The sad reality of any hit-and-run accident, especially one involving a bicycle vs. motor vehicle collision, is that, if the perpetrator is not caught by police, the victim of the hit-and-run is almost certainly left with injuries without any means of receiving compensation for them. The result is the same if a cyclist is struck by a motor vehicle operator who does not possess any insurance to cover the injured person’s injuries and damages.

As a result of those exact circumstances, the Indiana bicycle attorneys at Caress Law Group strongly encourage all cyclists (and all motorists for that matter) to obtain uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage as part of their automobile insurance policies. Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is insurance that protects an insured even if the liable party did not have insurance or if the liable party flees the scene. Even though it is illegal in Indiana for a driver to operate a motor vehicle without insurance coverage, there are many drivers who do not have coverage, and it is a very real problem for injured persons who are entitled to have their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering paid for.

Our lawyers also recommend that all Indiana cyclists (and drivers) obtain Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage, which is insurance that protects an insured despite the liable party not having enough insurance to cover the injured person’s injuries and damages. In Indiana, the minimum bodily injury insurance requirement is $25,000.00 per person and $50,000.00 per incident. This means that even if a cyclist is severely injured, or even killed, by a motor vehicle, the absolute maximum amount that the cyclist and/or his family can obtain from the at-fault party is $25,000.00, even though the injuries and damages are worth hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.

For these reasons, we recommend you check your automobile insurance policy’s declaration page and make sure you have adequate Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage. If you have any questions about this article or about Indiana bicycle law, feel free to contact our Indiana bicycle crash lawyers, Tim Caress or Lance Worland. Call us for free at 317-255-5400 or click here to submit an online inquiry. We take great pride in assisting Indiana cyclists, and we wish this cyclist a speedy recovery.

That very same day on Monday, October 13, 2014, Ryan Richardson, a 27 year-old resident of Anderson, Indiana, was riding his bicycle northbound on Madison Avenue over an Interstate 69 overpass when he was struck by the passenger side of a vehicle traveling in a northerly direction being operated by Ricky Stohler of Alexandria, Indiana.

Mr. Ryan Richardson initially survived this collision and was taken by ambulance to St. Vincent Anderson Hospital before being lifelined by helicopter to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Tragically, Ryan Richardson died on the evening of Tuesday, October 14, 2014 from injuries related to the bike crash. Following the accident, residents living near the location of Ryan Richardson’s bicycle collision indicated that cyclists and pedestrians often use the overpass as a means of travel.

While all Indiana bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles are tragic, the bike crashes that took the lives of Devon Lehman and Ryan Richardson are particularly difficult to accept, as they were both young, twenty-somethings who had years upon years of life ahead of them. Further, these incidents were entirely preventable, as they both appear to be the result of motor vehicles attempting to pass the cyclists. As many of you know, many Indiana communities have adopted the “3 foot rule,” which requires motor vehicles attempting to pass cyclists to leave at least 3 feet of space.

The Indiana bicycle accident lawyers at Caress Law Group offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. Devon Lehman and Mr. Ryan Richardson during this difficult time.

If you have any questions regarding this post or any question regarding Indiana bicycle laws or Indiana personal injury, feel free to call our experienced Indiana bicycle injury lawyers at 317-255-5400 or click here to submit an online inquiry. Please remember to ride safe!

As many of our readers are aware, Caress Law Group’s lawyers focus a large part of their practice assisting victims of cycling accidents. Often times, cyclists involved in collisions are left with their lives being turned completely upside down due to the serious injuries and life disruption that follow thereafter.

Our bicycle personal injury lawyers have found that a fair and reasonable outcome of a bicycle injury case requires a thorough and complete understanding of Indiana’s bicycle laws, as well as each Indiana city’s local ordinances and the standard elements of negligence that govern all personal injury cases in Indiana. As cyclists ourselves, we take great pride in assisting victims of bicycle collisions throughout the State of Indiana. If you have any questions regarding the article provided below or any questions regarding Indiana bicycle law, please do not hesitate to call us at 317-255-5400 or submit an online inquiry at by clicking here.

Check out the article below:

http://www.ibj.com/broad-ripple-lawyer-represents-cyclists-involved-in-personal-injury-accidents/PARAMS/article/49157?utm_source=eight-at-8&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=2014-08-27#.U_3c8lV2IDA.twitter

Over the course of the last couple of years, the Indiana Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Caress Law Group in Indianapolis have seen a substantial increase in persons injured in bicycle crashes with both motor vehicles and other cyclists/pedestrians. So the question becomes – “What can each individual cyclist do to stay safe while biking and decrease the chance of being involved in a bicycle collision in Indiana?” We hope the following tips will assist all bicyclists who read this post.

DO’S

Use lights on the front and back of your bicycle at night (and even during the day to be extra safe)

Use the middle of the lane in the street if you do not feel safe by cars passing you in the bike lane (you have a right to be there!)

