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If you want to make sure your property goes to the right people when you die, you have two primary estate planning tools to choose from: a will or a trust. Each serves a different purpose and offers its own benefits. Deciding which one is right for you depends on your goals, your family situation, and how you want your estate handled after you pass away.

Both wills and trusts help distribute your assets, but they work in different ways. Understanding the differences now can help you avoid confusion, delays, and unnecessary costs later. You do not have to figure it out alone. Working with an estate planning attorney ensures you choose the best path forward for your specific needs.

How a Will Works Under Indiana Law

A will is a legal document that directs how your property should be distributed when you die. You can use a will to name beneficiaries, appoint a personal representative, and choose a guardian for minor children. It also allows you to spell out your funeral preferences or leave specific gifts to friends and relatives.

When you die with a valid will, your estate goes through probate. This is the court-supervised process where your debts are paid and your assets are distributed according to your instructions. In Indiana, probate can take several months to complete. Although it is a public process, it may still be manageable for smaller or simpler estates.

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If you pass away without a valid will in Indiana, state law decides who inherits your property—regardless of your personal wishes. This is called intestate succession. Without a will, your loved ones may face confusion, delays, and even legal disputes. You lose the ability to choose who receives your assets, who manages your affairs, and who looks after your children.

Indiana’s intestate laws are not flexible. They follow a fixed formula, even when those outcomes feel unfair to your surviving family. If you want to protect your loved ones and make your own choices, creating a legally valid will is one of the most important steps you can take.

How Indiana Intestate Succession Works

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A four-vehicle crash in LaPorte County recently sent shockwaves through the community after two mini school buses were involved in the collision. These buses were transporting students for the LaPorte County Public Library system, a reminder that even educational or recreational trips come with serious risks. Although no students were seriously hurt in this crash, not all families are so lucky. Accidents involving school buses or summer camp transportation can lead to devastating injuries and long-term trauma.

If your child is hurt while riding a school or camp bus in Indiana, you may have the right to pursue compensation. These cases often involve multiple layers of responsibility, including the bus company, the driver, and the organization that arranged the trip. An Indiana injury attorney can help families hold these parties accountable when negligence plays a role.

How Bus Accidents Happen During the School Year

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High-speed traffic corridors like I-65 often become the site of devastating accidents that change lives in an instant. A recent deadly crash on the ramp connecting Interstate 65 southbound to Interstate 465 southbound in Indianapolis reinforces how quickly tragedy can unfold on Indiana highways. When fatal collisions occur on roads like this, families are left reeling. The impact extends beyond grief, bringing unanswered questions, steep costs, and legal uncertainty.

You deserve answers, especially if your loved one was hurt or killed in a highway collision. Understanding what causes these crashes, who may be at fault, and what legal options exist should not fall on you alone. An experienced injury lawyer can handle the legal burdens while you focus on healing.

A Recent I-65 Fatality Draws Attention to Ramp Safety Concerns

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Driving through rural Indiana comes with responsibilities that many people overlook. When you share the road with slower-moving vehicles like horse-drawn buggies, the duty to drive carefully does not change. A recent crash near Bremen, Indiana, involving a Mercedes SUV and an Amish buggy carrying three children, left multiple families devastated. The children were thrown from the buggy and died at the scene.

The case has raised painful questions about how these tragedies happen and what the law says about fault. Legal accountability may still exist even in situations where the families involved respond with grace and forgiveness. If you or your loved ones were injured or killed in a similar crash, you may have the right to seek justice even when criminal charges are not filed.

Drivers Must Adjust for Known Rural Hazards

In areas where horse-drawn buggies are common, drivers are expected to watch for them, especially during school hours or along known routes. Indiana has one of the largest Amish populations in the world, making awareness and caution essential on rural highways and backroads.

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Understanding your rights after a tragic collision can feel overwhelming, especially when the victim is a child and the injuries involve multiple people. In cases where a driver runs a red light and causes life-changing or fatal harm, Indiana law allows families to pursue compensation. When the at-fault party flees the scene, protecting your interests early and thoroughly becomes even more critical.

A recent collision on the southeast side of Indianapolis has drawn serious public attention. Authorities reported that a driver traveling at high speed ran a red light and caused a devastating chain reaction. The crash killed a young child who was riding in a bike trailer and critically injured the father who was cycling. A third person in a separate vehicle, who had the right of way, was also severely hurt. The alleged negligent driver fled the scene on foot. Investigators are still working to locate the suspect.

Red Light Violations Often Lead to Catastrophic Harm

Running a red light at high speed is one of the most dangerous traffic violations. Intersections are designed with signals to prevent exactly this kind of multi-vehicle chaos. When a driver disregards a red light, others in the intersection have no time to react. Cyclists and pedestrians, especially those in crosswalks, face the highest risk of fatal injury.

Indiana law holds drivers accountable when their choices cause harm. Whether or not the at-fault party is found immediately, an injured victim or grieving family may still file a civil claim. These claims often proceed through auto insurance policies or, in some cases, uninsured motorist coverage. A thorough investigation can also reveal surveillance footage, eyewitnesses, or other evidence that may help identify the responsible person.

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If you are injured in a crash involving more than one vehicle, you may wonder who is legally responsible for your losses. In Indiana, you have the right to pursue compensation from anyone whose actions contributed to your injuries. That includes drivers who made unsafe decisions, even if they did not survive the crash. You don’t have to figure out fault on your own, and you shouldn’t wait to speak with an attorney.

