Top 5 Roads for Riding Your Motorcycles in Indiana

Indiana is a gorgeous place to get around by motorcycle. Whether you ride for business or pleasure, there are many scenic routes throughout the state to make the trip special. Here, Truitt Law Offices has compiled a list of the top five roads for motorcycling in the Hoosier State.

Before leaving for any motorcycle trip, it’s important to take precautions to stay safe. Wear a helmet, make sure your bike is well-maintained, and obey all traffic laws. In the unfortunate event that you are hurt in an accident, talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights to compensation.

The Nashville Brown County Loop

The Nashville Brown County Loop is approximately 20 miles of beautiful road, quaint shops, and a great smooth ride for bikers. Start by taking IN46 just east of Nashville. Then turn onto Salt Creek Road and start heading northwest towards Gatesville. Once you reach Gatesville Road, hop on and head west to Clay Lick Road, making your way back towards Nashville. To get directly back to Nashville, take a sharp right on Old State Road 46.

Those looking for scenery will find it along this route. The roads are curved and beautiful, and you will travel through forests and hills once you get into Brown County. As you make your way up Salt Creek Road, you will have the creek for a backdrop and the opportunity to stop at local farms and craft areas. Whether you are an artist or just want to play tourist close to home, Nashville boasts many shops, bed and breakfasts, and dining experiences. This area gets really busy in the fall, but is quieter in the summer months.

State Road 135 South

While you are in the area of Nashville and Brown County, you can make your ride a little longer by checking out State Road 135 South. To motorcyclists, this area is mostly known for the huge Biker Fest held in Bean Blossom every year.

From Bean Blossom, you can continue on State Road 135 South towards the quaint little town of Story. Beginners beware: the streets here are long and winding, but can be maneuvered safely by a vigilant rider.

Back Road Lake Cruise

Just as the name suggests, motorcyclists will enjoy leisurely country roads on this route.  This trip starts in Waterloo, where US 6 and 427 meet. Take 427 north and go through Hamilton, where there plenty of areas to refuel and grab a bite to eat.

To get to farm country and drive through some beautiful wooded areas, continue on 427 north to the Indiana/Ohio state line. This is where 427 turns into Ohio 34, but follow it until you reach 49. Follow 49 North through Edon and then turn east onto US20. Continue on this road until you reach County Road 7 and then go north until you reach County Road R. Then travel west to reach the Lake La Su An wildlife area. This area is more remote, so be sure to get gas, food, and charge your cell phone battery before getting too far off the beaten track. Beware of deer and other wildlife crossing the road if you’re riding at dusk or dawn.

SR450

Travel west of Bedford on SR450 and you will ride along the White River as well as past country farms nestled in some of the most beautiful scenery in Indiana. Continue riding through the rolling hills in southern Indiana to arrive at the Williams Dam in Lawrence. The tourist attraction has not been in use for its original purpose in over 60 years, but it is a great spot to stop and chat with other bikers that have also made the trip for the view of the lake.

Crawford-Perry County River Loop

The Crawford-Perry County River Loop is a 120-mile route that is great for sightseeing. Complete with both winding and straight roads, this trip will delight riders of all abilities. Whether you are most interested in the Ohio River, the Hoosier National Forest, or the Cannelton Locks and Dam, there is something to see and do here for everyone. Take this route in the spring to see the foliage just starting to bloom or head out in the fall to see the many leaves changing colors and feel the crisp fall air as you ride.

In an Accident? Call Our Indiana Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Unfortunately, drivers do not always give motorcyclists the respect and space that they are entitled to by Indiana law. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, call or contact the Warren motorcycle accident lawyers at Truitt Law Offices for a free consultation today.

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What to Do: Car Accident While Pregnant

Pregnant women face unique stresses when they are involved in car accidents. These victims often must deal with complex injuries that affect both themselves and their babies. They have understandable worries for the health of their unborn child. Plus, they have added expenses as their bodies recover from crash injuries while also progressing in their pregnancy.

If you have been hurt in a car accident while pregnant, talk to a knowledgeable attorney from Truitt Law Offices today. Our legal team has more than 40 years’ combined experience, and we have handled cases like yours before. Contact us now for a free consultation.

What Special Steps Should a Pregnant Woman Take After Being in a Car Accident?

After a car accident, the first priority is your health and the wellbeing of your baby. If someone calls 911 after your accident, it’s critical to tell the first responders that you are pregnant. This can help them choose the treatment methods that will best protect your life and your child’s safety.