Wear a helmet. While on your bicycle. At ALL times.

Keep your eyes out for cars and other cyclists – cyclists should always be aware of their surroundings

Ride with traffic

DON’TS

Don’t ignore stop signs, stop lights, and other rules of the road. Indiana cyclists are required to follow the same traffic laws as motor vehicles

Don’t ride against traffic

Don’t ride on the sidewalk, especially when a bike lane is available

Don’t wear headphones while riding your bicycle – it is important to be aware of all your surroundings while riding, and your ability to hear is key to that

As a motor vehicle operator, do not pass a cyclist and leave less than 3 feet of space. It is the law in Indianapolis to leave at least 3 feet of space when passing a cyclist

If you or a loved one has any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Indiana personal injury law and/or bicycle law, contact Indiana Bicycle Accident Attorney Lance Worland at 317-255-5400 or via email at Lance@CaressLaw.com at any time. All e-mails and phone calls are returned promptly and are free of charge. Caress Law Group’s Indiana bicycle lawyers are Indiana’s premier bicycle injury lawyers, and we have over 20 years of experience in assisting victims of injury due to negligence of others.

We are also proud of Caress Law Group’s own, Lance Worland, for the information he was able to provide for this article. Both Lance Worland and Tim Caress have worked tirelessly in their careers to represent victims of bicycle accidents across the State of Indiana, and during that time, they have gained invaluable information regarding bicycle safety. Further, they have proudly had the opportunity to advocate for bicycle accident victims – making sure they are fairly and appropriately compensated for their injuries as a result of a wide array of different types of bicycle accidents.

Check out the article below:

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2014/07/10/collision-course-confusing-laws-vex-indiana-drivers-cyclists/12489675/

Hence, the introduction of a new Indiana bicycle law: House Bill 1080, also known as the “120 second rule” or the “dead red law.” This new law, which becomes effective July 1, 2014, provides:

(D)  If the operator of a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, motor scooter, or bicycle

approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic control signal, the

operator may proceed through the intersection on a steady red signal only if

the operator:

(i)  comes to a complete stop at the intersection for at least one hundred twenty

(120) seconds; and

(ii)  exercises due caution as provided by law, otherwise treats the traffic signal as

a stop sign, and determines that it is safe to proceed.

The Indiana Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Caress Law Group view House Bill 1080 as a success for cyclists, and we salute the Indiana legislature for its action. Although waiting at a red light for 2 minutes seems like a dreadfully long time to wait, it is carving out exceptions in Indiana law that behoove cyclists. We believe that this is progress and a step in the right direction.

Will Indiana one day gain enough support to enact a law similar to the “Idaho Stop Law?” For those who are not familiar, the Idaho Stop is a law that allows cyclists to treat a stop sign as a yield sign and a red light as a stop sign. Obviously, there are pros and cons to such a law, which we plan to outline in an upcoming article for our readers. Feel free to Contact Us with your thoughts regarding these laws. We appreciate hearing from you.

The Indiana bicycle attorneys at Caress Law Group currently represent a number of cyclists who have been injured as the result of a bicycle crash or accident. We take great pride in representing Indiana bicyclists, and we focus our entire practice of law on Indiana personal injury and medical malpractice. If you have any questions or if we can be of assistance at any time, feel free to call us at 317-255-5400 or Contact Us by submitting an online inquiry. All communication with our office is free and confidential.

As always, ride safe!

This is tragic and saddening news to the Indiana bicycle community, as Neil Kelty had just recently made the commitment to live a lifestyle devoted to riding his bicycle and becoming more active. According to his obituary, Neil was a graduate of the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Neil left behind the love of his life, a fiancé, Kelsea Nicholson, his two parents, and siblings. A funeral was held for Neil Kelty on April 28, 2014 at Northview Church at 2 pm in Carmel, Indiana.

While there is no good news to report regarding this incident, we want to urge cyclists and drivers alike to always remember to keep a keen lookout while on the roadways. Indiana statutory law allows both automobile drivers and cyclists to be on all the roadways (aside from highways). Please remember to share the road – and look out for your fellow Hoosiers.

The Indiana Bicycle Accident Lawyers of Caress Law Group extend our deepest sympathies and all our prayers to the family and friends of Neil Kelty.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this local cyclist. As most of you know, Indianapolis leaders have created a vast amount of opportunities for riders to have an enjoyable cycling experience when riding throughout the town. While our City and State have made great strides in making Indianapolis and the entire State of Indiana more “bike friendly,” drivers and cyclists alike need to maintain caution when on the roadways, particularly in the spring and summer months.

If you or a loved one has been injured in any way in a bicycle accident in Indiana, please feel free to contact Indiana’s premier bicycle lawyers at Caress Law Group by calling 317-255-5400 or by clicking here. Seeking advice from our experienced attorneys is free and easy – and we look forward to hearing from you. As always, please remember to ride safe, be aware of your surroundings, and check your mirrors before turning.

