Who is Liable if an Adolescent Causes a Car Accident?

Car Accident Claims for Minors 317-881-2700

Car Accident Claims for Minors 317-881-2700

In almost all automotive accident cases, the main objective of both parties is to prove who is responsible for the resulting damages. Avoiding liability and recovering compensation depends on which parties acted negligently to cause the accident, and to what degree. This means, a party involved in the accident will be proven at-fault and held liable for any economic damages and losses suffered by the injured party.

Although this is standard procedure under law, there are circumstances in which a person who was not present or driving the vehicle can be sued and held liable for a motor vehicle accident. This is referred to as “vicarious liability”, or “imputed negligence”, and it plays a major role in situations where minors cause serious car accidents that involve injury to one or more parties.

Vicarious Liability

Even if a person was not driving their vehicle, or even present at all during the accident, there is still a possibility that they could be sued for damages in a car wreck. This is mostly common among parents who lend their vehicles to their children, or have their children’s vehicles in their name. If a minor causes a car collision that results in another person’s injury or death, the parents of that minor can be held liable for all damages under vicarious liability law. There are a few separate ways in which this can occur.

Negligent Entrustment

The law may perceive a parent, also referred to as an “entruster”, as negligent if they allow their teenager to drive a vehicle in their name knowing that their child is reckless, untrustworthy, inadequate at driving, or unlicensed. If a child falls under any of these descriptions, and subsequently causes a serious accident, the guardians can be held accountable for the damages.

They can be sued for high amounts of compensation to cover automotive repair costs, hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, prolonged therapy, lifelong disabilities, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and much more. There is virtually no limit to which a victim can sue a negligent parent after their teenager causes them serious injury from a motor vehicle accident.

Family Purpose Doctrine

In the case that a member of the family borrows another family member’s vehicle, with or without permission, and then causes an accident, the car owner can be held liable for the damages incurred. This holds true regardless if consent was granted or not. In other states, whoever signs for a minor’s Drivers’ License is the authority that can be held accountable if a minor causes serious injury to another person while driving.

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for motor vehicle accident claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. If you or a loved one was recently injured in a car accident caused by a minor, call our licensed personal injury attorneys right away. There is a statute of limitations in Indiana that regulates the amount of time a victim has to legally pursue compensation for a serious injury. When you need strong and successful legal representation following a serious car accident, we are the trusted personal injury lawyers to trust. Schedule a free initial consultation, today!

Our Law Firm Never Charges Lawyer Fees Unless We Recover a Settlement for You!

Do not allow personal injury lawyer costs to hold you back from getting the full and fair compensation you deserve. The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. will settle your case, or you owe nothing. Call us for a FREE consultation 317-881-2700.

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Here at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we are your number one advocate after being wrongly injured. We are seasoned personal injury lawyers who work around the clock to ensure every detail of your case is investigated and managed. We use every resource in our power to recover sufficient compensation for your injuries, losses, and damages. Furthermore, statutes of limitations are honored here in Indiana, so we feel eager to remind anyone that has been involved in an accident to contact our personal injury law firm as soon as possible to discuss filing a claim.

A Contingency-Fee Basis That’s Convenient for You

It is normal to feel concerned and overwhelmed about the thought of having to pay for lawyer services, especially during a time when bills are adding up faster than you can blink. You may be worried that you cannot afford such services along with all your other financial obligations. Fortunately, you do not have to pay these concerns any attention when you have our personal injury law firm working on your claim. Our personal injury clients never have to worry about budgeting attorney costs. That is because they are never required to pay any lawyer service fees unless we recover a settlement for them.

So what does this mean for you? As a potential client of ours, you do not owe us a penny for lawyer services if do not collect a settlement for you!

Our licensed and skilled personal injury lawyers have extensive trial and litigation experience, and are seasoned in several areas of civil and tort law. We utilize our knowledge of the law and our hands-on litigation experience to help you get the full and fair compensation you deserve after being negligently injured in an accident.

We Have the Resources to Be Successful With Your Claim

If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident that was not your fault, we have the resources to protect your needs. Do you need medical coverage? Are you missing work and losing out on pay? All these concerns and more can be addressed by one of our highly experienced personal injury lawyers. We work hard to recover compensation that will be sufficient enough to cover all of your lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, prolonged therapy, and much more. At Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we promise to not collect any payment at all for our services unless we are triumphant in your case.

Experienced Accident Attorneys Working for You

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call our office today at 317-881-2700 and schedule a FREE initial consultation to discuss your Indianapolis personal injury claim. Seasoned attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are ready to listen to your case and determine the best strategy for pursing a claim. At your free initial consultation, you can have your case heard and evaluated without any payment obligations. Contact us to get started in your financial recovery, today.

What To Do After Being Hurt in a Public Bus Accident

Below you will find a recommended course of action to take directly after being involved in a public bus accident. It is important to follow these steps so that you may protect yourself and your rights to medical coverage and compensation.

Indianapolis Bus Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Bus Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700


Bus accidents are not like your average fender bender. Such accidents pose a much higher risk of injury to all parties involved. Compared to your standard motor vehicle, buses are a lot bigger and have larger fuel quantities, making them highly dangerous munitions in a collision scenario. Furthermore, they carry more passengers, which means the probability of casualties and injuries are higher.

Regardless of fault or party, it is important to use the proper course of action directly after being involved in a bus accident. Whether you were a passenger on the bus or in another vehicle, these steps apply to everyone. If you have questions about these steps, it is best to consult a trusted Indianapolis personal injury lawyer who specializes in motor vehicle accident claims. You can also consult your car insurance carrier to confirm or review your current medical coverage benefits.

What To Do After a Bus Collision:

Get Away From the Scene of the Accident

The very first thing you should do moments after a bus accident is get to a safe place away from the collision. If you are mobile, exit the bus or vehicle as soon as you can do so safely. If you are not mobile, jump to step two. Otherwise, once you exit the bus or vehicle, get yourself away from the accident scene. As mentioned, buses contain a whole lot of fuel, which can explode if ignited by a spark or fire.

Get Medical Attention

Once you are at a safe distance from the accident scene, it is important to get yourself medical care right away whether you think you are injured or not. This is a critical step because it is common for injuries to not show up right away, or for victims to be in shock and not realize they are injured. Call 911 and request an ambulance or EMT’s to respond. They will arrive within minutes to assess your condition and spot treat any injuries or wounds. If you are seriously injured, they will transport you to the nearest emergency room for further treatment.

Contact the Authorities and Obtain Witness Testimonies and Contact Information

Contact the local police department to report the accident. It is important to file a report so that you have records of the accident. Witness testimonies are also important because they can protect you from being accused or questioned about the circumstances of the accident and your subsequent injuries. A law enforcement officer is likely to take down some witness statements as well, but it is strongly recommended to get your own for a more in depth record. Be sure to ask for witness contact information in case you need them to verify their statements later on.

Collect Evidence and Retain All Records

Aside from a police report and witness testimonies, it is important to collect as much evidence to support any potential claims you might make in the future. Types of evidence includes photos and videos of the bus, the involved vehicles, injured passengers, traffic lights, stop signs, skid marks, and anything else that could have possibly contributed to the accident. Retain all related records as well, including bills, statements, physical therapy sessions, doctor appointments, and more. Be sure to keep all of these records and evidence in a safe place; do not throw them away because you do not know when you might need them.

Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm

If you were injured in a bus accident, you are likely eligible for remuneration from the bus company’s (or bus driver’s) insurance carrier. After you have completed all of the above-mentioned steps, move forward by hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer to file an accident claim. You could potentially recover compensation to help pay for your medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and more. They have the knowledge and resources to make sure you do not miss out on being compensated by all possibly liable parties, such as the bus driver, the bus company, the bus manufacturer, or even the city.

Contact The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you were recently injured in a bus accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can speak with a seasoned Indianapolis car accident lawyer about recovering compensation for your losses and damages. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your claim, and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Get started on your bus accident injury claim by scheduling your appointment, today.

Where to Get Legal Advice for Hotel Accident Injury Claims

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Whether five star or economy-class, all hotels are susceptible to lapses in safety requirements. If such safety errors take place, accidents can happen, which can cause injuries to both employees and guests alike. Furthermore, if negligence is founded on behalf of the hotel, victims may be eligible to collect compensation for their damages and losses incurred as a result of the accident.

This is made more possible with the help of a licensed personal injury law firm. Victims of hotel accidents are encouraged to take a closer look at their case and learn their rights to filing an injury claim against the negligent party. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about hotel accidents and injury claims, and more importantly, where to get started.

Hotel Risks

There are several components and amenities within a hotel that can lead to dangerous accidents and serious injuries. Staircases, steps, ramps, elevators, escalators, balconies, and swimming pools are just a few common structures found in hotels that are known for various types of accidents. In addition to structures, many hotels also serve food and beverages, which can also cause serious injury if prepared and served improperly. This is especially true in terms of food borne illnesses, alcohol poisoning, and dietary restrictions. In addition to these types of potential hazards, some hotels provide shuttle and transportation services that can result in a wide range of motor vehicle accidents if the proper protocols and practices aren’t taken.

Slip and Fall Accidents in Hotels

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

The most common type of personal injury accident claim filed against hotels are slip and fall claims. When floors, foundations, and certain surroundings are negligently tended to, people are at risk of slipping, tripping, and falling. This includes liquids and spills, power cords, unstable balconies or bridges, poor lighting, broken furniture, crumbling pavement, unleveled flooring, torn or heaved carpeting, broken rails, and ground obstructions. Slip and fall accidents that stem from these types of safety errors can range from minor to very serious, and
even fatal in some cases.

Swimming Pool Accidents

Swimming pool accidents are another common personal injury claim against hotels. When improperly maintained and supervised, hotels can be liable for any accidents and subsequent injuries that take place as a result of their negligence. Accidental drowning accidents are the most serious cases, and victims of such negligence are encouraged to pursue a wrongful death claim. In terms of non-fatal injuries, the most common are slip and fall accidents, which usually cause injuries like broken bones, head injuries, and more. Near-drowning accidents are also common, which can still cause a surplus of injuries.

Where to Get Started With Your Hotel Accident Claim

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis 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 for a hotel accident in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyers are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a time with a licensed Indianapolis accident attorney, today.