As the Weather Warms up, Discuss Bicycle Safety With Your Kids



With spring finally here and the temperatures steadily warming, many children in the Indianapolis area are spending more time outside. In many cases, this means riding bikes from place to place—or even just riding bikes just to ride them.

Unfortunately, riding bicycles in a metropolitan area like Indianapolis exposes kids to the risk of accidents with motor vehicles—even in the most residential neighborhoods. For this reason, parents need to talk to kids about bicycle safety regularly and make sure that they take steps to reduce the risk of a car, truck, or motorcycle hitting them.

  • Children can reduce their injury and accident risks when riding when they:
  • Always wear a helmet when riding bikes.
  • Make sure that cars and trucks can see them. Wear brightly colored clothing and equip your bikes with reflectors on the front, back, and on the wheels. Avoid riding at night altogether.
  • Never wear headphones or listen to music when you ride.
  • Do not wear loose or long clothing that could get caught in wheel spokes or chains.
  • If you ride in traffic, follow all of the rules of the road.
  • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them or pulling into their lanes.
Bicycle Accidents Can Have Devastating Results for Children

Kids can sustain extremely serious injuries in collisions with cars and trucks, including broken bones, serious lacerations, concussions, and even traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. In many cases, these injuries can leave children with long-term issues, including chronic pain, disfigurement, scars, cognitive issues, or even paralysis. Due to these potentially serious outcomes, do everything you can to help your child avoid a bicycle accident in the first place.

In the unfortunate event that your child is injured in an accident, take immediate steps to protect your child’s legal rights. If you can show that the accident resulted from the negligence of the driver who hit your child, you may obtain compensation for current and future medical treatments, lost quality of life, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and any other losses.

  • Some steps to take after an accident include:
  • Call the police to the scene of the accident. Obtain the other driver’s contact information, as well as the contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the accident.
  • Take your child to the hospital for a thorough medical evaluation. Attend any follow-up appointments and help your child engage in all recommended treatments.
  • Do not discuss the matter with the driver’s insurance company until you have talked to a lawyer.
  • Retain an attorney as soon as you can.

 Call Indiana Personal Injury Attorney Merry Fountain Today for a Free Consultation

Indianapolis personal injury lawyer Merry Fountain is a skilled injury advocate. If you are looking for an injury law attorney in the greater Indy area—Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Avon, Kokomo, Lebanon—she’s here to help! Call her anytime at 1-888-242-HURT (4878), or simply click Tell Us About Your Case for a free consultation.

Call Indiana Personal Injury Attorney Merry Fountain Today for a Free Consultation

Indianapolis personal injury lawyer Merry Fountain is a skilled injury advocate. If you are looking for an Injury Law Attorney in the greater Indy area; Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Avon, Kokomo, Lebanon...we're here to help! You can call her anytime at 1-888-242-HURT (4878), or simply click 'Tell Us About Your Case' for a free consultation.
Posted by

Indiana law typically entitles auto accident victims to compensation when the negligence of others results in injuries.

They can receive compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Car accident victims, for example, may recover compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost quality of life, and physical and emotional pain and suffering, among others.

While Indiana law may legally entitle injured car accident victims to compensation, they must still take certain steps to obtain it. In addition, they must avoid a few things along the way that can reduce the amount they ultimately receive. The following details three of the most common pitfalls.

Social Media Posts

Many people today share pictures and status updates on social media without giving them a second thought. As a car accident victim, however, keep in mind that the at-fault driver’s insurance company can use the things you post on social media as evidence against you. For example, if you suffer from debilitating neck pain that prevents you from working, but you post pictures of yourself out with friends, an insurance company could potentially use your posts as evidence that you are not as injured as you claim—even if the medical record supports your position.

