Transportation - The Indiana Lawyer

DTCI: Flipping the Paradigm: Presenting Subsequent Remedial Measures as a Defense to Punitive Damage Claims against Motor Carriers

October 14, 2020 | From DTCI

The legendary Green Bay Packers coach, Vince Lombardi, is credited with saying, “Hope is not a strategy.” The trucking industry and those who defend it need to move beyond merely hoping that the jury will be convinced that the plaintiffs have failed to carry their burden of proof on punitives. Recent verdict history shows that arguing that the conduct at issue “wasn’t that bad” often fails.

Indiana scraps plans to buy land for Ohio River port site

September 18, 2020 | Associated Press

Indiana has scrapped plans to buy land at an Ohio River site under consideration for the state’s newest shipping port, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Thursday.

Justices uphold $40K damages verdict despite challenged jury instruction

September 8, 2020 | Olivia Covington

A man awarded $40,000 after a crash involving an 18-wheeler will not get a second damages trial after the Indiana Supreme Court rejected his challenge to a damages-mitigation jury instruction.

Judge recommends criminal count dismissal in duck boat case

September 8, 2020 | Associated Press and IL Staff

A federal magistrate judge has recommended that criminal charges be dismissed against three men indicted over a duck boat sinking on a Missouri lake that killed 17 people two summers ago, including nine members of an Indianapolis family.

Federal judge rejects indicted ex-Celadon exec’s vacation plans

August 10, 2020 | Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

A federal judge has denied a request by a former executive of now-defunct Celadon Group Inc. to travel to a Mexican resort for a birthday celebration while he is awaiting trial on multiple fraud charges.

COA: Good Samaritan Law shields trucker who stopped on foggy road to call 911

August 6, 2020 | Katie Stancombe

The Indiana Court of Appeals has partially reversed the denial of summary judgment to a truck driver involved in a car accident after finding both he and his employer are entitled to protection under the Good Samaritan Law. The case attracted an amicus brief from the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.

Fishers couple injured in Florida boat crash sue Zionsville CEO they say was driving unsafely

August 5, 2020 | Kurt Christian, Indianapolis Business Journal and Lesley Weidenbener, Indianapolis Business Journal

Two Fishers residents severely injured in a south Florida powerboat crash late last year are suing the CEO of Indianapolis-based insurance holding company Group1001 for allegedly driving the 425-horsepower boat recklessly after drinking, although he has not been criminally charged.

Unanimous US Supreme Court throws out ‘Bridgegate’ convictions

May 7, 2020 | Associated Press

A unanimous United States Supreme Court on Thursday threw out the convictions of two political insiders involved in the “Bridgegate” scandal that ultimately derailed the 2016 presidential bid of then-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. The justices found evidence of deception, corruption and abuse of power in the scheme, but said “not every corrupt act by state or local officials is a federal crime.”

Indiana BMV announces branch visits by appointment only

May 4, 2020 | Associated Press

Some of Indiana’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles license branches will reopen with an appointment-only service format beginning Monday.

Reversal: Landowners, not county, responsible for fixing failing dams near Peru

April 14, 2020 | Dave Stafford

Reversing a trial court that determined Miami County was responsible for fixing six crumbling dams in a lake community housing addition, the Indiana Court of Appeals found the county was responsible only for the roads that crossed the tops of the embankments.

NTSB: Schools share blame for Rochester crash that killed 3 children

April 8, 2020 | Associated Press

The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that a northern Indiana school district is partially to blame for a 2018 crash that killed three siblings crossing a rural highway to reach their stopped school bus.

Lawmakers considering central Indiana regionalism legislation

February 20, 2020 | Lindsey Erdody and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

Indiana lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow the communities in central Indiana to create a regional development authority, but the framework isn’t exactly what advocates initially proposed.

Justices to consider attorney fees arguments in Ohio River-area billboard dispute

January 27, 2020 | IL Staff

Parties disputing an award of attorney fees in a dispute over a billboard installation near the Ohio River will have the chance to state their case before members of the Indiana Supreme Court this week.

Indiana House panel endorses ban on drivers using handheld phones

January 22, 2020 | Associated Press

A push to combat distracted driving with a ban on driver using handheld cellphones has cleared its first hurdle toward becoming the law in Indiana.

Celadon selling Andy Warhol prints as part of bankruptcy

January 22, 2020 | Susan Orr, Indianapolis Business Journal and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

Indianapolis-based Celadon Group Inc., which is auctioning off its assets in bankruptcy, isn’t just shedding trucks and real estate — it’s also selling Andy Warhol artworks.

New track to arrive at ‘reasonable’ rail rates?

January 22, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

The next time you’re stuck in your car watching a train amble across an intersection, think about this: Deregulation is credited with preventing the railroad industry from being run over by truckers, but in places where the rails are the only means of transportation, what should be done to ensure the prices charged by the railroads to the companies shipping products are reasonable?

David & English: How marijuana use by commercial drivers is evaluated in Indiana

January 22, 2020

Despite the changing legal landscape, marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This tension between state and federal law has led to confusion and challenges in many industries, but for the trucking industry, little has changed.

Owner of duck boat that sank, killing 17, settles final lawsuit

January 20, 2020 | Associated Press

The owner of a tourist duck boat that sank in a Missouri lake, killing 17 people including nine members of an Indiana family, has settled its final pending lawsuit for an undisclosed amount.

Indiana parents of girl who fell to her death sue cruise company

December 12, 2019 | Associated Press

The parents of a toddler who fell to her death out of an open cruise ship window in Puerto Rico filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Royal Caribbean Cruises, accusing the company of negligence by allowing the window to be opened.

Celadon files for bankruptcy, plans to shut down

December 9, 2019 | Associated Press

An Indianapolis-based trucking company with nearly 4,000 employees said Monday it filed for bankruptcy and will shut down all operations, just days after two former officials were charged in a fraud scheme.

Articles