Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog

A fatal Auto Accident in Indiana's Marion County is behind a policy change at Indianapolis Public Schools. Teachers and other staff members will not be allowed to drive students in their own vehicles. The former policy was not clear on this. If anyone violates the new rule, that worker will be held responsible for any auto crashes that might occur and could lose their job.

Indianapolis's WRTV reports this policy change comes following a deadly auto crash a few months ago. A 13-year old Harshman Middle School student, Justice Holifield, died and two others were hurt when their band teacher drove them to a store to get items for a school-related function. A Semi Truck hit their car. The teacher was also hurt in the crash. It is not clear if Workers' Compensation benefits would apply in this case.

While studies show school buses are a much safer form of transportation for children, many school buses do find themselves in accidents in Indiana and throughout the United States, and many children find themselves hurt as a result. The website, www.safeguard4kids.com, looked at several studies and reports. One report found almost 10,000 kids are hurt in roughly 26,000 school bus accidents every year. Another report from the American Academy of Pediatrics estimates more than 51,000 injuries from school bus accidents were treated at hospitals from 2001-2003. That's about 17,000 kids hurt in school bus crashes each year.

Continue reading "DEADLY INDIANA AUTO ACCIDENT PROMPTS CHANGE AT INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS" »

Two Indiana brothers suffered injuries after a Car Accident on Indianapolis's Far East Side. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say the crash happened Monday night shortly after 8 o'clock.

Indiana media outlets report the 17-year old brother was driving the vehicle. His 18-year old brother was a passenger. Indiana investigators say the accident appears to have started when the 17-year old lost control and hit a tree. Speed might have been a factor.

As for injuries, the 18-year old was critically hurt and is seeking treatment at Indianapolis's Wishard Memorial. His 17-year old brother was also injured in the auto accident but not seriously.

Many parents of new teen drivers worry about the safety of their teenagers and for good reason. The website, www.driverzed.org, details the frightening statistics. For example, auto accidents are the leading cause of teenager deaths. The number of teen fatalities in 2003 in vehicle crashes was more than triple the amount of teen suicides and more than twice the amount of teen murder victims. And 61% of teen deaths when they were passengers in a vehicle occurred when another teenager was the driver. Additionally, for 16- and 17-year-olds, having just one passenger in the vehicle increases the crash risk by about 50%.

Continue reading "INDIANA BROTHERS HURT AFTER CAR ACCIDENT ON INDIANAPOLIS'S EAST SIDE" »

Two Indiana residents are recovering after a Car Crash involving their motorcycle. The Motorcycle Collision happened Monday in Peru which is in Miami County, Indiana. The injured are Paul Schipper and Diane Schipper. Both are from Kokomo, Indiana.

Indiana State Police along with the Miami County Sheriff's Department reported to the auto accident scene on United States 31 at Airport Road. Apparently, the vehicle collision started when Paul Schipper's motorcycle hit the driver's side of a car driven by 22-year old Diamond Walker. Walker is also from Peru, Indiana. Both Schippers fell off the motorcycle and hit the ground head first. The victims are seeking treatment at a hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana for severe head injuries among other injuries.

Indiana State Police say Paul Schipper did not have a helmet on, but numerous studies do show motorcycle helmets can save lives. The website, www.examiner.com, points to a federal study that found helmets saved 1,784 motorcyclists' lives in 2007. Additionally, the research showed that if all motorcyclists had helmets on, about 800 more lives could have been spared. Helmets are thought to be about 37% effective at thwarting deadly injuries to motorcyclists. Put another way, for every 100 motorcyclists not wearing a helmet who were killed in vehicle crashes in Indiana and throughout the country, 37 of them could have been saved had the 100 put helmets on.

Continue reading "TWO INDIANA RESIDENTS SEVERELY HURT IN CAR CRASH WITH MOTORCYCLE IN PERU" »

An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer was hurt in a Car Crash involving another patrol car. The auto accident happened at the intersection of 38th Street and Illinois Street in Indiana's Marion County Tuesday morning. The officer's injury could possibly be deemed Work Comp related because it happened while the officer was in the course and scope of employment.

