How Can I Tell Whether or Not I Have an Injury Case?

After sustaining injuries in an accident, there are thousands of questions and concerns going through your mind, such as “Am I going to be Okay?”, “How long will it take for me to recover?”, Will my injuries affect me long-term?”, “Is the quality of my life at stake?”, and “How will I pay my bills if I’m unable to work?”

Not only are these questions all incredibly important, they are also very common to experience after a serious accident. In fact, there are several more frequently asked questions among accident victims; one of the most communal being, “Do I have an injury case?” If you are asking yourself this same question, continue reading to learn an effective approach for finding the right answer.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers
317-881-2700


There are three fundamental questions you can ask yourself in order to better understand if you have a valid personal injury case or not. Your answers can help you comprehend the facts surrounding your accident, and give you a place to start in your pursuit towards resolution. However, keep in mind that every case is different, so you cannot base your case’s validity solely on these questions.

So after finishing your personal valuation, you must consult with a licensed Indianapolis personal injury attorney. They will make a professional case assessment based on the unique factors of your situation and offer the best course of action for your particular claim.

Here are the 3 questions to ask yourself before you contact an injury lawyer:

Did I Sustain Serious Injuries?

First, you need to ask yourself if you were seriously hurt. If you are not hurt, you do not have a strong injury case. If you are injured, this question is often the easiest to ask yourself because only you truly know the extent of your pain and suffering. In addition, you need to consider all of the professional medical diagnoses you’ve received following the accident. Remember that “harm” is not always just physical; it can also be emotional or financial.

Economic damages are often awarded to cover financial harm like hospital expenses, medical bills, and lost wages. Physical and emotional damages are sometimes awarded to compensate for harm like life-long disability, permanent disfigurement, PTSD, or loss of companionship. The factors that define an “injury” vary greatly, and can be quite complex. Only your accident attorney can help you fully understand your rights and limitations regarding your injury case.

Is Someone Else Responsible for My Injuries?

If you are seriously injured, your next question should be directed at a liable party. Think about who could be at-fault for the accident that caused your injuries. This can be very complicated since more than one party could be responsible for your accident and subsequent injuries, including yourself. Sometimes, there is no one to blame for an accident or injuries, such as in the case of harsh weather.

In addition to targeting a liable party, it must also be determined whether or not they acted negligently. The act of negligence is generally defined as “behaving below an acceptable or reasonable standard of care.” Basically, if you do something careless that causes another person harm, then you would be legally responsible for the all of the harm that person suffers. If you suspect that someone else is responsible for your injuries, you must act fast and contact an Indianapolis personal injury attorney right away.

Is There an Available Resource That Can Compensate Me?

If you are seriously injured and it was someone else’s fault, your next inquiry should be in regards to how you will get paid. Who is going to compensate you for all your damages and losses? In most personal injury cases, the liable party’s insurance company pays the settlement, usually auto insurance, homeowners’ insurance, both, or other type of coverage.

In other cases, there may not be an insurance company involved at all. This means that the liable party would be forced to pay out of pocket; but if they do not have any assets or money, this is not likely to happen. It is important to hire a seasoned personal injury law firm that has the skills and resources to locate additional insurance coverage and recover the settlement money you deserve.

Were You Hurt in an Accident?

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! Contact us today at 317-881-2700 to learn more about getting started.

Can I Make a Claim for an Injury Sustained at a Beauty Salon?

Men, women, and even kids enjoy a visit to their local beauty salon. Whether or a haircut, color, eyebrow trim, manicure, massage, or some other beauty service, it is the responsibility of the salon to ensure you are in safe hands. So what happens if you are injured at a beauty salon? Who is liable? Who pays for your medical expenses and lost wages? After seeking immediate medical attention following a beauty salon accident, the best course of action to take is to contact a local Indianapolis personal injury law firm to discuss liability and your rights to remuneration.

Continue reading to learn more about beauty salon liability, injury claims, and lawsuits.

