Indiana car accident lawyer explains what this means for drivers.
Drivers in Indiana have caused more car accidents than most in states, according to a recent traffic safety study conducted by Insurify that ranked Indiana 10th for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record.
So just how bad is the problem in Indiana? How many drivers are there in Indiana that have caused a car accident? And what can be done to reduce the number of collisions in the state? Our Indiana car accident attorneys at Glaser & Ebbs, Attorneys At Law explain.
What is an at-fault car accident?
Many car accidents are classified as at-fault collisions. This means one driver did something to cause an accident involving another vehicle. Examples of at-fault car accidents include:
- Speeding drivers who can’t stop in time to avoid hitting another car.
- Drunk drivers who crash into another vehicle.
- Texting drivers or distracted drivers who cause a collision.
- Reckless drivers who run a red light or don’t stop at a stop sign, resulting in an intersection accident.
- Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel and collide with another car.
Most car accidents are caused by an at-fault driver. Very few crashes are truly "accidents." That's why the human element is such an important factor in road safety.
Indiana has the 10th most at-fault drivers
The Insurify study was based on 4.6 million drivers who applied for car insurance nationwide in 2022. Nationally, 8.8 percent of drivers admitted they had previously caused an accident. In Indiana, 9.6 percent of drivers previously caused a collision.
Insurify also listed the number of car accidents per mile and per capita. In Indiana, there are 1.17 traffic fatalities for every 100 million miles driven. And each year, 1 out of 7,576 people die in car accidents in Indiana.
How to prevent at-fault car accidents
The Indiana Department of Transportation has several suggestions for preventing car accidents and making the state’s roads safer. Such safe driving tips include:
- Wear your seatbelt – Many drivers and passengers do not wear their seatbelts, which can result in more serious or fatal injuries in a collision.
- Never drive drunk – Drivers under the influence of alcohol often cause accidents. In 2021, drunk drivers took the lives of 234 people in Indiana, according to car accident data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Pay attention – Driver distraction is a common cause of collisions. This includes using a cellphone while driving, adjusting the radio, and eating while driving.
- Drive defensively – Don’t simply assume everyone will drive sensibly. Be prepared for unexpected dangerous driving habits, such as aggressive driving.
- Share the road – When driving, look for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and other vehicles.
Why should I hire an Indiana car accident attorney?
At-fault car accidents in Indiana are not often as straightforward as many people would think. In many cases, drivers who cause collisions deny doing anything wrong. In addition, insurance companies often do everything they can to pay accident victims as little as possible or nothing at all.
Our Indiana car accident lawyers at Glaser & Ebbs, Attorneys At Law can help level the playing field. We know the laws that apply to at-fault accidents. We have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies. That’s why we have such a strong track record of success.
Learn more about how our law firm can help you. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a Fort Wayne car accident attorney you can count on in a crisis. We have six offices conveniently located throughout Indiana, including offices in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only have to pay us if we secure a financial settlement or verdict for you.