If you didn’t receive medical attention immediately at the scene, visit a medical professional as soon as possible for a full evaluation of any injuries to you and your baby. Even if the collision seemed minor, it’s critical to see a physician after your accident because many injuries aren’t obvious. Your doctor can check you for these less noticeable injuries, help you get the treatment you need, and help reduce the chance of serious complications for you and your baby.

It’s also vital to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer who understands the special complications that pregnant women face after car wrecks. Your attorney will document your damages and fight for the full compensation you and your child deserve.

What Types of Injuries to the Baby Can a Car Accident Cause for Pregnant Women?

Car wrecks are a leading cause of serious injuries to pregnant woman and fatalities of unborn babies. Some of the severe injuries that these collisions can inflict upon mothers and growing babies include:

• Increased risks during pregnancy. A car accident typically elevates a woman’s risk during pregnancy, requiring that she undergo special monitoring and treatment through her birth and beyond. With a high-risk pregnancy, the mother is more likely to develop additional medical conditions like preeclampsia and other complications that can threaten the mother’s life as well as her baby’s.
• Premature birth. Car wrecks put an unusual amount of stress on a pregnant woman’s body. This might send her into early labor – even if she’s been pregnant for much less than the typical 40-week gestation period.
• Head injuries. Even if a motor vehicle accident seems minor, crash victims can suffer serious head injuries. The impact of the wreck can shake a person’s head violently or cause the person to hit her head on a stationary object. When a victim is pregnant, both the woman and the baby in her womb might suffer these types of injuries.
• Placental abruption. When a pregnant woman is in a serious collision, this can force the placenta to completely or partially separate from her uterus, putting both the mother and fetus in serious danger. This condition can deprive the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the baby. Plus it can cause the mother to bleed heavily and might force her to deliver her baby early.
• Birth defects and other fetal trauma. The fetus might suffer a variety of injuries in the womb that can be deadly or can affect the child for the rest of his or her life. For example, the accident might cause the baby permanent brain damage due to a lack of oxygen or infection.
• Miscarriage. Whenever a pregnant woman undergoes significant trauma, it can result in miscarriage. With a car accident, the baby might die if something pierces the mother’s abdomen or the wreck causes a serious condition for the mother like cardiac arrest.

How Can Doctors Check to See If the Baby Has Been Injured?

A doctor can run tests right after a car wreck to see if the baby was injured. They can also increase monitoring of the woman and her baby throughout the rest of her pregnancy in case additional complications arise. Some of the methods the doctor might use include:

• Ultrasound
• Monitoring both the woman’s heart and the baby’s heart
• Lab tests
• Exam for vaginal bleeding or uterine tenderness
• Checking for early contractions

What Should You Do If the Baby Has Been Injured?

If your unborn baby was injured or killed in a car accident, it’s critical to speak with an attorney. Nothing can ever fully make up for the trauma that this tragedy has caused you and your family. However, Indiana law gives you a legal right to claim damages to cover some of the immediate losses and long-term costs of the collision. You might be able to recover compensation for things like the costs of current and future medical expenses related to the accident, as well as other damages like pain and suffering or funeral and burial expenses.

What Information About the Accident Needs to Be Gathered?

To best protect your rights after a car wreck, it’s vital to gather evidence as quickly as possible. If the police came to the scene of your accident, request a copy of the official accident report. Other critical pieces of evidence include:

• Names, license number, and contact information of other people involved in the crash
• Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries
• Witnesses’ names and contact information
• Medical records

Our dedicated attorney will gather all the evidence necessary in your case. This includes working with experts who can assess your family’s losses both now and in the future.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you were in a motor vehicle accident while pregnant, you need a respected car accident attorney on your side who will aggressively fight for your legal rights. An experienced lawyer from Truitt Law Offices can help relieve some of the burdens you’re facing by handling all aspects of your car accident claim. Our team can provide the support you need during this difficult time.

At Truitt Law Offices, we understand the added trauma and grief that these types of wrecks can cause. Our compassionate attorneys have the skills and resources to help you and your family get through this. Contact our law firm today for your free consultation.

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Common Causes of Truck Accidents: Truck Stopping Distance

One of the reasons that truck accidents are often more damaging than a typical car crash is the sheer size of a semi-truck hauling a trailer. Semis are both much larger and weigh much more than the average car, even compared to something like a pickup truck or a large SUV. The size of these commercial motor vehicles also means they need much more time and distance to safely stop without causing a crash.

If you have been hurt in a crash caused by a truck that didn’t stop in time, you should speak to a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer right away. The dedicated personal injury attorneys at Truitt Law Offices are here to investigate your crash and fight for the full compensation you are owed.

To learn more about how we can help you, call our office today or contact us online for a free case review.

How Long Does It Take a Tractor-Trailer to Stop?

At 60 mph, a fully loaded tractor-trailer needs about 370 feet to come to a complete stop. That’s more than the length of a football field. That long stopping distance presents challenges to drivers both in front of and behind the semi. Drivers in front can be rear-ended if the semi doesn’t stop in time. Drivers behind a tractor-trailer need to be sure to give it ample space to stop.

How Far Away Should You Stay from a Truck While Driving?

Guidelines from commercial trucking organizations and road safety groups say that you should stay about 8 seconds behind a tractor-tractor. To make sure you are maintaining enough distance, pick a stationary point or object on the road, note when the tractor-trailer passes that point, then count out 8 seconds. If you pass that same point before you count to 8 seconds, you need to slow down and put more distance between yourself and the tractor-trailer.

Best Safety Practices for Truck Drivers and Other Motorists

For truck drivers:

• Keep up with your vehicle maintenance.
• Use your headlights from half an hour before sunset until half an hour after sunrise.
• Turn on your turn signal 100 feet ahead of the turn.
• Do not change lanes too often, and always make sure to use your turn signal.
• Take frequent breaks to make sure you are alert at the wheel. If you are feeling tired, get off the road and get some sleep. Driving while fatigued is a leading cause of trucking accidents.
• Give other drivers plenty of space, both for your safety and theirs.
• Make sure you have all-terrain and bad weather equipment ready. You never know what conditions you might run into while you are on the road.

For other motorists:

• Give trucks plenty of space, especially because of how long it takes trucks to stop and change lanes.
• Stay out of truckers’ blind spots. You are much more likely to end up in an accident if you linger in an area where the truck driver can’t see you.
• It is always good to avoid distractions like talking on the phone while driving. But it is especially important when you are around large trucks. Looking down at your phone for a few seconds could prove to be a deadly mistake if you are not paying attention.
• Make sure to give yourself sufficient space when you are merging in front of a truck.
• Always use your signals when merging or turning near a tractor-trailer.
• Wear your seatbelt! It may save your life in an accident.

Whose Fault Is the Accident If the Truck Doesn’t Stop in Time?

A truck failing to stop in time could be the fault of any number of parties:

• The truck driver. If the driver was driving while fatigued, driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, driving while distracted, or otherwise engaged in negligent behavior, he or she may not start braking until it’s too late.
• The mechanic. Commercial vehicles require careful maintenance to make sure they are safe on the road. If a mechanic failed to notice some kind of brake failure or other problem on the vehicle that made it so the truck could not stop in time, they may be liable.
• The trucking company. Trucking companies may be responsible when they push their drivers to keep driving even when they would be better off getting some rest, leading to fatigue at the wheel. In other instances, they may fail to properly train or screen drivers.
• Manufacturers of trucks or truck parts. A manufacturing or design defect can compromise the safety of a large truck.
• Cargo companies. When cargo is not loaded properly or is unsecured, it can have a severe effect on the driver’s ability to safely stop.
• Other motorists. Many truck crashes involve more than two vehicles. If another driver doesn’t pay enough attention or fails to give a truck enough space, that person may also be held responsible.

Hurt in a Crash? Talk to a Truck Accident Attorney in Fort Wayne

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you already know the kind of havoc a crash can wreak on your life. You may be facing mountains of medical bills, extensive physical therapy, long-term pain, a long leave of absence from work, perhaps even a temporary or permanent disability. You want an experienced, aggressive lawyer at your side to fully investigate your claim, take care of the necessary paperwork, and demand the full compensation you deserve.

Our staff is committed to helping you get back on your feet. We will look at the full extent of how your accident has changed your life, and then pursue maximum compensation for your losses.

With 40 years of combined legal experience, our law firm has the skills and the resources to hold deep-pocketed companies and insurers responsible. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation.

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Truck Accidents Caused by Blind Spots

Blind spots are areas around cars and trucks that can’t be seen through the rearview and side mirrors. Although all vehicles have blind spots, commercial trucks have the largest ones. Transportation officials call these areas the No Zones.

Truck drivers have a responsibility to check their blind spots carefully. Similarly, motorists should be aware of the extra dangers posed by tractor trailers and take precautions to avoid driving in a No Zone. When someone fails in those duties, a blind spot truck accident can occur and have catastrophic consequences.

