There are few milestones quite like turning 16 and earning your driver’s license. Being able to drive yourself to school, work, friends’ houses, and other destinations represents a major step toward independence.
But with that independence comes responsibility. Driving is a complex task that requires drivers to understand traffic laws, recognize hazards, make quick decisions, and remain attentive behind the wheel.
In Indiana, new drivers must meet specific requirements to obtain a driver’s license, including passing the applicable knowledge and driving examinations. Those tests cover traffic laws, road signs, safe-driving practices, and other information drivers need to know before getting behind the wheel.
The problem is that passing a driver’s exam is generally a one-time milestone. Once you’ve earned your license and kept it in good standing, you aren’t routinely required to retake the written exam to demonstrate that you still remember the rules of the road.
Over time, however, traffic laws change, driving habits can change, and even experienced drivers can become complacent.
Attorney Caleb Fleschner encourages drivers to think about safe driving as an ongoing responsibility:
“Passing your driver’s test doesn’t mean you’ve finished learning how to drive safely. Traffic conditions, technology, and laws change, and all drivers can benefit from occasionally refreshing their knowledge and taking an honest look at their driving habits.”
Getting your driver’s license doesn’t mean you will always remember every traffic law or recognize every potential hazard.
Over the years, drivers may develop habits that aren’t necessarily safe. They may become distracted, speed without thinking about it, follow other vehicles too closely, or stop paying as much attention to changing road conditions.
Technology has also changed the driving experience. Drivers now have to contend with smartphones, navigation systems, advanced vehicle features, and other potential distractions that weren’t part of everyday driving when many adults first earned their licenses.
A refresher can be useful for drivers of all ages.
There’s no such thing as being too knowledgeable or too prepared when it comes to driving. If you’re unsure about current Indiana traffic laws or want to improve your driving skills, consider these resources:
Being a knowledgeable and attentive driver can reduce the risk of a crash, but even the safest driver can’t control what everyone else on the road does.
A driver who follows the speed limit, uses appropriate caution, and stays focused can still be injured when another motorist drives recklessly, fails to yield, follows too closely, drives distracted, or otherwise violates traffic laws.
If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, and other losses related to the accident.
After a car accident, determining what happened and who was responsible can be complicated. Evidence may include police reports, photographs, witness statements, vehicle damage, medical records, surveillance footage, and other documentation. At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, our Indiana auto accident attorneys can investigate the circumstances of your crash and help you understand your legal options.
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact us today for a free consultation.
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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