Top 5 Ways to Avoid a Serious Car Accident

Posted on October 11, 2019 by admin

Road safety is something that should be practiced and appreciated all year long. Now that summer is coming to a close, Hoosiers will soon be facing more inclement weather conditions, such as fog, wind, rain, snow, and ice. For this reason, now is the perfect time to review some of the most important road safety tips to better help you and those you love avoid serious car accidents.

Motor vehicle accidents can result in a wide range of injuries and damages, especially when they involve infants, young children, and elderly individuals. As we all know, some car accidents can even be fatal, which is why it is so important to remember driver and road safety at all times when operating a vehicle. Not only will this help protect yourself, it will also better protect passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers on the road.

Continue reading to learn the top 5 ways you and your loved ones can achieve this level of safety and assurance while driving.

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Five Tips to Prevent Car Accidents

❶ Adhere to All Traffic Laws and Regulations

Not only should you obey all traffic rules, it is important to also adhere to all driving laws, including wearing seat-belts, maintaining an active and good-standing drivers’ license, license plates, automotive insurance, car lights and maintenance, tags, and more.

❷ Drive Sober and Clear-Headed

One of the most critical parts of road safety is to always drive sober. Never operate a vehicle after consuming drugs or alcohol; this includes OTC medications that can make you drowsy. In fact, an equally important rule is to never drive when sleepy. Fatigued driving is a top cause of serious car accidents, so be sure you are always rested and clear-headed before getting behind the wheel.

❸ Do Not Text and Drive

Never, under any circumstances, use your phone for texting while also operating a vehicle. Do not read emails nor text messages, and never attempt to text or send messages. Texting and driving is one of the current top causes for serious and fatal car accidents in the country. When you take your eyes off the road, even for a second, YOU ARE DRIVING BLIND. And the truth is, you do not have the right to drive a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds without looking. Please educate other drivers about this vital safety rule.

❹ Never Follow Too Close

When operating a vehicle, always keep the appropriate distance between the car in front of you. One of the most common causes of rear end accidents, is following too closely. If the driver in front of you has to suddenly brake, you need enough time to notice and react, safely.

❺ Use Caution With Left Turns

Turning left, whether at an intersection or onto a street, can be dangerous if someone is not paying attention. Even if you have the right-away, be sure to always use extra caution when making a left turn. You never know when another driver decides to run a yellow or red light. Furthermore, be sure to only make a left turn if you are clear to do so.

Hurt in a Car Accident?

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help filing a car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned accident lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, 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. We represent serious injured and wrongful death clients throughout the State of Indiana. Schedule your consultation before the statutes of limitations runs out on your claim.

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Should I Settle My Auto Accident Claim Out of Court?

Posted on July 22, 2019 by admin

When a person is involved in an auto accident caused by an at-fault driver, they are entitled to make an insurance claim and receive a settlement. In many cases, an insurance settlement is often the most reasonable choice, unless the offer is too low. An attorney will try to settle out of court for a client, but if a fair agreement cannot be made with the defendant’s insurance company, then the case is usually taken to court and presented to a judge or jury for a judgment. There are several options for pursing a motor vehicle accident claim, and even more to know about them all.

Continue reading to learn the difference between settling an auto accident claim in and out of court, as well as, what do to as an injured victim of a recent car accident in Indiana.

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Car Insurance Settlement Outcomes

Just like all other cases, insurance claim settlements vary in outcome. If you sustained only minor injuries, and only required a few doctor visits and check-ups, then obviously, you case would be valued by and resolved for less than if you sustained moderate or major damages. Damages include hospital bills, medical expenses, medications, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage and possibly other damages.

With regard to property damages, most insurance companies will pay to cover the repairs initially because the insurance company is attempting to keep you happy long enough so that you do not obtain an attorney. If you do not obtain an attorney quickly however, evidence vital to the case can be lost forever so it is vital to contact an attorney immediately after you obtain your first medical care.

The insurance company may even advise you that they are “accepting responsibility” for the their insured causing the collision. While the insurance company may say this to you, in practice, this is usually not the case. In Indiana, the fact that a defendant driver has insurance is usually not admissible in court and anything an insurance company employee told you is also not admissible. Some judges in Indiana routinely keep out even the mere mention of the fact that a driver who caused a collision has insurance.

Insurance companies in clear cut cases of liability usually want to settle as soon as possible, but quick settlements can be a mistake. This is because once a person signs and accepts the offer and releases the defendant from further liability, the case is immediately closed and cannot be brought back up ever again. If more injuries are discovered after settlement, which can occur and is called “delayed onset” or other damages appear after the settlement has closed, the defendant and their insurance company will no longer bear any responsibility. This is why it is important to hire a licensed Indiana car accident attorney to represent you.

Out-of-Court Settlements

In order to receive the compensation that will fully and fairly cover all related expenses, pain and suffering, medical and property damage, you should take your claim to a lawyer so they can obtain the necessary evidence and conduct a proper investigation to present your case to the at-fault driver’s insurance company or other opposing party.

Contact a licensed personal injury lawyer who specializes in car accident injury claims if you were recently injured in a car accident that was not your fault. A seasoned car accident attorney has the proper knowledge, resources, and experience needed to recover a full and fair settlement you and your family deserves.

Trusted Legal Advice for Your Indiana Car Accident Claim

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for trusted car accident personal injury representation in Indianapolis, Indiana and throughout the State of Indiana. Our seasoned car accident attorneys work hard to ensure our clients’ rights to full and fair compensation. We offer free initial consultations to review your case with you; and we never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you!

Tips for Documenting Your Injuries After a Car Accident

Posted on October 15, 2018 by admin

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Whether a motor vehicle accident is minor or major, it is common for victims to be unclear about what to do next. Immediate medical attention should always be the top priority after being involved in a car crash; however, many victims are unaware that there are certain steps they can take on their own, which may improve their chances at recovering a full and fair amount of compensation for their damages and losses.

Aside from medical treatment, evidentiary documentation is a very critical part of a legal claim. Having such evidence is an advantage since memories can dissipate and statements can be aggressively questioned and probed later on. There are various forms of documentation that are recommended for car accident victims, including video recording, photography and witness statements. All of these will help support your case after being injured in a car accident.

Video and Pictures

These days, almost everyone has video and photography settings built in to their smart phones. If you have a camera on your phone or mobile device, use it to take as many pictures and video recordings of the scene of the accident as you can. You never know which image may reveal some fragment of evidence that is critical to your claim.

Include video and photos of the vehicles, vehicular damage, the street, nearby intersections and stop lights, crossways, walkways, street lamps, pavement, sky, and more. Also be sure to get video and pictures of your injuries, from immediately after the accident, all the way through the treatment and recovery process. These images will be quite substantial to your legal claim.

Witness Testimony

If there were people around who witnessed the accident take place, it is wise to get their personal statements on record. Be sure to collect names, contact information, and a detailed statement from each possible witness. Witnesses can be other drivers, pedestrians, store clerks, onlookers, and anyone else that happened to see the accident happen.

If You Require Emergency Transport…

After a car accident, victims who require emergency transport to a hospital for their injuries are not expected nor capable of collecting all of this documentation. If you are unable to gather such pieces of evidence on your own following a car crash, a friend, family member, or law enforcement official can remain behind and manage it for you.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

You alone cannot be expected to implement the level of effort needed to successfully recover a full and fair settlement from your legal claim. You need a seasoned Indianapolis car accident lawyer who can document a strong and impactful case on your behalf, and navigate all aspects of the claim from start to finish. They are your best chance at recovering the full amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Contact Our Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers Today

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, & Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a car accident claim in Indianapolis, Indiana and throughout Indiana. Our seasoned car accident lawyers are ready, willing and able to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Not only do we offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement for you.

Shocking Facts About Alcohol-Impaired Driving and Accidents

Posted on October 12, 2018 by admin

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 29 people become fatal victims of alcohol-impaired driving in the United States, EVERYDAY. This statistic should startle you, as it is incredibly tragic and 100% preventable. More alarmingly, it adds up to an average of 1 death every 50 minutes.

Drunk driving is a terrible and life-threatening crisis in our country, and continues to take the lives of innocent men, women, and children, every single day. Perhaps learning the truth about alcohol-impaired driving will help spread the word to never drink and drive, and ultimately, save lives.

Continue reading to learn more facts surrounding drunk driving motor vehicle accidents and fatalities, and then share your knowledge with those around you to support the initiative to stop alcohol-impaired driving.

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Shocking Drunk Driving Statistics for 2016

More than 10,000 people lost their lives to drunk driving. This total added up to 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.

Over 1 million drivers were arrested for intoxicated driving, including alcohol and illicit drugs. These 1 million drivers only made up 1% of the total amount of self-reported incidents of alcohol-impaired driving for 2016.

A total of 1,233 children, infants to 14 years old, lost their lives in traffic accidents, of which, 17% (214) were caused by alcohol-impaired driving.

A 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey of high school students revealed that, within the past 30 days, 6% drove after consuming alcohol, while 17% rode with a driver that had been drinking alcohol.

Indiana Drunk Driving Statistics

Between the years of 2003 and 2012, a total of 2,210 people lost their lives to a drunk driving accident.

Nearly 1 in 3 fatal motor vehicle accidents in the United States involve drunk driving.

Drivers are deemed alcohol-impaired by law when they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more.

In 2012 poll taken among adults, 1.6% people admitted to driving after having too much to drink in the past 30 days.

Fortunately, the rate of drunk driving fatalities have gone down as a result of steadfast efforts. Indiana now allows sobriety checkpoints and more to reduce the temptation to drive under the influence.

Support the CDC

These facts are all derived from the CDC website, an incredible organization that works toward protecting and saving lives. They are also a great resource for all kinds of free information on health, safety, diseases, conditions, emergency preparedness, and much more. Please continue to be supportive of the CDC!

What We Can Do About Drunk Driving

Spreading the message of the deadly and life-long consequences that come from intoxicated driving is a great way to encourage the safe driving movement. Talk to your friends, family, and children about the importance of drug and alcohol-free driving, and foster an ongoing open discuss for questions and learning.

If You Were Injured By a Drink Driver, Get Legal Help

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you or a loved one was recently injured or killed in a drunk driving accident in Indiana. Our seasoned car accident lawyers will be aggressive with your claim, and do everything in our power to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after experiencing this tragedy. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you.

Can I Sue a Drunk Driver That Seriously Hurt Me in an Accident?

Posted on February 27, 2018 by admin

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a continuous epidemic in our country. And although we cannot control other’s behaviors, and prevent them from driving after drinking or partaking in narcotics, we can, however, make our own good choices when it comes to responsible driving.

When a person is injured in a drunk driving accident, most often the results are either fatal or serious. In the case that a person is hit by a drunk driver and injured as a result of their negligence, there is a strong opportunity to pursue a lawsuit against them for the damages you incurred from the accident. There are a few stipulations and concerns that go along with this type of lawsuit, so continue reading and learn what can happen and what should happen after being involved or injured in a drunk driving accident or collision.

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Drunk Driving Lawsuit

A person that is injured unintentionally, or intentionally, has the legal right to file a claim against the negligent party that caused them harm. In the case of a drunk driving collision, several outcomes can occur. Fatalities are unfortunately the most common in America. More people every year are dying as a result of dangerous motor vehicle accidents. If a person is killed by a drunk driver, their family can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf.

If a person is seriously injured as a result of an intoxicated driver, they can file a claim and pursue compensation for their damages and losses. Most of the time, a drunk driver is not necessarily the one sued, it is their insurance company that pays out the final settlements. But if a drunk driver is uninsured, then the case must be taken to court and settled in trial. If the person does not have the finances to pay remuneration to the injured party, then they may have their wages garnished or even face jail time.

Where to Get Professional Help

It is important to retain professional legal counsel from a licensed Indianapolis car accident lawyer for proper personal injury representation. They have the proper licensing, education, training, knowledge, and resources to effectively coordinate an aggressive personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver and their insurance company.

Personal injury attorneys and law firms generally offer free initial consultations to accident victims. With no obligation to pay, the victim and their family can discuss their case with a licensed accident attorney to determine their eligibility to legal recompense. Most personal injury law firms provide their service on a contingency-fee basis, meaning they do not collect lawyer fees unless they recover a settlement for the client.

Call Our Seasoned Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers RIGHT NOW

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned car accident lawyers are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you.

Winter Driving Tips for Safe Holiday Traveling

Posted on December 21, 2015 by admin

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Winter weather can range in severity, from minor snow flurries to relentless ice storms, and more. No matter which end of the “severity spectrum” winter weather lands on, it can all be hazardous to us drivers if we are not careful. Before the big winter storms hit our communities this season, it is important to review some life-saving driving tips, especially for new or adolescent drivers. Continue reading to learn how to navigate safely on the road in poor weather conditions, and how to drive safer in snow, rain, harsh winds, and ice.

Safe Winter Driving

In addition to learning how to operate a vehicle safely in winter weather, it is important to also be familiar with safety rules for winter roadside emergencies. Many motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents occur when cars are pulled over on the side of the road for emergency repairs or breakdowns. In harsh weather, it can be difficult seeing people or cars on the side of the road until it’s too late. Roadside emergencies are all too common, so knowing how to handle these situations safely and responsibly can mean the difference between life and death. Here are important and effective tips for safe winter driving that can prevent accidents and injuries to drivers and pedestrians alike:

1. Always Wear Your Seat Belt
2. Allow Vehicles to Warm Up in an Open Area for At Least 10 Minutes
3. Reduce Speed in Adverse Weather (i.e. rain, snow, ice, winds, fog, etc.)
4. Remove All Ice and Snow From Windows and Windshields
5. Accelerate and Decelerate Slowly
6. Look and Steer in the Direction You Intend to Go
7. Use Lower Gears in Heavy Snow Fall
8. Keep 3 Times the Space Behind Other Vehicles
9. Apply Brakes Earlier and Gently to Prevent Loss of Traction
10. Use Parking Brake on Inclines
11. Never Stop Mid-Hill or Incline
12. Be Sure the Muffler is Not Clogged with Ice or Snow
13. Turn On Headlights for Daytime Driving
14. Remember that Bridges Freeze Quicker than Roadways
15. Never Drive When Fatigued
16. Be Sure Vehicle Has Ample Fuel to Avoid Frozen Gas Lines
17. Be Sure Vehicle Has All Necessary Fluids
18. Be Sure Tires are Fully Inflated
19. Do Not Use Cruise Control
20. Keep a Mobile Phone and Charger in Vehicle
21. Keep an Emergency Auto Kit in Car
22. Always Check Weather Reports Before Long-Distance Trips
23. Never Attempt to Walk in Severe Snow Storms or Weather
24. Always Remain in Vehicle Until Roadside Rescue Technicians Arrive
25. Do Not Over-Exert Yourself Attempting to Dig or Push Out of Snow
26. Turn Flashers On if Stuck or Pulled Over
27. Tie Something Brightly Colored to the Antenna to Signal Distress if Stuck in Snow
28. Contact a Roadside Assistance Service if Stuck in Snow
29. Just Stay Home If Possible!

Roadside and roadway accidents are bound to happen in poor winter weather conditions. If you or a loved one is injured by a negligent driver this winter, contact a personal injury lawyer to learn your rights. You may be legally entitled to compensation for your damages and losses.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Attorneys Indianapolis 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are eager to help injured victims recover full and fair compensation following a serious car accident. Our law firm offers free initial consultations and will not collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 and speak with an Indianapolis car accident attorney about your rights, today.

Who is Legally Responsible for Damages Caused by an Under-Aged Drivers?

Posted on October 26, 2015 by admin

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The legal driving age is set for a reason. And there are certain qualifications that must be met before anyone, at any age, is offered a drivers’ license. Without an active drivers’ license, a person is not legally allowed to operate a vehicle under any circumstances. Now the age at which a person can legally apply and acquire a drivers’ license differs state to state. In Indiana, a teenager can legally begin drivers’ education courses and receive a probationary license at the age of 16 or older. A probationary license prohibits a person from driving alone. They must always have a licensed driver with them at all times while operating a vehicle. This type of license is not intended to let a person drive legally, without supervision of an actual licensed driver.

Once a person reaches the age of 17, they are eligible to take the state mandatory driving tests, written and field, and receive their drivers’ licensed if they pass both exams. No one under these ages, or without a valid license, can legally operate a vehicle. So what happens if an under-aged minor decides to take a car for a joy-ride, and then causes an accident that renders another person injured or worse? Continue reading to find out.

Under-Age and Un-Insured Motorist Accidents

When a minor that is under the legal driving age and without proper licensing causes a car accident that results in another person’s injury or death, it can be alarming to learn who is actually responsible for the injured party’s’ damages. The answer is the parents or legal guardians. An under-aged minor without a drivers’ license doesn’t have insurance, and it is usually the insurance company that pays out a settlement in the case of a car accident. The parents are the ones with liability insurance for their children, or at least they should, and these are ones who will get the brunt of the liability. Many insurance companies, however, may not pay for such an incident since the driver was neither legal nor of-age, which means the parents will have to personally pay remuneration for whoever was injured as a result of their minor’s driving escapade.

It is best to consult a licensed car accident lawyer in Indianapolis for accurate legal counsel and information pertaining to your personal case. They retain the proper resources, experience, and knowledge to answer all of your personal injury and liability insurance questions, any time.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for professional legal advice and counsel regarding car accident injury lawsuits in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney, Daniel Craven, is available to answer your personal injury questions today! We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 and schedule an appointment with one of our licensed car accident lawyers in Indianapolis, IN today.