How Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Decide to Take a Case?

Posted on March 30, 2021 by admin

There are several factors that accident attorneys consider when they decide to take on a new client or not. If you are a recent accident victim who was seriously injured as a result of another’s negligence, you should learn your eligibility for pursing legal action against the at-fault party.

Continue below to review some of the basic factors that accident lawyers may consider when making the decision to take on a personal injury case.

Personal Injury Lawyers Do Deny Cases

Personal injury lawyers do not take on all cases that come to them. There are many reasons why that is, and ways you can help document your accident claim. The most common reasons why cases are denied is lack of merit, or because the time limit for filing a claim has run out. This time limit is known as statutes of limitations, and for personal injury claims, it is an average of 2 years.

Additional factors that might influence an attorney’s decision to take on an accident case or to work with another attorney on your case include:

> Lawyer’s Specialties – Sometimes, a personal injury lawyer specializes in certain types of accident cases. If your case does not fall within their realm of expertise, they may refer you to a lawyer who is more well-versed or experienced in the particular kind of accident you were involved in or they may work in conjunction with another attorney.

> Out of State Cases – People are sometimes involved in automobile collisions or slip and falls that occur outside the state they live in. When this occurs, a law firm will sometimes hire a local law firm where the incident occurred since that is the law that would apply to the case and where any lawsuit would need to be filed, if necessary. The law firm in the state where the injured persons resides would usually handle obtaining all the medical bills and records since that is where any treatment would occur. In these situations, the law firms split any attorney fees on the case since they are splitting the work and in any event, the client is only charged one fee and is not charged any more because two law firms are necessary.

> Hard-to-Win Cases – Some cases pose too many challenges, making them too hard to win. Examples include cases in which the victim is probably more than 50% at-fault, failed to get proper medical treatment and/or has demonstrated actions or circumstances that question their credibility.

> Case Size and Load – In some instances, some cases are really big and complicated and the law firm does not retain the adequate resources and capital to obtain a successful outcome. In these situations, the attorney can work in conjunction with another law firm that does have more resources and capital to obtain a full and fair settlement or judgment for a client.

Tips for Supporting the Strength of Your Accident Claim:

☑ Seek Medical Treatment and Follow All Doctors’ Orders as Much as Possible

☑ Keep All Possible Evidence (Documentation, Paperwork, Photos, Video, Witness Info, etc.)

☑ Meet With an Experienced Accident Lawyer

☑ Be 100% Honest With the Accident Lawyer

☑ Let Your Personal Injury Lawyer Take the Lead on Your Case

Are you ready to meet with a seasoned personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation, today! We represent injured victims all throughout the state of Indiana. We also represent persons who live in Indiana but their injury occurred in another state.

You Should Also Read:

How Can I Tell Whether or Not I Have an Injury Case?
How a Personal Injury Evaluation Can Help You
How to Make a Personal Injury Claim in Indiana

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700 — Schedule a Free Consultation!

How to Get the Maximum Settlement for Your Indiana Accident Lawsuit

Posted on February 16, 2021 by admin

If you are an injured victim recovering from a wrongful death or injury accident in Indiana, a call to the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. is the phone call you need to make. Just be sure you call soon, before evidence proving your case is lost or before time runs out to make a claim. We can get you the maximum settlement or verdict for your economic and non-economic damages and losses, including medical expenses, hospital bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and more.

Why Choose Us for Your Indiana Accident Lawsuit?

There are many reasons why our Indianapolis, Indiana personal injury law firm has continued to excel in both case results and professional reputation. Hoosiers all across the state have received full and fair compensation for their injuries and related damages as a client of ours, and you can too. We are seasoned personal injury lawyers who have extensive trial and litigation experience representing victims of negligent accidents, and can obtain the best possible settlement or verdict for your Indiana accident lawsuit or claim.

We strongly believe that wrongfully injured victims deserve justice as we too have been injured as the result of negligent persons and companies and a person should never be left financially responsible for paying their bills, expenses, and having to suffer other losses when those losses were not caused through fault of their own. We work around the clock to ensure our client’s get justice for their wrongful accident in the form of compensation, which is what Indiana law requires. That is why we also provide free initial case evaluations, and work on contingency, which means we only collect payment from a settlement or verdict if we are successful at obtaining a settlement or verdict for you.