Failing to Follow Your Doctor’s Orders

Another way in which car accident victims can hurt their financial recovery is by failing to follow doctor recommendations for follow-up care. When an injury victim ignores a doctor’s orders, insurance companies can make the argument that a victim’s injuries are not as serious as claimed—and reduce their settlement offers accordingly. As a result, if your doctor prescribes pain medication or refers you to physical therapy, for example, comply with your doctor’s orders even if you think that you can deal with the pain or believe that your injuries will heal on their own.

Providing the Insurance Company With a Recorded Statement

Insurance companies often pressure car accident victims to provide recorded statements and may even imply that doing so is in their best interests. Understand, however, that you are under no legal obligation to provide a recorded statement and that doing so is much more likely to hurt your case than help it. Insurance companies request recorded statements hoping that victims will say something that indicates that they were partially (or even fully) responsible for the accident in which they were involved, allowing them to reduce the amount they pay out. For this reason, if a car accident injures you, politely decline to provide a recorded statement and inform the insurance company that you plan to retain legal representation.

Call Indiana Personal Injury Attorney Merry Fountain Today for a Free Consultation

Indianapolis personal injury lawyer Merry Fountain is a skilled injury advocate. If you are looking for an injury law attorney to represent you in your car accident case in the greater Indy area—Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Avon, Kokomo, Lebanon—she’s here to help! Call her anytime at 1-888-242-HURT (4878), or simply click Tell Us About Your Case for a free consultation.

Call Indiana Personal Injury Attorney Merry Fountain Today for a Free ConsultationIndianapolis personal injury lawyer Merry Fountain is a skilled injury advocate. If you are looking for an Injury Law Attorney in the greater Indy area; Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Avon, Kokomo, Lebanon...we're here to help! You can call her anytime at 1-888-242-HURT (4878), or simply click 'Tell Us About Your Case' for a free consultation.
Posted by


Walking is one of the healthiest forms of exercise. It can help to reduce stress, increase long-term health, and it’s a positive environmental option to take instead of driving your car. While there are many benefits to walking, one danger to be aware of is heavy traffic, especially distracted drivers. The law is supportive of pedestrians and allows walkers the right of way in a crosswalk, or when crossing the street at the appropriate place. Still, accidents can happen. In 2015 there were over 5,300 people killed in pedestrian accidents, and another 129,000 walkers were treated for serious injuries.

Pedestrians are especially vulnerable when walking because they are largely unprotected. With the increasing use of smartphones and other distracting devices, the reality is that many drivers are simply unaware of a pedestrian until it is too late. Stepping into a crosswalk should always be taken with precaution. Although a pedestrian typically does have the right of way, a driver who isn’t paying attention can easily miss noticing a person or a child when they are crossing the street. This can result in devastating consequences and serious injuries.

What Damages Can you Claim in a Pedestrian Accident?

When you are injured, the medical bills can start to accumulate quickly, especially if you are unable to work while you are recovering. There are many different damages that you can request to recover when you are involved in a pedestrian accident. Some of these include (but are not limited to):

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Future earning loss
  • Emotional distress
  • Physical therapy and outpatient recovery
  • Modifications to your home that are required to assist in your recovery or physical limitations

What will the Insurance Company Offer to Pay?

When you are injured in an accident, your primary source of recovering damages is usually the insurance company. Typically, in the case of a pedestrian accident, the insurance companies will attempt to settle as quickly as possible. It is in their best interest to offer you a fast settlement to keep the case out of court. The first offer will always be their lowest offer, and it is in your best interest to hire a personal injury lawyer immediately to help you work through this process. An attorney who understands how to manage the insurance company settlement offers you a strong chance of receiving the maximum amount of damages for your injury.

Call an Indianapolis Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

If you or someone that you know has been involved in a pedestrian accident, the damage can be catastrophic. Between medical appointments, physical therapy, and time off work, healing an injury can feel like a full-time job. Recovering compensation for your injury can feel overwhelming. The insurance companies have a team of attorneys working on your claim, and you should too. The experienced legal team at Fountain Law Group is ready to help victims of pedestrian accidents in the Indianapolis area. Call us today at 1-888-242-HURT(4878) or contact us online to set up an initial consultation. We are available and ready to go through the details of your case and fight aggressively on your behalf.

