Car accidents are an unfortunate part of everyday life in Indiana. From busy city streets and interstate highways to rural roads, drivers face a variety of hazards that can lead to serious collisions.
While some crashes are unavoidable, many are caused by preventable behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and failing to follow traffic laws. When a collision occurs, the consequences can extend far beyond damage to a vehicle. Drivers and passengers may suffer serious injuries, miss work, incur medical expenses, and face significant physical and emotional challenges.
If you have been injured in a crash caused by another driver’s negligence, understanding your rights and legal options can be an important part of moving forward.
“A car accident can turn someone’s life upside down in a matter of seconds,” says Attorney Caleb Fleschner of Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin. “When another driver’s negligence causes an injury, it is important for the injured person to understand their rights and have someone in their corner who can help them navigate the process.”
Car accidents can happen in many different ways. Some of the most common types of crashes include:
Regardless of how a crash occurs, determining what caused it and who was responsible can be important when an injury claim is involved.
Speeding is one of the most common factors associated with serious motor vehicle crashes.
A speeding driver has less time to react to changing traffic conditions and requires more distance to stop. Speed also increases the force involved in a collision, potentially making injuries more severe.
Aggressive driving behaviors, including tailgating, unsafe passing, rapid lane changes, and disregarding traffic signals, can similarly increase the risk of a crash.
Drivers should obey posted speed limits and adjust their speed when road, weather, traffic, or visibility conditions require additional caution.
Distracted driving occurs whenever a driver’s attention is diverted from the task of operating a vehicle.
Cell phones are a significant source of distraction, but they are not the only one. Eating, adjusting the radio or navigation system, talking with passengers, and reaching for objects inside a vehicle can all take a driver’s attention away from the road.
Even a momentary distraction can have serious consequences. A driver who looks away from the road may fail to notice a stopped vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, traffic signal, or changing road conditions.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can significantly impair a person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
An impaired driver may have slower reaction times, reduced coordination, impaired judgment, and difficulty recognizing hazards. Despite the serious risks, impaired driving continues to contribute to crashes and injuries.
Never drive after consuming alcohol or taking a substance that could impair your ability to drive. Drivers should also never get behind the wheel if they are unsure whether they are capable of operating a vehicle safely.
Teen drivers face particular challenges because they are still developing driving experience and judgment.
Inexperience can make it more difficult for a new driver to recognize hazards, respond to unexpected situations, and safely manage distractions. Passengers and cell phones can create additional distractions for young drivers.
Parents can help reduce these risks by establishing clear expectations about safe driving, limiting distractions, and emphasizing the importance of following traffic laws.
Drivers cannot control everything that happens on the road, but defensive driving can help reduce the risk of a collision.
Some basic defensive driving practices include:
Taking these precautions can help protect drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and everyone else sharing Indiana’s roads.
If you are involved in a car accident, your immediate priority should be safety and medical attention.
When possible, you should also take steps to document what happened. Depending on the circumstances, this may include:
It is also important to remember that some injuries may not be immediately apparent after a collision. Following up with a medical professional can help identify injuries and create documentation of your treatment.
If you were injured in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may have questions about who is responsible for your injuries and what compensation may be available.
An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate the circumstances of the collision, gather relevant evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and help evaluate the damages associated with your injuries.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and damages associated with pain and suffering.
“After an accident, people often have questions about medical bills, insurance, lost wages, and what they should do next,” Fleschner says. “Our goal is to help injured clients understand their options and make informed decisions while we work to protect their legal interests.”
Car accidents can have lasting consequences, particularly when they result in serious injuries. If another driver’s negligence caused your accident, you do not have to navigate the claims process alone.
An Indiana personal injury attorney can review the circumstances of your accident, explain your legal options, and help you determine what steps may be appropriate for your situation.
Contact Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to schedule a free consultation with the firm’s personal injury team.
Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin
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The financial burden that often comes with a serious injury can be too much for many people to bear. Unexpected medical debt, damaged personal property, and the sudden loss of income can impact the budgets of most families. The good news is that a successful injury claim could help reduce that financial strain after a serious accident. Get in touch with a Terre Haute personal injury lawyer with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to learn more.
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