Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog

INDIANA TEACHER DIES IN CAR ACCIDENT IN SOUTHERN INDIANA

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:28:00 -0500

A former Center Grove, Indiana teacher died in a Vehicle Accident in Jackson County last week. The Indianapolis Auto Collision Attorneys at Kooi Law learned the victim was Sharlene Mellencamp. Her husband, from Greenwood, Indiana, was hurt in the auto accident. He was identified as 74 year old William Mellencamp.

According to Indiana authorities, two vehicles -- a van and a car -- were involved in this Vehicle Crash. William Mellencamp was listed at a local Indianapolis hospital at last check with chest injuries. Jackson County's coroner says Sharlene Mellencamp died at the scene.

At this time, it is unclear who was the driver in this deadly Auto Accident. Statistics show it is often the driver who is killed in vehicle crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that in 2009, 17,640 drivers were killed in crashes while 6,770 passengers died in vehicle collisions. When you look at Indiana alone, the scenario is similar -- more drivers die than passengers. For example, in 2009 in the Hoosier state, 386 drivers died in auto accidents while 136 passengers were killed.

Age, unfortunately, can sometimes play a role in a car crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found statistics show the number of fatalities begins to increase after the age of 74. For example, in 2009, in the 65-74 year old age group, 2,374 people were killed in vehicle crashes. In the over 74 years old age group, 2,914 people died in auto collisions.

Of course, the Indianapolis Auto Accident Attorneys at Kooi Law realize you can be the victim of a serious and even deadly car crash regardless of your age or if you were the passenger or the driver. However, if you are involved in such situation, there are certain actions you can take to protect yourself and help ensure you receive the proper benefits. As soon as possible, if not immediately after the accident, you should gather and keep key pieces of evidence for future communication with insurance companies and for possible legal proceedings. Those key pieces of evidence can be police reports, accident photos, and witness statements.

INDIANA COMPANY FINED AFTER WORK-RELATED INJURY RESULTING IN DEATH

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:52:42 -0500

The Indianapolis Workers Compensation Attorneys at Kooi Law have learned an Indiana company is facing a $3600 fine due to a work-related injury that resulted in an employee dying. The fine was levied by the Indiana Department of Labor against Tiller Sanitation. The deadly incident happened on Labor Day of last year. Workplace injuries and deaths are often connected to Indiana Work Comp issues.

As for this workplace death, it apparently happened when two males, 17 year old Stephen Tiller and 19 year old Michael Scott fell off the front of a garbage truck that loaded from the front side. Tiller ended up under the vehicle and died. Scott was thrown to the side and was injured. Delaware County's coroner said the two should not have been on the front of the vehicle.

Tiller Sanitation was fined $1500 for not reporting a worker's fatality to the nearest United States Department of Labor's OSHA office. The company was fined an additional $2100 for not giving its workers an operating manual for the truck and not teaching them how to properly adhere to the operating manual. That booklet details how sanitation employees are not to ride outside the truck on a ledge that's in the front part of the vehicle.

In Indiana and in states throughout the country, employers have specific Work Comp rules and laws to follow to help ensure worker safety. Recording work-related deaths and injuries can help Indiana's Department of Labor make the workplace safer by identifying problem areas.

The Indiana Worker's Compensation Lawyers are very familiar with the specific steps an injured worker should take immediately following the incident. Sticking to these steps can greatly help an injured employee receive the Work Comp benefits he or she deserves. Plus, these steps should be taken no matter how small you might think your injury is. First, you should immediately report your injury to your supervisor or manager and ask them to complete a formal accident report. You should receive a copy of this report from your supervisor or employer. If you require formal medical attention, you should follow all directions of the provider and your employer. That includes going to all appointments and examinations scheduled and following all restrictions. If you will need to miss more than 7 days of work due to your workplace injury, you should contact an attorney for a consultation concerning your temporary total disability rights.

