In the aftermath of a crash, details often get a little muddied. It is not uncommon for parties to end up arguing with one another, disputing each other’s recounting of the events as they occurred. Moments like these are where evidence comes in handy, such as dashcam footage or photographs and videos of the scene of the wreck in the direct aftermath. Witness statements also pack a helpful punch, but you must put in some work to get them. Providing Evidence When Pursuing Compensation The Department of Justice discusses various types of witnesses and the statements they make. First, witness statements prove a valuable piece of evidence when pursuing damages from the responsible party. Sometimes, witnesses even have the photographic or video evidence that you may lack. The first thing you want to do is try to collect witnesses when you are at the scene of the crash itself, directly in the aftermath. If uninjured and able to do so, consider…Read More

During winter, drivers must not only cope with slick and icy roads, but also those large snow plows used to clear the roads for safer travels. Indiana relies on a fleet of more than 1,000 snow plows to clear state roads in winter. Drivers often work 12-hour shifts, sometimes, resulting in fatigue. The actions of tired snow plow drivers could potentially lead to a serious collision with other vehicles. Serious and debilitating injuries are possible. Do not follow too closely Collisions between snow plows and cars are not uncommon. Each year, authorities investigate a few such incidents. Poor visibility contributes to some of the problems. Snow plows often are difficult to see due to the blowing snow and blustery conditions. That is why it is so important to use caution when driving near one. Here are some crucial tips to consider when sharing the road with a snow plow: Slow down, and do not drive too fast for conditions. Do…Read More

Snowmobiling is a thrilling and fun wintertime excursion that can provide a full day of adventure when you live in Indiana. Safely operating a snowmobile requires an awareness of the elements, as well as an understanding of the power of mother nature. When you know how to responsibly use these fun machines, you can significantly reduce your risks of injury. Prepare for Your Excursion In anticipation of your snowmobiling trip, pay attention to the weather conditions, as well as any avalanche alerts. Make sure each machine has a full tank of gas. Bring extra fuel with you for emergencies. Register each machine and properly show registration decals. You will also want to carry a printed version of your registration information that you can store in your machine. Invest in warm winter clothing and make sure you have proper safety gear. You should have a helmet for each rider that has face protection, as well as gloves and shoes that provide…Read More

Drunk drivers can inflict a variety of devastating injuries in an auto accident, including paralyzing you through a spinal cord injury. Currently, there is no cure for an SCI, so it is likely you will face medical challenges for the rest of your life. Still, there are some factors that may help you recover to even a significant degree. As Medicine Net explains, the extent to which you can recover body functions after an SCI will depend on certain circumstances involved in your injury and afterward. The Type of Injury The kind of SCI you experience will influence your prospects of recovery. Some SCIs completely sever the spinal cord at a certain point, known as a complete injury. This will result in permanent disability since your nerve signals cannot progress beyond the damaged location. On the other hand, some SCIs only result in an incomplete injury, meaning the spinal cord has suffered damage but is still partially intact. This can improve…Read More

Defective equipment and malfunctioning systems can sometimes be the cause of motor vehicle accidents in Indiana and elsewhere across the country. So, who is to blame for a crash when the vehicle itself seems to be at fault? Can the Driver Be Liable? The short answer is yes. Drivers are responsible for ensuring their vehicle is properly maintained. If they failed in the upkeep of their car or truck, they may be responsible if this improper maintenance led to malfunctioning equipment. Following an accident, investigators will attempt to determine what caused the accident and why the mechanical error occurred. If the car’s performance failed due to a lack of owner maintenance on any specific part of the vehicle, they could be at fault. Who Else Can Be Liable? In some cases, the manufacturer of the vehicle can be liable for an accident. Recalls are commonplace in many industries and car manufacturing is no exception. They may be at fault if there is…Read More

Car drivers in Indiana and around the country face situations where they need to apply their brakes about a million times each year, but they do not always put their feet on the right pedal. Drivers often panic when they press down on the wrong pedal because their cars speed up instead of slowing down, which usually leads them to press down even harder. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver pedal error causes up to 16,000 accidents each year. These accidents usually occur at low speeds when motorists are attempting to park or pull into a driveway or parking lot. Avoiding Pedal Error Road safety experts say that drivers can reduce their chances of a pedal error crash by remaining vigilant, maintaining proper driving form and ensuring that their seat is properly adjusted. They should also wear footwear appropriate for driving and avoid getting behind the wheel in cumbersome work boots or shoes with wide soles or high heels.…Read More

Indianans who use continuous airway breathing machines for sleep apnea and physicians who treat patients with ventilators need to be aware of a recent recall by Phillips, a major manufacturer of these devices. The Dutch medical equipment company recalled as many as 4 million CPAP machines and ventilators, many of which were sold in the U.S. Why the Recall Was Issued Millions of Americans are diagnosed with sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which their breathing stops and starts during sleep. Many people who have this condition are prescribed CPAP machines to help to keep their airways open while they sleep. Doctors also use ventilators in hospital settings to provide oxygen to people suffering from a broad variety of medical conditions. Phillips has manufactured many of the machines that are currently used in the U.S. both by individuals and hospitals. According to the recall, Phillips states that a type of foam that is used in its CPAP machines and ventilators can degrade…Read More

Engineering and brilliance came together with the development of the electric bicycle. E-bikes seemed like a novelty when they first hit the consumer market, but today they are popular sights on many Indiana streets. E-bikes move at incredible speeds, giving bicyclists the option of getting a throttle boost or riding on pure electric power. While rapid speeds allow Indiana bicyclists to get to a destination faster, traveling at rapid speeds could cause accidents. E-bikes and Their Unique Dangers An e-bike isn’t a motorcycle or a street-legal moped, but they share similarities. An e-bike may travel at speeds in the 40 mph range, and cyclists need not purchase any special licenses to operate one. An e-bike is a bicycle, albeit one connected to an electric motor. That motor serves as a top-selling point to those requiring more speed and less effort. Persons commuting to work or using a bike for a delivery gig may appreciate how fast these models go. Persons…Read More

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began compiling drunk driving data in 1982. In the years since, the number of road users killed in Indiana and around the country in accidents involving an impaired driver has fallen by more than half. However, curbing intoxicated driving remains a serious road safety issue. According to NHTSA, 10,511 of the 36,560 people killed in motor vehicle accidents in the United States in 2018 lost their lives in an alcohol-related crash. In Indiana, drunk driving accidents claimed 209 lives in 2018. Elevated BACs The data reveals that most drunk driving accidents are caused by heavy drinkers with blood alcohol concentrations of 0.15% or higher. The legal driving limit in virtually all states is a BAC of 0.08%. Figures released by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility reveal that intoxicated driving deaths are falling significantly in Indiana even though heavy drinking is a serious problem. In 2018, year over year drunk driving fatalities for the nation as…Read More

Most car trips end with everyone arriving safely at his or her destination. However, motor vehicle accidents are still a common cause of injury and death in Indiana. Though most people are competent drivers in normal conditions, conditions aren’t always normal. It’s important to know how to avoid car crashes by reacting correctly to road hazards. Skidding If you find yourself in a skid, remove your foot from the gas pedal immediately. Lightly steer toward a point farther along the road. If you try to correct the skid by oversteering in the opposite direction, you’ll quickly lose control of your car. You may even cause your vehicle to flip over. Most importantly, don’t hit the brakes. When you hit the brakes, the skid only becomes worse. Without the use of your wheels, you won’t be able to regain control of your vehicle. Tire Blowout If your tire blows out while driving, your priority should be staying in control. Hold the steering…Read More