Removal of large trailer hitches when not in use should be law

There are several types of trailer hitches for vehicles. Some are attached to the bumper. Others have a sleeve for the hitch to be attached. And then there are those that drop down and extend out.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

The one that extended out far beyond the vehicle is the kind that I tripped over in the dark after the championship game of the 13th Region basketball tournament at the Arena in Corbin. I was walking between cars in front of my wife and sister-in-law when the accident occurred.

I fell face down and slid, scraping my hands and knees. In addition to my wife and sister-in-law, another couple came to my rescue and helped get me into my vehicle and I was driven to Baptist Health hospital, located just across the highway from the Arena. I was bleeding profusely because I am on blood thinners.

It all happened so fast that those attending to me did not get the license number of the vehicle, but they did notice the type of trailer hitch that was attached. It is one that should be outlawed except when in use. That type of trailer hitch is a booby trap awaiting an accident.

I wish that I did have the license number of the vehicle, but I understand in the panic of the situation that they had to get me hurriedly to the emergency room at Baptist Health.

I do want to thank the couple who helped me to my vehicle. Also, I am appreciative of the excellent care I received from the emergency room staff at Baptist Health.

I didn’t realize just how busy the emergency room staff would be. There were so many people needing services I had to wait about an hour before I could be seen. But they provided me with wet washcloth to wipe away the blood.

The first thing the staff did after I got to a room was take me for a scan which revealed that I had a broken nose and a fractured jaw. I also had many scrapes and bruises on my face which still are causing very much discomfort. I look so bad that the face recognition app on my iPhone did not recognize me.

I did learn a lesson from this. That is not to walk between cars that are parked, but rather walk on the outside in the lanes of traffic. It is much safer. But again, that type of trailer hitch should not be attached to a vehicle except when in use. I’ve talked to others who have had similar experiences, though not so drastic.

It only takes a couple of minutes to take the trailer hitch off the vehicle.

The National Safety Council reports that there are over 50,000 accidents like this from trailer hitches each year.

It is ironic that when we parked our vehicle in the parking garage at the UK hospital for a specialist to examine my facial fractures, the vehicle next to us had a trailer hitch sticking out very similar to the one that caused me to have the accident.

I’m sure the person driving the vehicle that caused my injuries had no thought of it causing an accident. Another thing that person didn’t think about is that they are liable for my injuries. I have read about lawsuits in situations like this and the vehicle owner was liable in each of those.

They’re kind of lucky that I didn’t get the license number. Not because of the money that it cost me in medical bills, but because of the discomfort I have suffered.

I am angry at myself and at the owner of that vehicle. Never did I think there would be a booby trap waiting for me in the lane between vehicles that were parked at the Arena, then again an obstacle like that should never have been in that lane.

But at the time I was tired and wanted to get away from the Arena because I was up at 5 a.m. that day, already stressed out from being at a hospital in Lexington where our daughter had to have a kidney removed. Once she was in her room and everything turned out fine, we felt it would be okay for us to attend the championship game.

I doubt that there is a law that requires vehicle owners to remove a trailer hitch when not in use, but there should be. It only takes a couple of minutes and thousands of accidents could be prevented if the trailer hitch was removed.

This has been a nightmare in my life that could have happened to anybody. Fortunately, I was in the lead of my wife and sister-in-law, or else their pretty faces could’ve been injured. I’ve missed work and church and some of the nice weather that we’ve had. In another 2-to-3 weeks perhaps I can enjoy those things. But like all accidents, when I look back it was so unnecessary.

This weekend I’ve had the best medicine one could get. Two of our youngest grandchildren spent the weekend with us. That helped me take my mind off the injuries and the UK basketball game.

Lastly, I want to thank all of those who have sent condolences and well wishes. That helps too!