by

Stop signs are an essential part of road safety, but unfortunately, not everyone follows them. When drivers ignore stop signs, they put everyone on the road at risk. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident because another driver ran a stop sign, you’re not alone. Understanding what to do next can help you on the road to recovery and justice.

Why Do Stop Sign Accidents Happen?

Stop sign accidents happen for various reasons, most of which are linked to driver behavior. Here are some common causes:

Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted may not see stop signs until it’s too late.

Speeding: Speeding makes it difficult for drivers to stop in time, even if they see the stop sign.

Impairment: Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s ability to notice and react to stop signs.

Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, and fog can obscure stop signs and make it harder for drivers to stop in time.

Understanding these causes can help you and your attorney build a strong case if you decide to seek compensation for your injuries.

Continue reading

by

A recent hot air balloon accident in Hebron, Indiana, raises important questions about liability waivers and personal injury law. On a Sunday evening, a hot air balloon struck power lines, causing the balloon to crash and injuring the pilot and two passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident, which resulted in all three individuals suffering burns. The injured passengers were transported to hospitals in Chicago, while the pilot was taken to a hospital in Crown Point, Indiana. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

This incident highlights the complex issues surrounding liability waivers often signed before participating in recreational activities. In Indiana, these waivers can significantly impact personal injury cases. However, their enforceability depends on factors like the waiver’s clarity and whether the operator showed gross negligence. Understanding these legal documents and how they relate to personal injury law is crucial for anyone injured in such accidents. Consulting with an experienced Indiana personal injury attorney can help victims navigate these legal challenges and determine the best course of action.

Understanding Liability Waivers in Indiana

Liability waivers are common in many recreational activities, including hot air balloon rides. In Indiana, these waivers can protect businesses from lawsuits if a participant gets injured. However, they are not always ironclad. For a waiver to be valid, it must be clear, unambiguous, and explicitly state the risks involved.

If the waiver is vague or the business was grossly negligent, a court may find the waiver invalid. Gross negligence refers to a severe lack of care that shows reckless disregard for the safety of others. If the hot air balloon operator was found to be grossly negligent, the waiver could be considered void.

Continue reading

by

Drivers do not always behave rationally on the road. A driver may suddenly change lanes without using a turn signal or drive at unpredictable speeds. Even if you become agitated, it is crucial to avoid provoking the driver, which may lead to a road rage incident. Too often, road rage incidents can have devastating consequences.

According to a recent news article, an Indianapolis, Indiana road rage incident claimed the life of one person. Emergency dispatchers received calls reporting a disagreement between two drivers that led to gunfire. When they arrived at the scene, they found a driver who was ejected from their car before it ran off the roadway and crashed into a nearby pond. Sadly, the driver died at the scene. Police are continuing to investigate the crash.

What Steps Can You Take to Avoid a Road Rage Accident?

If you encounter an aggressive driver on the road, you can take several precautions to avoid escalating the situation. First, do not interact with the driver. Initially, you may feel the urge to “get even” with a driver who cuts you off or otherwise provokes you. However, responding with aggression may lead the driver to escalate their behavior and cause a crash. To stay safe, avoid making eye contact or hand gestures at the driver and remain in your vehicle at all times. Second, if you notice an aggressive driver, attempt to pull over as soon as possible to let the driver pass you. Once you are safely pulled over, contact emergency personnel to report the driver. Doing so could save your life and the lives of everyone else on the road. If you cannot pull over safely, try to change lanes to distance yourself from the driver. While not all accidents are avoidable, these safety tips can help prevent a road rage incident from escalating.

Continue reading

by

Hit-and-run accidents can have devastating consequences for both accident victims and their loved ones. Fleeing the scene of an accident can leave a victim helpless without any options for medical assistance. Hit-and-runs are not only harmful to victims and their families—they also can carry significant criminal and civil penalties.

As a recent news article sadly reported, one person died in a hit-and-run in Indianapolis, Indiana. When police responded to the scene, they found a person lying in the road. Sadly, they died at the scene. Local authorities are continuing to investigate the accident.

What Are the Penalties for an Indiana Hit-And-Run Accident?

People who commit a hit-and-run in Indiana may face a Class A misdemeanor if the accident results in bodily injury to another person. However, a hit-and-driver may face a felony charge if the accident results in moderate or serious bodily injury or if the driver had a previous hit-and-run conviction in the last five years. A driver may also face a more serious felony charge if the accident causes death or catastrophic injury. Finally, a felony charge can result if the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and caused serious injury, catastrophic injury, or death. The driver may face separate felony charges for each person who suffered injuries in the hit-and-run accident. A conviction can result in jail time or steep fines. Additionally, a hit-and-run conviction will likely result in a suspension of a driver’s license or even a full revocation.

