Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer

Preventing Bicycle Accidents in Indianapolis: Should More Bike-Friendly Streets Be Added?

Stephen Wagner — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:32:26 GMT

Indianapolis has over 3,000 miles of roads, but only six miles of those roads contain designated bike lanes. Should the city add more? Of course! Not only would the availability of more bike-friendly streets prompt more people to ride, but bike safety would be greatly improved. �Last week was "ride your bike to work" day, but many in Indy did not participate because they did not want to risk being hit by an automobile. �Until we add more bicycle lanes (and more biker-friendly laws while we are at it), the causal rider will not seriously consider using a bike for transportation. �With $4.00 per gallon gas just around the corner, the time to add more bike lanes on our public streets is now.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Stephen Wagner

IMPD Officer Involved in Deadly Pursuit

Steve Wagner — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:59:59 GMT

Yesterday two people were killed in Indianapolis when a van being followed by an IMPD officer ran a red light, struck an SUV, and then slammed into an Indygo bus. Initial reports from the police stressed that the van was not being pursued by police. Our sources tell us that was not what happened, and, in fact, the IMPD officer was chasing the van at high speeds in the middle of the day in downtown Indianapolis. The officer involved was none other than Ronald Shelnutt, an officer whose name should be well known to Indianapolis citizens.

While it is too early to know for sure what happened yesterday, Shelnutt's involvement certainly raises concerns. He was the same officer who shot and killed stockbroker John Leaf on May 5, 2001 in John Leaf's own bedroom. I personally handled that case for the Leaf family, and it was vigorously litigated for over 4 years. In January of 2006 the taxpayers of Marion County paid what was believed to be the largest voluntary settlement by the city or county in an civil rights claim with payments totalling $1,175,000. During the course of that case we discovered a litany of citizen complaints against Shelnutt, both before and after the Leaf shooting. In fact, in 2005 Shelnutt was involved in another high speed chase on Michigan Road which ended in two deaths. A wrongful death lawsuit arising out of that incident remains pending in federal court. Moreover, Shelnutt was sued for excessive force in two other cases where he allegedly turned his police dog loose on subjects after they surrendered. Those cases were settled for confidential amounts.

The Marion County Sheriff Department should have fired Ronald Shelnutt a long time ago. They didn't have the guts to do it, and neither has the IMPD since the merger. I understand that Shelnutt was reassigned to spotter duty in a police helicopter at one time (where he presumably could do little harm), but unfortunately for the citizens of Indianapolis, he was allowed to return to road patrol. More civil rights lawsuits are certainly likely to follow. Let's hope this most recent tragedy was nothing more than a coincidence. Stay tuned.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Wagner

Truck Driver Killed in Deadly Crash

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:11:00 GMT

A semi-truck carrying steel coils overturned in a trucking accident on I-74 in Decatur County, killing the truck driver. Officials shut down the interstate for a time this morning to allow rescue on the scene.

The driver, 54, of New Castle, was traveling East on I-74 at 4:45 a.m. when his semi-truck went off the roadway, according to Indiana State Police. The truck came back to the road, across two lanes and into the center median and pinning the driver.

A second accident was caused by the debris on the westbound side of the highway. A semi-truck suffered some structural damage in that wreck, but no one was hurt.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury in a trucking accident, you can use the form located on the right to contact one of our personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Fort Wayne Officer

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:06:00 GMT

The family and friends of a 24-year-old man who was shot and killed by an off duty Fort Wayne police officer, on December 23, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

The incident occurred when the man ignored a stop sign and drew attention from the off duty officer. He stopped briefly and then led police to Oxford Street where he struck a sign. Arnold, a new officer sworn in, only in October, fired several shots at his car, believing officers were in danger.

The wrongful death suit was filed on Wednesday in Allen Superior Court. A family friend asked the judge to appoint him as the personal representative for the purpose of a wrongful-death estate.

The man's 4-year old daughter lives with her mother in Guatemala, according to court documents. The girl would be the beneficiary of the wrongful death estate. The girl's mother gave consent for the friend to represent his estate.

