Motorcycle Accident « Stewart & Stewart Attorneys

Archive for the ‘ Motorcycle Accident ’ Category

May

May Declared Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Month Across Indiana

May 1, 2013

Governor Mike Pence named the month of May “Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Month” in Indiana, and many organizations and citizens are planning to educate the public on how to prevent Indiana Motorcycle Accidents. A press release from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute discussed these efforts and offered several crash prevention tips.

According to recent studies, drivers other than motorcyclists are responsible for causing more than two-thirds of all multiple vehicle accidents that involve a motorized bike. Many of these collisions occur when motorists simply do not see the bike or its operator prior to impact. These statistics have prompted officials to ask that motorists always look twice before entering traffic at an intersection.

Motorists aren’t the only ones to blame for a high number of crashes involving motorcycles. Experts say that self-taught motorcyclists are involved in roughly 92 percent of all accidents. That’s why state officials are urging all motorcyclists to participate in rider training and safety courses before hitting the streets. The course covers all aspects of safely operating a motorcycle, including how to properly take a curve in the road.

The Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers with Stewart & Stewart Attorneys recognize the dangers motorcyclists face each time they ride the roads. That’s why the firm is hopeful the campaign will be successful in reducing accidents by making others more aware of these risks.

Apr

Father of Victim Seeks Answers Following Indiana Motorcycle Accident

April 3, 2013

The father of a 19-year-old girl who was killed in an Indiana Motorcycle Accident is going to great lengths ensure someone is held responsible for the loss of his daughter.

According to a story published by WANE News, at around 11 a.m. on June 23, 2011, the girl was riding on the rear of a Yamaha YZF-R6 motorcycle driven by a 20-year-old male. The pair were heading southbound along Hillegas Road when the 42-year-old driver of a northbound pickup truck slowed to make a left turn from Hillegas onto Goshen Road.

The motorcyclist hit the pickup, which threw the female passenger over his back. The impact with the asphalt left the girl with serious injuries that claimed her life a short time later.

The motorcyclist did not have a proper license to operate the vehicle at the time of the accident, and the pickup failed to yield to the right-of-way of the motorcycle. Despite these facts, no tickets have been issued to either man in connection with the incident.

The lack of action has forced the father to file a lawsuit in his daughter’s name, as well as to hire a private crash reconstruction expert in order to hold someone responsible.

The Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers with Stewart & Stewart Attorneys wish the father the best of luck in his endeavors to get justice for his daughter.

Oct

Settlements Reached in Fatal Indianapolis Motorcycle Accident

Oct. 31, 2012

A settlement were reached this past Wednesday between the City of Indianapolis and two victims of an Indianapolis motorcycle accident caused by a Metro police officer who was under the influence of alcohol while on the job. Indy Star reports another settlement was reached between the city and the family of a third victim this past June.

The settlements stem from an Aug. 2010 accident on the city’s northeast side in which an intoxicated officer hit a group of motorcyclists. Two victims suffered serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, and another rider was killed. The injured pair filed the lawsuit in an effort to be compensated for physical injuries, medical expenses, attorney fees, lost earnings, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering and property damage.

One of the victims received $1.35 million in the settlement, while the other will get $975,000. This makes the most recent settlement the second largest accident settlement in the city’s history, next to the $1.55 million awarded to the family of the motorcyclist who was killed in the incident. The man responsible for causing the accident still faces numerous criminal charges in connection with the crash.

The Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers with Stewart and Stewart Injury Lawyers understand how complex and confusing filing an accident injury claim can be. That is why the firm is here to answer any questions you may have regarding your legal rights after a crash.

Sep

Curvy Roads Present Serious Danger to Indiana Motorcyclists

Sept. 5, 2012

A recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that failure to negotiate curves in the road was a leading cause of motorcycle accidents.

This finding rang true in the case of a recent crash involving a 21-year-old female motorcyclist from Lafayette, Indiana. WLFI 18 News reports the accident happened on County Road 400 West on Monday evening at around 7:30 p.m.

Deputies with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office say the woman lost control of the bike as she rounded a curve and veered off the road, causing her motorcycle to strike a fence. The impact caused the rider to be ejected, leaving her seriously injured despite the fact she was wearing a helmet at the time of the Indianapolis motorcycle accident.

She was taken to a hospital in Indianapolis for treatment of severe internal injuries.

To combat the growing number of these types of accidents, several new motorcycle license testing procedures are being considered. One of these new tests involves properly maneuvering the machine through a set of sharp curves.

Experts say the tests could potentially greatly decrease the number of motorcycle accidents each year.

The Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers with Stewart and Stewart Injury Lawyers encourage individuals who ride motorcycles to receive training from a professional at one of the several training facilities recommended by the Indiana Department of Transportation before taking a bike onto the streets.

Aug

Recent Motorcycle Accident Puts Focus on Current Helmet Laws

Aug. 15, 2012

Indiana is one of the few states left in the country where riders of a certain age can choose whether or not to wear a helmet while riding. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that more than 98 percent of motorcycle accidents result in injury or death though, many are questioning if it is time for a change.

