Indiana Personal Injury Lawyer and Medical Malpractice Attorney Blog

How motorcyclists can prepare for themselves for safe riding

Published on: August 14, 2016 | by Barsumian Armiger

As motorcyclists throughout the state of Indiana begin to get their motorcycles out of storage for the season, it is a good time to revisit the subject of motorcycle safety. The weapons safety manager and motorcycle program coordinator for 434th Air Refueling Wing, recently shared risk management tips communicated to members of the Air Force regarding riding safely.

The first thing he recommends is conducting preventative maintenance inspection. While it is always a good idea to do this before heading out or a ride, it is particularly important when it has not been used for a period of time—such as during winter. Cables, mirrors, fluid levels, chain, brakes turn signals and lights should all be inspected both visually as well as operationally.

Next, riders should keep in mind that road conditions may have changed as a result of the winter. The cold temperatures can lead to pot holes and salt and sand may still be on the road. All of these factors can make travelling on these roads more perilous for motorcyclists.

What are the distracted driving laws in Indiana?

Published on: August 9, 2016 | by Barsumian Armiger

By now, most people realize that distracted driving is a huge problem. Taking out your cellphone and reading a text or making a call is incredibly dangerous while driving, and it significantly increases your chances of being involved in an accident. And yet, every day, every week, every month we keep hearing about more and more people being involved in these terrible distracted driving accidents.

The people who are distracted at the times of these wrecks can be held liable for the harm they have caused the victims. For the injured parties, a civil lawsuit can yield the compensation they need to recover from the accident.

With all that said, though, what is the state of Indiana doing to try to curtail the number of distracted driving accidents that occur?

Spring weather may pose treacherous driving conditions too

Published on: August 2, 2016 | by Barsumian Armiger

With winter finally on its way out in the state of Indiana, many may think that they do not need to be as careful while driving as they were during the winter months. The reality, however, is that though driving conditions are different in the spring months, driving in wet conditions can still be treacherous and lead to car accidents. To help keep such incidents to a minimum there are things that drivers can do.

The first is watch for hazards on the road such as potholes. Following a cycle of freezing and thawing in the winter potholes will appear. Sometimes they can be quite large and inflict serious damage to vehicles or even cause them to be involved in a collision.

Second, know how to respond should your car begin to skid. In addition to not panicking, do not slam on the brakes. As the car travels steer the vehicle into the direction you are seeking to go. Skidding could occur in hydroplaning situations.

Rash of megabus accidents prompts some to question vehicle safety

Published on: July 30, 2016 | by Barsumian Armiger

Megabuses have become a popular mode of transportation for individuals throughout the nation including in the state of Indiana. The large buses transport many people from one location to another for a reasonable cost.

Unfortunately, as is the case with any vehicle on the road, it is possible that a megabus could be involved in a traffic accident. In the state of Indiana, four such incidents have occurred since October of last year. Two of those incidents involved the bus tipping over. The most recent incident happened earlier this month. It is currently unclear if there are similarities between the crashes.

At the time of the early morning crash a 49-year-old woman was behind the wheel of the large vehicle. According to authorities alcohol did not play a role in the crash. In addition, the driver was not charged with violating any traffic laws. Just what the cause of the crash was will likely be uncovered in the course of an investigation.

Indiana car accidents can lead to extensive injuries

Published on: July 25, 2016 | by Barsumian Armiger

A head-on car accident may be one of the most dangerous kinds of accidents and can result in extremely serious injuries. Unfortunately, an Indiana woman recently found out just how dangerous head-on car accidents can be as she was the victim of a recent collision. The Tuesday afternoon car accident has resulted in the woman being placed on life support.

The collision occurred as a 33-year-old was driving a van east and swerved across the center line in an attempt to avoid hitting another vehicle. As it crossed the center line, the van hit a sedan driven by a 36-year-old woman. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage, and both of the drivers had to be extricated from their vehicles as a result.

The 33-year-old had injuries to his lower body and needed to be hospitalized. The 36-year-old had injuries that were reported to be life-threatening. The crash is currently being investigated. Four lanes of the roadway had to be closed for several hours as the accident was investigated by authorities.