SEMI TRUCK DRIVER DIES IN TRACTOR TRAILER CRASH IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:30:35 -0500

The Indiana Semi Truck Accident Lawyers at Kooi Law can report a Tractor Trailer Driver died in a Vehicle Accident just after midnight Thursday. Indiana State Police say the Truck Crash happened on United States Interstate 65 near Downtown Indianapolis. The truck driver is identified as 30 year old Sukhinder Dhuga from Ontario. His passenger did suffer injuries. Indiana Workers Compensation issues could be involved.

Indiana State Police say the semi truck driver might have fallen asleep while driving; thus, causing the crash. Dhuga apparently went off the right side of the highway, struck a guardrail and flipped. Indiana police say he was stuck under the semi while his passenger was thrown from the vehicle. Medics took both victims to a local Indianapolis hospital. Dhuga died there while his passenger's status is not known at last check by Indianapolis Vehicle Crash Attorneys.

As mentioned earlier, Indiana Work Comp issues might be involved in this case. Workers Compensation is defined as the body of laws that pertains to an injury a worker suffers while in the course and scope of employment. In other words, it's an injury a person suffers while on the job. Each state has its own specific laws to cover Workers Compensation. And the experienced attorneys at Kooi Law are well-versed on Indiana's and Illinois's Work Comp laws and can help answer your questions if you believe you are suffering from a work-related injury.

Semi Truck Drivers are frequently victims of Work Comp injuries due to vehicle crashes. According to Truckinginfo.net, the United States Department of Transportation estimates there are more than 500,000 trucking accidents every year. The website further explains more than 75% of truck driving crashes are because of an error by the driver of the passenger vehicle. Only 16% of all truck driving crashes are due to the truck driver’s fault.

No matter who is to blame, injuries can be severe in a semi truck accident. Statistics show about 5,000 people are killed in truck crashes every year. And unfortunately, about 98% of the time, the drivers of the other vehicle are killed in a truck crash.

INDIANA NAMED ONE OF WORST STATES FOR LONG TERM CARE, NURSING HOME ABUSE

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:06:11 -0500

Indiana families know how difficult it can be to find a quality nursing home for their loved ones. Nursing Home Abuse is one big concern. Nursing Home Neglect and Injuries are growing problems that often go unreported or aren't discovered until it is too late. Recently, the Indianapolis Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers read a report by the AARP which detailed the best and worst states for long term care. Unfortunately, the article listed Indiana as one of the worst states, coming in at number 47 out of 50.

The lack of quality Nursing Home care not only in Indiana but throughout the country is getting President Obama's attention. The President recently proposed tough new penalties for skilled nursing facilities whose residents are too often taken to hospitals. These patients are taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries that came from falls, infections or faulty medication management. In other words, many of these patients are victims of Nursing Home Abuse, and these injuries are commonly seen by the experienced Indiana Nursing Home Neglect and Injury Attorneys at Kooi Law.

These new penalties for Nursing Home Injuries are part of President Obama's deficit reduction plan. Obama is seeking to cut several hundred million dollars from expected Medicare and Medicaid spending. Some of those cuts would come from payments to nursing homes and home health agencies, but some of those cuts would also target long term care facilities with high hospital admission rates.

The Kaiser Family Foundation found about 40% of Nursing Home patients are admitted to hospitals on average each year, and about 25% of them could be avoided. Additionally, a congressional review panel found about 14% of patients taken directly from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities are re-admitted to hospitals for conditions and/or injuries that could have been prevented.

The penalty for poor Nursing Home Quality of Care in Indiana Nursing Homes and in facilities across the country would be that these facilities could lose up to 3% of their Medicare payment. It would apply to residents who are getting rehabilitation or recovering from a hospital stay. As of now, it would not apply to long term residents getting Medicaid.

While the President's proposal could improve the quality of Nursing Home Care, it is also imperative that people who suspect Nursing Home Abuse report it to the proper authorities to ensure the perpetrators are stopped and punished and that the victims receive the proper care and compensation.

A ZIONSVILLE MAN IS KILLED IN CAR CRASH IN BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:45:55 -0500

A Car Accident in Boone County, Indiana left one man dead. The Auto Collision happened Wednesday morning on United States Interstate 865. The Indianapolis Car Crash Attorneys at Kooi Law learned 23 year old Max Watters from Zionsville, Indiana was killed in the accident. A man in another vehicle was also hurt in this Vehicle Collision.

