Can I File a Personal Injury Claim if I Was Hurt in an Uber Accident?

Car Accident Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

One of the most surprising growing trends these days is sharing rides. Companies like Uber and Lift are becoming increasingly popular for the convenience they offer to the public. Not only do these services divert intoxicated driving, they also help drivers conserve fuel and provide options for those unable to drive their own vehicles. Despite these companies being fairly new, they are not excluded from old struggles; namely, liability.

Although incredibly rare considering the number of ridesharing users and employees, crimes like assault, kidnapping, and even manslaughter have been associated with ridesharing in the past. Because of reports like these, many people are questioning their safety and their rights in the case that an Uber ride goes wrong. Again, these types of crimes are rare in the ridesharing industry. Chances are, the most common incidents encountered while riding in an Uber are motor vehicle accidents.

Uber Accident Claims

If you are injured in a car accident while riding as a customer in an Uber or Lift, you need to learn your rights. Filing a personal injury claim for an Uber accident is essentially the same as all other third-party liability claims. However, they can be more complex since you may be able to file a claim against the company, as well as the driver themselves, or the other driver that caused the accident. For this reason, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney to navigate your claim and protect your right to a full and fair settlement for you damages and losses. These can include hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, and more.

What You Can Expect

In most cases of Uber accident claims, it is the Uber driver, as well as the other driver involved in the accident, who would be responsible for your damages and losses of you were injured in an accident they caused. But what about the driver? If they are injured while driving for Uber, do they have rights? The answer to these questions vary depending on a long list of factors.

Every case is different, and ordinances surrounding these cases vary among jurisdictions. It is, however, possible for an Uber driver to turn around and sue the company, but this would require intensive investigatory work, as well as, accumulating enough evidence to prove their case. Generally, if the accident happened on the clock, the driver is covered by Uber’s insurance; but they would have to file under their own insurance first, and then wait for Uber’s insurance to take over.

What Should You Do?

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Long story short: if you were injured in an Uber accident, whether a driver or passenger, you need to contact a licensed Indianapolis car accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn your rights and the best strategies to recover for your losses. Here at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we offer free initial consultations, so you can freely discuss your case with one of our seasoned accident attorneys, and learn whether or not you have a valid claim, without any out-of-pocket obligations. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring an Accident Lawyer

If you are looking to hire a personal injury lawyer, there is some knowledge that will help you choose a qualified and successful law firm to represent your claim. Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions about obtaining legal counsel for a recent injury or accident. If you do not find the answers you are looking for, contact our Indianapolis personal injury law firm for professional assistance you can trust.

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Personal Injury Claim?

You must remember that insurance companies are highly-trained, expert negotiators. Their primary objective is to settle a case as quickly as possible, and pay out as little as possible. Without an accident lawyer working on their case, many injured victims are forced to accept an unfair settlement that is not enough to cover their total damages and losses, including hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and more. A skilled personal injury lawyer will fight on your behalf, and aggressively defend your right to a full and fair compensation. They are trained in evaluating insurance benefits and coverages, and understands the language presented in such policies. They have the knowledge to accurately put a value on your claim and present it to the insurance adjusters.

Is it Possible to Pursue a Claim Without a Lawyer?

In the case that your injuries are very minor, and your losses were not substantial, it may not be necessary to retain an accident lawyer for your personal injury claim. For instance, minor traffic accidents and workers’ compensation claims can sometimes be handled on your own if they are very cut and dry cases. However, if you suffered moderate to serious injuries that caused you to lose out financially on hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and more, you might need an accident attorney to ensure you recover the money you need to get back on track.

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Charge?

It all depends on the law firm. But most personal injury law firms work on a contingency fee basis, which means they do not collect wages unless they recover a settlement for you. If they lose your case and do not recover any compensation, you would not pay anything to the law firm. You would, however, still be responsible for any additional legal costs accrued, such as filing fees, court fees, cost of witness testimonies and expert panelists, and more.

Should I Still Hire a Lawyer if I Do Not Want to File a Lawsuit?

Many victims of personal injuries are not interested in filing a lawsuit against the wrongdoer, but still need to recover compensation to pay for their losses and damages. This is common when accidents happen among families and friends. In these cases, a victim could simply pursue a claim with the negligent party’s insurance, and negotiate a settlement with them. Accident lawyers can help with this process to ensure an insurance company pays out what is fair. This can be done without taking a claim to court. In the case that the insurance company will not budge on a fair settlement, a victim would have to choose to either accept what the insurance company offers, or to pursue the claim through litigation.

How Soon Will I Receive My Settlement?

The timeline for which plaintiffs receive their personal injury claim settlements differs from case to case. A common timeline may look like this: After you are discharged from medical care, it can take up to 4 weeks or more to gather all the necessary medical records and billing from your health care provider. From there, it takes another 2 to 4 weeks to evaluate your case and submit the settlement proposal to your insurance company. This is where the waiting game comes into play. It can take an insurance company several weeks to evaluate your claim and respond with a negotiation. Overall, cases that are not incredibly complex can usually be resolved with 3 to 4 months following your medical discharge.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a time with a licensed Indianapolis accident attorney, today.

What is the Difference Between a First and Third Party Claim?

When you are involved in an accident, particularly a car accident, you have two options for filing a claim if you want to recover compensation for your damages and losses. The option you choose largely depends on who was at fault for the accident, but additional factors will have an influence as well. Continue reading to learn these two options and the difference between them both.

