo regimen, address other underlying medical issues, or prescribe medication, nerve blocks, PT, or other pain-relief therapies.
    • Skin issues (e.g., dryness, itchiness, redness, discoloration, rashes, peeling, and photosensitivity):
    • Tips: Use sunscreen and gentle moisturizer to protect your skin. Avoid direct exposure to the sun. Use cool washcloths or colloidal oatmeal baths in lukewarm water. Ask about corticosteroids or antibiotics in severe cases,

    Some side effects of chemotherapy are somewhat rarer, but can be much more serious and can cause longer-lasting and potentially permenant issues. You should always consult your mesothelioma care team about these symptoms. They include:

    • Peripheral neuropathy: Some chemotherapy drugs can cause nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) that may lead to hearing loss, loss of balance, and problems seeing, hearing, or walking normally, as well as pain, burning, tingling, numbness, hot-and-cold sensitivity, and weakness in the hands and feet. For some patients, symptoms only last for a short time after treatment; for others, symptoms can last much longer and may potentially become permenant. Symptoms can also worsen over time, and chemotherapy drugs must often be adjusted to avoid doing additional nerve damage. Always inform your mesothelioma care team of you experience any of these symptoms.
    • Blood disorders: Chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, which is the tissue inside bones that makes new blood cells. As such, during chemotherapy, mesothelioma patients generally don’t produce enough blood cells. This can cause conditions requiring medical attention. These include:
    • Anemia, caused by too few red blood cells, with symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath
    • Leukopenia, or increased chance of infection, caused by too few white blood cells.
    • Thrombocytopenia, caused by too few blood platelets, which can cause easy bruising or bleeding.

    Your doctor will continually check your blood cell counts using tests called the complete blood count (CBC) and the platelet count. Blood cell counts usually return to normal after chemotherapy, but must be addressed if they do not do so.

    • Heart Problems: Some chemotherapy medications may damage the heart, causing associated cardiac problems. Older mesothelioma patients (those aged 60+) are more vulnerable to chemo-related heart issues. Your doctor should test your heart before, during, and after treatment to monitor your cardiac health.

    Your doctor and your mesothelioma care team will be available to you throughout your chemotherapy journey. If you are confused or concerned about your symptoms, the course of your treatment, and the chemotherapy process in general, reach out to your care team.

    Why You Should Hire Satterley & Kelley, PLLC for Your Cancer Case

    If you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for what you’ve endured. This includes physical and mental pain and suffering, financial costs, medical bills, and how the disease impacts your relationships.

    You need a law firm with experience representing victims taking legal action against the asbestos industry. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys have helped asbestos victims for more than 20 years.

    We have relationships with the best experts in the world to help us prove that asbestos caused your injury and the physical, emotional, psychological, and financial harm you suffered.

    Take Legal Action Now — Contact Our Firm

    If you have mesothelioma or another type of asbestos-related cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, and pain suffering. Let us be your boots on the ground seeking maximum compensation for you and your family.

    To schedule a free initial consultation, call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online.

    Cameras Never Blink. That’s a Good Thing for Personal Injury Cases

    All personal injury cases are based on facts. The simpler the facts, the better for the plaintiff (the injured party filing the lawsuit). It was said long ago that a photo is worth a thousand words. When a photo or a video provides strong evidence in a case, we let them do the talking.

    Satterley & Kelley, PLLC represents people severely injured in accidents and the families of those killed in them. We have over 30 years of experience helping clients seek compensation they deserve. If you’re injured in an accident or a loved one was killed in one, learn about your legal rights in a free consultation you can schedule by calling us at 855-385-9532.

    A case starts with a client’s version of events. If we’re retained to represent an accident victim, an investigation is the next step. We look for and sometimes find videos of accidents from one type of camera or another. They can be critical in helping us piece together what happened, how, why, and who is responsible. Since cameras don’t have an “axe to grind,” they are rightly viewed as unbiased and credible sources of evidence.

    Slips and Falls

    Depending on your location, cameras may surround you. If you’re in any commercial establishment where the public is welcome, a smart business owner will have every inch of the area surveilled. They should probably have areas where only employees are allowed, covered too, in case an accident or crime occurs.

    If you’re injured while at a business, you probably slipped and or fell, or someone (an employee or another customer) bumped into you accidentally or intentionally hurt you. If there’s video of the incident, this is no longer a “he said–she said” situation where the circumstances are contested. Ideally, it’ll all be there on the video.

    Parking Lots

    A smart parking lot owner will have security cameras and post signs warning of them to scare away criminals looking for cars to break into. Whether you slip and fall in the parking lot, are involved in a vehicle accident there, or on an adjacent street, video of what happened could be a big help to your case.

    Vehicle Accidents at Intersections

    Intersections are dangerous places, and some are worse than others. Most of the bad driver behavior that can occur will happen if the intersection is large and busy enough.

