The Indiana Supreme Court recently heard a case that, at first glance, may have appeared straightforward. The driver of a car, in the process of making a U-turn, pulled out in front of an approaching motorcyclist, causing a collision. The motorcyclist was severely injured, suffering significant brain damage from the accident.
But the Supreme Court was not addressing whether the driver of the car was at fault; rather, the court was determining whether the owner of property, adjacent to where the accident took place, shared in the blame. At the edge of the property was vegetation which may have blocked the car driver’s vision. And if the property owner had a responsibility to trim or remove the vegetation, but failed to do so, they could be partly responsible for victim’s serious injuries.
Sorting out negligence and liability
Personal injury law can be complex, and there are many different ways you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. For instance, did the person who injured you do so intentionally? Or was it an accident, and you were hurt by that person’s negligent actions or inaction?
If your injuries were caused by someone’s negligence, there are multiple ways to approach the problem and seek recovery for the trauma or damage they caused. Perhaps more than one person acted negligently. Perhaps a product was involved and that product was designed poorly. Or maybe a property owner cared for their property in a way that contributed to the accident.
When you are the victim of another’s actions, it’s important to talk to a lawyer. You’re entitled to compensation for your injuries and it’s not always obvious where that compensation should come from. An experienced lawyer can help you understand your options.