Indiana State Police say Watters apparently drove his car across the median on United States Interstate 865 and into oncoming vehicles. Indiana investigators say his car then crashed into a mini van driven by 33 year old Jonathon Sherrill from Franklin, Indiana. Sherrill's two young daughters were in the vehicle at the time of the crash, but fortunately, they were not hurt. However, Sherrill did suffer injuries. The force of the Car Collision apparently caused Watters's car to split in two. He was taken to a local Indianapolis Hospital where he died.

Too many people are killed every year in Auto Accidents not only in Indiana but throughout the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration compiles data on deadly vehicle accidents in an effort to make our roads safer. While it is not clear why Watters drove his car across the median and into oncoming traffic, researchers with the NHTSA found that failing to stay in the proper lane is a leading cause of deadly motor vehicle accidents. In fact, nationwide in 2009, failure to stay in the proper lane resulted in 7,696 drivers involved in deadly crashes. That made up 17% of all the drivers in fatal vehicle accidents.

In Indiana in 2009, not staying in the proper lane resulted in the third most drivers involved in deadly vehicle collisions. Swerving or avoiding due to wind, slippery surface, etc. and driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication were the top two related factors for drivers involved in fatal crashes in Indiana in 2009.

Many more people are injured in Auto Accidents than are killed in them, but the effects can still be devastating not only for the victims but for their families as well. The Indiana Car Crash Attorneys strongly recommend victims take specific steps following an accident to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve to help them recover their losses. As soon as possible following the accident, victims should gather police reports, accident photos, witness statements, driving records, and medical records.

WORKERS HURT ON THE JOB IN EXPLOSION AT FERTILIZER PLANT IN NORTHERN INDIANA

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:22:39 -0500

Four workers were hurt in a Workplace Construction Accident in Goshen, Indiana on Monday. The Indianapolis Work Comp Lawyers learned the employees were apparently injured when an ammonia tank exploded. The four injured employees worked at T&T Fertilizer and Southwest Welding. One of the injured, a 24 year old man, was taken to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana with an apparent head injury. A captain with the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department says the other three injured men are ages 16, 56 and 61. They were transported to a local Northern Indiana hospital. Workers who are hurt while in the course and scope of employment are entitled to Indiana Worker's Compensation benefits in most cases.

In this case, Indiana investigators say the Workplace Accident happened when employees welding a tank at a fertilizer plant set off an explosion which not only hurt the four workers but also spilled 2,000 gallons of ammonia into the plant. A dike system at T&T Fertilizer reportedly contained the ammonia. And a haz-mat team helped clean up the area.

Work-related injuries happen all too often in Indiana and throughout the country. Fortunately, the workplace in Indiana appears to be getting safer. According to the Indiana Department of Labor, in 2009, the amount of non-deadly occupational injuries and illnesses was 94,800. This is the lowest number of non-fatal injuries and illnesses on record for Indiana. It also shows a drop of 17,300 such injuries and illnesses compared to the previous year.

When Indiana researchers examined the rate of non-deadly occupational injuries and illnesses, they found a downward trend. In 2009, the rate in Indiana was 4.3 per 100 employees. That rate was 12% lower than the rate in 2008 and was the biggest percent drop in a one year time frame on record. While this is encouraging news, Indiana's non-deadly injury and illness rate is still higher than the national total recordable rate of 3.9.

And even one injured worker can effect many people. The experienced Indianapolis Work Comp Attorneys at Kooi Law realize how devastating the effects of a workplace injury can be. Children and other dependents could be counting on that injured worker's salary to provide food, pay the rent or mortgage, and pay the bills. If that injured employee has to miss work because of his or her injury, a huge financial hardship could be placed on the family. However, Indiana Work Comp benefits can help alleviate this situation.