Take, for instance, the case of a 59-year-old Indiana man who died as the result of a collision with another vehicle in Muncie on Saturday evening. The Star Press reports the crash happened just before 8 p.m. at the intersection of Main and Wolfe Streets.

Reports indicate that the biker was on Main Street and attempting to turn north onto Wolfe when a Jeep struck his motorcycle. The victim was ejected from the machine and died from his injuries several hours after arriving at a local hospital.

Investigators are continuing to examine what contributing factors of the Indianapolis motorcycle accident, but they did confirm that the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

The Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers with Stewart and Stewart Injury Lawyers say that simply wearing a helmet can reduce a rider’s chance of death in the event of an accident by as much as 50 percent. That is why the firm would encourage anyone who rides a motorcycle to always wear a helmet.

Apr

Police Evidence Mishandled In Indianapolis Motorcycle Accident

April 18, 2012

A bizarre twist occurred in the case of an Indianapolis Metro police officer who struck and seriously injured a couple on their motorcycle with his police cruiser. According to the Indianapolis Star News, vials of blood showing the officer was drunk at the time of the accident have been ruined by the department.

Documents indicate that on August 6, 2010, the man and woman were stopped at a red light on their motorcycle. While waiting for the light to change, the couple and their friend on another bike were struck by the officer’s patrol car, killing their friend and leaving them seriously injured. Both the man and woman had to undergo numerous reconstructive surgeries and months of rehabilitation. The male victim also suffered a brain injury, which has affected his cognitive abilities.

The officer’s blood was drawn following the accident, but a judge dismissed the first sample after it was discovered that it was taken by an unauthorized individual. On Tuesday, it was announced that the other vial of blood had been mishandled by being left outside of a refrigerator and was no longer viable for testing.

The chief of police has stepped down from his position and several other officers and officials have been placed on leave.

The Indianapolis Motorcycle Injury Attorneys with Stewart and Stewart Attorneys At Law would like to remind bikers to stay safe by always wearing helmets and high visibility clothing.

Feb

New Blood Tests Ordered In Metro Officer’s Drunk Driving Case

February 22, 2012

Prosecutors in the highly publicized vehicular homicide and drunk driving case against an Indianapolis Metro Police officer said Friday that they want a second vial of the officer’s blood tested. According to reports from WTHR 13 News, the testing is being done in hopes of solidifying a case against the officer accused of hitting a group of motorcyclists, killing one and critically injuring two others.

The accident happened on August 6, 2010, when the on-duty officer was driving his squad car with a blood alcohol level of more than double the legal limit. The officer was arrested on drunk driving and vehicular homicide charges. Two weeks later, the drunken driving charges were dropped because an unlicensed lab technician took his blood samples.

In January of last year, a new prosecutor brought the charges against the officer again, only to have them dismissed by a judge a few months later. In October, a judge ruled that the tests could be used as evidence in the vehicular homicide and criminal recklessness cases against the officer.

That same month, the two surviving accident victims filed a personal injury lawsuit against the city, the Indianapolis Metro Police Department, and the officer for permanent injuries they suffered in the accident.

The Indianapolis Motorcycle Accident Attorneys with Stewart and Stewart Injury Lawyers may be able to help you if you’ve been injured in an accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence.

Nov

31-year-old Noblesville Man Killed in Indiana Motorcycle Crash

November 9, 2011

A 31-year-old Noblesville, Indiana, man died Saturday night as the result of a motorcycle crash. According to the Indy Star, the accident happened around 7:15 in the evening in Carmel, Indiana at an intersection with a side road off of the Hazel Dell Parkway.

Authorities say they believe the man was driving his 2005 Yamaha bike north on the parkway. As he approached the intersection with Rippling Brook Way, a 2011 Toyota RAV4 driven by a 73-year-old man pulled out in front of him. The biker did not have time to react, and ran into the rear side of the SUV. The impact threw the motorcyclist from his bike.

The man was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but later died from injuries sustained in the accident.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) found in a study that wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle will improve your chances of survival in a crash by more than 50 percent. That number was said to grow exponentially as the speed of the motorcycles decreases.

The Indiana Motorcycle Accident Lawyers with Stewart & Stewart would like to urge motorcycle riders to always wear a helmet when riding and slowing down. Following these simple tips could save your life, or that of another.

May

South Bend auto accident kills one

May 5, 2011

WNDU reports a driver of a moped was killed after a collision with a car.

Police report that the 32 year old driver of the moped was driving on Logan Street heading towards its intersection with Lincolnway. The South Bend auto accident took place when a Volkswagen Beetle turned onto Logan and struck the moped driver.

The road was shut down for hours as police investigated the scene. Police are still investigating the accident.

No charges have been filed.

Family files Indianapolis wrongful death lawsuit

December 30, 2010

The family of a man killed in an Indiana motorcycle accident has filed an Indiana wrongful death lawsuit against the police officer who caused the crash.

FOX 59 reports that the family has requested damages of $700,000, which is the maximum allowed by law. The family is seeking the money to cover medical bills and loss of income after the Indiana motorcycle accident.

The victim died when the motorcycle he was riding was hit by the intoxicated police officer. Along with the officer, the City of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Metro Police Department have been named in the Indiana motorcycle accident lawsuit.

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