South Bend Personal Injury Law Blog

If product recalls are any indication, you probably understand that there are many hazardous products on the market. At Gardner & Rans P.C., we are aware of the harm that defective products can cause. From faulty vehicle airbags to dangerous toys, many such products have caused serious injuries or death to thousands of people in Indiana and across the country.

Product defects are generally categorized into three separate types, according to Cornell University Law School’s Legal Information Institute. These include design defects, defective manufacturing or defects in marketing. One of the most common… Read Full Post

Motorcycle riders in Indiana may understand that they are especially vulnerable in an accident. However, they are not completely helpless when it comes to preventing one, even when another vehicle makes a move that puts them in danger.

The Insurance Information Institute points out that taking a training course is one important way that motorcyclists can improve their odds of safety on the road. In addition to improving riders’ skills, education also helps them to identify their limitations and operate within those. A motorcycle that is equipped with antilock brakes also improves a rider’s chances of staying… Read Full Post

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration reports that there are almost 900 fatalities and nearly 76,000 people injured in car accidents during sleet and snow storms each year. 

While none of us can control the weather, there are things drivers can do reduct the risk of accidents while driving during the winter months: 

Make sure your car is prepared. Make sure you have winter tires and that they are inflated to the proper PSI level. Always keep an emergency kit in the car, including engine oil, washer fluid, wiper blades, a windshield… Read Full Post

The idea of a self-driving vehicle may seem like science fiction, but it is very much a reality. While you may not be aware of it yet, there are already autonomous vehicles on the roads in Indiana and all over the country. These include both passenger cars and large trucks. According to GTG Technology Group, the first self-driving truck hit the road in 2015 and was created by Daimler.

Of course, as often happens with new technology, there are concerns about these vehicles. Some are unfounded, like the idea that technology will cause job loss. This is not going to be an issue for a long time because the self-driving… Read Full Post

Driving on Indiana roads involves a certain amount of risk every time you get behind the wheel. Auto insurance is intended to protect you and others from the costs of damages in the event of a collision, and Indiana state law requires you to purchase a minimum amount. According to IN.gov, the state minimums are $50,000 in underinsured motorists, bodily injury; $25,000/$50,000 in uninsured motorists, bodily injury; and $10,000 in property damage. The state offers an insurance plan that is offered through individual agents if you have trouble securing coverage through other plans.

The state also mandates that insurance companies… Read Full Post

A fatal accident can take the life of a loved one unexpectedly, creating tremendous emotional loss and leaving the family without financial support. When death occurs as the result of another person's negligence or wrongdoing, you have the right to pursue a wrongful death action. Wrongful death statutes vary from state to state. The party who can pursue compensation, and the damages that can be recovered, depend on state laws. Gardner & Rans P.C. can assist in evaluating your particular situation, and help determine what rights you or your family may have in pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit under Indiana law.

Under Indiana's wrongful death statutes, if someone else causes the death of… Read Full Post

When you enter the property of another, you expect to be safe. If you sustain injuries on someone else's property, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party. Premises liability is an area of law designed to hold owners and occupiers responsible for injuries which occur on their property. A premises liability accident could happen in a commercial building, on public property, or a private or rented home. If you are injured in a slip and fall, or other type of premises liability accident, contact the premises liability lawyers at Gardner & Rans P.C. for assistance.

In a premise liability case the following parties may be held liable:


Property owners. From homeowners… Read Full Post

Indiana residents deserve the right to be safe when on the roads. Sometimes accidents happen that are truly accidental and unavoidable but sadly there are far and away too many motor vehicle accidents that happen that are anything but. Crashes caused by the negligent actions of drivers should be avoidable and should not happen yet they do because drivers refuse to make changes.

Distracted driving is one behavior that Indiana residents should be more aware of. According to the Indiana Department of Labor, a person who sends or reads a text while operating a vehicle has a 23 percent greater chance of being in an accident than a person… Read Full Post

Unfortunately it will happen to 10 million people in the United States this year alone: an unexpected auto accident. Fortunately, according to the U.S. Census Bureau figures, most traffic accidents are nonfatal. What do you do when you are involved in an automobile accident, regardless of who was at fault?

The following is a short checklist of steps to take immediately after an accident to protect yourself and your best interests: 


Make the call: As soon as you can safely pull over, notify the authorities, particularly if anyone is injured. Even if no one is hurt, call anyway. It is not against the law to simply exchange information, and it may be helpful to have… Read Full Post

Today, nearly everyone has a cellphone, and many people have smartphones with apps, text messaging capabilities, and the ability to surf the internet at a moment's notice. These mobile devices can create significant distractions, particularly for young drivers.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 10 percent of people under the age of 20 involved in auto accidents were engaged in distracted driving at the time, and drivers in their twenties comprised nearly one-third of distracted motorists involved in fatal crashes. Approximately 25 percent of teenagers have reported that they typically send at least one text every time they get behind the wheel.

In addition… Read Full Post