The case is currently under review by Indiana State Police. The officer was placed on leave for three weeks following the shooting. The officer has since returned to desk duty.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Edinburgh Workers Hurt in Crane Accident

Stephen Wagner — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 18:59:59 GMT

According to the Indianapolis star, three Edinburgh workers were injured on Friday afternoon in a construction�accident. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080419/LOCAL/804190435.� The accident occurred during the construction of a Hilton Garden Inn when a crane tipped over.� One of the workers suffered broken bones while two others reportedly received minor injuries.�

�

All too often we are seeing construction site accidents in Indiana, often times involving serious injury or death.� It is fortunate there were no deaths in the Edinburgh accident--that is the exception.� As it is, the injured workers will likely only have worker's compensation claims under Indiana's workplace injury laws which are among the worst in the country.� If the accident was caused by the workers or anyone working for their employer (co-employees), Indiana law will prevent a negligence suit because work comp is the exclusive remedy.��The only way to receive truly adequate compensation would be if there is a responsible third party who was at fault for the accident.� In this case, a thorough investigation should be conducted to see if the general contractor or subcontractor was not enforcing OSHA safety laws which apply to the use of cranes.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Stephen Wagner

Two Injured in Car Accident on Indiana 43

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 05:18:00 GMT

Two people were sent to the hospital on Friday night following a two-car accident on Indiana 43, just after 6 p.m.

A GMC truck and an SUV were traveling north on Indiana 43 when the crash occurred, according to a deputy of the Tippecanoe County Sherriff's Department.

Traveling south on Indiana 43, a Chevrolet 43 crossed into the northbound lane. The SUV was able to leave the road in time to avoid striking the car, but the Malibu struck the pickup truck head-on.

The driver of the Malibu suffered a broken leg. It was unknown if he also suffered other injuries as well. The driver of the pick-up truck left the scene of the accident on his own, with no apparent injuries.

Both drivers were transported to St. Elizabeth medical Center.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Indianapolis Man Killed in Boone County Car Accident

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:43:01 GMT

A car accident that claimed the life of an Indianapolis man, 22, on Monday, is being investigated by Boone County Sherriff officials.

He was driving northbound in his Honda Civic when he lost control of the vehicle due to the slick pavement. The car struck a pickup truck driven by a man, of Lebanon, then hit a guard rail and slid back onto the road in front of a semi truck, according to police.

The semi-truck crashed into another vehicle and landed on top of it in a ditch next to the highway.

A passenger in the Honda Civic was trapped inside the vehicle, but survived the crash. Her legs were stuck under the semi's right front tire, according to Boone County Sherriff's Department.

Rescue workers transported her to Methodist Hospital where she is listed in critical condition.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Noblesville Woman Killed in Motorcycle Accident

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:02:00 GMT

A Noblesville woman was killed in a motorcycle accident when she ran into the back of an SUV on Indiana 135 in Brown County this weekend.

The woman, 43, was riding her 2007 Harley Davidson when a Honda CR-V slowed for a dog that had run out onto the roadway.

She was unable to stop and hit the right rear of the SUV which caused her to be thrown from the motorcycle and into a ditch on the east side of the road, according to Brown County Sheriff.

At the time of the accident she was wearing a helmet; however, it was not a full sized helmet but rather an upper half size helmet. Her husband was following on another motorcycle and witnessed the accident.

EMS arrived on the scene and worked to revive her but it was too late, she died from the injuries suffered in the accident. The Brown County coroner was called to the scene and is investigating. The cause of death is pending the coroner's report.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Woman Saves Mail Carrier from Dog Attack

Chrissie Cole — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:11:15 GMT

A mail carrier suffered several dog bite wounds when a large breed dog pushed open the back gate and attacked her while she was walking up to deliver mail.

A neighbor, 77, backing out of her driveway heard the mail carrier screaming and was able to use her car to get the dog to stop attacking the woman, saving her from further injury.

I'm so lucky," said the mail carrier, who has been on the job less than two months. "If she hadn't come, I would have been tore up worse than I was."

"I don't want to say I'm traumatized. But I am upset," she said. "When I see a dog now, I get upset and fearful."

The dog owner has been ticketed for allowing her pet to run loose.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Kanawha County Man Files Lawsuit After Slip and Fall at Taco Bell

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:29:10 GMT

A Kanawha County man has filed a personal injury lawsuit against the national fast food chain, Taco Bell, for a slip and fall accident that occurred on February 1, 2006, when he fell on a wet floor.

The lawsuit was filed on January 30, in Kanawha Circuit Court against Taco Bell.

The man suffered severe injuries when he slipped and fell. The suit alleges, Taco Bell was negligent and should have known of the unsafe conditions.

The suit seeks damages for pain and suffering, loss of ability to enjoy life, mental anguish and significant medical bills. According to the suit, he is also seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole