Bloomington Personal Injury Law Blog

It’s never easy to navigate rush hour traffic

On behalf of of Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

No matter how hard you try, it's difficult to avoid rush hour traffic. This is particularly true if you're commuting to and from work or school during these busy times of the day.

Since rush hour traffic is likely to be a big part of your daily life, it's important to take steps to protect yourself. Here are five tips you can follow to safely navigate rush hour:

Leave more time: When you're running late, you're more likely to rush. And when you begin to rush, you're more likely to cause an accident. Leave more time in your schedule than you need, as this will help keep you calm during heavy traffic.
Leave a greater following distance: Rush hour traffic is stop and go. A greater following distance gives you more space to stop your vehicle before rear-ending the car in front of yours.
Avoid distractions: Rush hour is a common time for driver distractions, as many people think it's okay to lose focus when traffic is crawling. This is a mistake, as you must always concentrate on what you're doing and what's happening around you.
Stay in your lane: As you seek ways to save time, you may get into the habit of switching lanes in search of the "fast" one. It's okay to change lanes when necessary, such as to exit the interstate, but don't do so on a search to save a few minutes.
Experiment with a new route: Even if you're familiar with your current route, experiment with others to determine if the roads are less congested and if the commute is any quicker. Another route may add time to your commute, but it may be worth it if you can avoid heavy congestion.

Take these steps to get the most from your insurance claim

On behalf of of Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

If you are injured in a serious motor vehicle accident, you shouldn't hesitate to learn more about your legal rights. Even though your primary concern is your health and recovery, you shouldn't delay in filing an insurance claim and fighting for the compensation you deserve.

It's easy to assume that your insurance agent will handle the entire claims process for you. While you can put all the power in their hands, doing so could result in receiving less compensation than you deserve.

These 5 winter weather driving tips can keep you safe

On behalf of of Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

When you drive in Indiana during the winter months, you understand that you'll come face to face with inclement weather every now and again. From snow to ice, it's important to prepare for everything.

It takes attention to detail to drive safely during the winter months. Here are five tips that can help keep you safe:

Drive slowly: If you do nothing else, make it a habit to slow down when there is snow or ice on the road. Doing this allows you to more easily maintain control of your vehicle at all times.
Leave a greater following distance: It takes longer to stop your vehicle when the road is wet. If you don't leave enough space between your vehicle and others, there's a greater chance of a collision.
Avoid fast accelerations: Smashing the gas pedal for any reason can cause your tires to spin out, thus losing control of your vehicle. When accelerating, do so in a slow and controlled manner.
Don't tackle big hills: It's okay to travel up a hill if conditions allow, but don't push your limit. If you're unsure of your ability to reach the top safely, search for an alternative route.
Watch what's happening around you: This is important at all times of the year, regardless of conditions, but it's worth mentioning again. Distractions when road conditions are less than ideal can lead to a serious accident.

These car insurance claim mistakes can hold you back: Avoid them

On behalf of of Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers on Monday, September 10, 2018.

If you are part of a motor vehicle accident, it won't be long before you're on the phone with your insurance company. In addition to personal injury, it's safe to assume that your vehicle was damaged in some way.

Making a car insurance claim sounds simple enough, but there is more to the process than meets the eye. If you assume that your agent will be on your side, doing whatever they can to help you out, you're making a big mistake.

Building a strong truck accident claim

On behalf of of Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

Building a truck accident claim and following it through to a fair resolution takes time and attention. It also requires a detailed understanding of accidents involving trucks and the parties that may hold liability. While the driver of the truck is certainly one party who may have responsibility for the collision and your subsequent injuries, a number of other parties may share some of the liability as well. It all depends on the nature of the accident and what caused or contributed to it.

Many potential defendants in a truck accident claim

Keep out of "no-zones" to stay safe on the highway

On behalf of of Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers posted in truck accidents on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.

When you're on the highway, one of the things that could put you at risk of being involved in a crash is driving in a truck driver's "no zone." A no zone is an area where the driver isn't able to see you. Essentially, these are blind spots along the sides and rear of the vehicle.

As you drive, remember these tips to avoid getting into a crash because of being in a blind spot. While it's the driver's responsibility to keep others safe on the roads, it's also a good idea to do all you can to avoid a serious collision.

Follow these top tips for driving in the snow

On behalf of of Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers posted in car accidents on Thursday, December 14, 2017.

As one of our Indiana readers, you know that snow is a big part of the winter season. While it's ideal to stay indoors when the snow begins to fall, this is not always possible. There's a good chance that you'll need to hit the road, such as to commute to and from work.

With this in mind, it's important that you know what you can do to improve your safety when driving in snowy conditions. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Are you familiar with the dangers of fall driving?

On behalf of of Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers posted in car accidents on Thursday, September 14, 2017.

As one of our Indiana readers, you are well aware of the fact that the fall season is beautiful throughout the state. You are probably also aware of the fact that the fall months bring many challenges to the local roadways.

It's imperative that you become familiar with the many dangers of fall driving, as you don't want to make a mistake that could put you in a compromising position. Consider the following hazards:

Top reasons why truck accidents happen

On behalf of of Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers posted in truck accidents on Friday, June 16, 2017.

The thought of being involved in a truck accident is enough to make anyone cringe. Thanks to the size difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, any type of crash can result in serious injury or even death.

If you live in or around the Bloomington area and spend any amount of time on the local highways, you know that commercial trucks are everywhere.

Tips for dealing with an insurance company after a car accident

On behalf of of Greene & Schultz Trial Lawyers posted in Insurance on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

When you are involved in a car accident, you rely on auto insurance to help you repair or replace your damaged vehicle. After all, you have auto insurance in place specifically for this purpose - to avoid the financial stress of having to suddenly repair or replace a car.

Some insurance companies, however, may try to avoid paying out a claim - leaving you to pick up the pieces. Knowing in advance how insurance companies work - and how you should interact with them - can help you avoid certain pitfalls should you ever be involved in a car accident. Here are a few useful tips for dealing with an insurance company after a car accident.