Indiana Police Officer Seriously Injured While Controlling Traffic on I-65

Earlier this month, an Indiana police officer suffered serious injuries after he was struck by a semi-truck while controlling traffic on the highway. According to a local news report covering the collision, the officer was controlling traffic in a road construction zone on Interstate 65. The officer was sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, which was blocking the highway’s northbound lanes. Shortly after 6 a.m., a semi-truck crashed into the officers’ parked vehicle.

The force from the collision forced the police cruiser off the highway, flipping it on its side. The semi-truck ended up in the middle of the road, pushed up against the median. Emergency crews arrived by helicopter to take the injured officer to the hospital, where he was admitted in serious condition. The truck driver was uninjured in the crash.

Police immediately began an investigation into the truck accident. According to the report, authorities do not believe drugs or alcohol were involved in the accident; however, the results of a toxicology screen are still pending.

Indiana’s Move Over Law

Accidents occurring alongside the highway are exceedingly common, especially for those whose jobs require they occasionally spend time in these dangerous locations. Police officers, firefighters, and other public servants are at an increased danger whenever they are parked on the shoulder of a highway. In an attempt to protect these workers, Indiana lawmakers passed the state’s Move Over Law.

Indiana’s Move Over Law requires motorists to take special care when approaching and passing certain emergency vehicles. Specifically, the law requires motorists to change lanes to leave the lane adjacent to the emergency worker empty, if possible. If a motorist cannot change lanes, then they must reduce their speed to 10 miles per hour under the speed limit.

The Indiana Move Over Law applies to the following vehicles:

• Police vehicles
• Ambulances
• Fire trucks
• Rescue equipment
• Incident-response vehicles
• Maintenance vehicles
• Utility service vehicles
• Tow trucks

A motorist’s failure to move over for an emergency vehicle can result in a significant fine, as well as a suspension of driving privileges. Additionally, a driver’s violation of the Move Over Law may be the basis of a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. While the law only requires that motorists move over for these vehicles, drivers are encouraged to be aware of any vehicle that is broken down on the side of the road.

Have You Been Injured in an Indiana Car Accident?

If you or someone you love has recently been injured in any type of Indiana car accident, contact the dedicated injury lawyers at Padove Law. Attorney Burton A. Padove is a veteran personal injury lawyer with extensive experience representing injury victims in all types of claims, including motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and instances of medical malpractice. To learn more about ho Attorney Padove can assist you in bringing a claim for compensation, call 219-836-2200. Calling is free, and because Attorney Padove works on a contingent fee model, you will not be billed for his services unless he can help you obtain compensation for your injuries.