Our Indiana Accident Attorneys Will Fight for Your Right to Be Fully Compensated

As honored members of The Trial Lawyers of America, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and several other notable associations within our field, we have earned distinguished careers practicing law. We retain a solid reputation for providing aggressive, all-inclusive, and valuable legal advocacy for clients with the primary goal of ensuring that our clients are supported physically, emotionally, and legally during the progression of your case. In fact, we handle all aspects of our client’s case so that you can put your attention toward healing and simply getting your life back to where it was the day before the negligence and injuries were caused.

Get Started on Your Indiana Accident Claim Without Paying a Single Penny

In addition to representing a wide range of accident cases and wrongful death cases, do not forget that our seasoned personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover and Blazek P.C. offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Furthermore, we also offer 24 hour phone services, at-home visits, hospital visits, Spanish speaking staff, and much more. Unable to travel? No problem, as we also offer case evaluations and meetings over the phone, via email, or through online video conference, such as Zoom or Skype.

Contact our Indianapolis, Indiana personal injury lawyers at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your rights to pursuing legal action against a party who caused your accident and subsequent injuries.

What You Need to Know if You Were Injured on Stairs Without Handrails

Posted on February 2, 2021 by admin

Falls down stairs happen. If a person is seriously injured on a staircase that was not properly equipped with handrails, you can pursue a personal injury claim. If this has happened to you or someone you love within the last two years, you may still have time to pursue legal action against the negligent party that caused your staircase accident.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about determining your case’s viability, your rights to compensation, and how to get started on your accident claim.

Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm 317-881-2700 — Indiana Slip and Fall Attorneys 317-881-2700

Missing or Broken Handrails Make Stairways Unsafe

According to a publication on Pubweb.com, more than a million United States citizens fall victim to stairwell injuries each year. With such alarming numbers of staircase fall accidents, you would think that more security and safety precautions would be taken for public staircases and stairwells. But unfortunately, these types of accidents are still happening year after year, and at shocking rates. For innocent victims of staircase falls and injuries, there should be simply no tolerance for this type of negligence.

If you fell down a flight of stairs because of broken, defective, or missing handrails, you deserve to be compensated for your subsequent damages and losses. Your injuries have likely caused you to incur a long list of financial losses, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from missing work, and even fuel costs for driving to and from treatment or rehabilitation. Then there are non-economic damages that many slip and fall victims experience, like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of future work abilities, permanent disfigurement, disability, and more.

Stairwell Building Codes for Indiana

There are specific building codes that all public and commercial properties must adhere to at all times. Although these building codes vary from state to state, most are congruent across the board on the most basic requirements for stairways. Staircases are required to meet certain measurement criteria, such as landing clearance, riser height, handrail heights, handrail sides, number of handrails, and more. For instance, here in Indiana, the maximum riser height must be 8 ¼ inches, and the highest riser cannot be bigger than the smallest riser by more than 3/8^th of an inch. In Indiana, handrails cannot project more than 4 ½ inches on either side of the stairway, and at minimum, must have a clear width of at least 31 ½ inches from the handrail height to the steps if on just one side, and 27 inches for handrails on both sides. Additional criteria set regulations for treads, the width of steps (runs), handrail grips, and more.

As you can see, there are several specific building code criteria for public stairways and handrails that are pertinent to your staircase fall case. You have two years from the time of your accident to make a claim for compensation against the negligent party who was responsible for the defective or missing handrails. If you slipped and fell down a stairway as a result of another type of negligence of defective, such as poor lighting, crumbling materials, unlevel steps, or improper snow and ice management, you may also have a case. Contact an Indiana slip and fall attorney right away to learn your rights to pursuing legal action against any company that has caused you to lose so much as a result of your personal injury accident.

Get Help With Your Slip and Fall Claim From Our Experienced Indiana Injury Lawyers

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a seasoned personal injury lawyer about your recent stairway slip and fall accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their seasoned accident lawyers offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless they win your settlement. Call our office today at 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury attorney who cares. We represent injured persons throughout the state of Indiana.

