Can Government Entities Be Sued for Personal Injuries?

Posted on October 24, 2017 by admin

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Many people ask if cities, towns, counties, or municipalities can be sued for negligence that results in an individuals’ injuries. Well, just like any other person or company, government entities can be sued for personal injuries too. The difference, however, is quite substantial. You see, 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, rigid, and demanding.

It isn’t simple suing a regular person or entity either, but compared to a governmental lawsuit, the difference in obligations are colossal. No matter which type of lawsuit you wish to file, it is necessary to hire a personal injury lawyer for accurate and reliable legal counsel. Continue reading to learn more about suing government entities following an accident that resulted in personal injuries.

Statute of Limitations

When it comes to suing a government entity, 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 regular cases, statute of limitations are much longer, usually between 2 and 6 years, and sometimes more. But in government-related lawsuits, the time limit is much shorter, often ranging anywhere from 30 days to four months.

Some people are not even out of the hospital in this amount of time, which is why it is so vital to have a licensed Indianapolis accident attorney on your team to full-fill all the necessary requirements and fight for your cause. It is helpful to know that not all states are this way and instead, they stick to the general time limits for personal injury claims. Check with your lawyer for your states’ governmental statute of limitations.

Deadlines and Documents

Deadlines and documents are taken very seriously in these kinds of personal injury cases. Failing to even pay a filing fee on time can spoil a case entirely. In some states, a person cannot simply file a claim against the government. They instead have to file a “notice of claim” first in order to “notify” the institution they wish to sue. Without this document being presented and filed properly, a case will be automatically dismissed by the court.

The frustrating part about this document is that it has to be sent via postal mail to each and every governmental employee or entity presumably responsible for a person’s accident and subsequent injuries. Depending on the state, it might be required to mail this notice to one singular agency that intercepts all claim notices. Not only is this time-consuming, it is a complicated and fragile step to suing a government entity. On these forms, there are specific informational requirements that must be provided.

Although government entities can be sued, lawsuits are not always successful. These branches 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.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Representation

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for personal injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless they win your claim. Call our office today to determine your eligibility for personal injury compensation.

How to Write a Legal Complaint for a Personal Injury Claim

Posted on May 23, 2017 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

When someone else’s carelessness causes you physical injuries, you have the right to file a personal injury claim in civil court against the at-fault party for the damages and losses you incur as a result of the accident. This includes medical expenses, hospital bills, time off work, lost wages, and more. However, filing a personal injury claim involves much more than just submitting paperwork. For this reason, it is wise to hire an experienced accident attorney who can help navigate your case.

In order to file a personal injury claim against a wrongdoer, you must provide a written statement describing why you should receive compensation for the financial losses you incurred after your accident. This is called a legal complaint, and it is a very important part of the personal injury claims process because it declares your intention to seek out compensation for your injuries and losses.

Continue reading to learn some helpful tips on how to compose a proper legal complaint for personal injury claims, and who to call for trusted representation in Indiana.

Composing a Legal Complaint

Legal complaints require you to provide a lot of information. As the plaintiff, the official legal complaint form will start by asking for your attorney’s information, including name, address, bar number, and more. Following attorney information, the form will require you to provide your own personal information, including name, address, phone number, email, and more. It will then ask for the defendant’s name. Once you have this section filled out, you will reach the content section of the form.

One of the initial actions of the court will be to find the proper court to oversee your case. This is called Determination of Jurisdiction, and is important to the form because you will need to fill out the address information for the court assigned to your case. Typically, it will be a local court in the county of your residence or accident.

Moving on, the form will ask you to mark off the nature of your complaint. Examples of options include bodily harm, property damage, vehicular damage, and wrongful death. Once you check the nature of your complaint, you will have to provide information about the cost of damages. The classification of your case will depend on whether damages are over or under ten thousand dollars. You will have to note the total cost of damages, and mark whether the case is limited or unlimited.

In the last part of the form, you will have to provide your status, whether that’s a minor, an adult, a corporation, or a public entity. Then you will need to provide the same information for the defendant. In the final section, you will have the opportunity to describe the legal duty the defendant had, how their negligence caused you injuries, the extent of your injuries, the losses you incurred as a result of being injured, and the actual facts of the accident. At the very bottom, you will sign and date the document.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

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 personal injury 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. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a time with a licensed Indianapolis accident attorney, today.

