Reviewed by Larry Forman, Attorney
Interstate 64 crosses Louisville from west to east. It comes over the Ohio River on the Sherman Minton Bridge, follows the downtown riverfront, tangles with I-65 and I-71 at Spaghetti Junction, ducks through the Cochran Hill Tunnel and heads out past the Watterson and the Gene Snyder toward Shelbyville. Each stretch has its own hazards, and an I-64 accident can raise questions other crashes don't, including which state's law applies when it happens near the river. Here's what to know.
Where I-64 crashes happen in Louisville
- The Sherman Minton Bridge. The double-deck bridge carries I-64 across the river. It has no room to pull over, so even a minor crash can trap drivers and set off a chain reaction behind it.
- The Riverside Expressway. Downtown, I-64 runs along the waterfront with curves, ramps close together and drivers changing lanes for downtown exits. See sideswipe accidents.
- Spaghetti Junction. Where I-64, I-65 and I-71 meet, short merges and lane drops cause many crashes. See Spaghetti Junction accidents.
- The Cochran Hill Tunnel. Drivers slow down entering the twin tunnel near Cherokee Park, and the change in light can catch people off guard. Rear-end crashes are common at the entrances. See rear-end collisions.
- The Watterson and Snyder interchanges, where heavy traffic transfers between interstates. See Watterson Expressway accidents and Gene Snyder accidents.
- East toward Shelbyville, where speeds climb and truck traffic increases. See our Middletown and Shelbyville pages.
How many crashes happen on I-64?
In Louisville alone, Vision Zero Louisville data show 26 people killed and 66 seriously injured on I-64 from 2021 through 2025. See our Louisville car accident statistics report.
The Kentucky State Police report counts crashes for each interstate across the whole state:
| I-64 in Kentucky (2024) | Number |
|---|---|
| Total collisions | 1,803 |
| Fatal collisions | 15 |
| People killed | 15 |
| People injured | 395 |
Source: KSP, 2024 Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts, "Collisions on Interstates and Parkways." These totals cover all of I-64 in Kentucky, not just Louisville.
Which state's law applies to a crash on the bridge?
Usually Kentucky's. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that Kentucky's border along the Ohio River is the 1792 low-water line on the river's northern shore, not the middle of the river (Ohio v. Kentucky, 444 U.S. 335 (1980)). That means most of a bridge over the water is generally in Kentucky. A crash at the far end of a bridge, or after it, may fall under the other state's law, which has different rules on fault and insurance.
Crashes on I-64 often involve drivers from across the river, and their insurance may come from another state. See out-of-state driver accidents. Exactly where the crash happened, down to the stretch of bridge, should be pinned down early.
What causes I-64 crashes?
- Sudden slowdowns near the bridge, the tunnel and downtown exits
- Following too closely in stop-and-go traffic
- Unsafe lane changes for downtown and interchange exits
- Distraction on a familiar commute
- Speeding east of the Watterson
- Trucks moving freight across the river and through the city. See our Louisville truck accident lawyer page.
- Wrong-way drivers on ramps. See wrong-way driver accidents.
Who is at fault in an I-64 accident?
Most interstate crashes come down to a driver following too closely, changing lanes unsafely, speeding or not paying attention. In a chain reaction on the bridge or near the tunnel, several drivers may share fault. See multi-vehicle pileups. When a truck is involved, the trucking company may be responsible along with its driver.
Under Kentucky's pure comparative fault rule, you can recover even if you were partly at fault, reduced by your share. See our Kentucky negligence law guide.
What to do after a crash on I-64
- If you're on the bridge, in the tunnel or along a barrier wall with no shoulder, stay buckled in unless there's a safe place to go.
- Call 911 and give your direction and the nearest landmark: the bridge, the tunnel, an exit or an interchange.
- Save your dashcam video right away. See dashcam footage after a crash.
- Get the other drivers' insurance information, including the state their policy is from.
- Get the company name and DOT number if a truck was involved.
- Get medical care, even if you feel okay.
How Forman & Associates helps
We pin down exactly where and how the crash happened, preserve video and vehicle data, and find every driver, company and insurer involved, including out-of-state carriers. We prepare cases for trial from the start. Larry Forman has tried 50+ jury trials and won 95% of them. See our Louisville auto accident lawyer page for more.
I-64 accident FAQ
How many crashes happen on I-64 in Kentucky?
Kentucky State Police counted 1,803 collisions on I-64 statewide in 2024, with 15 people killed and 395 injured.
If I crashed on the Sherman Minton Bridge, which state's law applies?
Usually Kentucky's, because Kentucky's river border is generally the low-water line on the northern shore. A crash near the far end may be different, so the exact location matters.
Can I sue a driver from another state in Kentucky?
Generally, yes, when the crash happened in Kentucky. Their insurance may be from another state, which can affect coverage questions.
What should I do if I'm hit in the Cochran Hill Tunnel?
Stay in your car with your seat belt on if there's no safe place to stand, turn on your hazard lights and call 911. Move only when responders say it's safe.
How long do I have to file a claim after an I-64 crash?
Generally two years from the crash or the last PIP payment for Kentucky car crash claims. See our Kentucky statute of limitations guide.
Hurt in an I-64 crash?
Let us preserve the evidence while it still exists. Get a free case evaluation or call (502) 931-6788. No fee unless we win.
This post is general information about Kentucky law, not legal advice.