Beauty Salon Injury Claims 317-881-2700

Beauty Salon Injury Claims 317-881-2700

Beauty Salon Accidents

If you think about it, a beauty salon can be a dangerous place. From the chemicals and electrical equipment, to the sharp steel used to cut, shape, and trim, there are thousands of accidents waiting to happen at your local salon. Fortunately, most salons are very professional and highly trained at protecting clients and staff from harm, which is why the beauty salon injury rate is quite low every year.

However, beauty salon accidents do occur from time to time when carelessness comes into play. The scope of injury that can occur in a beauty salon ranges from slightly embarrassing to deadly.

Common accidents that result in injuries to salon patrons include:

Burns – Burns are one of the most common salon injuries. They can occur from improper color or chemical treatments, curling irons, blow dryers, waxes, ointments, and anything else than can irritate or burnt the skin. Burns are usually minor and can be self-treated, however, more serious burns can result in prolonged treatments, scarring, permanent hair loss, skin graft surgeries, permanent disfigurement, and mental anguish.

Neck and Back Injuries – Neck and back injuries are also common in massage parlors and hair salons. The reclining position used to wash hair in the salon sink can cause strain or stress to the neck, while improper massage practices can injure the muscles in the neck or back.

Lacerations – Another common injury that occurs at beauty salons are cuts, scrapes, and similar skin wounds. These can occur from negligent hair cutting, waxing, eyebrow trimming, nose and beard trimming, and certain laser treatments.

Slip, Trip and Falls – Slip, trip, and fall accidents are also common at beauty salons. All sorts of equipment are plugged into the walls, leaving electrical cords exposed in some circumstances. Also, floors are often covered in hair debris, and the areas around sinks can get splashed with water from shampooing service. When these obstructions are not dealt with in an efficient and reasonable fashion, it can cause a person to fall and incur serious muscle and orthopedic injuries.

Beauty Salon Negligence

If a serious injury occurs to a beauty salon client, they may have a negligence claim against the salon. The salon could be held liable for the client’s losses and damages incurred as a result of the injuries sustained in their salon. These may include compensatory damages such as lost wages, hospital bills, and medical expenses, or other forms of losses, like pain, suffering, permanent disfigurement, reduced quality of life, mental anguish, and more.

There are several aspects involved in proving a negligence claim against a beauty salon; however, the chief factors include showing evidence that:

The salon had a duty of care to protect their clients from such injury.

The salon did not act according to reasonable standards to prevent such injuries.

The client was injured as a direct result of the salon’s failure to act according to reasonable standards to prevent such injuries.

Making a Claim for a Beauty Salon Injury

If you or a loved one was injured in a beauty salon, it is strongly encouraged to consult with a seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyer for information about your potential claim. The actual liable party depends on several factors, and sometimes, it may not even be the beauty salon. For instance, if you were injured by a malfunctioning electrical appliance, like a curling iron, it is likely that the manufacturer is liable, rather than the beauty salon or an individual technician. Be sure to talk to a licensed attorney to learn exactly where you stand with your beauty salon injury claim.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers Who Can Help

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 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.

The Do’s and Don’ts for Personal Injury Plaintiffs

When a person acts negligently or behaves in a way that causes another person injury, the insurance carrier for the at-fault driver or negligent actor can be held liable for the victim’s losses and damages, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more. For those who are at-fault and those who are not at-fault for an accident resulting in injuries to others, it is important to follow the proper procedures in order to avoid making matters worse or potentially breaking the law.

Continue reading to learn what to do and what not to do if you cause an accident that harms another person or if you are the person who was harmed.

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700


It can be very scary being involved in a serious accident, especially if that accident involves injury. The stress of a collision can understandably cause a person to use poor judgement or make brash decisions following an accident, but it is important to remain calm and keep your composure. Learning what you should and shouldn’t do in the case that you are involved in a serious accident can better prepare you for what to expect and how to handle the situation without panicking.

If You are Involved in an Accident…

DO:

Call the Police – Law enforcement and emergency personnel should be contacted immediately following an accident. If a witness, bystander, or other party has not done so, call the police yourself. They will arrive on scene to provide medical care and collect statements from all witnesses and involved parties. It is vital to have a police report on file to solidify the facts of the accident so no one can change their stories later on.