A recent three-vehicle crash in Monroe County shows how quickly serious collisions can unfold. According to reports, authorities responded to a scene at State Road 46 and Hunter Valley Road, where a Mercury sedan reportedly crossed the grass median and drove the wrong direction in westbound lanes. That vehicle collided with a Buick, which a nearby Mercedes-Benz then struck. One driver was killed, and two others were hospitalized, one with multiple broken bones. This type of incident raises important questions about insurance coverage, fault, and the process of seeking financial recovery under Indiana law.

Indiana Is a Fault-Based State for Car Accidents

In Indiana, car accident claims follow a fault-based system. That means the person who caused the crash is responsible for the injuries and damage that result. If a driver crosses into oncoming traffic, they are likely to be considered at fault, even if they had no intent to cause harm. If that driver dies from the crash, a legal claim may still move forward through their insurance coverage or, in some situations, through their estate.

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If someone falls asleep while driving and causes a serious accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries. In Indiana, falling asleep at the wheel may still be considered negligence, even if the driver did not intend to cause harm. Whether fatigue results from poor sleep or a medical condition, the injured party can still file a claim. What matters is whether the person behind the wheel failed to act with reasonable care.

A tragic crash in Delaware County illustrates how dangerous drowsy driving can be. According to a report by Indiana State Police, a Cadillac crossed the center line on State Road 67 and collided with an oncoming Dodge Ram. The crash triggered a fire that closed the highway for hours. The 22-year-old Cadillac driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup truck driver was extricated from the vehicle and remains hospitalized in critical condition. Early reports suggest the driver of the Cadillac may have fallen asleep before the crash occurred. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the incident.

Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel May Still Count as Negligence

Driving while tired is not illegal in itself, but it can still serve as a basis for legal liability. Indiana law defines negligence as the failure to use reasonable care under the circumstances. A driver who drifts out of their lane and causes a head-on collision can still be held accountable even if they fell asleep unexpectedly.

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Accidents involving semi-trucks or other large vehicles in Indiana carry a significantly higher risk of serious injury or death due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. When a collision occurs between a massive commercial truck and a passenger car, the results are often catastrophic. Earlier this year, a tragic accident in Greensburg, Indiana highlighted the devastating consequences of such collisions. The crash involved a semi-tractor trailer and a passenger car, unfortunately resulting in the death of the car’s sole occupant.

The accident occurred in the early morning hours on eastbound I-74 near the 133-mile marker. According to reports, the passenger car was traveling in the slow lane when it was struck from behind by the semi-truck. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but tragically, the female driver of the passenger car was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck has been cooperative with law enforcement, but this does not necessarily absolve them of liability. Both criminal and civil actions may be on the table, depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation. While the truck driver’s cooperation is a positive sign, it does not change the fact that the victim’s family deserves answers and justice for their loss.

The increased risk of severe injury or death in accidents involving large vehicles is due to the immense power and force behind these collisions. Because of this, operators of commercial vehicles are held to higher standards than regular drivers. These standards include stricter licensing requirements, regular vehicle maintenance checks, mandatory hours-of-service regulations to prevent driver fatigue, and ongoing safety training. These rules are designed to prevent accidents, but they also provide a framework for holding trucking companies and drivers accountable when they fail to meet these obligations. For example, if an investigation reveals that the truck driver was fatigued, the vehicle was improperly maintained, or safety protocols were ignored, these violations can be used to build a strong case for negligence.

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Indiana’s rural roads may seem peaceful compared to busy city streets, but they come with hidden dangers that make accidents far more severe. High speeds are common on open country roads, and with fewer traffic lights, stop signs, or even streetlights, drivers often push their luck—sometimes with tragic consequences. Long stretches of highway can lead to fatigue, and with less frequent road maintenance, hazards like potholes or uneven pavement can catch drivers off guard. But perhaps the scariest part of rural crashes is the delayed emergency response. When an accident happens miles from the nearest town, it takes longer for help to arrive, and hospitals may be a long drive away. That extra time can mean the difference between life and death, as we saw in a heartbreaking crash earlier this month.

Just west of a small Indiana town, two vehicles collided at a quiet rural intersection where one road had a stop sign. Investigators believe the driver of an SUV failed to yield, slamming into a Jeep crossing the intersection. The crash killed two people in the SUV and left two others with serious injuries—so severe that they had to be airlifted to hospitals in Indianapolis. The Jeep’s teenage driver walked away physically unharmed, but the emotional toll of such a wreck lasts far longer. While we don’t yet know all the factors involved—whether speed, distraction, or inexperience played a role—what’s clear is that rural driving conditions made this crash even more devastating. The community is grieving, and our hearts go out to everyone affected.

For victims of rural crashes, finding the right legal help can feel like another uphill battle. If you’re hurt, without a car, or live far from a major city, traveling to meet with a lawyer might seem impossible. But having strong legal representation is crucial—insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to minimize what they pay out, leaving injured victims struggling to cover medical bills and lost wages. The good news is, you don’t have to make that trip to get help. With today’s technology, a skilled attorney can consult with you remotely, review your case, and even handle much of the process without you needing to leave home.

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Highland, IN 46322
Phone: 219-836-2200
Fax: 219-836-9388

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