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Victims of Hit and Runs in Kentucky Not Getting Help

November 11, 2010 - Louisville, KY - According to a Wave 3 report from November 4, victims of hit and run accidents in Kentucky are not getting the help they need to cover their injuries and losses.

In an effort to financially help those who have been victims of violent crimes in the Commonwealth, the Kentucky State Crime Victims Compensation Board is designed to assist families who have suffered because of a violent crime.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed a bill into law in July 2008 which made leaving the scene of an accident a felony. This should have allowed victims of hit and run accidents to become eligible for assistance through the Crime Victims Compensation Board.

That has not been the case for some victims. Maria Webster Benham lost part of her left leg and was nearly killed in a hit and run accident in October 2008 while she was driving her motorcycle. Even though she applied to the Compensation Board for assistance, she was denied any funds as they considered her situation a "traffic accident" and not a criminal act.

Another hit and run victim, Dennis Pastor, was struck by a car when crossing a street in April 2006. He spent 2 months in the hospital and never fully recovered or regained the ability to go back to work at his former job as a security officer. Both are dealing with astronomical medical bills, yet the Crime Victims Compensation Board has denied their claims.

Without evidence to indicate the hit and runs were intentional or that alcohol was a contributing factor, these criminal hit and run accidents do not fall into the provisions of the Crime Victims fund. Kentucky is just one of only a few states that doesn't consider a hit and run victim eligible to receive compensation from the Crime Victims Compensation Board. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2009 Kentucky Crash Statistics, there were 791 fatalities as a result of traffic accidents in Kentucky.

As a service to our readers, we will occasionally publish blogs about serious or fatal traffic accidents in our region. We do this to raise awareness of the types of conditions and factors that commonly lead to severe injuries or death as a result of Kentucky vehicle accidents.

If you or loved one was mentioned in this blog and you would like for it to be removed, please contact us and we will accommodate your request.

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