SEMI TRUCK COLLIDES WITH BRIDGE ON INDIANA HIGHWAY

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:26:20 -0500

The Indianapolis Semi Truck Accident Lawyers can report a Tractor Trailer Crash Monday morning. Indiana Work Comp issues are often involved when a truck driver is injured in an Auto Accident. However, there is still no word on the condition of the truck driver in this crash. Monday's truck crash happened on United States Interstate 865.

Officials with the Indiana Department of Transportation say the Semi Truck was heading on the northbound ramp to United States Interstate 465 to westbound United States Interstate 865 when the driver lost control and collided with the southbound United States Interstate 465 overpass. INDOT workers were examining the bridge to see if it suffered any damage in the Truck Crash. No word yet if the driver of the truck was hurt in the accident. The Tractor Trailer was transporting boxes for Hardee's.

Semi Trucks play a key role in Indiana's economy and in our nation's economy as a whole. Some estimates put the number of tractor trailers in our country at 2 million with more than 3 million truck drivers. While Semi Trucks do pose a risk on the road simply because of their size, some statistics might surprise you. The website, www.truckinfo.net, found that commercial trucks are involved in 2.4% of all car crashes. And trucks are 3 times less likely to be in a collision than a regular motor vehicle. When broken down into minutes, one person is apparently hurt or killed in a truck crash every 16 minutes.

Indiana Workers' Compensation Lawyers know many of these Semi Truck Crashes involve Work Comp. Work Comp is often referred to as Worker's Compensation and often comes into play when a worker is injured or killed while on the job. In Indiana, the Indiana Work Comp Act mandates that employers have worker's compensation insurance or a self-insured program. Some jobs are excluded from the Work Comp Act but most do fall under it. The experienced Indiana Work Comp Attorneys at Kooi Law can help injured workers figure out if their injuries are covered under the Act and if so, how much financial compensation they should receive.

Worker's Compensation benefits may still apply even if the injured worker died from his or her injuries. In this unfortunate situation, that worker's spouse and/or children would be entitled to compensation. Those benefits could include funeral and burial expenses in addition to up to 500 weeks of disability payments. In some cases, a non-family member could be deemed a dependent and entitled to compensation. Thus, it is important to contact an Indianapolis Work Comp Attorney in the event of a fatal workplace accident involving a loved one.

CORUNNA, INDIANA MAN HURT IN TANKER TRUCK CRASH IN NORTHERN INDIANA

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:22:43 -0500

A Corunna, Indiana man was seriously hurt in a Tanker Truck Crash in DeKalb County, Indiana. The Truck Accident occurred Wednesday night on Indiana State Road 327. The Indiana Semi Truck Crash Lawyers can report the injured man was the driver of the truck and is 52 year old Kevin Grate. It remains to be seen if Indiana Workers Compensation issues will arise.

Indiana State Police say a cow may be to blame for this Vehicle Collision. Indiana investigators say as Grate drove to the top of a hill, he noticed the cow and tried to not strike it. However, he apparently did strike the cow, and the truck left the roadway and collided with a utility pole. Then, Indiana State Police say the truck rolled over and went into a ditch that was filled with water. Grate suffered multiple injuries including a head injury. He was transported to a local Indiana hospital for treatment.

When someone is hurt while on the job, it is often deemed a "Work Comp injury." Work Comp or Workers' Compensation refers to the set of laws pertaining to a workplace injury and the insurance benefits a worker could be entitled to if he or she is hurt while in the course and scope of employment. In other words, if a worker is injured while on the job, that worker could be entitled to receive Work Comp. Each state has varying Worker's Compensation laws and codes. The experienced Indianapolis Work Comp Attorneys at Kooi Law are extremely familiar with Indiana's Work Comp laws and can guide an injured worker through the legal process -- from reporting the injury to the proper authorities to making sure that worker receives the medical treatment and financial compensation he or she deserves.