Call Indiana Personal Injury Attorney Merry Fountain Today for a Free ConsultationIndianapolis

personal injury lawyer Merry Fountain is a skilled injury advocate. If you are looking for an Injury Law Attorney in the greater Indy area; Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Avon, Kokomo, Lebanon...we're here to help! You can call her anytime at 1-888-242-HURT (4878), or simply click 'Tell Us About Your Case' for a free consultation.
Posted by
Even the Safest Drivers Can Get Hit by Truckers


It’s a fact of modern driving that we share the road with massive semi-trucks, and these semis are not only many times heavier than the vehicles we drive, but are also far more unwieldy. Semis are dangerous, and when they’re involved in accidents, those accidents are some of the deadliest on our roads.

Even the safest drivers among us aren’t exempt from the dangers posed by these metal giants. Indiana being the “Crossroads of America” and a warehouse/logistics hub, trucks will share the roads with us for a long time to come. Educate yourself about sharing the road safely with semis and box trucks —and stay safe out there.

Stopping Distances
While easily maneuverable cars can stop in a couple hundred feet on the interstate big rigs—due to their size and weight—need much more distance to come to safe stops. When driving conditions aren’t ideal, this distance increases dramatically. When you pass or travel in front of a commercial truck, allow plenty of distance between your vehicle and that big rig.
Yield to 18-Wheelers

Because they are so massive and unwieldy, tractor trailers have much less fine-tuned maneuverability than cars do. An 18-wheeler can’t and shouldn’t squeeze into a tight space on the road or take a tight turn; they need room to safely move in and out of traffic.

It’s always in your best safety interest to yield to larger vehicles on the road. Instead of trying to speed around them, allow a semi to do what it needs to do and settle back into its driving lane before you pull ahead of it. Be doubly cautious when a semi-truck makes a wide right turn or when turning left alongside a big truck.

That Trucker May Not See You
Truckers are positioned much higher off the road than you are, and while many believe this is a great vantage point, truckers experience significant blind spots around their truck bodies and trailers. These are often referred to as no zones and are:

Directly behind the trailer
Directly in front of the cab
On both sides of the cab

In general, the truck’s right side is significantly more dangerous than its left, and you should never attempt to pass a big rig on the right. Spend as little time as possible in a semi’s blind spots, and when you pass, ensure that you can see the entire semi in your rearview mirror before safely merging back into the truck’s lane.

Remember that semis also obscure your vision; they can make it impossible to see what’s up ahead. Hold back before speeding into the unknown.
Injured in an Indianapolis Truck Accident? Contact the Fountain Law Firm Today

At the Fountain Law Firm, P.C., we have successfully helped many truck accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries and related losses. To make sure that you receive all the compensation to which you are entitled, it is important to have an experienced truck accident attorney handling your case. Attorney Merry Fountain can help you today by meeting in her office or by meeting in your home. Call Merry Fountain anytime at (888) 242-HURT (4878) for a free consultation

Call Indiana Personal Injury Attorney Merry Fountain Today for a Free Consultation

Indianapolis personal injury lawyer Merry Fountain is a skilled injury advocate. If you are looking for an Injury Law Attorney in the greater Indy area; Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Avon, Kokomo, Lebanon...we're here to help! You can call her anytime at 1-888-242-HURT (4878), or simply click 'Tell Us About Your Case' for a free consultation.
Posted by

Fountain Law Firm, P.C. is a personal injury law firm serving seriously injured clients throughout all of central Indiana, including Indianapolis, Carmel, Brownsburg, Lebanon, Columbus, Greenwood, Martinsville, Anderson, Mooresville, Muncie, Lafayette, Bloomington and surrounding areas. The law firm focuses on providing clients with aggressive, personalized representation against insurance companies and their attorneys.