Continue reading

by

Every parent’s worst nightmare is learning their child has suffered injuries or died in an accident. Accidents involving child victims can take an intense psychological toll on the child and the entire family. Fortunately, parents can take several steps to protect their children from injuries in the event of an accident on the road. However, when a child suffers harm in a car accident, the child’s parents may seek to hold the responsible party accountable for their harm through a negligence lawsuit.

As a recent news article tragically reported, an 8-year-old child passed away from a serious car accident. According to state police, the child was traveling in a car that stopped at an intersection. As the driver crossed the eastbound lane to enter the highway, her vehicle collided with another vehicle at a t-bone angle. Sadly, the child died at the scene. Both drivers suffered serious injuries and received treatment at a nearby hospital.

How Can You Protect Your Child from a Fatal Accident?

If you have young children, one of the best ways to protect them is to place them in a car seat. Car seats can keep children safe in the event of an accident. However, not all car seats are equal. First, make sure the car seat is appropriate for your child. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has an online tool that allows you to find a proper car seat based on your child’s age, height, and weight. In addition to selecting the right car seat, make sure to correctly install the seat in your vehicle. An incorrectly installed seat may not provide adequate protection from injuries. Finally, make sure your child is strapped into the car seat. If your child is in a booster seat, make sure your child is also wearing a seatbelt. These steps can help keep your child safe in the event of a car accident.

Continue reading

by

Auto accidents can happen even when you have safely parked your vehicle on the side of the road. If other drivers are acting carelessly, they may collide with your parked vehicle and cause a roadside accident. While roadside accidents have a number of causes, they too often result from another driver’s negligence. If another driver has harmed you in a roadside accident, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages.

For example, a recent news story reported on an Indianapolis, Indiana roadside accident. According to state police, two troopers were investigating a crash inside a police car when a semi-truck crashed into their vehicle. Both troopers were transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

What Are the Causes of an Indiana Roadside Accident?

A roadside accident can result from several causes, many of which involve a driver’s negligence. First, a common cause of roadside accidents is distracted driving. When drivers are distracted, they may not see a vehicle parked on the side of the road until it is too late. To minimize the risk of a roadside accident, it is important to avoid talking on the phone, eating, or “multi-tasking” until you have parked safely at your destination. Roadside accidents can also result from driving under the influence (DUI). Intoxicated drivers experience significant difficulty maintaining control of their vehicles. As a result, they may veer off the side of the road and strike a parked car. Furthermore, even if drivers are not intoxicated, they may be too drowsy to operate their vehicles safely. For example, if a semi-truck driver is working a late shift, he or she may grow distracted or drive carelessly due to a lack of alertness. In addition to a driver’s negligence, roadside accidents may occur after a vehicle part malfunction, a faulty guardrail or other road equipment, or a government’s failure to maintain safe road conditions.

Continue reading

by

Truck accidents can lead to significant injury. Following a truck accident, you may be left with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and emotional harm. To recover compensation for your injuries, you can bring a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible driver. A skilled Indiana personal injury attorney can help you create the strongest possible claim for recovery.

For example, a recent Indiana truck accident killed one passenger. The fatal accident occurred at an intersection and involved a pickup truck and a semi-truck. According to local officers, the pickup truck was sitting at the intersection’s red light when the semi-rear ended it, sending both trucks into a ditch. Sadly, a passenger inside the pickup truck died in the crash. The pickup truck driver was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.

How Does a Jury Determine Truck Accident Damages Awards?

If a truck accident case goes to trial, a jury will determine the appropriate damages award owed to the injured plaintiff. Even if a case does not go to trial, plaintiffs must assert a damages amount in settlement negotiations that they believe will fairly compensate for their injuries. The amount of compensatory damages a plaintiff receives will depend on a number of factors. One major consideration is the medical expenses a plaintiff incurred as a result of the accident. After a truck accident, an injured plaintiff may have to pay hospital bills, surgery expenses, medication costs, or physical therapy bills. A damages award will often include these medical expenses. Accordingly, a plaintiff with severe injuries or who incurred higher expenses may receive a higher damages award. A physician who treated the plaintiff may be able to provide information about the plaintiff’s expected future medical expenses.

Continue reading

by

Due to the size and weight of a commercial truck, a collision with a smaller vehicle can lead to significant injuries. When a truck driver’s negligence leads to a serious accident, an injured party may seek compensation from the driver’s employer. However, the accident victim must prove certain legal elements before an employer can be liable for damages. An experienced Indiana personal injury attorney can help argue that an employer should be liable for their employee’s negligence.