What Should I Do if Injured in an Accident I Did Not Cause?

Posted on January 29, 2021 by admin

After being in an accident there could be a million thoughts rushing through your head. But it is important to immediately seek medical treatment, either at the scene of the accident, or in your own time shortly after. This is your first step after being hurt in an accident that you did not cause.

Continue below to learn everything you need to do and focus on after your initial medical care, and how to recover compensation for your resulting damages, including medical bills and missed paychecks.

Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Medical Treatment is Step Number One

As mentioned, your first step after getting injured in an accident, no matter the type of accident, is to get medical treatment right away. You can seek medical care at the scene of the accident through emergency medical technicians or paramedics, go to the ER, or make an appointment with your primary care doctor. Regardless of which medical care route you take, just be sure to keep all documents and records of your treatment. These documents and paperwork will be pertinent to your personal injury claim. It is important that you obey all medical treatment plans and doctor’s orders during this time.

Report the Accident

You should call 911 and have the police show up at the scene. Just like your duty to seek medical care right away, it is also important to immediately, or as soon as you are capable, to make a police report to document and record the accident and the relevant information from all involved parties. Preferably, you want to do this at the scene of the accident. But if you are not able to, at least make a report soon after, within a day. Request and retain a copy of the police or accident report, and be sure to give this your personal injury lawyer at your initial consultation.

Document and Gather Evidence

If possible, document the scene of the accident, and all relative details of the accident, via video, photographs, and obtaining witness names, addresses and phone numbers. Be sure to take pictures of any visible injuries, if possible. These pieces of evidence will help prove your personal injury case later on. If you are not able to physically take pictures or ask for witness contact information, ask a friend, witness or police officer for assistance.

Do Not Speak to the Insurance Adjuster for the At-Fault Party

You do not want to talk to the opposing party’s insurance adjuster until you have retained a seasoned Indiana personal injury lawyer who can handle the insurance company for you. Anything you say or do will be used against you when it comes time to negotiate your settlement. So, be sure to not talk about the accident or your injuries with anyone other than your medical care providers and your lawyer. Also important, stay off of social media. Anything you post can be used to lessen the value of your claim. Defense adjusters and defense attorneys will try to take things you post on social media and argue them out of context.

Let Your Accident Attorney Do Their Job

Your accident attorney is on your side from start to finish, and you can turn to them for any questions and concerns you might have during the personal injury lawsuit process. Your main priority at this point is to recover, physically, emotionally, and mentally, as best you can. Your lawyer will handle all filings, paperwork, deadlines, negotiations, and more, all in the best interests of your financial recovery. As your attorneys, we only want you concentrating on getting better and getting your life back to normal. We will take the other stressors and worries off your plate.

Who Can You Trust for Skilled Indiana Personal Injury Legal Representation?

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about filing a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are seasoned accident attorneys who will fight to recover the full and fair compensation for your losses. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win a settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your free consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, today.

Why Choose Our Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Posted on January 22, 2021 by admin

Here at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., our accident lawyers and legal teams work hard to achieve client satisfaction, because we strongly believe that all innocent victims of a negligent accident deserve justice and they have the right to be fully and fairly compensated for their damages in Indiana. This is why Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. is a leading Indianapolis personal injury law office with a long history of professionalism, client support, and successful case results. If you need effective legal representation after you or your loved one was wrongfully hurt or killed, you are in the right place.

Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. can help you recover the full compensation you are entitled to for your resulting damages and losses. We will work hard to recover recompense for your past, current, and future losses, including hospital bills, medical costs, pain and suffering, and much more. Continue below to learn more about us, and why you should choose our skilled and experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyers to represent you in your claim.

There are Many Reasons Why You Will Benefit as a Client of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

☑ FREE CASE EVALUATIONS

Here at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we offer your first consultation with an esteemed and seasoned accident attorney, free of charge. There is never any out-of-pocket obligation to meet with our lawyers and discuss the viability of your case. If you cannot meet in-person at our Indianapolis-based office, we can conduct case evaluations over the phone, via Skype or Facetime, at your home or at your care center where you are being treated.

☑ WE TRAVEL FOR OUR CLIENTS

The accident lawyers at the Law Firm of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. have seen a lot of accidents and injuries over the past 30 years of our practice, so we know just how unpredictable and challenging recovering from such accidents can be. So, if you cannot come to us for a case evaluation or any other type of meeting, we will come to your house or care center you are at.

☑ WE WORK ON CONTINGENCY

When we tell you that there are never any upfront lawyer fees to become our client, we mean what we say. Not only do we provide free initial consultations, but we also work on a contingency-fee basis, which means that you do not owe us for our services unless and until we recover a settlement or verdict for you.

☑ WE KNOW INSURANCE COMPANIES

Here at our Indianapolis personal injury law firm, our combined, extensive trial and litigation experience sets us apart from our competitors because it has given us the advanced skills and knowledge of how insurance companies work in accident claim negotiations and litigation. We know all of their tactics and never back down to them.

☑ WE ARE ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY PERSONAL INJURY

Other law firms might advertise personal injury representation, but also represent a wide scope of other civil claims, such as divorce, child custody, immigration, criminal defense, and more. But here at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we are almost exclusively a personal injury practice, which means that we know the field of tort law in greater depth, plus we have decades of experience in handling thousands of accident claims.

Contact Our Indianapolis Accident Law Firm Today

Contact us today at 317-881-2700 to learn more about us, or to schedule a free case evaluation with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer. Attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are accident lawyers with extensive trial and litigation experience in several practice areas of tort law, and are fully-prepared to represent your accident and injury or wrongful death claim. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana, so get started with a free consultation, today.

How to Recover Lost Wages After Suffering a Personal Injury in Indiana

Posted on January 12, 2021 by admin

Suffering a personal injury as a result of another’s negligence or recklessness is an egregious injustice, which is why the law provides economic, and non-economic, relief for those who have valid accident claims. If you are a recent personal injury victim, you will likely suffer certain financial losses, or economic damages, most certainly, lost wages from missing time at work. Often times, loss of a paycheck is one of the most impactful damages suffered by both accident victims and their immediate household families. Fortunately, there is way to ensure you recover damages for lost wages, and all other damages suffered, financially or otherwise, after being injured by a careless person, business, or manufacturer.

Continue reading to learn how to recover lost wages after suffering a personal injury, including who to choose for superior accident claim representation in Indiana.

Indiana Personal Injury Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Choose the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. in Indiana

Here at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., our personal injury lawyers have extensive trial and litigation experience, and serve clients in Indianapolis, and all throughout the state of Indiana. Whether you were injured at work and require assistance with a workers’ compensation lawsuit, or you have recently been confined to a wheelchair after a T-bone car accident, the seasoned attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. can recover the maximum settlement you deserve!

How to Get Started With an Indianapolis Accident Claim

The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. was founded on the creed that all personal injury victims deserve justice no matter their income or social class and no matter the size of the case. For this reason, we provide all first consultations and case evaluations for free, which means you pay nothing out of pocket to simply learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of your case and the best course of action for your claim. Even better, our legal teams work on contingency, so if we do not recover a settlement or verdict for you, you do not pay us any lawyer fees. With no upfront costs to you, there is no reason not speak with our skilled personal injury attorneys about your rights to financial recovery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

What You Need to Know as a Personal Injury Victim

As soon as you are in an accident or injured, it is vital to seek emergency medical treatment as soon as possible, and get all of your doctor’s visits, orders, and treatment documented and kept in a safe place. You will need all of this documentation for your accident claim. While you are receiving your medical treatment, it is important to contact one of our accident lawyers at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation, which can be done over the phone, via Skype or Facetime, through email, in-person at our Indianapolis office, or at the hospital where you are being treated. We make it simple for our clients to obtain the full and fair compensation they deserve after experiencing the pain, suffering, and financial impact of being a victim of another’s negligence.

We have successfully recovered a wide range of both economic and non-economic damages for personal injury clients over the past several decades of our practice. One of the most straightforward losses to recover through an accident claim are lost wages from time missed at work while recovering from your accident. In addition to lost wages, we can also fight for your right to compensation for hospital bills, medical expenses, fuel costs from traveling to and from treatment, pain, suffering, mental anguish, disability (temporary, total temporary, partial, and permanent total), and much more.