3 Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Posted on March 1, 2017 by admin

Nursing Home Neglect Claims 317-881-2700

Putting our elderly loved ones into a nursing home is not an easy decision to make. But it is common to feel uncertain about nursing home care. Most families fear that their elders will experience loneliness and segregation, but what we don’t think about is another common nursing home issue: abuse. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a real problem in our country, so it is important to always be on the lookout for warning signs that your loved one is a victim of abuse.

If they are, they could be entitled to financial compensation to make up for their losses and damages accrued as a result of the abuse. There are several, if not infinite, ways for a resident to be abused in a nursing home. However, there are 3 primary types of nursing home abuse you should be aware of if you have loved ones in nursing home care. Continue reading to learn these common types of nursing home abuse, and what to do if you suspect your loved one is a victim.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the act of intentional, non-accidental harm to a resident. It is the most evident form of abuse that can occur in a nursing home. The signs are easy to see, and a victim’s behavior is likely to change as a result. Common types of physical abuse include:

• Hitting
• Punching
• Punching
• Choking
• Shaking
• Aggressive Handling
• Force-Feeding
• Over-Medicating
• Burning
• Misuse of Restraints
• Confinement

The signs of physical abuse is easy to detect, and include bruising, flesh wounds, scarring, orthopedic injuries, and other visible forms. But there are other signs of physical abuse that are not so evident, such as fear, anxiety, depression, verbal regression, and more.

Financial Abuse

Although this is not commonly thought of, nursing home residents often find themselves victims of financial abuse, and many other times, they are completely unaware until it’s too late. Financial abuse to nursing home residents can come at the hands of employees or even fellow residents. Here are common examples of financial abuse in a nursing home:

• Stealing Cash or Property
• Unauthorized Cashing of Checks
• Misusing Credit Cards
• Identity Theft
• Forgery
• Deceiving Victim into Signing Legal Documents
(i.e. power of attorney, contract, will, etc.)
• Abuse or Improper Use of Conservatorship

Signs of financial abuse could come in the form of unexplained cash withdraws, missing belongings, unaccounted for bank charges, change in credit score, additional names on bank accounts or legal documents, unpaid bills, overdrafts, forged signatures, or abrupt changes in wills.

Emotional Abuse

Some forms of abuse are harder to see, and this is the case with emotional abuse. And even though it is more difficult to detect, it is just as damaging as all other forms of abuse. Generally, signs of emotional abuse are present, but only detectable if you are looking for them. Common types of emotional abuse in a nursing home include:

• Yelling
• Insulting
• Threats
• Harassment
• Ridiculing
• Infantilizing
• Isolation

Signs that a resident is being emotionally abused by staff or other members of the home can come in the form of anger, agitation, anxiety, depression, social withdraw, unwarranted fears, regressive behaviors like rocking or nail-biting, self-inflicted wounds, non-communicative, and more.

Indianapolis Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help filing a nursing home neglect claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury attorneys are eager to help you and your family recover compensation for the damages and losses accrued as a result of nursing home abuse. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with an experienced Indianapolis accident attorney, today.

Common Strategy Used By Insurance Companies to Assign a Dollar Amount for Pain and Suffering

Posted on January 9, 2017 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

If a person, company, or manufacturer was negligent to the point that serious injury was caused to an innocent person, the victim could seek compensation from the negligent party’s insurance company for their resulting damages and losses by filing a third-party claim. Standard damages and losses include hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages (time off work), and other common types of economic losses that can be calculated financially.

But often, the victim sustains more than just economic losses after being carelessly injured in a negligent accident that was no fault of their own. This is referred to as “pain and suffering” and includes non-economic losses such as actual pain, prolonged pain, prolonged physical therapy, emotional anguish, mental trauma, permanent disfigurement, loss of limb, loss of companionship, loss of professional licensing, loss of ability to work, reduced quality of life, and much more. You see, an injury causes much more grief and struggle than just financial loss.

Determining “How Much” for Pain and Suffering

Because every case has its own unique merits and circumstances, they all differ in terms of negotiating and settling on an amount for all losses and damages. Sometimes the recovery for the pain and suffering portion of a victim’s compensation is small, and sometimes it is significant. It all depends on the amount of proof and evidence their legal team can come up with to defend their right to compensation, as well as, several other legal factors. It is best to discuss your right and limits to compensation with an experienced personal injury attorney who can provide accurate information and professional counsel.

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Although it is virtually impossible to say exactly how much pain and suffering earns a victim in a personal injury case, there is a common strategy used by insurance companies to estimate the amount of compensation the victim is owed for their pain and suffering. It is important to take note that not every insurance company uses this strategy, and that there are several other strategies used to calculate accident settlements. For a general idea of how its commonly done, take a look below at the example.

Calculating Pain and Suffering

It is common for insurance companies to use a scale to calculate the amount owed for pain and suffering. They add up all of the victim’s actual financial losses, and then they determine how severe the victim’s injuries were on a scale 1 through 5 (this range varies). Then they multiple the total amount of financial losses by the number on the scale that best represents the severity of the victim’s accident and subsequent injuries. Here is an example:

Financial Losses:

Medical Expenses – $2,000
Hospital Bills – $13,000
Lost Wages – $3,000
Total = $18,000
Severity of Injuries: 4
$18,000 x 4 = $72,000
Compensation Added for Pain and Suffering = $54,000

There are Various Possibilities

Keep in mind that the above is just one example of how an insurance company might calculate pain and suffering on top of financial losses. There is far more to the equation in almost all cases. This is only intended to provide you with a basic understanding. Talk to an attorney for details about your specific case.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 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. Seasoned personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, have practiced personal injury law for over 20 years. Also, our law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a consultation with a licensed and compassionate Indianapolis accident attorney, today.

Can I Sue Someone for Harming My Credit Score?

Posted on September 27, 2016 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

In today’s economy, a person’s credit score is a significant asset. When good, they open people up to more opportunities and a better quality of life. But when poor, credit scores can cause people to struggle with various aspects of living. Bad credit can make it difficult, or even impossible, for someone to get approved for loans, rent a home, finance a vehicle, and even get considered for certain promotions at work. While on the other hand, good credit can provide a way of living that is much more comfortable.

Needless to say, credit ratings play a major role in our everyday life, so it is natural to feel protective of yours. And unfortunately, this is a valid concern. Stolen credit cards, identities, and other types of fraudulent crimes are common these days, and can destroy a person’s credit rating. But if this ever happens to you, there may be a way to recover for any damages or losses incurred as a result. Although challenging, it is possible to sue a person for injuring your credit score. Continue reading to learn more about suing for damaged credit scores.

Proving Damage

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

It is not easy to win a damaged credit claim because there are several facts you must prove. And the most challenging fact to prove is how much the damage cost you. It is tough quantifying the harm done to you as a result of damage to your credit score. It takes a highly-creative and experienced personal injury attorney to figure out a valid way to quantify the damage in a dollar amount, and then prove the remaining factors, including:

➢ The person or entity owed you a duty of care;
➢ They breached that duty of care;
➢ The breach caused harm to your credit rating;
➢ The harm to your credit rating caused you to suffer damages or loss.

For Example…

❝ Vicky warned a large-chain clothing store that she was not applying for a line of credit after discovering that a thief was attempting to do so using her identity. The store ignored her warnings and continued to allow the thief to inquire about a line of credit using Vicky’s identity. While this was happening, Vicky was applying for a loan to buy a new house. But her credit rating was plummeting due to the activity caused by the thief. Since the store did not do anything to prevent the thief from damaging her credit after repeated warnings, she sues the chain store for negligence. She might have a good shot at winning since she was applying for a mortgage loan at the same time.❞

It is important to discuss your credit damage with an experienced personal injury lawyer. They have the proper knowledge of the law to determine whether or not you were owed a duty of care and if that duty was breached. If so, they have the experience and skills to prove that breach caused you harm.

Indianapolis Accident Attorneys

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with an Indianapolis accident attorney about your personal injury claim in Indiana. Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are seasoned injury attorneys that will recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a consultation with a licensed personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, IN today.

What Will Personal Injury Compensation Cover?

Posted on July 6, 2016 by admin

Accidents happen. But sometimes they happen because of human error or negligence. Common examples of personal injury cases include slip and falls, workplace accidents, car accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, product defects, and assault. When a person is seriously injured in an accident because another person or entity was careless in some way, they can seek out monetary compensation for their damages and losses. Damages and losses differ from case to case, depending on the circumstances of the case, the extent of injuries, the extent of negligence, and more. Personal injury claims generally recognize and consider three types of “losses, called compensatory damages.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Types of Losses

1. Economic Losses
2. Future Economic Losses
3. Non-Economic Losses (Pain & Suffering)

Compensatory damages are meant to cover a wide variety of expenses and associated costs. Although most of these costs and expenses are pretty obvious, there are many others that victims often unaware of. This is why it is important to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer if you or someone you love was recently injured as a result of another’s negligence. They have the knowledge and resources to navigate every aspect of your case, and recover the fair compensation you deserve.

Types of Economic Losses:

• Medical Expenses
• Hospital Bills
• OTC Medication Costs
• Prescription Costs
• Lost Wages
• Time Off Work
• Child Care Expenses
• Home Maintenance Expenses
• Fuel Costs (to and from doctors’ visits)

Types of Future Economic Losses:

• Prolonged Medical Treatment
• Physical Therapy
• Long-Term Care
• Future Medical Expenses
• Future Prescription Costs
• Future Hospital Costs

Types of Non-Economic Losses:

• 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

Contributory and Comparative Negligence

Depending on where and how your injuries occurred, some states use contributory negligence laws in personal injury cases. These laws prohibit personal injury victims from recovering compensation (or full compensation) for their losses if the accident was in any way their fault. Other states have laws that will grant victims partial compensation if the accident was only partially their fault.

However in Indiana, we are a comparative fault state. This means that if a victim is 50% or less “at-fault” compared to the other party (or parties), they collect compensation. But if a victim is more than fifty percent at-fault, they cannot collect compensation. It is strongly suggested to discuss your recent injury claim with an Indianapolis accident attorney that can determine the best strategy for your case.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you were recently injured in an accident in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. Seasoned personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are happy to discuss your case and determine what kinds of compensation are due to you. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a friendly office attendant to schedule an appointment, today.

Types of Legal Guardianship

Posted on April 8, 2015 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

In the case that an adult cannot make decisions for themselves, whether mentally or medically incapacitated, the state provides laws that allows an appointed individual to make decisions for them. These individuals are referred as guardians or conservators, and the people they are making important decisions for are referred to as wards. A person can be determined “incapacitated” when they lack the capacity to make responsible decisions regarding their life.

There are actually seven basic forms of legal guardianship, all of which we will define and discuss in this blog. Continue reading to learn more about the seven types of legal guardianship, and who to talk to for more information pertaining this topic and more.

Guardians and Conservators

In many states, these two terms are used interchangeably; however, in other states, the terms are used to describe a separate set of agendas. For example, a guardian has the power to make decisions for the ward, while a conservator is in charge of a ward’s property, assets, and finances. These roles are also referred to as “guardian of estate” or “guardian of person.”

Some wards require complete guardianship over all aspects of their lives, while others need less. Some wards are capable of managing themselves, but need help managing finances and property. Other wards require several types of guardianship, and retain it through a set of individuals, each responsible for a certain aspect of the ward’s life. Here are the seven most common types of conservatorship:

Limited Guardianship

In the case that a ward can make some, but not all, decisions for his or her life, they will be appointed a conservator with limited guardianship. This guardian has restricted control of a ward’s life.

Plenary Guardianship

Quite the opposite of limited guardianship, plenary conservatorship gives a person complete control of a ward’s life, property, and finances.

Short-Term Guardianship

If a legal guardian needs a person to stand-in for a short amount of time, they can appoint a “short-term” guardian without legal consent from court or judge. For example, if a guardian has to serve jury duty or be hospitalized, they can appoint a replacement guardian for a temporary amount of time.

Temporary Guardianship

In contrast to short-term conservators, temporary guardianship is used for cases of extreme and immediate emergencies. A person appointed as temporary guardian usually only retains the role for no more than 8 weeks; however this varies from state to state.

Testamentary Guardianship

A legal guardian can name another person in his or her will that will be their successor as legal guardian to a particular ward. This does require court approval.

Successor Guardianship

In the case that a legal conservator resigns, dies, or becomes incapable of fulfilling their role as guardian, a successor guardian is appointed. This person is either named in the original guardian’s will, or is appointed afterwards.

Standby Guardianship

When a new guardian has to be appointed, a standby guardian steps in for immediate backup. Until the legal documents and court approvals are complete, the standby guardian fills-in so there is no gap between conservators.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers Indianapolis, Indiana 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for personal injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys, Daniel Craven, Keith Blazek, and Ralph Hoover retain extensive trial and litigation experience in accident law. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your case. Call 317-881-2700 to learn more about filing a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, IN today.

How to Avoid Pedestrian Injuries on the Road

Posted on January 5, 2015 by admin

Pedestrian Accident Claims 317-881-2700

Our roadways and streets are certainly a luxury to have in the United States. Not all countries have the privilege of commuting on smoothly paved, organized road systems. As we appreciate the highways, roads, streets, and more, we need to also remind ourselves about our responsibility to use these passages safely. Many commodities, like trucks, cars, buses, motorcycles, and more, are common sights on our local roadways.

Not only do they have a responsibility to drive safely and obey all traffic and road signs, they also have the responsibility to watch out for pedestrians. Pedestrian accidents are all too frequent, so learning about pedestrian and roadway safety are an effective tool against causing such misfortunes. Continue reading to learn some information about pedestrian accidents and how to avoid injuring or being injured on the road.

Pedestrian Safety

All drivers are obligated to drive legally and responsibly on the road, but much larger and heavier vehicles have a particular obligation to do so. This is because they own most of the roadway when commuting back and forth, and their visibility is not as clear as a smaller automobile would have. They also have longer response times because it requires more time to come to a complete or sudden stop due to the weight of the vehicle. Maneuvering can also be tricky when sudden obstacles appear in the road, or when weather conditions worsen. Aside from larger trucks and vehicles, all drivers are obligated to be careful on the road.

Pedestrian Injury Claims 317-881-2700

Car and pedestrian collisions are among the most common accident lawsuits that personal injury practices deal with each year. When negligent driving causes a pedestrian to get hit, injuries and damage are most often severe or even fatal. A human body simply cannot compete with the weight or power of a car, motorcycle, or other vehicle. This is why pedestrian safety and awareness are so vital to our communities.

Although most pedestrian accidents are a result of driver negligence, sometimes a pedestrian can be to blame for their own injuries following a car collision. This is rare, and most of the time, people on foot are injured as a result of driver’s not taking proper care around them. In fact, the most common causes of ambler accidents include, but are not limited to, the following reasons:

• Driver Negligence
• Intoxicated Driving
• Poor Night Vision
• Running Red Lights
• Blocking Crosswalks
• Failure to Notice or Acknowledge Crosswalks
• Failure to Notice or Acknowledge Bike Lanes
• Distracted Driving
• Texting and Driving
• Illegally Parked Vehicles
• Poor Weather Conditions
• Speeding
• And More

The most common injuries sustained as a result of a pedestrian and vehicular collision include broken bones, brain injuries, head injuries, concussions, spinal cord injuries, abrasions, burns, loss of limbs, internal bleeding, organ failure, mental trauma, memory loss, and in some cases, death. All of these injuries can be avoided with appropriate and legal driving habits. As drivers, we need to slow down and pay more attention to the road around us; and as for amblers, we need to always be alert and practice defensive pedestrian-ism.

If you or someone you love was recently injured in a motor vehicle accident that was not their fault, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to learn your rights. Take action before the statutes of limitations runs out. You may be eligible for compensation to cover medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, funeral expenses, pain, suffering, and much more.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call 317-881-2700 to speak with a licensed car accident injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney, Daniel Craven, is a seasoned accident lawyer that can accurately assess your case and determine if you are legally entitled to recompense. Our law firm never collects attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. And we also offer free initial consultations so you never have to spend out-of-pocket simply to discuss your accident with a licensed attorney. Call 317-881-2700 to learn more about filing a motor vehicle accident injury claim in Indianapolis, IN today.

Injured While Riding a Bicycle?

Posted on July 14, 2014 by admin

Bicycle Accident Claims 317-881-2700

More so than you can imagine, bike riders and pedestrians are commonly injured by negligent drivers on the road. In fact, the majority of successful personal injury lawsuits involving bicycle injury victims are won because the victim was negligently harmed by a careless driver. In order to determine whether or not you have a valid case against an opposing party, several factors are examined and the specific circumstances surrounding the accident are comprehensively studied.

Bicycle Accident Injury Lawsuits

When a bicycle accident victim has a valid case on their hands, an Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm will most likely take on their case for free, initially. When they do this, they only collect attorney fees if they win their client’s case, and the client is awarded full and fair recompose for their damages. Accident attorneys will try to settle out of court with opposing parties and insurance companies; however, if this does not work, they will take their client’s case to court to stand trial. In order to assess an individual’s case, these firms also offer free initial consultations so that injured victims are not obligated to pay just to determine their eligibility for remuneration.

Bicyclists should not have to worry about being at risk when riding their bikes on the road, but unfortunately, bike accidents are frequent. This is especially true in the spring, summer, and fall seasons when weather permits outdoor recreational activities. The truth is, bike riders have rights on the road, just like drivers and pedestrians do. This is the basis of fact for any bicycle accident lawsuit.

So long as bikers are obeying traffic laws and road rules, they are owed a reciprocated respect. A successful bicycle accident lawsuit starts with a bike rider following all rules of the road, and riding on a street permitted for cyclists, and then a driver causing them injury by acting negligently one way or another. When an accident involves a situation similar to this, it is time to get in touch with a professional legal counselor and file a claim.

Negligent driving that causes injury to bike riders includes driving while intoxicated, speeding, texting, GPS, taking calls, putting on makeup, assisting children in the backseat, and all other types of reckless driving. If you or a loved one was recently injured in a bicycle accident, and the accident was caused solely by the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation.

Bicycle Accident Claims in Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help with bicycle accident injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lawyer, Daniel Craven, and his fellow licensed personal injury attorneys are happy to discuss your recent bicycle accident and determine if you have rights to a case. We never collect attorney fees unless we win a settlement for you! We also offer free initial consultations to discuss your case, obligation-free. Call 317-881-2700 for professional legal counsel for bicycle accident injuries in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

When to Sue for a Personal Injury

Posted on July 2, 2014 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

If a person is injured negligently, and suffers serious injuries, they should only expect to be compensated fairly. This is what a personal injury lawsuit can achieve for accident victims and their families. Although a person has every right to pursue a personal injury claim against a negligent party, there are some circumstances that would render an accident lawsuit fruitless.

One of the main reasons why many injury lawsuits are unsuccessful has to do with the victim’s liability in the accident. This is one of the first things to consider; whether or not you had any part in causing the accident.

Continue reading to learn how to decide if you should pursue a personal injury claim, or not.

To Sue, or Not Sue?

There are several aspects of an accident to consider before deciding to file a personal injury claim against another person or entity. This is because there are many stipulations that govern whether or not a person has a legitimate case, as well as, if they are truly victims of negligence, and more. For example, if a person is injured in a motor vehicle accident, and the negligent driver does not have insurance nor the financial means to pay recompense, there might not be a good chance of recovering compensation for their damages. If the driver did have insurance, and the accident was not caused intentionally, then the victim has a good chance at recovering compensation for their injuries.

Insurance companies do not cover intentional torts. This means if a person intentionally hurts or harms another, the injured victim cannot obtain remuneration from the opposing party’s insurance company. Instead, they would have to rely on the negligent party to pay out-of-pocket for their damages. If the person is gainfully employed and has the financial means to pay restitution, then the accident victim can recover compensation this way. If the person who committed an intentional tort does NOT retain the financial capability to pay for remuneration, then the injured victim is out of luck.

These considerations and more are all important to pay attention to in the case that you or a loved one is seriously injured. DO not waste your valuable time and energy pursuing a fruitless lawsuit. This is why it is vital to consult a skilled and licensed Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorney following an accident. They retain the knowledge and resources to accurately assess your case and determine your chances at obtaining compensation.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for more information about personal injury lawsuits in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney, Daniel Craven, and his personal injury colleagues, are highly skilled and accomplished accident lawyers. We offer free initial consultations, and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a friendly and experienced Indianapolis accident attorney about your recent personal injury in Indiana, today.