However, many states, including Indiana, are still reminding parents, guardians, and children to take precautions to avoid harmful and dangerous situations. Even without COVID still lingering, there are many things that can go wrong on Halloween if children and parents aren’t careful.

Trick-or-treating times may also be different than usual, so be sure to check city announcements and news outlets to stay up to date on official times. As for safety, the Indiana State Police have provided the following tips and guidelines for having a safe and enjoyable Halloween this year:

Costume Safety Tips

• Check the fit of costumes: Costumes that are too big or even too small can make it difficult for children to walk around. They are more likely to trip and fall or become distracted when they are busy worrying about and messing with their costume.
• Use makeup instead of masks: Though Halloween masks might seem like an easy way to keep your child’s mouth and nose covered up to avoid the transmission of COVID, they are also more likely to obstruct their vision. Full-face masks make it difficult to see, which can lead to an accident. Instead, use makeup and simply cover their face and nose with a cloth mask as directed by your local guidelines.
• Avoid troublesome ingredients and materials: Halloween costumes and makeup can often be made using cheap materials and ingredients, which can cause irritation. Be sure to test out any makeup you plan to use before Halloween and make sure your child feels comfortable in their costume.
• Wear bright colors: If possible, choose costumes with brightly colored accents and materials to increase visibility. Children that wear dark costumes are more likely to get lost or hit by a driver.

Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips

• Review road safety with your kids: Remind your kids to be mindful of cars when crossing streets and to only cross at designated crosswalks and intersections if possible. Even on quiet side streets, they should keep an eye out for vehicles entering and exiting driveways so as not to walk in their path.
• Use flashlights and/or glow sticks: Carrying around a flashlight or wearing glow sticks will not only help your kids see better but will increase their visibility for drivers on the road.
• Adult supervision is necessary: No kids should trick-or-treat unsupervised, but young children especially should go out with a responsible adult. It’s also a good idea to carry your cellphone with you in case of emergencies. Just don’t let it distract you from paying attention to the road or your kids.
• Trick-or-treat in groups: It’s easier for drivers to see kids crossing the roads when they are traveling in groups. Group trick-or-treating can also be more fun and is a good option for older kids who don’t want to feel awkward walking around alone with their parents or guardians.
• Only go up to houses with porch lights on: Remind your children to only trick-or-treat at homes that have their outdoor lights on. A general rule of thumb is that if you don’t want to distribute candy, you should turn off your outdoor lights on Halloween.
• Avoid strangers: This one should go without saying, but it’s always a good idea to remind your kids to never go anywhere with a stranger or get into the car with someone they don’t know.

Halloween Candy Safety Tips

• Don’t eat any candy before it has been checked: As tempting as it may be to dig right in while walking around, remind your children to let you check their candy first before they eat anything.
• Check candy at home or in another well-lit area: It’s best if you can wait to check the candy more thoroughly at home or in another well-lit area.
• Don’t eat anything suspicious or with a tampered wrapper: If you have your doubts about any pieces of candy or if anything is open or tampered with, even if you think it was by mistake, throw it out. It’s not worth the risk.

Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

At Crossen Law Firm, we want everyone to experience a safe and happy Halloween. However, this is, unfortunately, one of the most dangerous times of the year for pedestrians, especially children. If you or your child are injured in an accident while out trick-or-treating, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys can help.

We have over 20 years of experience fighting for the victims of car accidents and are dedicated to getting you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today or give us a call for a free consultation. (317) 939-6800

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Though the novel coronavirus is only just beginning to be understood and its spread continues to be a developing situation, it is hard to resist the urge to try to predict how it will affect the world going forward. So, while we can’t see the future, our Indianapolis personal injury lawyer decided to take a look at the facts available in an attempt to speculate if any good news is in store for the global, national, and regional economies.

How Has COVID-19 Impacted the Economy So Far?

The coronavirus has devastated the economy in many ways. Unemployment has reached record highs, thousands of businesses have been forced to close temporarily if not for good, and international supply chains have been disrupted. Yet, there have been some swift and successful attempts to mitigate this disaster.

After the U.S. declared a state of emergency in mid-March, policymakers acted quickly to provide funds to the individuals and small and mid-sized businesses that needed it the most. The $2.2 trillion stimulus bill known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided $1,200 to qualifying individuals, $2,400 to married couples, and $500 per child. The bill also set aside $349 billion in forgivable loan funding for America’s small businesses. The CARES Act allowed many people to stay home without going broke, mitigating the spread of the virus and providing peace of mind at the same time. There may even be a second stimulus bill already in the works.

With Indiana starting to reopen some businesses while also ramping up testing for the virus, the state is on track to initiate its own recovery process. But with predictions that COVID-19 deaths will increase in the coming months, it is worth asking if we’re ready to move forward yet, and, if so, how.

How Will the Coronavirus Impact the Economy Going Forward?

Governor Holcomb’s “Back on Track” plan notes that while conditions seem to suggest that a gradual reopening is doable, progress will be halted if the health and safety of Hoosiers become threatened. This suggests that no matter what comes next, our government will be ready to respond to it. But, what can we expect?

Numerous projections speculating the future of the global economy have already cropped up across the Internet. Models showcasing different scenarios for economic recovery have been published by establishments such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Goldman Sachs, and the New York Times. Most of them suggest it will take a significant amount of time for the economy to return to normal.

A recent Forbes article argues that we shouldn’t strive to return to normalcy at all, however. The pre-COVID world was already rife with disaster, it claims, from global warming to drastic income and wealth inequality. Rather than going back to this, we could use the global interruption the coronavirus has caused as a chance to improve the economy in new and innovative ways. This might not be as farfetched as it sounds: a recent survey conducted in the U.K. found that only 9% of people want things to return to the way they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another way to gauge the potential for future economic success is to look at nations that have had excellent responses to the pandemic and have already been able to reopen, such as Vietnam, Taiwan, New Zealand, and South Korea. Though these nations have specific qualities that likely contributed to a less aggressive spread, such as New Zealand and Taiwan’s statuses as somewhat isolated island nations, by adopting similar tactics the U.S. and Indiana may be able to follow suit. These nations prove that the earlier widespread testing and strict social distancing measures are put in place, the sooner things can return to business as usual, while also keeping people safe.

With only 33% of Americans expecting the economy to rebound in the coming months, the projections aren’t always hopeful. However, it is exciting to think that what comes next could be positive if we take the proper measures. In the meantime, we hope everyone stays healthy and safe!

Crossen Law Firm is dedicated to providing legal counsel and representation during this time. If you would like to schedule a remote consultation with our Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, please contact us anytime.

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In Indiana, one of the complicating factors you will need to understand is the modified comparative negligence law, commonly referred to as the “51% fault” rule.

Like most states, Indiana courts consider the plaintiff’s contribution to the incident before awarding damages. Generally, the less you are at fault, the more compensation you will receive. Unlike some states, however, Indiana will not recognize your right to compensation at all if you are found to have been 51% at fault or higher. The 51% fault rule allows you to file a personal injury claim only if you were less than 51% at fault for the incident.

The 51% fault rule is one of two versions of comparative negligence that most states follow. The other type of comparative negligence is the 50% rule, which functions the same way but only allows plaintiffs to file a claim if they are less than half at fault for the incident.

Remaining states follow either the pure contributory negligence law or the pure comparative fault law. Pure contributory negligence law bars plaintiffs from filing a claim if they are even 1% at fault for the incident, while pure comparative fault law allows plaintiffs to file as long as they are 99% at fault or less.

An Example of Indiana’s Modified Comparative Negligence 51% Rule

If you sustained a broken bone because another driver ran a stop sign and hit your car, you will likely feel inclined to pursue damages. After all, if they had followed traffic laws, the accident would never have occurred.

The outcome of this case, however, will depend upon your driving as well. If you were fully engaged and obeyed all traffic laws, the court will likely determine that the other driver was 100% at fault. But what if, on the other hand, a bystander witnessed you texting and driving? What if police conducted a sobriety test because they noticed you had been driving erratically, and your BAC exceeded the legal limit? Maybe you simply failed to come to a full and complete stop at your own stop sign. Any of these factors may raise your level of fault up to or beyond 51%.

Comparative negligence is not always straightforward. Every case is unique, and the jury will consider a variety of circumstantial factors in order to determine your level of fault and corresponding right to compensation.

Enlisting Professional Support for Your Case

Understanding the subtle differences in negligence laws from state to state will help you determine whether or not you have a valid claim. Negligence law can be extraordinarily difficult to navigate on your own, however, and counsel from a seasoned legal representative will significantly increase your likelihood of success. At Crossen Law Firm, we use our in-depth knowledge of modified comparative negligence and state-specific laws to give our clients the advantage they need. If you are looking for a passionate, skilled, and dedicated legal team knowledgeable about comparative contributory negligence in Indiana, Crossen Law Firm is fully prepared to assist.

Call (317) 939-6800 or schedule your consultation today. We look forward to working with you.

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