Start on Your Path Toward Financial Justice Today

Contact us at 317-881-2700 to schedule your free consultation to learn if your Indianapolis Indiana personal injury claim merits civil legal action. We serve clients all throughout Indiana, and do not collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you. Get started today, before the statute of limitations runs out on your claim!

Do I Need a Lawyer for My Personal Injury?

Posted on November 30, 2020 by admin

There are several different personal injury practice areas, from slip, trip, and falls, to car accidents, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, defective product liability, elder abuse, trucking accidents, wrongful death, and more. No matter which type of personal injury or accident you’ve recently suffered, when deciding whether or not to hire a lawyer to represent your claim, the answer is always yes. Even if it to just get a review or your case and the relevant issues.

Continue reading to learn why it is essential to hire a skilled accident attorney, and where to get a free case evaluation to determine if you are eligible to pursue legal action against a negligent party in Indiana.

Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do for You

The law is complex, so managing your own personal injury case is not something you want to attempt. Furthermore, after suffering injuries and damages after an accident, you need to be focused on your physical and mental recovery, and not on complicated legal matters. A personal injury lawyer is more than just a legal advocate for their clients; they manage all aspects of their client’s claim, including investigations, initial demands, settlement negotiations, case development, complaint filing, litigation, and everything in between. Professional legal representation by a specialized personal injury attorney is the key to obtaining the maximum settlement or verdict for a claim. The insurance company for the defendant will act like you do not need an attorney and will even sometimes advise you that, but during that time period, evidence is being lost. It is vital to your case that the evidence be obtained and preserved.

How to Get Started With Your Personal Injury Claim in Indiana

If you have been involved in a personal injury, your first step is to obtain medical care and then hire an attorney immediately. Not only are there statutes of limitations that limit how long a claimant can file a claim, evidence can be lost forever if not obtained quickly. To find out the answers to your eligibility to make a claim, contact an Indiana personal injury law firm and schedule a consultation with a certified accident attorney. We provide initial consultations for free, which allows you to learn your legal options with no obligations.

Choosing the Right Indiana Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case

There are several Indiana law firms to choose from, but be sure your selection is based on reputation and successful case results. Look for a personal injury lawyer who can offer a free consultation and works on contingency.

Trust the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. for Indiana Personal Injury Representation

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for trusted personal injury representation in Indiana. Our seasoned accident attorneys work tirelessly to ensure our clients’ rights to full and fair compensation. We offer free initial consultations to access your case, and never collect attorney fees unless we obtain a settlement or verdict for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your free initial consultation with an Indiana personal injury lawyer, today.

What are Common Damages in a Personal Injury Claim?

Posted on November 3, 2020 by admin

Accidents can happen at any time, and on a wide scope of severity. At times, accidents happen because of a person’s negligence, which can lead to a personal injury claim. Common examples of personal injury cases include motor vehicle collisions, slip and falls, workplace injuries, dog bites, medical malpractice, product defects, and assault.

When someone is seriously injured in an accident due to another’s negligence, they may be entitled to certain compensation for their damages and losses incurred as a result of the accident and subsequent injuries. Damages and losses differ from case to case depending on several factors, such as the extent of injuries, the extent of negligence, and the unique circumstances of the accident.

Continue reading to learn more about common personal injury damages, and how to get started on your accident claim today.

Indiana Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Common Types of Losses

Personal injury claims generally recognize and consider three types of losses, referred to as “compensatory damages.” These include economic losses, future economic losses, and non-economic losses. Types of economic losses may include medical expenses, hospital bills, over-the-counter medication costs, prescription costs, lost wages, time off work, childcare expenses, home adaption expenses, fuel costs (to and from doctors’ visits), and similar expenditures.

Types of future economic losses may include prolonged medical treatment, physical therapy, long-term care, future medical expenses, future prescription costs, future hospital costs, and more. Types of non-economic losses may include pain and suffering, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, mental anguish, PSTD, loss of social life, loss of work abilities, loss of companionship, loss of education experience, and more.

Medical Expenses

After being seriously injured in an accident, a person will require medical attention; and unfortunately, medical care is not free. Medical bill coverage is a big part of the financial recovery in a personal injury case. Services like ambulance rides, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, medical treatments, medicine, MRI’s, x-rays, CT scans, follow up care, and more, all cost a lot of money, even with health coverage. The total cost of a victim’s medical expenses varies from case to case, and depend largely on the extent and needs of their injuries. For more serious injuries, medical expenses can be ongoing for the remainder of a victim’s life, so future medical costs must be considered in a personal injury claim as well.

Lost Income and Additional Losses

When a person is seriously injured in an accident, they are unable to work, which means they lose out on the wages that generally pay for their cost of living. Rent, mortgages, car payments, electric bills, groceries, and more, are all common bills that must be paid to maintain the quality of life a victim had before the accident. If they are unable to work, they are losing money that usually pays these expenses and more. These types of losses may be recoverable in a personal injury case.

Additional monetary losses that may result from a serious injury include vehicle damages, funeral costs, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of work abilities, long-term emotional trauma, PTSD, and more.

Where to Get Trusted Legal Advice Regarding Your Indianapolis Personal Injury Claim

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indianapolis. Licensed accident attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are ready to pursue your case and obtain a full and fair settlement for your losses. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win compensation for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your complimentary consultation with a seasoned personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN today. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

FAQS Regarding Personal Injury Settlements

Posted on October 14, 2020 by admin

After being injured in a serious accident that was no fault of their own, the law provides personal injury victims certain relief for their subsequent damages and losses. They can be awarded compensation to cover their hospital and medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages from missing work, and much more. But personal injury victims typically have a lot of questions about collecting compensation from a negligent party’s insurance company.

Continue below to review some of the most frequently asked questions personal injury lawyers get from their current and prospective clients about accident claim settlements, and perhaps get the answers you are looking for today, including where you can get more answers to your personal injury claim questions at the bottom of this blog.

Will My Settlement Be Impacted if I am Partly to Blame for My Accident?

When an individual is seriously hurt in an accident, it is necessary to determine who was at fault for the incident. This process of determination is called comparative fault analysis, and it is widely used as a standard in tort cases. The jury gives this report to the judge at the closing of a personal injury trial. Comparative fault analysis simply describes the standard formula used to identify the negligent party involved in a serious accident, however, there are numerous details that go into making these distinctions. Fundamentally, if a victim or plaintiff is 50% (or less) at-fault in the case as compared to all fault against all defendants, then they are most likely entitled to basic compensation. In Indiana, a plaintiff cannot have 51% fault or greater and be awarded compensation.

Where Can I Find Answers to My Personal Injury Questions?

If you have questions about personal injury compensation, it is vital to discuss your claim with a team of licensed Indianapolis Indiana accident attorneys. They can give you personalized recommendations for your case, and document an impactful claim to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. As soon as you receive medical attention for your injuries, your next step should be to contact a personal injury law firm for help with your accident claim.

How Much Does an Accident Lawyer Charge?

Contingency fees are the most common form of billing practice used by personal injury law firms and attorneys. This payment arrangement works by not charging clients any retainers or upfront lawyer fees, but collecting a percentage of whatever monetary settlement they recover for them. Personal injury claims are complex and vary from case to case, so the percentage collected upon judgment will vary among lawsuits.

How Does a Court Assess an Injured Victim’s Damages and Losses?

Under tort law, when a person is a victim of a civil wrong-doing, a court may award damages to compensate them for their injuries and losses. Assessing the amount of damages is often a difficult and complex process since so many variables influence the final determination. A court/jury must consider the losses or injuries of a victim’s person, property, and overall quality of life. Courts take this responsibility seriously since the law intends to help victims of personal injury get back to the condition and state of life they were in before their accident and if that is not possible, to compensate for the permanent injuries. It requires evidence on behalf of the victim to recover the full and fair amount of compensation for the total amount of damages and losses. Evidence includes medical records, police reports, expense records, witness statements, interviews, doctor depositions and much more.

What Does Personal Injury Compensation Cover?