Sadly, a 6-year old died and two children suffered injuries after a recent truck accident in Jackson County, Indiana. According to a local news article, a Ford was traveling east with three young passengers when it collided with a semi-truck traveling north at an intersection. The force of the collision sent both vehicles off the road. First responders arrived and transported all three passengers to the hospital, where one child tragically died from his injuries. Police are continuing to investigate the crash.

Can You Sue a Truck Driver’s Employer After an Indiana Truck Accident?

If a truck driver was completing a delivery during the crash, you may be able to recover damages from the driver’s employer. Truck drivers may not possess the means to pay the full compensation you need after a debilitating truck accident. To hold an employer liable for a truck driver’s negligence, a plaintiff must prove the driver was acting within the “scope of employment.” Typically, employees act within the scope of employment when they perform job duties at their designated work location within a designated time frame. For example, a truck driver acts in the scope of their employment if they are driving on a pre-determined route to complete a delivery at a scheduled time. However, if a driver used a company truck to make a personal delivery outside of working hours, that driver would not be acting within the scope of employment. Plaintiffs who can prove the driver acted within the scope of employment may be able to hold an employer liable through a legal concept know as vicarious liability or respondeat superior.

Continue reading

by

Sometimes, car accidents result from a chain of events that no one could possibly predict. More than one vehicle may be involved in a single accident, or one accident may lead to a second accident between different drivers. When accidents involve multiple vehicles, determining fault can be a difficult task. However, if you bring a negligence lawsuit against the drivers responsible for your harm, establishing causation will be a critical element of your case.

Recently, a local news article reported on a bizarre Indiana multi-vehicle accident. According to a preliminary investigation, the accident occurred on the highway as a Nissan SUV hydroplaned and struck a concrete barrier. Seeing the Nissan in the middle of the highway, the driver of a Lexus pulled over to assist the Nissan driver. As the Nissan driver walked across the roadway toward the Lexus, she was struck by a Ford driver swerving to avoid the crash scene. The Ford then struck the Lexus on the shoulder of the highway. The Nissan driver died from her injuries. The Lexus driver and two passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police later charged the Ford driver with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI).

How Can You Prove Causation in an Indiana Multi-Vehicle Accident?

Complex or unusual accidents can complicate issues of causation when bringing a negligence lawsuit. To hold a defendant liable for negligence, the plaintiff must prove that a defendant’s negligent behavior was the actual and “legal” cause of the accident. If the defendant can point to any superseding causes that provide an alternative explanation for the accident, they may be able to escape liability. Examples of superseding causes are another driver striking the victim or a repair shop’s failure to properly secure the defendant’s tires. To succeed on a negligence claim, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s actions caused the accident and disprove any other explanations the defendant may provide. Proving cause in fact and legal causation is key to recovering compensation for your harm.

Continue reading

by

If a car strikes you when you walk down the street, you may suffer serious injuries. A pedestrian accident may lead to expensive medical bills, hospital treatment, and lost wages. In these situations, accident victims’ financial harm only worsens the physical and emotional harm they have suffered. Thankfully, Indiana law allows pedestrian accident victims to bring a personal injury lawsuit for negligence against the responsible driver. A personal injury lawsuit can help provide closure and ease the financial burden of a serious pedestrian accident.

For example, as a recent news article tragically reported, a man lost his life in a Gary, Indiana pedestrian accident. The pedestrian was walking on I-80 when two vehicles struck him. Both drivers stopped at the scene. Police arrested one driver for operating a vehicle under the influence (OWI).

What Are the Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

There are multiple possible explanations for a serious pedestrian accident. For example, a driver may be operating their vehicle under the influence. People who consume alcohol before driving lack the concentration and reflexes necessary to avoid crashing into another person or vehicle. Even if drivers are not under the influence of alcohol, they may hit a pedestrian if they are distracted. Drivers who attempt to “multitask” may lose control of their vehicles or fail to brake before striking a pedestrian. Additionally, a driver may fail to obey traffic signals indicating that a pedestrian has the right-of-way. On the other hand, an accident could result if the pedestrian does not obey traffic signals giving a vehicle the right-of-way. Drivers and pedestrians alike should stay focused and follow all traffic signs to avoid a pedestrian accident.

Continue reading

Contact Information
8320 Kennedy Ave
Highland, IN 46322
Phone: 219-836-2200
Fax: 219-836-9388

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2015 – 2024, Padove Law
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design