Be Cooperative – Always be entirely honest and cooperative with all police officers and emergency personnel. Stay out of their way at the scene of the crime, and remain polite and courteous when discussing the accident. Listen to their instructions and take them very seriously. If you are belligerent in any way, law enforcement can arrest and detain you for disorderly conduct and more.

Give and Take Information – Especially for motor vehicle accidents, if possible, be sure to exchange information with all parties involved, as well as, any witnesses that saw the accident take place. If you or the other person are too injured to do so, law enforcement generally handles it. Important information includes name, address, phone number, license plate numbers, email address, and insurance information. Part of this step includes picture-taking as well. It is very important to take as many pictures of the scene and damages as possible. Use your cell phone or an emergency disposable camera in your car. If you do not have either, ask another person to send you the pictures they take, or buy a disposable camera at a nearby gas station or convenient store.

Notify Your Insurance – Immediately following an accident, you must contact the insurance company to notify them of the accident and injuries. If you do not contact your insurance company as soon as possible, your claim can get denied.

Retain an Attorney – It is important to protect and secure your rights. Hiring an attorney will provide this security. The sooner you retain legal counsel, the easier it will be to get through the process.

BUT NEVER…

Leave the Scene of the Accident – You must wait for the police to arrive to allow you to leave.

Move Your Car – If it is a car accident, do not move your vehicle to the shoulder or side of the road, or anywhere at all. It must remain in the exact place the accident left it in order for the police to obtain evidence and facts regarding the event.

Discard or Conceal Evidence – This is against the law. If it is relevant to the accident or resulting injuries, it must be saved.

Talk About the Accident – Unless you are talking to YOUR attorney, you should never discuss the accident with anyone until the entire case is over. This includes the other party’s legal team and all insurance adjusters.

If You Were Injured in an Accident…

Contact an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer right away to learn your rights. They are able to quickly determine if you are entitled to compensation for injuries and damages following a serious accident. If you are, they have the experience, knowledge, and resources to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after experiencing a traumatic injury or accident as a result of another person’s negligence.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 when you need an experienced Indianapolis personal injury law firm you can trust. Their personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless they prevail for you! Get professional representation after being injured in an accident in Indianapolis, IN.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Accident Lawyer?

It is always best to hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you or your family in an accident case, however, many people are hesitant to do so out of fear that they charge too much for their services. If you want to know how much an accident lawyer charges for their services, continue reading and review the several types of pay rates and price tiers that are common among law firms and independent attorneys.

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Understanding Lawyer Fees

Law firms collect their fees in a variety of ways. It can depend on the type of case, the lawyer’s experience and more. Common payment arrangements used by law firms and lawyers include hourly rates, flat rates, retainers, and contingent fees. Flat rate fees are generally arranged for basic and simple legal services, like divorces and wills. Hourly fees are the most common payment arrangement for lawyers, and vary in price depending on the lawyer’s experience. Hourly attorney rates can be anywhere from $50 to $1,000 per hour! However, these rates vary from firm to firm.

Contingent Fees and Retainers

Retainers are used for certain cases and charged upfront before services are rendered. As clients are billed, the amount is deducted from the retainer as the case proceeds. Contingent fees are only collected if a lawyer wins a settlement for their client. This means they work on a contingent fee basis. This is most common for personal injury lawyers and law firms like ours.

Most personal injury law firms, including ours, offer free initial consultations to discuss your accident and assess whether or not it’s a valid claim. If it is valid, they will accept the case and move forward with the legal process upon your request, without ever collecting lawyer fees unless they win your settlement. So most often, no upfront fees are necessary, but this is not the case for all firms.

Recovering a Settlement

Once a settlement is recovered, there are different methods and price tiers of payment collected by lawyers. How they choose to collect or charge their fees all depends on the firm or the lawyer themselves. A certain percentage is deducted from the settlement amount and paid to the personal injury attorney for their services. But if the client does not win their case, the lawyer collects nothing. Generally, accident lawyers collect one third of the settlement recovered; however, these percentages vary among firms.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. They never collect attorney fees unless we win your settlement. They specialize in various accident cases, including motor vehicle accidents, slip trip and fall accidents, dog bites, workers compensation, and much more. Call 317-881-2700 to file a personal injury claim, today.