In our over 20 years of personal injury litigation experience, we have seen a number of different kinds of bicycle collisions. In our role as Indiana bicycle accident lawyers, the details of each individual bike crash are vital to our legal analysis of liability and causation. Therefore, we analyze each client’s case based on the type of crash the bicyclist was involved in. Most of the accidents involving cyclists in Indiana involve motor vehicles, but this is not always the case. Pedestrians and other cyclists can potentially be just as responsible for a collision as a careless, negligent motor vehicle driver. Based on our experience, the most common types of bicycle crashes are the right hook, the left cross, the drive-out, the rear-end, the overtake, the dooring, and the careless cyclist or pedestrian.

        1.  The Right Hook

A right hook bicycle collision occurs when a driver passes a cyclist on the left and proceeds to make a right-hand turn directly in front of the cyclist’s right-of-way.

        2.  The Left Cross

Left cross bike accidents take place when a motorist makes a left turn directly in front of the biker’s pathway. In Indiana, these often occur at cross-walks and intersections with heavy bike, pedestrian, and motor vehicle traffic, like downtown Indianapolis and other heavily populated areas in Indiana.

         3.  The Drive-Out

A drive-out bicycle accident happens when a driver pulls out directly into the cyclist’s right-of-way. These often occur at intersections but are also common in parking lots when a driver is attempting to enter or exit a parking spot and fails to notice the oncoming cyclist. Both drivers and cyclists should be cautious when operating in parking lots, as our Indiana bicycle attorneys have found parking lots to be an extremely underrated location for the occurrence of bike vs. automobile collisions.

          4.  The Rear-End

Rear-end collisions occur most frequently in areas of heavy, stop and go traffic when the motorist operates his or her vehicle into the back of a cyclist. These crashes can cause serious injury, even when the force of the impact is minimal.

           5.  The Overtake

Overtake bicycle crashes take place primarily when a motorist attempts to pass a cyclist on the open road. Many cities in Indiana have adopted the “3 foot rule,” requiring motorists to leave at least 3 feet of space when attempting to pass a cyclist. Unfortunately, motorists occasionally come too close to bikers when attempting to pass them on the road, and serious collisions can occur that can lead to devastating injuries to the cyclist.

           6.  The Dooring

Dooring bicycle crashes occur when a driver opens the door of his or her parked vehicle directly into the pathway of an oncoming cyclist, causing the cyclist to collide with the door, often at a high rate of speed. The unfortunate reality of dooring crashes is that they frequently cause the cyclist to flip over the door, leave him or her vulnerable and exposed to oncoming traffic.

Dooring collisions take place most frequently in highly populated areas like New York City and Chicago, but they are becoming more and more prevalent in places like downtown Indianapolis.

           7.  The Careless Cyclist or Pedestrian

Yes, it is true: cyclists and pedestrians are not perfect! Cyclists and pedestrians who carelessly enter a fellow bicyclist or pedestrian’s pathway can be liable for the resulting injuries. Beware of such accidents on places like the Monon Trail!

Caress Law Group’s Indiana Bicycle Accident Lawyers, Tim Caress and Lance Worland, understand that the lives of cyclists and their families can be drastically changed as a result of accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Indiana bicycle crash or if you have a question about this post or any of Indiana’s bicycle laws, please feel free to contact Caress Law Group by clicking here, calling our office at any time at 317-255-5400, or by email at lance@caresslaw.com. We represent injured cyclists throughout the State of Indiana. All calls and emails are returned promptly, and we offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case and your options. We look forward to assisting you, and be sure to ride safe!

The Indiana Bicycle Injury Lawyers of Caress Law Group salute INDOT and the City of Shelbyville for their efforts in promoting bicycle usage and wellness. Not only will this bicycle trial increase the quality of life for Shelbyville and other Indiana residents, but it will also present citizens with more options for travel and another route to access downtown Shelbyville. Our Indiana bicycle lawyers are riders themselves and could not be prouder of the State of Indiana’s recent efforts to promote bicycle access and safety through the implementation of new bicycle trails, bicycle lanes, and even bike laws, including Indiana’s “3 foot law.”

Caress Law Group’s Indiana bicycle accident attorneys are proud to be Indiana’s premier advocates for bicyclist’s rights when it comes to personal injury incidents stemming from bike crashes, including bicycle vs. car collisions, hit and run collisions involving bikes, and any other incident causing injury to cyclists. We have over 20 years of experience in handling personal injury and medical malpractice claims, both against insurance companies and at trial as well.

We view the opportunity to assist you or a loved one who has been injured in a bicycle accident as an honor and a privilege. If we can be of assistance in any way, please feel free to Contact Us or give us a call at 317-255-5400. All consultations and case reviews are free and easy. Remember to ride safe – and check all mirrors for bikers and pedestrians before turning!