Every year, many Indiana residents are involved in motor vehicle accidents that have life-altering consequences. These include automobile collisions that result in serious and even fatal injuries. Some of the accidents are the result of situations in which a driver becomes “mentally disconnected” or not fully in touch with the immediate task at hand. An example of this type of situation is a mental state which has come to be known as velocitization. Definition of Velocitization Velocitization is defined as the tendency of a driver to “lose touch” with the rate of speed that they are traveling. Over time, a driver tends to pick up space as a result of velocitization. This can and does result in unsafe driving conditions that can result in a motor vehicle accident. Reality of Speed Limits Speed limits are established on roadways to indicate what is the maximum speed permissible under optimal conditions. The reality is that roadway conditions are far from always optimal. From prevailing…Read More

Pedestrians may go about their business on the many Indiana sidewalks and streets worrying about nearby vehicles, and with good reason. Getting hit by a car could lead to a terrible injury and, possibly, a fatality. Incidents between pedestrians and vehicles are nothing new, but the problem now appears to be on the rise. Dangers to Pedestrians Sobering news came from the offices of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency reports that pedestrian fatalities in 2018 were the highest since 1990, an alarming trend. Many factors likely contribute to the increase in deaths, and some reasons might not be unexpected. Drivers that don’t watch where they are going, commit moving violations, or drive under the influence, could pose enormous risks. Pedestrians must also adhere to smart safety steps. Walking around at night comes with added dangers because drivers might not see someone as easily. Jaywalking comes with dangers, whether doing so during the day or the evening. Pedestrians, like…Read More

Everyone in Indiana knows Amazon. It’s the world’s largest online retailer. Amazon stocks thousands of products, and independent sellers are able to sell there, too. People know that if they’re looking for something, Amazon is the likeliest place to find it. What they may not understand is that Amazon doesn’t take responsibility for the safety of the things sold on its website. Politicians are starting to ask serious questions about that. Who is Liable for Defects? Some Democrats in the House of Representatives are concerned about the defective products currently selling on Amazon.com. They’ve noticed that even Amazon’s in-house brands like Amazon Basics have exploded or started fires in users’ homes. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois is the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Chair. Along with Frank Pallone Jr of New Jersey, she is pushing the company to answer questions about who inspects the products for sale on the website. So far, Amazon is reluctant to take responsibility. While they delete offending products,…Read More

Two Democrats in the House of Representatives have sent Amazon a letter urging them to do something about their defective products. A recent CNN report revealed that over 1,500 people have left negative reviews on Amazon-brand products. The products were reported to explode, catch fire, melt, malfunction and cause other issues that posed a risk to the buyers’ health and safety. As a result, the letter from the House of Representatives urges Amazon to investigate their history of selling defective products. The letter asks Amazon to recall their defective products and cease the production of products that might be harmful to consumers. Over 70 products were cited in the CNN report, many of them branded with the AmazonBasics private label. The letter also criticized Amazon for promoting their products as “Bestsellers” or “Amazon’s Choice,” giving the false impression that their private label products were more popular than they really were. They pointed out that Amazon experiences a conflict of interest since…Read More

An Indiana University student was critically injured in Bloomington on the morning of Sept. 29 when he was struck by a pickup truck. He was transported by a helicopter to a trauma center in Indianapolis, but he succumbed to his injuries the following day. According to media reports, he was a 27-year-old man who was studying for a Ph.D. at the university’s Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. Box Truck Driver Ran Red Light The accident that claimed the student’s life took place at the intersection of Indiana Avenue and Third Street. Police officers arrived at the scene at approximately 9:33 a.m. According to an Indiana University Police Department representative, the crash was caused by a box truck driver who ignored a red light while proceeding westbound on Third Street. The box truck then struck a pickup truck that had been traveling northbound on Indiana Avenue. Struck While on the Sidewalk The force of the collision caused the pickup truck to spin…Read More