As reported by www.fox59.com in the article, "Two Officers Crash During Pursuit on Indianapolis North Side," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers were chasing a suspect in their police cruisers when the officers collided into each other. One of the officers was taken to a local Indianapolis hospital with a possible shoulder injury. After the auto accident, the suspect tried to run away, but Indianapolis police officers eventually caught and arrested him.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers are, of course, part of the local government. And, Indiana state and local government employees are not immune from injuries on the job. According to the Indiana Department of Labor, 15,300 injuries and illnesses were reported among state and local government workers in 2009. That amounts to a rate of 5.0 per 100 employees.

Continue reading "INDIANAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER HURT AFTER CAR CRASH INTO ANOTHER PATROL CAR IN MARION COUNTY" »

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signed a bill Wednesday prohibiting people in Indiana from texting while driving. It's an effort to cut on down on distracted driving which causes thousands of Auto Accidents every year. The ban goes into effect July 1st.

As reported by www.fox59.com in the article, "Statewide Ban on Texting and Driving Takes Effect July 1st," the new law bans the use of any device to type, send, or read text messages or emails while operating a moving vehicle. Drivers will, though, still be allowed to perform these functions if they are using hands free or voice operated technology. If Indiana drivers violate this new law, they'll face a fine of up to $500.

Recently, several studies have shown how big a problem distracted driving is. Thousands of people are killed in car crashes on Indiana roads and on roads throughout the United States because drivers are not paying attention to the roadways. According to the federal government's own website for distracted driving, www.distraction.gov, in 2009, more than 5,400 people were killed in vehicle crashes due to distracted driving, and more than 445,000 people were hurt in auto accidents due to distracted driving. And of the people killed in a distracted driving related accident, about one in five was due to cell phone use.

Continue reading "INDIANA'S GOVERNOR SIGNS TEXTING WHILE DRIVING BAN IN EFFORT TO PREVENT AUTO ACCIDENTS" »

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers arrested a 24-year old suspect, Geoffrey Collins, in a deadly Pickup Truck Crash in Marion County. Indiana's David Smith was killed in the hit and run accident on Saturday, and Jason Pedigo was severely hurt.

As detailed by www.fox59.com in the article, "Driver Admits Fault in Fatal Hit and Run Accident," witnesses say the victims were pushing a shopping cart in the eastbound lanes of West Morris Street in Indianapolis when a vehicle hit them. Two days later, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers found the pickup truck that matched the one described as hitting Smith and Pedigo. Collins owns that truck and did confess to being the driver in this deadly hit and run Vehicle Crash. He now faces numerous charges.

This deadly vehicle accident happened at around 11:45pm on Saturday. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, their most recent data shows that 9pm -11:59pm is the 3rd deadliest time period (out of 8) on Saturdays with 880 fatal crashes.

Continue reading "UPDATE: INDIANAPOLIS POLICE MAKE ARREST IN DEADLY AUTO ACCIDENT IN MARION COUNTY" »

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers are looking into a hit and run Auto Accident in Marion County, Indiana that left one Indianapolis man dead and another Indianapolis man hurt. 33-year old David Smith was found dead on a street on Indianapolis's west side. 28-year old Jason Pedigo was found on the street as well in critical condition. Medics took him to Marion County's Methodist Hospital.

As detailed by The Indy Star in the article, "1 Killed, 1 Hurt in Apparent Hit and Run," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say evidence and witnesses all point to the likelihood that the two victims were struck by a vehicle while the victims were walking in the street. Some people told Indiana investigators they, themselves, had to swerve in their vehicles to avoid hitting the men.

Indiana roads and roads throughout the country can be dangerous places for pedestrians. As compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, data shows that in 2009, more than 4,000 pedestrians were killed in vehicle crashes in the United States. That's almost the same as the number of motorcyclists killed that year in vehicle accidents.

Continue reading "INDIANAPOLIS MAN KILLED AFTER LIKELY HIT AND RUN CAR ACCIDENT IN MARION COUNTY" »

An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer was involved in a Car Crash Thursday morning in Marion County. His new patrol car was damaged, but apparently, the officer was not hurt. If Officer Tracy Dodd was hurt in the vehicle accident, his injuries could possibly be deemed Work Comp related because they happened while he was on the job.

As recorded by www.wishtv.com in the article, "New IMPD Squad Car Smashed in Wreck," Indiana crash investigators say Dodd was driving south in his patrol car on Post Road in Indianapolis when another car, a Cadillac, pulled out in front of him and collided head-on with his squad car. An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department sergeant said he could detect alcohol on the Cadillac driver's breath.

Alcohol can be deadly when mixed with driving. Thousands of people die every year from drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 9,800 deadly vehicle crashes that involved alcohol-impaired driving in the United States in 2009. That's about 32% of all deadly auto accidents that year.

Continue reading "INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER IN HEAD-ON CAR CRASH IN MARION COUNTY" »

An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer was hurt in a Car Crash Wednesday night on Indianapolis's east side. An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson says both of the officer's legs were injured. The officer was taken to Methodist Hospital in Marion County. The officer's injuries could be deemed Work Comp related because he was hurt while in the course and scope of employment.

As reported by www.theindychannel.com in the article, "IMPD Officer Injured in High-Speed Chase," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officials say the auto accident began when an officer saw a stolen car and began to follow it. The stolen car driver then apparently began to speed away, and a chase ensued into an alley. Indiana investigators say as the stolen car was heading west in the alley, it collided head-on into another Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department squad car that was helping end the chase. Police say the stolen car driver ran away after the vehicle crash. Also during the chase, a woman was hurt after she was pushed or jumped out of the stolen car. She was taken to Indianapolis's Wishard Hospital. No word if her injuries are work comp related.

The term "Work Comp" or "Workers' Compensation" refers to the laws covering an injury one suffers while in the course and scope of employment. In other words, it's an injury one suffers while on the job. "On the job" can be in a variety of places, not just in an office or construction site. Work Comp injuries can, indeed, happen while in a vehicle. According to the Indiana Department of Labor, in 2005, 5.2% of the work-related injuries and illnesses that required workers to miss work were caused by transportation accidents.

Continue reading "INDIANAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER HURT IN CAR CRASH WITH STOLEN VEHICLE IN MARION COUNTY" »

Four people are hurt, two very seriously, after a Car Accident on Indianapolis's southeast side. The auto accident happened early Tuesday morning on Fisher Road. One of the car's passengers is in critical condition at Indianapolis's Methodist Hospital. The car's driver is in serious condition at Indianapolis's Wishard Hospital. The other two passengers are not severely hurt. No word if any of the injuries are Work Comp related.

As reported by www.fox59.com in the article, "Serious Crash on Southeast Side Injures Four," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say the car's driver lost control and one person in the back seat was ejected. Indiana investigators believe the car might have flipped over after the driver lost control. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say alcohol might be to blame for the crash.

It is well-known that driving while under the influence of alcohol is extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, sometimes, it can be fatal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication were involved in more than a hundred deadly vehicle crashes in Indiana in 2009.

Continue reading "FOUR PEOPLE HURT IN SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT IN INDIANAPOLIS" »

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers are looking for the driver involved in a hit and run Vehicle Accident in a stolen car. This accident involved a bicyclist who was hit by a car early Monday morning at the intersection of 31st and Clifton on Indianapolis's west side. The bicyclist was hurt but is expected to be okay. No word if any of the injuries are Work Comp related.

As reported by www.fox59.com in the article, "Bicyclist Injured After Hit and Run on Indianapolis West Side," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers found the car shortly after the accident. It was apparently stolen and burnt and recovered at the intersection of Congress and Elmira in Indianapolis.

People get hurt on bikes all too often, but solid statistics are hard to come by because many bike accidents are not reported. Many people assume bicyclists are usually at fault in accidents involving cars, but recent research refutes that claim. According to www.bicycleuniverse.info, a study by the group, Right of Way, looked at fatal bicycle accidents in New York City. The study showed that traffic violations by motorists, not bicyclists, were the main cause of deadly bike accidents.

Continue reading "INDIANA BICYCLIST HIT BY CAR IN HIT AND RUN VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN INDIANAPOLIS" »

A deadly Multi Vehicle Crash has Hoosiers in the northeastern Indiana community of Angola as well as others throughout Indiana continuing to mourn. Four Angola High School seniors died in the March 26th car accident. This tragic auto collision happened in Alabama on United States Interstate 65. Indiana's Alexx Bauer, Matthew Roe, Evan Weaver and Riley Zimmer were killed in the three car crash.

As reported by The Daily Reporter in the article, "Fort Wayne Radio Stations Raise Money for Families of Four Angola High Seniors Killed in Accident," two radio stations in Fort Wayne pitched in to help the victims' families. The radio stations raised money for those families by staying on the air until they raised $40,000. Within about 24 hours, they had raised $31,000.

All four Indiana victims were 18 years old, and recent research shows the 16-20 age group tends to be involved in many deadly auto crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,653 motor vehicle occupants and motorcyclists who were in the 16-20 year old age group were killed in vehicle crashes in 2009. Out of 11 age groups, only three saw more fatalities.

Continue reading "INDIANA MOURNS DEATHS OF FOUR ANGOLA STUDENTS KILLED IN MARCH CAR CRASH" »

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police are looking into an unusual Car Accident that happened in Marion County. Indiana investigators say a car crashed into a home early Tuesday. The 23-year old driver was taken to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition. No word if those injuries are Work Comp related.

As reported by www.Fox59.com in the article, "Car Crashes into Home as Man Sleeps on Couch," the car drove off the road, hit Donald Sumpter's mailbox and then crashed into his house. Sumpter was not hurt but did find the driver was severely injured. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers are trying to determine what caused this vehicle accident.

Surprisingly, 23-year old drivers do appear to be involved in many vehicle crashes. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2008, licensed 23-year old drivers were involved in 3,535 auto accidents. That's the most for any age group between 16 and 24 years old.

Continue reading "CAR CRASHES INTO INDIANAPOLIS HOME SEVERELY INJURING INDIANA DRIVER" »

Indianapolis police are looking to a Multi Vehicle Crash on Indianapolis's northeast side that left several Indiana people with injuries. Medics took one victim to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition. This auto accident happened early Thursday morning at the 52nd Street and Allisonville Road intersection in Marion County. It appears at least two SUV's were involved in this vehicle collision. No word if any of the victims suffered work comp related injuries.

As reported by www.wishtv.com in the article, "Serious Crash Closes 52nd Street at Allisonville Road," a total of three people were taken to local Indiana hospitals with injuries. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's spokesperson says one of the SUV drivers admitted to drinking alcohol earlier this morning. Indiana investigators say that driver was going north on Allisonville Road when he crossed into oncoming traffic and hit another SUV that was going south.

Drinking and driving is well-known as a potentially deadly combination. As reported by www.alcoholalert.com, in Indiana in 2008, there were 250 drinking and driving fatalities that were alcohol related.

Continue reading "INDIANAPOLIS VEHICLE CRASH LEAVES SEVERAL INDIANA PEOPLE WITH INJURIES" »

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers are looking for the driver involved in a hit and run Vehicle Accident Friday night. According to Indianapolis police, a 13-year old Indiana girl was hurt after she was hit by a vehicle in Franklin Township in Southeast Indianapolis. That vehicle's driver apparently left the scene of the accident. At last check, the victim was listed in critical condition at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

As reported by the Indy Star in the article,"Hit-and-Run Leaves Teen Critically Injured," someone who says they saw the accident says the victim was with several teens who were running across the street in the way of cars and trucks coming in their direction.

This auto accident is said to have happened around 11:30pm on Friday. And according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, that is the deadliest time on Fridays. An NHTSA report found that the most deadly crashes on Fridays happen between 9pm and 11:59pm.

Continue reading "INDIANA TEEN IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN INDIANAPOLIS" »

Indiana investigators were on the scene of a deadly auto accident Friday on Indianapolis's northwest side. Indianapolis police say the two vehicles were involved in a crash that killed a man and hurt two other people.

As reported by www.WTHR.com in the article, "Infant Ejected in Fatal Crash," a child was thrown from a Buick as a result of the accident. Indianapolis police say this all began when a vehicle traveling southbound lost control and was hit by another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. IMPD officers say a 22-year old Indianapolis man was driving that other vehicle, a Toyota, and did not suffer serious injuries. However, a young child was thrown from the car that was out of control. That infant was listed in stable condition at last check. The Indianapolis woman who was driving the Buick was listed in critical condition. Her brother was a passenger in the front seat. He was killed.

Vehicle crashes turn deadly all too often. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 693 people were killed in vehicle crashes in Indiana in 2009. While even one death is too many, it is interesting to note that Indiana had the lowest fatality rate each year from 2005-2009.

Continue reading "MULTI-AUTO CRASH KILLS ONE IN INDIANAPOLIS" »

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is facing a lawsuit from an Indiana woman who claims she was hurt in a car crash. 58-year old Andrea Smith says she suffered injuries when a robbery suspect crashed into her car during a chase with Indianapolis police. Smith claims she subsequently lost her job after suffering from "severe permanent injuries."

This all happened on April 20, 2010 on Indianapolis's northside. The victim was driving her car westbound when she was hit head-on by a van police were chasing. The auto accident was deadly for one of the passengers in the van.

As reported in the IndyStar article, "Injured Motorist Sues Police Over Chase Crash," Smith's lawsuit charges three Indianapolis police officers and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Chief with negligence.

Hopefully, Smith collected vital pieces of information following this accident which could potentially help her lawsuit. Those items include police reports, accident photos, witness statements, driving records and medical records. Auto accident victims could be entitled to various forms of compensation. And if a victim was driving while on the job, work comp issues could also be involved.

Continue reading "INDIANA CAR CRASH VICTIM SUING INDIANAPOLIS POLICE FOR HER INJURIES" »

Two Indiana teens are under arrest after a car accident Sunday night in Marion County involving a stolen car and Indianapolis police officers who were on the job. No word if any of the officers suffered any work comp injuries.

Indianapolis police say they were on the lookout for a stolen car when a chase began on Indianapolis's north side. They say an 18-year old man and a 14-year old boy carjacked the car in question after attacking a 24-year old woman in a Walmart parking lot. The Indianapolis police officers believed they spotted the stolen car around midnight when the suspects returned to that parking lot. However, when they attempted to pull the driver over, the suspect sped off. A chase ensued, and the driver subsequently crashed into an Indianapolis police squad car ending the chase. The suspects were then arrested.

While carjackings are scary and dangerous, fortunately, they are not the most common way cars are stolen. According to the Insurance Information Institute, carjackings account for only 3 percent of all motor vehicle thefts. They do, however, occur most frequently in urban areas.

Continue reading "INDIANAPOLIS POLICE INVOLVED IN CAR CRASH WHILE ON THE JOB IN MARION COUNTY" »

Indiana State Troopers and the Wayne Township Fire Department are investigating a car crash with injuries on Interstate 465 on Indianapolis's west side in Marion County. The accident happened Friday morning and caused major traffic delays. Workers had to close all the lanes while they cleaned up the wreckage.

Indiana officials say a Ford Explorer was one of the vehicles involved in the northbound lane crash. At least one person was hurt.

While this accident caused headaches for drivers on their way to work, fortunately, it was not fatal. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 800 people died from vehicle accidents in Indiana in 2008.

Continue reading "MARION COUNTY CRASH INJURES AT LEAST ONE INDIANA PERSON" »

The Howard County Sheriff's Department in Central Indiana is reporting that a deputy is recovering after his cruiser was struck head-on by a pickup truck on U. S. 31. The accident reportedly occurred south of United States Road 35 when James Smith of Dixon, Kentucky, hit a patch of black ice and lost control of his truck and moved across lanes into the path of Deputy Keith Chesshir's squad car, striking it on the driver's side door.

EMTs transferred both individuals to Saint Joseph Hospital in Central Indiana.

Continue reading "INDIANA SHERIFF INJURED IN HEAD ON AUTO ACCIDENT" »