Bike To Work day 2012 will have various group rides for commuters with start times ranging from 6:30 to 7:30 am.  There will be starting locations in Carmel, Broad Ripple, Eagle Creek, Plainfield, Fountain Square and many more to accommodate as many areas of greater Indianapolis as possible. For a full schedule and list of routes, click here.

To register for Indy Cog’s 2012 Bike to Work day, click here. Registration is free!

PeopleforBikes.org, a movement dedicated to improving the future of bicycling, is also hoping people take part in National Bike Month. PeopleforBikes.org urges cyclists across the US to take part in one of the many events this month including:

May 9th: National Bike to School Day

May 13th: CycloFemme: The International Day of Women’s Bicycling

May 14-18th: National Bike to Work Week

May 18th: National Bike to Work Day

May 1st-August 31st: National Bike Challenge

Whether you take part in an organized event, or go for a casual bike ride over the weekend, Tabor Law Firm hopes you will participate in National Bike Month as well!

The seminars will cover current topics in trucking litigation and will provide an update on new research, laws, and data related to semi-tractor tailor trucking collisions. Speakers will include plaintiffs and defense lawyers, accident reconstruction experts, and transportation consultants.

A seminar agenda, location details, and registration information will be available through ICLEFF.

For more information about ICLEFF, click here.

City leaders, driven by Mayor Greg Ballard, an avid bicyclist himself, have plans to add 75 more miles of bicycle lanes and trails by 2015, in addition to the numerous lanes added over the last year.

Indiana currently ranks 40^th out of the 51 largest cities on commuting rates, but with the added bicycle lanes, Indianapolis is hoping to move up in these rankings.

Between the Monon trail and added bicycle lanes across the city, many are expecting to see an increased number of cyclists commuting to and from work.

Unfortunately, many Indianapolis drivers are confused and frustrated by these new lanes and bicycle markings.  Below are some helpful tips from the Indy Star to help navigate the new bike lanes.

1)   Bike Lanes

These lanes, set off by solid stripes, typically are near the right side of the road. Motorists should avoid bike lanes and should yield to bicyclists.

2)   Green Lanes

Green shading is used sometimes to call attention to places where dedicated bicycle lanes cross paths with regular traffic lanes, particularly near intersections with right-turn lanes next to the curb. The idea is to move a vehicle to the turn lane before a bicyclist is in the driver’s blind spot.

3)   “Sharrow” Lanes

Shared roadway markings in a normal traffic lane show an arrow with a bicycle. The street is a designated bicycling route, but has no dedicated bike lane. Bicyclists should stay to the right except to pass, to prepare to make a left turn or to avoid unsafe conditions. Motorists should give bicyclists the right of way if they move to the left.

4)   Parking

Don’t park in bicycle lanes. If you’re parked on the street next to a bicycle lane, check behind you before opening the car door or pulling out.

5)   Passing

Leave at least 3 feet of clearance and no danger from oncoming traffic before passing a bicyclist.

Click here to view the Indy Star’s full article.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a cycling accident, please call 317-236-9000 for your free consultation.

According to WHTItv.com, Emma Lockard, a 21-year-old mother and her two toddlers died Wednesday night in a fiery crash when her car struck the trailer part of a semi truck while trying to cross U.S. 41.  The crash also killed Lockhard’s teenage cousin, Laura Hall and Hall’s friend Ronnie Mendoza who were also in the vehicle. All five victims were pronounced dead at the scene according to Knox County Sheriff Mike Morris.

Lockhard was also three months pregnant with her third child at the time of the crash.

This dangerous intersection at Old U.S. 41 was inspected once in 2008, but it was determined by INDOT that a traffic signal or caution light was not needed. Currently there is only a stop sign in place. Additional investigation is needed to determine why this crash occurred.

Following this tragic accident, INDOT will be studying this intersection again now for the second time, to determine if the intersection can be made safer.  This is hopefully just a first step in helping prevent this needless loss of human lives.

Our thoughts at Tabor Law Firm go out to the families of the five victims of this horrific collision. We hope no more lives are needlessly lost at this intersection.

This tragedy brings back memories at Tabor Law Firm of a similar tragic case of Ziang Ke, a 15-year-old boy who was killed in January of 2009 when his Carmel Clay School Corporation school bus struck him as Ziang attempted to reach and board the school bus.

Police initially had thought Ziang fell on ice while running to catch the bus, but an autopsy led investigators to determine the bus had indeed struck him accidentally.

Tabor Law Firm conducted a thorough additional investigation, which ultimately helped establish that this tragedy could have been avoided by the school system and bus driver if a few safety precautions had been adopted with respect to routes, drivers, and stop and start practices at bus stops.

Tabor Law Firm was able to help Ziang’s parents through this horrific time in their lives and obtain compensation for them so they could fund a memorial in Ziang’s honor.

Our hearts at Tabor Law Firm go out to the families of both Donasty Smith and Thomas Spencer.  Hopefully justice will prevail again here and time will help heal the deep wounds caused by this needless tragedy.

The recalled models include 2004 and 2005 Jeep Liberties. Some may be equipped with rear lower control arms that can fracture due to corrosion caused by road salt according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); which poses a greater concern for Indiana Liberty drivers.

At this time, Chrysler is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

According to the NHTSA, the recall is expected to begin by the end of April, and all affected rear lower control arms will be replaced.

The cars affected in the recall were originally sold or are currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., according to NHTSA documents.

If you or someone you know has been injured due to a defect in a vehicle, contact Tabor Law Firm for your free consultation.

Honda
Honda has recalled certain 2012 Accords & Crosstour vehicles. The driver-side and passenger-side curtain airbag inflator may not have been manufactured according to specifications, and in the event of a crash the airbag may fail to deploy.

Crossroads RV
Certain 2012 Rushmore and Elevation recreational vehicles manufactured from June 1, 2011 through January 12th, 2012 have been manufactured with an incorrect wheel center cap. The center cap that was incorrectly assembled with the trailer did not provide adequate clearance to allow the wheel to fully seat on the hub face of the axel. This could result in a wheel becoming loose and potentially coming off of the trailer.

Britax Child Safety Seats
The NHTSA has issued a safety recall on the 14,220 Chaperone infant car seats due to a defect in the harness adjuster, which can result in ineffective safety harness straps.

If you’re an attorney working on a case involving any of the above recalls, reach out to Tabor Law Firm if you’re in need of co-counsel. At Tabor Law Firm we enjoy conferring with counsel throughout the state on vehicle defects.

If you’re a consumer who has been injured or has family who has been injured by these recalls, contact Tabor Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation.

If you or someone you know has been injured in the workplace, call Tabor Law Firm for your free consultation.

• Alcohol involvement- either for the driver or bicyclist- was reported in more than 40% of the traffic crashes that resulted in bicyclist fatalities

• 72% of all bicycle fatalities happened between the hours of 4 am and 8 pm.

• Bicyclists can ride on all roads, except where restricted.

• It is illegal to ride your bike against traffic. Bicyclists should ride on the road, and travel the same direction as traffic.

• Motorists must maintain a distance of 3 feet when passing a bicyclist.

• In most states, a bicycle is considered a “vehicle” and all bike riders must follow and obey the same traffic laws as other vehicles.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident, call Tabor Law Firm to get your questions answered.