Work Comp injuries are not relegated to injuries that happen in a traditional office, store or factory. Often, a vehicle that an employee is in for work purposes can be the "office" where that work related injury occurs. The Indiana Department of Labor examines work related injuries in an effort to improve workplace safety. Officials with the Indiana Department of Labor found that in 2009, the transportation industry (which the Department of Labor couples with the warehousing industry) had the second most workplace deaths with 17. The Construction industry also had 17 work related deaths. Only the Agriculture industry had more workplace fatalities in 2009 with 23.

While even one Work Related Death is one too many, Indiana's workplaces do appear to be getting safer. The Indiana Department of Labor reported that in 2009, the state had the fewest occupational fatalities on record with 123.

HIDDEN CAMERA USE RISING TO PROTECT AGAINST NURSING HOME ABUSE IN INDIANA AND COUNTRY

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:03:26 -0500

In Indiana and throughout the country, Nursing Home Abuse is a growing and troubling problem. The Indianapolis Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers know all too well how devastating Nursing Home Abuse can be for the victims and for the victims' families. One tool many families are turning to more and more to protect their loved ones in nursing homes is a hidden camera. These so-called "granny cams" are providing families and even facility managers and law enforcement officials with evidence to catch workers who are abusing the elderly residents.

Experts in the long term care industry say hidden camera use is on the rise and point to several instances where the use of hidden cameras has revealed Nursing Home Abuse. For example, in Minnesota recently, hidden cameras caught workers mistreating residents in several cases at assisted living facilities.

And in Indiana's neighbor to the East, Ohio, people are using hidden cameras in nursing homes. Earlier this year, a man in Ohio put a "granny cam" in a desk to reveal two nursing home employees abusing and causing injury to his 78 year old mother who has Alzheimer's disease.

Of course, the use of hidden cameras raises several privacy concerns. People in the long term care industry have long fought against legalizing the use of hidden cameras, pointing to insurance costs and privacy concerns. Those against the use of these cameras also say the cameras would hinder a nursing home's ability to hire personnel.

The legal issues surrounding hidden camera use vary by state. An honest and experienced Indianapolis Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer can help you determine if the use of such cameras is allowed in a specific nursing home. Even if one does not have access to a hidden camera, there are ways one can spot Nurisng Home Abuse or Neglect. According to experts, one should look for open cuts or wounds, welts or bruises on the patient. One should also become suspicious if the caretaker cannot adequately explain the condition of the patient. These are just some of the signs of possible physical abuse.

Of course, physical abuse is not the only form of abuse one needs to worry about. One should also be concerned with emotional and verbal abuse and neglect. Nursing Home Neglect can often be spotted by dehydration or malnutrition in a resident along with bed sores. Unsanitary and unclean conditions can also be signs of Nursing Home Neglect.

MARION COUNTY, INDIANA IS SCENE OF SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT WITH INJURY

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:44:29 -0500

Franklin Township in Marion County, Indiana was the site of a Vehicle Crash with injuries on Monday. A School Bus was also involved in the accident. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say the Vehicle Collision happened at Southern Springs Boulevard and East Stop 11 Road. The Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers have not yet heard if the school bus driver was hurt in the auto accident and if so, if any Indiana Work Comp issues are involved.

Indiana investigators say a 17 year old driver was hurt in the Auto Accident. Apparently, a 48 year old man was driving his car on Stop 11 Road when another car, driven by the teenager, pulled in front of his car. This allegedly caused a chain-reaction crash with the 17 year old's car colliding with a school bus. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say no school children were hurt in the accident. However, the 17 year old was hurt and taken to a local Indianapolis hospital for treatment.

Despite Monday's Bus Crash, statistics do show school buses are an extremely safe form of transportation. For example, school buses transport about 24 million students each year and drive more than 4 billion miles in total. When these figures are used to determine the rate of deaths on school buses, the data shows school buses have a rate of 0.2 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. While even one death is one too many, compare the school bus death rate to that of cars, and you find the rate of deaths in automobiles is eight times higher.

Taken another way, from 1994-2004, 71 passengers on school buses died in Vehicle Collisions. In the year 2004 alone, 31,693 people in cars and light trucks died in traffic crashes. Interestingly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found more children died by being struck by a school bus than when riding in school buses.