Individuals called to scene following crash put lives on the line

Published on: July 23, 2016 | by Barsumian Armiger

The risk of being injured does not necessarily go away after a crash is over. The individuals called to the scene following an incident are placed at risk as they tend to the scene as well. These individuals not only include first responders but tow truck operators as well. The recent death of a tow truck driver on an Indiana road highlights this.

When he died the 59-year-old man was working underneath a bus. As he did so, it rolled down, crushing him.

The owner of the towing company he worked for said that the general public does not understand how dangerous the job is. According to her, compared to policemen, the rate of tow truck drivers being hurt or killed while working is higher.

Truck accidents can be the result of violations

Published on: July 19, 2016 | by Barsumian Armiger

Not every accident can be chalked up to chance or inevitability. Some accidents can be prevented if those believed responsible take care to obey the rules of the road. Many truck accidents in Indiana are caused by specific violations on the part of the trucking company, drivers or other entities. While there are strict laws and regulations regarding the trucking industry, when a violation has led to an accident, accident victims may benefit from gaining an understanding of their legal rights.

One violation that can easily lead to an accident is a load problem. Trucks can only carry certain size loads. If a load is too much weight, the truck can tip and an accident can occur. Unbalanced loads often lead to the same result. In fact, if a truck tips due to a load issue, the spilled cargo can also be a source of injury.

Trucks must be properly maintained. This maintenance is strictly regulated. If safety equipment is missing or a truck is not maintained properly, that vehicle can be moving hazard and put everyone on or near the road at risk. Driver error can also be to blame. If a driver is fatigued or driving more than trucking regulations permit, that driver and the driver’s employer can be held liable for monetary damages that result.

Winter Premises Liability in Indiana

Published on: July 15, 2016 | by Barsumian Armiger

Though southwestern Indiana has dodged snow so far, temperatures are falling and icy conditions increasing. Wintry conditions inevitably lead to slips and falls, some of which will lead to serious head, neck and back injuries, broken bones, and muscle and ligament tears, strains and sprains.For many who slip and fall, their first emotion is embarrassment and their first instinct is to blame themselves. Also, many premises owners will be quick to claim they cannot be at fault for folks who venture out into wintry conditions and happen to slip and fall. Accordingly, for many guests and premises owners alike there is a perception that a premises owner will not be liable when a guest does slip and fall in wintry conditions. Reaching such a conclusion without consideration of Indiana law and surrounding circumstances could be costly.

Indiana law on the hazards presented by the natural accumulation of snow and ice is clear:

a landlord does have a duty of reasonable care that the common ways and areas, or areas over which he has reserved control, are reasonably fit and that hazards created through a natural accumulation of ice and snow are not beyond the purview of that duty.

Truck accidents in Indiana can be the result of a few factors

Published on: July 10, 2016 | by Barsumian Armiger

While any type of motor vehicle accident can be potentially dangerous for the victims involved, truck accidents can be especially devastating. They often result in serious injuries and/or fatalities. The sheer size of trucks on Indiana roads make these collisions more dangerous overall. However, vehicle size is not the only factor that can contribute to truck accidents.

Issues involving the truck itself are common. The balance of the load can be a major factor in the safe operation of a truck on the highway. Badly loaded or overloaded trucks can overturn, even if a driver is trying his or her best to operate the truck in the midst of traffic. Defective truck parts create potentially disastrous situations for anyone on or near the road.

Even if the truck is properly loaded, driver negligence or recklessness may cause an accident. Truck driver fatigue is a significant concern on Indiana roadways. The use of drugs and/or alcohol is also responsible for a significant number of tragedies.

Not slowing for traffic can lead to deadly car accidents

Published on: July 4, 2016 | by Barsumian Armiger

Safely navigating traffic takes attentiveness and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles. When traffic is held up or slow and oncoming drivers do not slow down for that traffic in a timely manner, deadly car accidents are an all too common result. A recent crash on an Indiana Interstate left one child dead and her mom and a baby sibling seriously injured.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 10, the driver of a pickup truck did not slow down for the traffic on Interstate 70. It struck a car with a 29-year-old mother and her two children inside. Tragically, the crash killed the 3-year-old toddler.

The mother and her surviving 1-year-old baby were airlifted to an area hospital. They were reported to be in critical condition. In all, the crash involved four vehicles, but there was no word as to any other injuries or if the driver who appears to have caused the crash would be cited or charged.