Were you injured in a Fort Wayne truck accident? You could be owed substantial compensation from the parties that caused the crash. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney at Truitt Law Offices today. Our legal team will enforce your rights and demand maximum compensation for your losses.

Call or contact us today to get started.

Where Are the Blind Spots on an 18-Wheeler?

A tractor trailer has positions of low or no visibility at the front, sides, and rear end of the vehicle, including:

• The spot directly behind the trailer, extending back as far as 30 feet
• The areas directly to the right and left sides of the trailer, especially below and behind the driver’s window, and towards the rear of the trailer
• A diagonal region to the right of the cab, extending across two lanes
• The area directly ahead of the cab, extending up to 20 feet in front of the truck

Avoiding the No Zones is the best defense a driver has to avoid a blind spot truck crash. Truckers must also be vigilant about checking their mirrors and being aware of their surroundings before taking any actions, such as merging into traffic or changing lanes.

Why Are Tractor Trailer Blind Spots So Large?

There are several reasons why trucks have such big blind spots. The average semi-truck is about 72 feet long, including the trailer, and mirrors are unable to display surroundings for the entire length. In addition, large trucks that pull a trailer do not have a rearview mirror. They must rely on their side mirrors for visibility.

Another reason that a truck’s blind spots are so large is that truckers sit very high up in the cab. They may not be able to see objects and obstacles that are low to the ground, which pretty much includes every other car on the road.

What Are the Common Causes of Blind Spot Truck Accidents?

The blind spots on an 18-wheeler limit the driver’s ability to see other drivers and react to nearby traffic. Some typical accident scenarios include:

• The trucker does not see an object or vehicle within the 20-foot blind spot directly in front of him/her and fails to stop in time to avoid a crash. Large trucks require several seconds and hundreds of feet to stop. At 55 miles per hour, a semi will need about 122 feet for the truck driver to begin to brake and about 390 feet more for the rig to come to a stop — a total of 512 feet.
• Another vehicle is following behind the truck too closely and is within the driver’s rear blind spot. Other motorists should leave at least five seconds between their vehicles and the truck in front of them.
• A smaller vehicle or motorcycle changes lanes too quickly or drives too closely in the side blind spots of a semi. If the truck switches lanes, the driver may not spot the nearby vehicle in time to avoid a collision.

Who Is Held Liable in a Blind Spot Truck Accident?

Liability for a blind spot accident can be assigned to multiple parties. These include:

 

• The trucker: Truck drivers should know their blind spots and check them before making any traffic maneuvers. Failure to check a blind spot is a negligent action and the truck driver may be held liable if an accident occurs.
• The trucking company: It takes specific training and licensure to drive a commercial truck. Truck companies are responsible for doing a background check on any drivers that they hire. If an untrained driver causes a blind spot accident, the truck company may be held liable for negligent hiring.
• Auto and parts manufacturers: Truckers rely on their mirrors to prevent them from crashing into other vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. If there are defects that prevent a driver from seeing around its No Zones, the designer and/or manufacturer of those parts could be held responsible for a blind spot accident.
• Other drivers:  Just as truck drivers are required to check their blind spots, other motorists are expected to exercise caution around tractor trailers to prevent a wreck. Following too closely, lingering in a truck’s blind spot, or cutting in front of a truck without leaving enough space can result in deadly crashes that may have been unavoidable even for the most experienced trucker.

 

It’s very possible for more than one party to be held liable in a truck accident. A knowledgeable accident attorney can investigate the crash to determine what happened and how fault should be distributed.

What Types of Accidents Occur Because of a Truck’s Blind Spots?

Common types of blind spot accidents include:

• Rear-end collisions: These happen when a truck hits a vehicle in its front blind spot, or when a truck brakes suddenly and is rear-ended by another vehicle that is trailing in its blind spot.
• Sideswipes: These often occur when a trucker does not see a vehicle in its side blind spot and tries makes a lane change.
• T-bone crashes: When a truck driver doesn’t clear his or her blind spots before making a turn, the truck could crash directly into the side of an oncoming vehicle.

Because semi-trucks vastly outweigh passenger cars, any type of crash can cause serious trauma to accident victims. The lifetime costs of living with catastrophic injuries can easily reach into the millions. A successful personal injury claim can recoup these losses and help victims plan for whatever the future holds.

Contact a Fort Wayne Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a blind spot truck accident in Fort Wayne, you deserve full and fair compensation for your losses. Put the accomplished attorneys at Truitt Law Offices to work for you. Call now for a free consultation.

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