While there is still no word on the condition of the school bus driver, if a worker is hurt while on the job, that worker could be entitled to Worker's Compensation. The Indiana Work Comp Lawyers can help an injured employee determine if he or she is, indeed, entitled to such benefits. Each state has its own Work Comp laws, codes, and procedures. In Indiana, the quicker you can report your injury to your manager or your supervisor, the better. You should do this even if you do not believe your injury is serious or will require professional medical treatment. Your supervisor should then fill out a formal accident report. You should receive a copy of this from your employer. If you need medical attention, you should follow all the directions your health care provider and employer give you.

TWO INDIANA TEENAGERS DIE IN FIERY CAR ACCIDENT IN CARROLL COUNTY, INDIANA

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:48:59 -0500

A Northern Indiana community is mourning the death of two teenagers in a tragic Car Crash. The Indianapolis Auto Accident Lawyers can, unfortunately, report 17 year old Aubrey Whistler and 18 year old Leanna Martin both died in Sunday's auto collision in Carroll County, Indiana. Both girls were from Logansport, Indiana. The Car Accident happened on Indiana State Road 25.

Carroll County Sheriff's Department officers say Martin was the driver of the vehicle. Apparently, her car veered across the center line and into traffic going the opposite direction. 43 year old Jeffrey Wittig from Granger, Indiana was driving a vehicle in that oncoming traffic. Indiana investigators say he attempted to prevent a crash with Martin's oncoming car by heading to the right side of the road. However, Martin's vehicle went up in flames. She reportedly died at the scene while Whistler later died at a local Indianapolis hospital. Wittig was hurt in the Auto Accident and taken to a hospital for treatment.

Unfortunately, teenagers are involved in many fatal Car Accidents and vehicle crashes with injuries every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compiled some chilling statistics. For example, the CDC found auto crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in our country. That makes up more than one in three deaths in this age group. While two female teens were involved in Sunday's fatal car crash, male teens are often the ones who find themselves in such accidents. According to the CDC, from 2000-2006, 12,479 males aged 15-19 were killed in motor vehicle accidents. However, their female counterparts were involved in about half as many deadly vehicle crashes. In those years, 6,597 females aged 15-19 died in auto collisions.

So what can be done to protect our nation's teenagers on the road? The CDC suggests the key to teen auto safety lies with parents. Auto Safety experts say the first step is for parents to talk with their teen drivers about driving safely. Parents should also prolong their teenager's supervised driving period and establish the rules of the road. Additionally, auto safety experts recommend parents and their teen drivers sign an agreement about how the teenagers will act behind the wheel. And the CDC urges parents to make sure they enforce the rules in this agreement.

While protecting our young drivers on the road is extremely important, the Indiana Auto Accident Attorneys at Kooi Law know auto safety must be stressed no matter what the age of the drivers. Despite the high death rate for teen drivers, they are actually not the age group with the most fatalities in vehicle crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found the 25-34 year old age group had the most vehicle crash fatalities in 2009 with 5,689.

TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENT IN INDIANAPOLIS LEAVES ONE MAN DEAD AND TWO PEOPLE HURT

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:32:29 -0500

A Semi Truck Accident in Indianapolis left one man dead and two people injured. The Indiana Tractor Trailer Collision Attorneys at Kooi Law learned the injured were taken to local Indianapolis hospitals. Still no word if Worker's Compensation issues will come into play.

This Semi Truck Crash happened on United States Interstate 465 shortly before midnight Wednesday. It all apparently started when a car got a flat tire and pulled onto the shoulder of I-465. 31 year old Kymari Cobel from Paoli, Indiana was driving the car, and 21 year old Zachary Wright from Cicero, Indiana was a passenger. Cobel began to drive again after the tire was changed but felt something was not right with the new tire so she pulled onto the shoulder again. Indiana State Police say that's when a pickup truck pulled near the car, and the driver offered to help. 32 year old Gregory Lacy from Georgia was a passenger in that pickup truck.