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Insurance Claims

The two types of insurance claim options you face after being involved in a car accident is a first party claim or a third party claim. A first party claim is an insurance claim that you file with your own insurance carrier, under your own policy. A third party claim is an insurance claim that you file with the opposing party’s insurance carrier.

The purpose of filing a claim, whether for injuries or vehicular damages, is to recover the money you need to make up for the financial losses that resulted from your accident. This may include medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and sometimes, even pain and suffering. As mentioned, the type of claim you file after a car accident depends on who was at fault.

Who is At Fault?

If you were at fault for the car accident and subsequent damages that resulted, then you would need to file a first party claim through your own insurance company. If you were not at fault for your accident, then you would file a third party claim with the at-fault party’s insurer.

A common example of a first party insurance claim accident would be if you didn’t stop soon enough at a red light and collided into the back of another person’s car. In this same example, the driver you hit would need to file a third party insurance claim with your insurance carrier.

At Fault Parties

In a car accident, there could be many potential opposing parties, including a vehicle manufacturer, a business, another driver, a pedestrian, or even the city. More than one party can be at fault for a car accident as well, and each party can be liable for different levels of fault. Furthermore, the level of fault in a car accident can sometimes be unclear, in which case, you might have to file a first and third party claim.

This means your car accident personal injury claim, or claims, can get very complex, which is why you require a licensed and experienced Indianapolis car accident attorney to help recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured in a car accident. If the opposing party’s insurance is unwilling to settle fairly, an accident attorney can take your case to trial.

Indianapolis Car Accident Attorneys

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a licensed Indianapolis car accident attorney who can determine the best strategies for your case. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to get started on your financial recovery, today.

Can I Recover Compensation For My Injuries if an Accident Was My Fault?

When you are at-fault for an accident, it can be difficult understanding your rights to compensation after suffering serious injuries. Because you are likely liable for the damages, you may owe more than you’re owed by the insurance company. Circumstances differ from case to case, as it all depends on several factors regarding the accident and more. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about recovering compensation for your losses and damages that resulted from your injuries.

Car Accident Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

What To Do When You Are The Defendant

Depending on the unique circumstances of the accident and resulting injuries, you may be the defendant against an insurance claim or a personal injury claim. Regardless of which kind of claim you are facing, it is important to know how to conduct yourself in order to minimize the potential for mistakes. Below is a general example of how an at-fault driver of a car accident should respond after causing an accident on the road.

The defendant should…

❗ Leave their vehicle exactly where it is (unless it is creating a safety hazard);
❗ Contact the police immediately to report the accident;
❗ Remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive;
❗ Cooperate with responding police and EMT personnel;
❗ Exchange current contact and insurance information with all other involved parties;
❗ Take many photos of the damages, injuries, and surroundings;
❗ Accept medical attention, either at the scene or immediately following;
❗ Contact their insurance company to report the accident;
❗ Contact an attorney who can help protect them as they navigate their claim;
❗ Not discard or attempt to conceal evidence related to the accident;
❗ Not discuss the accident with anyone other than their attorney;
❗ Not agree to a settlement until they have spoken with their attorney;

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers Who Can Help

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a licensed Indianapolis personal injury attorney who can determine the best strategies for your case. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to get started on your financial recovery, today.

Was Your Child Seriously Injured On a Trampoline?

Child Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Child Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

According to the patent owner, competitive gymnast George Nissen, recreation was not the intended purpose of the modern-day trampoline. Instead, the original intention of the modern-day trampoline was athletic training, namely as a tumbling device. Shortly after their introduction, they were also applied in military aviation training. Although recreation was not part of the plan, manufacturers eventually learned how to produce frame work and hardware that could be easily assembled at home. This quickly transitioned trampolines into family recreation and leisure. Continue reading to learn what others think about recreational trampoline use.

Authorities Who Warn Against Trampolines

Throughout the years, trampoline manufacturers have added more safety features, such as padding or netting. However, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) continues to warn consumers about the characteristic dangers of trampolines. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) insists that these safety features have failed to impact the ongoing trampoline injury rate, especially among children. For many years, they have strongly advocated against recreational trampoline use. They even published a paper 5 years ago that discussed how trampolines pose a serious threat to the safety of children.

Read the AAP publication, here.

There are three types of accidents that commonly occur on trampolines. Users either collide into one another, fall off, or injure themselves on the springs and framework. The most common trampoline injuries include bruising and hematomas, orthopedic fractures and dislocations, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, head injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

Recreational Trampoline Use

Despite the dangers associated with recreational trampoline use, trampolines continue to be a staple in family backyards, and thousands are sold on the public market every day. You have probably enjoyed a trampoline as a child yourself, but whether or not you were hurt is not an indication of the potential threats they pose to children. If you own a trampoline for your child, it is important to set concrete safety rules for them, and to supervise playing children at all times.

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

If your child was seriously injured on a playmate’s trampoline, then you may need to consider a legal course of action. This is especially important if you are having trouble with your insurance company, or if the responsible party is unwilling to provide recompense for your damages and losses. This includes hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, prolonged physical therapy, pain and suffering, and more.

Contact an experienced Indianapolis child injury lawyer at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. for help getting started on your claim. We use every resource in our power to recover the full and fair settlement you and your child deserves. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation, today.