South Bend Personal Injury Law Blog

Indiana motorcyclists have a great state to ride through with plenty of scenic views, open roads, and great weather to enjoy. But unfortunately, if a time comes when that motorcyclist gets into an accident with another vehicle on the road, they'll likely be the ones walking away with worse injuries.

Motorcycles have much less cover than cars do, which means a motorcyclist risks taking damage directly to their body. Ride Apart lists off the body parts that a motorcyclist is most likely to injure if they get into a crash. Generally speaking, the lower and upper extremities are the… Read Full Post

A dog bite incident can occur at any time in Indiana to anyone. It may involve a wild dog or someone’s family pet. At Gardner & Rans PC, we see victims of all ages and situations of all types. Not every dog must be provoked to attack. If a dog is known to be aggressive, it could attack if you just walk by it. If an attack occurs, you should seek medical attention immediately and the proper authorities need to be contacted.

According to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, the state requires all animal bites to be investigated. An official animal bite form must be filled out for each incident that contains information… Read Full Post

Motorcycles are the most vulnerable vehicles on Indiana roadways. It is up to riders to do everything they can to stay safe. One of the best ways to do this is to drive defensively. This means driving in a way that will avoid dangers and keep the rider safe. Road Guardians offers some tips for cyclists on defensive driving.

Motorcyclists should pay attention to the road around them by using their mirrors and being aware of other vehicles. They should follow all laws and wear safety gear, such as a helmet. Riders should be careful when driving on new roadways, maintain… Read Full Post

Whether you are a motorcyclist or a motorist, you should know how to stay safe on the road. Motorcyclists should always drive defensively, and keep a sharp eye out for motorists who may not be paying attention. Motorists should always look out for motorcyclists who may be hiding in their blind spot or pulling out between vehicles. In either case, riding a motorcycle can be dangerous and often comes with inherent risks. When riding a motorcycle, you don’t have the protective barrier between you and road if an accident should occur. Motorcycles are not equipped with the same safety devices that motor vehicles have.

One question still circulates throughout the motor vehicle community. Are… Read Full Post

When people make the decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, they put their lives and the lives of others in imminent danger. Not only does alcohol cause impaired perception and slower reaction time, but drivers often have difficulties controlling their speed and lose the ability to concentrate on the road. Young people who make poor choices can essentially ruin their lives by drinking and driving, as they must face the consequences of their actions should they injure or kill someone.

A 52-year-old man is dead after a catastrophic accident involving a DUI. A 25-year-old girl was driving the vehicle at the time the incident… Read Full Post

Indiana is a major trucker thoroughfare, and if you are like many residents, you may feel a bit uncomfortable trying to drive your own car among these much larger, heavier vehicles. Just as you face distractions while you drive, whether they involve eating, looking out the window or what have you, truck drivers, too, face similar distractions. Giving in to them may prove even more dangerous when behind the wheel of a multi-ton vehicle, making it critical that trucking companies train their drivers about various distractions for the safety of everyone on the roadway.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that driver distraction is a factor in more than 70 percent of… Read Full Post

If you make a living as a construction worker in Indiana, you face hazards every time you clock in for the workday. The very nature of your position puts you at risk for a broad range of injuries, but your chances of suffering certain types of injuries are higher than they are for others. At Gardner & Rans PC, we are highly familiar with the types of injuries commonly suffered by people in your line of work, and we have helped many clients begin to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of a construction site accident.

Per Industrial Safety & Hygiene News, you run the risk of suffering a spinal cord injury because you call a construction site your place of business.… Read Full Post

As you travel alongside tractor trailers on the road, you may assume that the truck driver operating the massive vehicle is property trained, licensed and qualified to be driving the big rig. This, however, is not always true. Negligent truck drivers, who are drunk, distracted, unlicensed or have other moving violations, put other peoples’ lives at risk every day in Indiana and across the U.S. In an attempt to decrease the number of people who lose their lives in large truck accidents each year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has created a Commercial… Read Full Post

Aggressive driving is a serious problem on the roads of Indiana and throughout the United States. According to AAA, road rage is involved in more than half of all motor vehicle accident deaths in the U.S. Whether people are angry from sitting in traffic or are late to an important meeting, motorists who drive in a reckless and negligent manner put other peoples’ lives in danger. All motorists should be aware of the signs of road rage so that they may be able to avoid becoming the victim of a catastrophic car accident.

The Insurance Information Institute names certain signs of aggressive driving that motorists… Read Full Post

Cruising along the highway in the great state of Indiana can be exciting, but it can also put you in danger. The lack of protection and vulnerability mean that motorcyclists are often more likely to suffer serious injuries and fatalities in an accident than passenger vehicles. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute has released the most common factors that may cause you to end up in a fatal motorcycle accident.

Thousands of people are killed in motorcycle accidents each year and, while it is difficult to point to any one factor, many of the 4,796 motorcycle deaths of 2015 can be blamed on a few major… Read Full Post