Apparently, all four people from the car and the pickup were walking on the shoulder of the Interstate when Indiana State Police say a big rig swerved onto the right shoulder of Interstate 465 and hit the Good Samaritan's pickup truck, then struck the Good Samaritan and two other people on the shoulder. That as-yet-to-named Good Samaritan was killed. The semi did not hit Cobel. Indiana State Police say the two injured people are Lacey and Wright. The Indiana Truck Accident Lawyers learned the driver of the tractor trailer was identified as 58 year old Paul Morris from Cincinnati, Ohio. Indiana investigators are looking into what exactly caused this deadly vehicle accident.

Workers Compensation issues are involved if a worker is hurt while in the course and scope of employment. At this point, it is not yet clear if any of the injured or the deceased were on the job when this Semi Truck Accident occurred. An experienced Indiana Work Comp Lawyer can help injured workers and their families figure out what medical treatment they need and what compensation they are entitled to.

Unfortunately, large trucks like semis are involved in many fatal Vehicle Accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took a look at such collisions and found in 2009, large trucks were involved in 308 deadly vehicle crashes with a non-motorist. Researchers also found the majority of fatal Semi Truck accidents involved several vehicles. In 2009, large trucks were in more than 2,600 deadly crashes involving multiple vehicles as opposed to 603 deadly crashes involving simply that single vehicle.

FOUR PEOPLE INJURED IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH WITH PEDESTRIANS IN FRANKLIN, INDIANA

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:52:22 -0500

The Indiana Auto Accident Attorneys learned four people were hurt in a Motorcycle Accident in Franklin, Indiana. The crash happened Tuesday night on United States 31. Several victims suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local Indianapolis hospital for treatment.

Indiana investigators say the Vehicle Accident happened as a mother, her son and that son's girlfriend were walking on United States 31 near Franklin College. That's when a motorcycle apparently collided with the son and his girlfriend who are both teens. The driver of the motorcycle and his passenger were tossed from the motorcycle. The Indianapolis Vehicle Accident Attorneys at Kooi Law learned the identities of these two -- the driver was 42 year old Daniel Thompson, and the passenger was 22 year old Kristina Lacefield. Neither was apparently wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

As for injuries, local Indiana police say Thompson was critically hurt in the Motorcycle Accident. Lacefield suffered injuries to her hip and upper leg. The son who was the pedestrian suffered various injuries including a broken leg. His girlfriend reportedly suffered internal head injuries. The son's mother was not hurt in the motorcycle crash.

Initial reports are Thompson was drinking prior to the Vehicle Crash. Indiana investigators are awaiting results of his blood test. The dangers of drinking and driving are well- documented, but it is worth taking a closer look at the effects of drinking and driving in the Hoosier state. Of course, in Indiana it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration level (or BAC) of .08 percent or higher. One study examined drunk driving and its connection to vehicle accidents. It found in 2009 in Indiana, there were 187 deadly vehicle crashes where at least one driver had a BAC of 0.08% or more. Also, 42 people in Indiana died in vehicle accidents where at least one driver had a BAC between 0.01% and 0.07%. Additionally, 250 total fatalities happened in Indiana when at least one driver had a BAC of 0.01% or above.

The experienced Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers are well-versed in Indiana's laws that pertain to drunk driving. Indiana does have stricter laws for drivers under the age of 21 and drivers of commercial vehicles who are found to be driving drunk. However, in general, if someone drives with a .08 BAC in Indiana, it is a Class "C" Misdemeanor for your first offense. The legal penalties vary depending on how many times the suspected drunk driver has been convicted of driving drunk. But, the first time a driver is convicted of drunk driving in Indiana, he or she will usually pay court costs and fees of $300 or more, and the driver can also be fined up to $5,000. The driver could face some jail time among other penalties like having his or her drivers license suspended.

TWO TRACTOR TRAILERS CRASH IN INDIANA'S MARION COUNTY

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:17:05 -0500

United States Interstate 70 in Indiana's Marion County was the scene of a Semi Truck Accident Monday morning. The Tractor Trailer Crash happened just west of downtown Indianapolis and included two Semis. The Indiana Truck Accident Lawyers learned a car was also involved in this crash. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the collision. However, Indiana Work Comp issues could have been involved if the semi drivers were hurt while on the job.

