Do I Have to Make a Police Report After a Car Accident?

You Should Always Make a Police Report After a Car Accident

Many people assume that the first step to take after a car accident is to contact their insurance company. But depending on the details surrounding the accident, in most cases, the first call to make is to the local police. Filing a police report after a car accident is one of the most responsible protections you can take. Having such documents on record can better streamline the claim and settlement process.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about making a car accident report in Indiana, including who to contact if you were seriously injured by a negligent driver.

Car Accident Law Firm Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700
Car Accident Law Firm Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

Indiana Laws and Procedures for Car Accident Reporting

In many cases, the law allows drivers to decide on their own if they want to contact the police after a car accident. In more serious cases, the law mandates that law enforcement is called to the scene. These laws and regulations vary among states. Here in Indiana, drivers are required by law to contact local law if certain conditions exist.

Indiana drivers involved in a car crash must call the police to report the accident if:

…the property damage is $1,000 or more.
…anyone dies or suffers an injury.
…the insurance carrier requires it in all cases.
…the other involved vehicle is unattended.

Indiana Code § 9-26-1-1.1

Failing to make a police report after a car accident that meets these car crash reporting rules can possibly result in criminal penalties, as well as vehicle registration revocation, fines, and loss of driving privileges.

How to Make a Car Accident Report in Indiana

It is always best to report all car accidents to the police as this will allow you and your insurance carrier to obtain necessary documentation and information regarding both drivers.  You should call 911. You can also contact the local police department or sheriff’s office in the municipality of your accident and sometimes they will have non-emergency numbers you can call to have an officer come out and make a report.

Following a police report, you would contact your insurance company to commence the claims process. Within 10 days’ time of the accident, you and the other driver or vehicle owner are required to have your respective insurance carriers electronically file a Certificate of Compliance with the Indiana BMV, which verifies that both parties have state minimum insurance coverage.  Failure to do this can result in your driver’s license being suspended for a time.

The Importance of Making a Police Report After a Car Accident

Making a police report at the scene of a car accident is important for many reasons, whether the law mandates it for your particular incident or not. This is especially true for car accidents that result in bodily injury. For starters, your injuries may not manifest until later. These are known as late-appearing car accident injuries or an onset of symptoms.  Delayed onset of symptoms is very common.

Additionally, your property damages might be more severe than you expected them to be, or worse, the other party involved could make false claims against you in an effort to evade liability for the accident. This is especially frustrating when you are not at fault in causing the car accident. Police reports can protect you from such complexities that can occur during the car accident claim process.

After being involved in a car accident in Indiana, not only is it encouraged to call the police to the scene so the officer can do his own police report, but it is also recommended to make your own car crash accident “report”. Do this by collecting the following information:

❒ Full Contact Information (Drivers and Passengers)
❒ Drivers’ License Number
❒ Car Insurance Details
❒ License Plate Number
❒ Photos of the Scene
❒ Photos of Registrations, Insurance Cards and Drivers Licenses
❒ Photos of Property Damage (both parties)
❒ Witness Contact Information
❒ Office Names and Badge Numbers

What To Do After Being Injured in a Car Accident That Was Not Your Fault

If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by the negligence or recklessness of another driver, you could be entitled to compensation for your damages and losses. Damages and losses may include hospital bills, medical expenses, property damages, lost wages, prolonged physical therapy, disability, pain-and-suffering, and much more. It is important to consult with the season Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to determine if your case is worthy of pursuing legal action against the other party involved in your car accident.

Have you been seriously and wrongly injured in a car crash in Indiana? You deserve aggressive legal representation to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your damages. Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free case evaluation with a seasoned Indianapolis car accident attorney, today.  We represent injured persons throughout the state of Indiana.

Related Posts:

What Kind of Evidence Should I Collect After a Car Accident?
The Importance of Witness Statements After a Car Accident
Were You Injured Because Someone Ran a Red Light?

Why You Need to Consult With an Indianapolis Car Wreck Attorney ASAP

In the case that a car accident was not your fault, and you wound up suffering serious injuries, it is important to consult with the seasoned Indianapolis car wreck attorney as soon as possible. Continue reading to learn your rights after being seriously injured in a car accident that was not your fault, why you need to seek professional legal counsel as soon as possible, and how to get started on your claim today.

Indiana Car Wreck Lawyers
Indiana Car Wreck Lawyers 317-881-2700

Your Rights to Compensation After a Car Accident

After being injured in a car accident, you are entitled to certain rights to make a claim for compensation. If a car accident were your fault, you would likely be filing a claim with your own auto insurance, as well as your own health insurance carrier. However, if the car accident was someone else’s fault, and you suffered serious injuries that resulted in specific losses and damages, you are entitled to make a claim against the at fault party’s insurance carrier. In this case, you would need to hire a skilled personal injury lawyer to represent your claim. They have the knowledge, skills, and professional resources to navigate your case in a way that ensures you obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve.

You can recover compensation for proven economic and non-economic losses and damages, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from time off work, prolonged physical therapy, permanent disability or disfigurement, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and much more depending on your particular case. See our blog, “Types of Damages Awarded for Victims of Injury” to learn more about recoverable personal injury damages and losses.

You Need a Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer if…

You should always hire a skilled personal injury attorney. 

Here’s Why:

Once the at fault party calls their insurance carrier to advise them of the incident, the insurance carrier immediately begins their investigation of the case and it immediately assigns an adjuster to obtain facts and evidence which will support their insured’s version of the incident. In cases where their insured potentially causes severe injuries to another person, the in-house and sometimes out-of-house attorney will become immediately involved. It is vital to your case to have your own attorney so they can seek and obtain the evidence necessary to bring your claim and help you recover a full and fair settlement for your injuries.

A defendant’s insurance carrier owes an injured party no duties. It also owes no duty to treat the injured party fairly and to reach a fair settlement with an injured party. In fact, a defendant’s insurance carrier’s duty is to it’s shareholders to make them money, which is why, if they attempt to settle a case at all, they attempt to settle the case for as little money as possible. A defendant’s insurance carrier has a monetary interest in settling a claim for as little money as possible and to not settle the case at all if they can because that would mean the insurance carrier would pay nothing.

The bottom line is you should always hire a skilled personal injury attorney so you have someone looking out for your best interests and your best interests alone.  The at-fault party already has an adjuster and attorney looking out for theirs. 

Why Time is of the Essence

Every state has a set time limit in which an injured person can bring about a claim, or file a lawsuit in civil court, against another party. This is known as statutes of limitations. Here in Indiana, the standard statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years. If a personal injury victim fails to pursue a claim within this time period, they lose their opportunity to do so, forever. See our blog, “Can a Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Be Extended?” to learn more about such limitations and what you can do if you miss the deadline.

Moreover, evidence needs to be obtained quickly as it will disappear with the passage of time and memories of what happened become faded with time.  For example, photos of the vehicles should be taken immediately.  Why?  Because if the vehicles are totaled they may get demolished in a wrecking yard once the property damage claim has been resolved.  Moreover, if the vehicles are not totaled and are fixed, you will not have evidence of the impact and dames to the vehicles involved.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH AN EXPERIENCED INDIANA ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you have recently suffered a personal injury in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis car accident injury attorneys are happy to answer your questions about personal injury claims, lawsuits, and more. Initial consultations are free of charge, and we never collect lawyer fees unless they recover for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation, today.

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

Black Ice Traffic Collision: Who’s At Fault?

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

It seems like Mother Nature held off for as long as she could, but the snow and ice are finally here in Indiana. This means it is time to be on high-alert when driving in winter weather. Ice and snow are hazardous conditions to drive in, and require focus and patience for safe navigation. But sometimes, no matter how safe you are, accidents can’t be avoided. There is only so much a driver can do to protect themselves from causing or being involved in a collision, but in several cases, it’s out of their hands.

Black ice, blizzards, and heavy snow are frequently to blame for motor vehicle accidents. But in the case that an accident was caused by invisible ice or hazardous weather conditions, is the driver still liable for damages sustained to another driver? Continue reading to learn who is at fault in personal injury motor vehicle accident cases caused by winter weather.

You Can’t Blame the Weather

In the eyes of the law, drivers must uphold the responsibility to drive safely under any circumstances. This includes retaining the knowledge that ice and snow puts drivers at higher risk for causing or being involved in a traffic collision. For this reason, if someone causes a motor vehicle accident as a result of black ice, the law still holds them liable for subsequent damages and injuries.

It comes as a surprise to thousands of drivers each year that they are responsible for any traffic accidents in snow and winter weather. A person cannot evade liability for a car accident if it was hazardous conditions that caused them to wreck in the first place. The law expects drivers to know that snow and ice are more dangerous and should choose to not drive or drive more carefully in such conditions.

Car Accident Injury Claims

If you were recently a victim of injury as a result of a negligent car accident, you may be entitled to certain rights and compensation for your damages and losses. It is important to talk to a car accident lawyer right away, before the state’s Statute of Limitations runs out, losing your opportunity to collect remuneration forever.

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

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you recently sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Indiana. Seasoned personal injury lawyers, Dan Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, have extensive trial and litigation experience in car accident injury cases and will work around the clock to recover for you. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your case at no obligation. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule today.

Optional Driver Insurance Coverage for Accidents and Injuries

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Understanding automotive insurance policies can be quite complex. There are several stipulations, clauses, and hidden agenda in many types of insurance agreements. It is important for you, as a driver, to fully understand your motorist insurance coverage so you can know exactly how you are covered in the case of an accident or injury. You can also consult an Indianapolis personal injury law firm for more information about motor vehicle accidents and injury claims.

Continue reading to learn about liability limitations, and the types of motorist insurance coverage everyone should have for added protection on the road and behind the wheel.

Liability Limitations in Insurance Policies

Liability limitations dictate the amount of money that will be available by the insurance company, to compensate a person in the event that you injure them in a motor vehicle accident. These parameters are usually set once a policy is purchased. These limitations will differ from person to person, depending on the type of policy purchased and a person’s individual and driving records. Liability limitations are meant to protect your personal savings, funds, and assets from being liquidated in order to pay compensation to an injured driver after causing a motor vehicle accident.

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

It is recommended to purchase higher limits if you have several or significant assets to protect. In Indiana, a driver must have the state minimum liability coverage in order to legally operate a vehicle. This minimum is 25/50/10, meaning $25,000 per person (yourself and your vehicle), $50,000 per accident and all injured parties, and $10,000 for property damages per accident. So most policies offer this as standard coverage in their most basic policies.

However, the state minimum is very low; so it is strongly encouraged to add more coverage to your motorist policy. There should be enough coverage to pay for a person’s vehicle damage, bodily injury, and subsequent financial obligations or losses resulting from their injuries; such as lost wages, rehabilitation costs, medical expenses, hospital bills, and more.

Here are the additional types of motor vehicle accident coverage strongly recommended by the state and insurance companies, to further protect yourself and your assets in the case of an accident resulting in injury:

Un-Insured/Under-Insured Motorist Insurance (UM)

Under-insured and un-insured insurance coverage is vital for anyone who drives on a daily basis. In the case that someone negligently causes an accident, and they do not have sufficient or valid insurance, you could be stuck paying for the damages yourself; unless you have this additional coverage. If an un-insured or under-insured driver hits you and causes you injury, this additional coverage will be available to clean up the mess, financially. If a person with not enough insurance coverage causes you $30,000 in hospital bills and vehicular damages, but their policy only covers $25,000, your UM insurance coverage will cover the rest so that you don’t have to pay out of pocket for your expenses. This is very important insurance coverage to have, for yourself and for your family.

Medical Payments Coverage (Medpay)

Medical payments coverage is critical in the case of a serious motor vehicle accident. Although optional, many drivers opt for this additional coverage in order to cover all medical expenses and hospital bills, regardless of who is at-fault. One key benefit to Medpay is that it will pay for your medical expenses while treatment and care is ongoing. This minimizes a person’s out-of-pocket payment obligations, and eliminates the need to wait for reimbursement. Also, your insurance company does not need reimbursement if you are not made whole through the liability settlement. It maximizes a person’s “net” settlement because insurance companies base their offers on total amount of medical bills, not outstanding balances.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for car accident injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek retain extensive trial and litigation experience in personal injury law. Our personal injury law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation for personal injury claims in Indianapolis, IN today.

Road Trips and Tips for Safe Holiday Passages

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

This Thanksgiving holiday, let us be thankful for our health, safety, friends, and family. Thanksgiving is a popular travel holiday, when families tend to come together from all parts of the country to celebrate love and be thankful for one another. One of the most common practices that take place on or around this holiday are lengthy road trips. If not by plane or boat, families usually choose to pack up the mini-van and drive the few hundred, or few thousand, miles it takes to reach their central family headquarters.

Along with holiday traffic flow comes risks, crowds, stop-and-go driving, frustration, fatigue, and more. This is why it is important to remember and understand safety guidelines for taking long road trips. Continue reading to learn how to safely navigate the road for extended periods of time, as well as, a few tricks to making the journey easier.

Road Trip Safety

Driving in general has its risks. You cannot control how other people drive, nor can you control road and weather conditions; however, when it comes to taking a long road trip, there are a few more safety measures and precautions to make for safe travel. Long trips that require extensive periods of driving can be more hazardous than standard car trips. This is because drivers tend to become desensitized to their surroundings and “zone-out” while driving on the road. This diminishes a driver’s alertness and hinders their ability to react or respond to other drivers around them, road signs, traffic signals, and more. Also, road trips can cause drivers to become fatigued, and many still refuse to stop for rest when this happens. This causes more accidents than you can imagine.

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Another reason why long road trips can be dangerous if not careful is that people have new technology that can distract them from the road. For example, many newer model vehicles, especially ones marketed toward families, now come with optional upgrades like flat screens, DVD players, head phones, and more. This allows passengers to stay entertained on a long trip, but these devices can also distract a driver if they aren’t careful.

Adjusting screen settings, loud music, tangled headphone wires, and more are reasons for parents to take their eyes off the road for one second to assist their child, even though that one second could result in an accident. Another form of driver-distraction to avoid includes fussing with the GPS, adjusting the navigation screen, text messaging, and even eating. These reasons are why long holiday road trips can be a bit more dangerous than regular day-to-day driving.

Tips for Safe Holiday Travels:

• Pre-Set All Screens and GPS

• Pull Over to an Exit to Adjust Settings, Text Message, Clean Up a Spill, Eat, Etc.

• Keep Your Eyes on the Road at All Times

• Never Pull Over on the Highway Shoulder Unless a Medical or Vehicle Emergency (Always Find the Nearest Exit and Pull Off There)

• Use Hands-Free Calling for Phone Calls

• Avoid Driving Long Distances Alone if You Can

• Always Try to Drive with At Least One Another Person

• Get a Full Night’s Rest Before Driving Long Distances

• Map Out Your Coordinates Before Starting the Car

If you or a loved one is injured in a traffic accident this Holiday season, or anytime ever, contact a licensed car accident lawyer to fight for your rights to compensation. The can assess your case and determine if you or your family has a valid claim. Injured victims of negligent motor vehicle accidents deserve to recover compensation for their damages. Damages include pain, suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, loss of companionship, prolonged rehabilitation, mental anguish, trauma, and much more.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

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 for accurate information about filing a car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney, Daniel Craven, has extensive trial and litigation experience in motor vehicle accident law. He is ready to discuss your recent injury and determine your eligibility for remuneration, today. We offer free initial consultations so there is no out-of-pocket cost to have your case assessed. And we never collect lawyer fees unless we recover full and fair compensation for you! Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a licensed and experienced
car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, IN.

How to Recover Compensation for Motor Vehicle Accidents and Injuries

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

If you or a loved one was recently involved in a motor vehicle accident or car crash, and suffered serious injuries as a result of opposing negligence, you may be entitled to legal compensation for your damages. It is vital to take immediate action after being hurt in a car accident in order to maintain a strong and valid case against an opposing or negligent party. There are statutes of limitations and state laws that regulate how much time a victims has to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is another reason to act fast
following an auto accident.

Continue reading to learn what to do, what steps to take, and how to recover compensation for you or your loved one’s damages following a motor vehicle accident and resulting injuries.

Steps for Auto Accident Lawsuits

As soon as a person is involved in a car wreck, or some other motor vehicle accident (i.e. motorcycle, boat, scooter, truck, bus, van, etc.) it is vital to request immediate medical attention; preferably at the scene of the accident. This is the most important step out of all the recommended proceedings in a motor vehicle accident and injury lawsuit. A person’s life, health, and well-being are the most important priority. After that, it is important to have medical records showing legal documentation expressing the onset injuries and damages of a victim. These records, combined with many others, are used as evidence in a court of law.

Once medical attention is received and a victim is stabilized, it is important to then file a police report. This is usually done at the scene of the accident because on-duty officers usually report to the scene of a car accident. These records are also used as evidence to support a victim’s case and claim. When a person is too incapacitated, or unconscious, it is okay for an immediate family member to file to report initially; and then later, when the victim is conscience or stable, they can add their accounts of the accident as well.

Once the medical and police reports are documented and recorded, and the injured victim is in good care, it is time to contact an Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm for professional legal counsel and to get your claim started. It is important to choose a reputable and licensed attorney that concentrates on motor vehicle accidents, and retains extensive litigation and trial experience. Most law firms and personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations to assess a person’s claim, and determine if they are eligible for remuneration.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a licensed personal injury attorney at Crave, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. in Indianapolis, Indiana. Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are highly accomplished and respected accident lawyers with extensive trial and litigation experience. We are seasoned attorneys that have a focus on motor vehicle accident and injury lawsuits, and will represent you without any upfront legal fees! Call 317-881-2700 and schedule your free initial consultation to discuss and review a recent car accident injury in Indianapolis, IN and
its surrounding counties.