The Indiana Statute of Limitations For Car Accident Lawsuits

No one ever expects to be injured in a car accident. But unfortunately, auto accidents happen every day. And when they do, the injuries can be severe – even life-threatening. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, it’s important to know what to do next. This includes understanding the legal process and your rights, as well as getting the medical treatment you need.

It is important to act fast before the state’s statute of limitations eliminate your right to pursue legal action against the negligent party who caused your car accident and subsequent injuries. Once you obtain a verdict against the negligent party, that person’s insurance carrier would be contractually obligated to pay the verdict on their behalf, up to the defendant’s liability insurance limits. 

Continue below to learn how long you have to file a car accident lawsuit in Indiana, plus who to trust for accurate and personalized legal advice.

Indianapolis IN Car Accident Attorney 317-881-2700
Indianapolis IN Car Accident Attorney 317-881-2700

Facts About Statute of Limitations

The Statute of Limitations (SOL) is the time frame in which a car accident victim can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. The SOL varies from state to state but is generally two to four years after the date of the accident. If you have been in a car accident, it is important to speak with an experienced car accident attorney to determine the SOL in your state and whether you have a valid claim. If you do not file a lawsuit within the SOL, you will likely be barred from recovering any compensation for your injuries.

Indiana SOL for Auto Accidents

The Indiana statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits is two years. This means that you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If you do not file your lawsuit within this time frame, you will be barred from doing so and will not be able to recover any compensation for your injuries.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. If you were a minor at the time of the accident, you have until your 20th birthday to file a lawsuit.  If your automobile collision involved state or county entities, you must quickly file what is called a tort claims notice first to be able to pursue your potential case so it is vitally important to contact an attorney right after your collision so no deadlines are missed and so valuable evidence may be obtained.

Talk to an Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney Right Away

If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important that you speak with an experienced Indiana personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will be able to review your case and help you determine whether you have a valid claim. If you do have a claim, your attorney will work tirelessly to help you recover the full amount of compensation that you are entitled to.

Are you ready to get in touch with an Indianapolis car accident lawyer to schedule a no-fee consultation? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free personal injury case evaluation with a seasoned car accident lawyer in Indianapolis. We represent clients throughout the state of Indiana and Indiana residents injured in other states.

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Can I Sue the City after Being Injured in a Pothole Car Accident?

Potholes are a big problem this time of year in Indianapolis. As a result of the annual freeze-thaw cycles, porous pavements crack, crumble, and cave in come Spring. Seasonal pothole damage can lead to unsafe road conditions. Some potholes are so large or obtrusive, they can even cause car accidents. So, who is responsible for repairing city potholes on streets and highways? Furthermore, can victims of pothole car accidents sue the city after being seriously injured?

Continue reading to learn how city potholes are managed, and whether or not a car accident victim can file a lawsuit against the city for pothole repair neglect.

Indianapolis Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys
Indiana Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys

Pothole Repair for the City

Each district has a government entity responsible for maintaining the roads and walkways. However, there are some cases in which other parties are responsible for road construction repairs, and not a government entity. For this reason, it can be challenging determining who is liable for pothole damage in your town. Additionally, if it is a government entity in charge of pothole repair in the area you were in a car accident, suing them also poses quite the challenge.

Suing the Government for Personal Injury

Although government entities can be sued for personal injuries just like any other entity or person, the differences between the legal processes are substantial. There is a separate set of rules and guidelines to follow when pursuing a claim against a governmental division or body, and these stipulations are strict, unforgiving, and very demanding. Of course, the process of suing a regular person or entity isn’t simple either, however, compared to a governmental lawsuit, the difference in obligations are significant.

For instance, there is a stricter and shorter statute of limitations. In fact, all deadlines are shorter and firmly inflexible. These rules and requirements differ slightly from state to state, but are all equally stringent across the board. In common cases, the statute of limitations is much longer, usually 2 years, and sometimes more. But in government-related lawsuits, the time limit ranges between 30 days to a year. Some victims are not even released from medical care in this amount of time, which is why it is so vital to have a licensed Indianapolis car accident attorney handling your case from day one.

Although government entities can be sued, lawsuits are not always successful. Governmental entities are immune to many types of personal injury cases. They are exempt from the standard rules and guidelines that common society has to follow in such circumstances. This is just one more reason why a personal injury lawyer is so vital to a person’s case. There are so many complex details, differences, exceptions, rules, and more to know and follow in a government-related lawsuit, and a reputable attorney can help define them all.

Pursing Just Compensation After a Car Accident

No matter which type of lawsuit you wish to file, whether against a private driver or the city, it is necessary to hire a personal injury lawyer to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve for your car accident claim. Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn the best course of action for your recent Indiana car accident injury claim, today. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you!  We represent injured persons and the surviving loved ones in wrongful death cases throughout Indiana.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
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What To Do and Not To Do After a Car Accident

After being involved in a car accident that was not your fault, actions you take and decisions you make, can influence the total amount you receive in a personal injury settlement. For this reason, it is vital to know what to do and not to do after being involved in an auto accident caused by another driver. Continue reading for this information and more, as it can possibly make or break your car accident claim.

Indiana Car and Truck Accident Lawyers
Indiana Car and Truck Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Insurance Companies are Not on Your Side

When you make a personal injury car accident claim, it is the at-fault party’s insurance company that will pay you your ultimate settlement or judgment if owed. However, insurance companies do not want to pay car accident victims. Their primary objective is to settle as quickly as possible for as little as possible, which is usually not a good thing for an accident victim.

Insurance companies will offer a paltry settlement and simply try to send a victim on their way. You see, within these insurance companies are hundreds of employees who work hard to argue that the value of your injury  claim is low. They will use every resource in their power to reduce the settlement amount, which in turn increases their employer’s profits.

Fortunately, there are seasoned car accident attorneys out there who know the laws surrounding such claims inside and out, and can navigate through insurance adjuster tactics. They will provide cold-hard evidence to support a victim’s damages and losses and recover a full settlement.

What to Do After a Car Accident:

➀ Dial 911 and request police and paramedics for any injured persons.
➁ Tell the investigating officer how the accident happened.
➂ Seek medical attention at the scene and then at the hospital.
➃ Take several pictures and videos of the car and your surroundings.
➄ Contact a car accident injury lawyer to learn what your rights are.

What NOT to Do:

❌ Do not wait to get medical attention.

❌ Do not skip doctors’ appointments or treatments.

❌ Do not talk to insurance adjusters.

❌ Do not send out a demand letter.

❌ Do not sign a waiver or release-of-liability document or any other documents without talking with your attorney first.

❌ Do not accept cash for your damages and losses.

❌ Do not attempt to negotiate your claim yourself.

Talk to an Indianapolis Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help with a car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned car accident lawyers can help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after suffering a serious injury in a car accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Schedule your consultation before the statutes of limitations runs out on your claim. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

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