Indiana investigators say hydroplaning may be to blame for this Trucking Accident. A driver of one of the semi trucks said it was raining at the time of the accident and his trailer started to hydroplane. The trailer then hit a wall. The driver of a second semi truck was apparently trying to not hit that tractor trailer when it collided with a car.

The Indianapolis Vehicle Collision Attorneys at Kooi Law are experienced in handling auto accidents that stem from hydroplaning. Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle's tires are separated from the road due to water or another liquid forming a layer between the tires and the road. Thus, the tires have little or no traction on the road, and the driver has reduced ability to break or steer effectively. Hydroplaning is often referred to as "aquaplaning."

One of the main causes of hydroplaning is poor road construction. When a road is constructed the proper way, it will have a center at a higher angle than its sides. This makes a "cross slope" which enables water to drain off the road. However, over a period of time and in some cases, because of a paving contractor's or road engineer's negligence or error, some roads do not have the proper cross slope or have no cross slope at all. In these situations, water tends to pool on the road, and hydroplaning can occur and lead to Vehicle Collisions.

Vehicle Collisions are often a cause of Workers Compensation issues. The Indiana Department of Labor examined all sorts of workplace injuries and found in 2009, transportation and warehousing had the second highest number of workplace fatalities with 17. The construction industry also had 17 workplace deaths. Only the agriculture industry had more with 23. There are certain steps an injured worker should take if he or she is hurt while in the course and scope of employment. Each state has its own specific Work Comp laws and codes so an injured worker should check with his or her own state's regulations.

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS IN INDIANA HURT IN TRUCK CRASH

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:11:46 -0500

In St. Joseph County, Indiana, the Fatal Alcohol Crash Team is looking into a Truck Crash with multiple injuries. The Indiana Workers' Compensation Attorneys at Kooi Law can report at least three people were hurt in Wednesday's Vehicle Accident. The injured include a firefighter and a police officer. It is not clear what, if any, Indiana Work Comp issues will be involved since the injured workers were on the job when they were hurt.

As for what caused this Truck Accident, it apparently started when a Clay Fire Territory pumper tanker truck was responding to a call in Harris Township. At the same time, Roseland police were going to a different call. For some reason, as both were going through the same intersection, the truck collided with the patrol car and then rolled onto its side. The truck reportedly also struck a passenger car before it flipped. Another police car was apparently involved in this Vehicle Collision as well. Clay fire officials say it seems like the police car struck their truck. Equipment at the intersection does give fire trucks a green traffic signal.

Three people were hurt in this Vehicle Crash. A firefighter, a police officer, and a civilian were all taken to a local Indiana hospital for treatment for their injuries. None of the injuries were considered extremely serious. At last check, the Indiana Truck Accident Lawyers learned the firefighter was released from the hospital. Indiana's general Worker's Compensation statutes do not usually pertain to emergency responders like firefighters and police officers because these jobs are deemed to carry inherent risks. Instead, Indiana has a separate code that specifically details how police officers and firefighters should be treated medically and compensated if they are, indeed, hurt while in the course and scope of their employment. Experienced Indianapolis Work Comp Lawyers can help injured workers navigate the legal process to ensure they receive the proper benefits.

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the job of firefighter does entail serious risks for workplace injuries. One risk concerns fire truck traffic accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration examined data from Fire Truck Collisions in the years 1994-1996. Officials found in general, about 2,472 fire trucks are involved in police-reported accidents each year in our country. Each year, these crashes caused 6 fatalities to fire truck occupants, 413 fire truck occupant injuries, and a total of 1,076 people were hurt in these collisions including 21 fatalities.

Researchers also looked at the type of injuries suffered in Fire Truck Accidents. They found usually, the most severe injuries happen in the other vehicle involved in the collision. Deadly injuries happened in less than 1% of accidents involving fire trucks. Some type of injury happened in about 24% of fire truck crashes, and property damage happened in about 75% of fire truck accidents.