    • Intoxicated drivers won’t control their vehicles
    • Speeders will run red lights or stop signs and collide into another vehicle
    • Distracted drivers will side-swipe or rear-end someone
    • Pedestrians and cyclists will be ignored and struck by a driver who won’t give them the right of way

    Busy intersections commonly have surveillance cameras. They may also be part of automated systems that result in drivers being mailed tickets for violating red lights. If there’s more than one camera, they may capture what led up to an accident from multiple angles.

    Vehicles and Motorcycles

    Some vehicle owners and motorcyclists have installed cameras to capture what’s happening in front of them. Automated and assisted driving systems rely on cameras, lidar (a device using lasers to measure distances), or both. Some vehicles, and more in the future, have complete video coverage all around them. Increasingly, at least one vehicle involved in an accident will have recorded video of the accident.

    Privately and Publicly Owned Cameras

    Thanks to smaller and cheaper cameras, more private homes have surveillance cameras. If an accident happens on a residential street, there’s a chance a “doorbell” camera may have recorded it. Publicly owned cameras can be found in many places, including highways and public buildings.

    Videos Aren’t Always Helpful

    Cameras aren’t everywhere yet, and sometimes the video only shows part of what happened. If a video we find contradicts what a client claims and reveals that the case isn’t what we expected, we won’t go along with a false claim and risk our hard-earned reputation as honest and ethical attorneys.

    Speak To a Louisville Accident Attorney Near You

    No matter how you are injured, as long as another party is at least partially to blame, you may have a right to compensation for what you’ve been through. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC lawyers have decades of experience helping families after accidents disrupt their lives.

    To schedule a free initial consultation, call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online.

    Brown & Williamson and the Business of Death on a Mass Scale

    Tobacco powerhouse Brown & Williamson is no more. But the cancers that its asbestos-filled Kentucky workplace caused live on in those who used to work there. The company was a major player in the tobacco industry, one that not only caused cancer in its customers due to tobacco smoke, but also poisoned its workforce with asbestos.

    The company’s headquarters were in Louisville from the 1920s until the late 1990s. Its manufacturing facility at Hill and 16th Street operated until 1982. It employed thousands of Kentuckians over the decades. Brown & Williamson (B&W) was exposed for hiding the deadly dangers of tobacco use and was later folded into a massive corporate restructuring with other companies more than twenty years ago.

    Asbestos Exposure at Brown & Williamson

    Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that is strong and resistant to heat, fire, chemicals, and electricity. Asbestos fibers are also incredibly light, so if they come off a product when it’s installed, removed, or replaced, they can stay in the air for a long time, making it easier for those in the area to inhale or swallow them.

    Because the fibers are so durable, the human body can’t destroy or remove them. Over the years or decades, the fibers cause scar tissue, inflammation, and various types of cancer.

    B&W’s manufacturing facility was built in the 1920s and shut down in 1982. The plant had extensive asbestos materials throughout to ensure it kept operating. Asbestos was on steam pipes, boilers, electrical systems, and chemical tanks.

    Workers in the plant were exposed to asbestos during:

    • Construction and installation of equipment
    • Maintenance and repair work
    • Routine production, especially when deteriorated insulation released fibers into the air

    Those in Brown & Williamson’s corporate offices, built in the 1980s, were also at risk. While the use of asbestos was declining, some building materials containing it, like drywall joint compound and electrical wiring components, still contained asbestos. Those involved in the construction and who later worked there could’ve been exposed.

    Who Was at Risk?

    Several types of employees faced asbestos exposure:

    • Construction workers: Pipefitters, electricians, bricklayers, insulators, and boiler makers who installed or renovated asbestos-containing materials.
    • Maintenance staff: Mechanics worked on or around insulated piping and machinery
    • Production workers: Those not directly handling asbestos often encountered it because it deteriorated over time, and asbestos was in the air
    • Anyone in the facility: Once asbestos dust is in the air, on floors, or on equipment, anyone walking through the area could be exposed

    Someone could inhale or swallow enough asbestos at the B&W facility, whether they worked with asbestos products or regularly walked through the area.

    Diagnosed with Mesothelioma After Working at Brown & Williamson?

    If you or a family member worked at B&W and are diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you should act quickly. Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer, but treatment options are improving. The sad reality is you may not have as much time to make decisions as you’d like.

    • You have a one-year statute of limitations in Kentucky to file a legal claim and seek compensation for what you’ve endured. That may sound like a long time, but it passes quickly, especially when dealing with important health and financial decisions
    • Consult with an experienced attorney. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC has a comprehensive knowledge of B&W’s operations and asbestos use, so we don’t “learn while we do”

    Filing a claim earlier rather than later may not only help you and your family secure potential compensation for your medical costs, lost income, and family support, but also give us a better chance to fully document your case. This includes what you did at work,  your asbestos exposure, your diagnosis, and treatment history.

    Each asbestos claim is someone’s story. We want you to tell yours. First-hand testimony is incredibly valuable. While coworkers can help corroborate details, only you can fully tell your story. Waiting too long could mean losing the opportunity to provide a detailed deposition or participate in your case due to the progression of your illness.

    Call Us Today for A Free Consultation

    If you or a loved one worked at B&W and is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, discuss your situation and how Satterley & Kelley, PLLC can help by calling our Louisville office at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation.