Archive for May, 2012

0
30
May

Indiana Law Enforcement Focusing On Boater Safety

May 30, 2012

With Memorial Day weekend marking the beginning of summer for many, Indiana law enforcement is beginning to focus more on water and boating safety.

According to WTHITV 10 News, the U.S. Coast Guard estimated that 758 fatalities were reported on the water across the country last year, more than half of which occurred during the summer months. The most common reasons the accidents occurred were because of:

  • operator inattention,
  • operator inexperience,
  • improper lookout,
  • and excessive speed.

One such accident occurred over the weekend on Saturday at nearby Fox Lake when an inebriated boater collided his vessel with another while out on the water. Reports indicate that the incident occurred around 9:40 p.m. in Myers Bay when a 36-year-old man drove his powerboat into the front end of a pontoon boat. One woman suffered facial lacerations and other injuries that required her to be hospitalized as a result of the accident.

Experts say most boat operators could avoid such accidents simply by being more vigilant of their surroundings. It’s also important to remember to have a life jacket onboard the vessel for each passenger.

The Indiana Injury Lawyers with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin know that boat accidents can be responsible for any number of injuries, including brain injuries and Spinal Cord injuries. That’s why they would also ask that anyone who is planning on driving a boat to refrain from drinking alcohol before or while on the water.

Bookmark and Share
0
23
May

Alcohol, Drugs, And Speed To Blame For Fatal Indiana Car Crash

May 23, 2012

Alcohol, drugs, and excessive speed may be to blame for a tragic car accident that killed one young one man and left several other teenagers injured. According to WISHTV 8 News, the accident happened around 9:00 a.m. Saturday along County Road 550 East, near the West Chase Golf Course in Brownsburg, Indiana.

Police believe the teenagers were heading to a softball game that morning when the driver of the Pontiac Grand Am they were riding in lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The 18-year-old man who was riding in the center of the backseat was not wearing a seatbelt and was killed in the crash.

The 18-year-old passenger in the front seat suffered serious injuries and remains at a local hospital in critical condition. A 16-year-old female who was in the backseat was also not wearing a seatbelt and suffered a dislocated knee, broken leg, arms, and pelvis.

A factor not accounted for was the number of teens in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Experts say that the chance of a teen being involved in a distracted driving accident grows exponentially with the number of passengers in the vehicle.

The most preventable type of Indiana Auto Accident is one that involves a drunk driver. That’s why the Indiana Drunk Driving Lawyers with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos, and Newlin ask that you never drink and drive.

Bookmark and Share
0
16
May

Dog Bites on the Rise Across Nation

May 16, 2012

In 2009, two high-profile Indiana dog bite cases brought the seriousness of dog bites to the forefront of the nation’s consciousness. First, a four-year-old Michiana Shores girl lost her nose when a pit bull bit it off; then, later that same month, a 10-year-old Bloomington boy was disfigured when a mixed-breed dog bit his nose and lips.

Now the American Humane Association is reporting that dog bites are on the rise across the country, with dozens of bites occurring every day in each state. Half of all victims are under the age of 10, and the insurance industry pays out $1 billion a year in dog bite claims.

This week, from May 16 to May 22, is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. According to the Humane Association, the best way that parents can prevent their children from being bitten by a dog is to educate them about how to act around dogs. Parents are also advised to supervise their children, as 80 percent of fatal dog attacks among 2-year-olds occurred when the child was unsupervised.

A dog bite accident can be serious and should be taken seriously. If you or someone you know has been the victim of an Indiana dog bite injury, we encourage you to consult the Indiana Dog Bite Lawyers with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin. It’s important to know that bite victims have rights. In most states, the dog’s owner is liable when his dog bites.

Bookmark and Share
0
9
May

Disabled Indiana Woman Learning To Walk Again

May 9, 2012

A Henryville, Indiana, woman who was recently disabled after losing both her legs during a storm has recently started walking again using prosthetic legs. According to ABC 57 News, it has taken the woman weeks of rehabilitation to reach this point.

The woman’s story began in March, when she began to hear tornado warnings near her home. As the storm approached, the woman and her two sons retreated to the basement of their home for safety. When the storm hit, the walls around them collapsed and the ceiling above their heads caved in. Falling debris injured the woman’s legs so badly that they had to be amputated from the knee down.

Since the accident, the woman has been working to gain her mobility back. Her hard work was rewarded late last week when she was fitted for her first prosthetic leg. In several more weeks, her other leg will be fitted as well.

“I still have kids to take care of, a family that I love. We would still make it work and we would be happy and it would be okay,” she said about facing the possibility of never walking again.

Long-term disability claim denials affect hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. That’s why the Indiana Social Security Disability Lawyers with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin suggest discussing your case with an experienced attorney if your disability claim has been denied.

Bookmark and Share
0
2
May

Officials Say Texting Ban In Indiana Isn’t Working

May 2, 2012

Despite Indiana’s governor signing a law in July that made it illegal to text while driving, experts say the problem hasn’t stopped. According to WTHITV 10 News, Indiana police are blaming the problem on the actual wording of the law and the difficulties of enforcing it.

The law states that the use of any handheld device to read or transmit a text message or email while driving is illegal. It further states that drivers younger than 18-years-old are not allowed to use any electronic device at all while driving, except for in emergency situations.

Since the laws inception, very few tickets have been issued for infractions. In Vigo County, only three tickets have been written in the 10 months the law has been on the books. It’s not that people aren’t committing violations, as a recent study found that 57 percent of Indiana teens text while driving. So what seems to be the problem?

Police say the wording of the law makes it extremely difficult to enforce, as officers must actually catch violators in the act, which can be hard to decipher at times and even more difficult to prove.

If you’ve been injured in an Indiana Car Accident that was caused by someone using a cellphone, the Indiana Injury Lawyers with Fleschner Stark Tanoos & Newlin say that may be considered negligence on the driver’s part, and you may be able to hold them responsible for damages.

Bookmark and Share