Economic losses, non-economic losses, and future economic losses are the types of damages meant to be covered by personal injury compensation. Economic losses may include all or a combination of medical expenses, hospital bills, OTC medication costs, prescription costs, lost wages, childcare expenses, home adaption expenses, and fuel costs (to and from doctors’ visits). Future economic losses may include prolonged medical treatment, physical therapy, long-term care, future medical expenses, future lost wages, future prescription costs, and future hospital costs. Non-economic losses may include pain and suffering, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, mental anguish, PTSD, loss of social life, loss of work abilities, loss of companionship, and loss of education experience.

How Long Does it Take to Get My Compensation?

From start to finish, a personal injury case can take anywhere from one year to five years or more, depending on the complexity of the case and how long the injured party needs medical care. You can expect it, in most cases, to take at least one year before a case is settled. There are countless variables that affect the time frame of a personal injury claim and receiving awarded compensation. Again, talk to your attorney to get a better idea of how long your particular case is predicted to take. In some cases, a settlement can and does occur within 1 year though.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Indianapolis, Indiana Who You Can Trust

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for information about your rights to pursue legal action after being seriously injured in a wrongful personal injury accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Keith Blazek, and Ralph Hoover are highly experienced accident lawyers who will obtain the full and fair compensation you rightfully deserve for your damages and losses. Not only do we offer free initial consultations, in-person or over the phone, we also work in contingency, which means we never collect attorney fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you. Contact us today at 317-881-2700 to set up your free case evaluation with a seasoned Indianapolis accident attorney. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

Difference Between Third Party Lawsuits and Worker’s Compensation Claims

Posted on May 19, 2020 by admin

Third-party lawsuits often involve workplace accidents and injury claims, but they are different from workers’ compensation claims. If an employee is injured on the job, but by a person or company outside of the workplace, this employee might pursue a claim against this “third party.” A quick example involves a truck driver being hit by a drunk driver while on the job. Not only can this truck driver collect workers’ compensation benefits, they can pursue a third-party lawsuit against the drunk driver that hit them. Third party claims help victims recover the full and fair compensation they rightfully deserve following a negligent accident that was no fault of their own.

Continue reading to learn more facts you need to know about workplace injury claims, third party lawsuits, and protecting your rights as an injured victim.

Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Workplace Injuries and Accidents

Workplace injury claims are turned over to the Workers’ Compensation Board of Indiana, while third-party lawsuits are addressed in state civil courts. To establish an opposing party’s accountability, a personal injury lawyer should be hired to facilitate a full and comprehensive investigation to collect evidence of such negligence. It is important to hire a licensed personal injury lawyer for these kinds of claims and lawsuits. They retain the effective legal resources and knowledge to document a strong case against an opposing negligent party. Be sure to choose a personal injury attorney with extensive litigation and trial experience in the case that your claim cannot be settled out of court. If a third party lawsuit cannot be settled outside of court, it must be decided upon by a judge or jury.

Here are additional examples of possible third-party lawsuit scenarios:

If a worker slips on wet floor and injures themselves, they can collect workers’ compensation. If the floor was wet because the cleaning company failed to properly dry it, the worker can also pursue a claim against the cleaning company. The settlement would be with their insurance company.

If a man injures his hand in factory machinery, he can collect workers’ comp. If the injury occurred because the machine’s design was flawed or defective in some way, he may also sue the machine’s manufacturer. The settlement would be with their insurance company.

If a dog gets loose from its owner’s grasp and attacks a housekeeper in a hotel, the housekeeper can collect workplace compensation, but can also pursue remuneration from the dog’s owner. The settlement would be with their insurance company.

If you were recently injured at work or anywhere else, contact a seasoned lawyer right away. Be sure to act fast, before the statute of limitations runs out on your claim and before evidence is lost, leaving you ineligible to pursue recompense for your damages.

Our Trusted Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers Are Here For You

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about recovering compensation through a personal injury claim, wrongful death claim, or medical malpractice claim in Indiana. You can schedule a free consultation with an experienced Indianapolis accident attorney who can determine the best strategies for your Indiana personal injury case. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! We represent injured persons throughout Indiana, as well as the surviving dependents in wrongful death and medical malpractice cases.