Merry M. Fountain chose to dedicate herself to personal injury law after being the victim of a car accident, suffering serious injuries. With more than 15 years of legal experience, she has helped hundreds of clients. Offering personalized and compassionate representation, Ms. Fountain makes sure clients understand their rights and options, and the legal consequences of their decisions before proceeding.

Attorney Fountain is committed to aggressively pursuing the best possible outcome, seeking lost current and potential future income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any other compensation to which clients may be entitled for their injuries or losses.

CONTACT:
Fountain Law Firm, P.C.
3815 River Crossing Parkway, Suite 100, Room 139
Indianapolis, IN 46290
Phone: (317) 917-7873
Email: attorney@fountaininjurylaw.com
















Posted by


My name is Merry Fountain and I am a Personal Injury Lawyer serving seriously injured clients throughout all of Central Indiana, including Indianapolis, Carmel, Brownsburg, Lebanon, Columbus, Greenwood, Martinsville, Anderson, Mooresville, Muncie, Lafayette, Bloomington and surrounding areas. The law firm focuses on providing clients with aggressive, personalized representation against insurance companies and their attorneys.

I am a Personal Injury Lawyer and founder of Fountain Law Firm serving seriously injured clients throughout all of Central Indiana.

Before long it will be two decades since I decided to devote my career to helping people injured through the fault of others get the just compensation they deserve. Until you are a personal injury victim, you have no idea how it can affect your life and your family. My name is Merry Fountain and I was injured in a car accident and suffered from neck pain, facial scarring and a broken hand. Based on my negative experience with the insurance industry and legal system, I pledged to make that career change. I put myself through law school while working full-time.

After receiving my law degree from Indiana University School of Law, I soon opened my own firm to compassionately represent personal injury victims. Since then, I have been honored to help hundreds of people like you and their families.

Drawing on my experience, I will personally handle your case and make it a priority. You will not get lost in the legal system or passed off to someone who is not a lawyer. I will not charge any fees until your case is settled. In the meantime, I can help with other immediate problems, such as medical bills, transportation, etc. You can call me anytime for a free legal consultation.

I am conveniently located at the intersection of I-465 and N. Meridian Ave in the Two Meridian Plaza building. Or I am more than willing to meet with you at your home, place of business, or even the hospital.

My personal experience as a victim in an auto collision was the reason I became a personal injury attorney. Before I was an attorney, the driver of company truck ran a red light and crashed through my driver´s door. My hand was broken, I had to have plastic surgery on my face, and my neck was injured. The insurance company for the other driver tried to give me the run around, and I hired an attorney to help me.

After that, I decided to dedicate my life to helping other personal injury victims protect their legal rights against insurance companies and big corporations. I only practice in personal injury, and since becoming an attorney have helped thousands of others. I am aggressive in pursuing the rights of clients and compassionate with them. By the way, if for any reason you cannot get to my office, I will gladly come to you.

Education:
  • J.D., Indiana University School of Law - 1996
  • BS - Purdue University - 1992
  • BA - Purdue University - 1989

Work Experience:
  • The Fountain Law Firm, PC (Owner) 1997- Present

Associations:
  • Indiana Trial Lawyer Association (Member) 2010 - Present
  • Indiana State Bar Association (Member) 1999 - Present
  • American Association for Justice (Member) 19999 - Present
  • Public Justice Foundation (Member) 1999 - Present

Awards:
  • Top 100 Lawyers (American Society of Legal Advocates)  2016
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers (National Trial Lawyers)  2016
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers (National Trial Lawyers)  2014
  • Avvo Top Contributor (Avvo) 2014
  • BBB Accredited Business - A+ Rating (Better Business Bureau) 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010

Contact:
Fountain Law Firm, P.C.
3815 River Crossing Parkway, Suite 100, Room 139
Indianapolis, IN 46290
Phone: (317) 917-7873
Email: attorney@fountaininjurylaw.com

















Posted by
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)