Tag Archives: Indianapolis car accident lawyer

What You Should Know About Whiplash Personal Injury Claims

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According to driverknowledge.com, more than 6 million car accidents take place in the United States every year. Unfortunately, an average of 3 million people are injured every year in these car crashes, 2 million of which sustain permanent injuries. One of the most common injuries that occur from car collisions is called whiplash. Whiplash is technically an informal, non-medical term that describes the jerking, jolting, or sudden movement of a person’s neck that results in injury.

Continue reading to learn more about whiplash injuries, including what to do if you or a loved one becomes a victim of a motor vehicle accident.

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Whiplash Pain and Treatment

Whiplash occurs when a person’s head or neck is suddenly jerked forward, backward, sideways, or any other direction. This jolting movement is visually obvious in a car accident. A victim can suffer various levels of pain and discomfort following a whiplash injury or accident. Pain, aching, sensitivity, throbbing, and soreness tend to occur in the back, neck, head, and shoulder areas.

Pain and tenderness can also extend through additional extremities, such as the legs and arms. This type of pain is sometimes described as pins and needles running through a person’s arms and legs, with general pain in the upper regions of a person’s body. All of these symptoms of pain can result in restricted mobility, thus inhibiting a victim’s ability to move around freely and perform their activities of daily living.

Whiplash type symptoms can show up immediately after an accident, or several days or weeks later. When whiplash symptoms do become evident, the extent of pain varies depending on certain factors, such as the severity of the injury, the circumstances surrounding the accident, the physical health of the victim, existing injuries or medical conditions, and more. Treatments for whiplash type injuries can be fairly minor, such as rest, ice, heat, and medications, or they can be major, such as chiropractic care, physical therapy, surgery, and life-long disability.

Whiplash Personal Injury Claims

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident and sustained a whiplash type injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages and losses. The most important thing to do after being involved in a car accident is to immediately seek medical attention and make sure a police report is written. The documentation of medical records and police reports can be used as evidence to recover compensation for your damages and losses. Once you have done this, contact a licensed Indianapolis car accident lawyer to make a personal injury claim.

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a car accident claim in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyers are ready and able to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you.

What To Do After Being Hurt in a Public Bus Accident

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Below you will find a recommended course of action to take directly after being involved in a public bus accident. It is important to follow these steps so that you may protect yourself and your rights to medical coverage and compensation.

Indianapolis Bus Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Bus Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700


Bus accidents are not like your average fender bender. Such accidents pose a much higher risk of injury to all parties involved. Compared to your standard motor vehicle, buses are a lot bigger and have larger fuel quantities, making them highly dangerous munitions in a collision scenario. Furthermore, they carry more passengers, which means the probability of casualties and injuries are higher.

Regardless of fault or party, it is important to use the proper course of action directly after being involved in a bus accident. Whether you were a passenger on the bus or in another vehicle, these steps apply to everyone. If you have questions about these steps, it is best to consult a trusted Indianapolis personal injury lawyer who specializes in motor vehicle accident claims. You can also consult your car insurance carrier to confirm or review your current medical coverage benefits.

What To Do After a Bus Collision:

❶ Get Away From the Scene of the Accident

The very first thing you should do moments after a bus accident is get to a safe place away from the collision. If you are mobile, exit the bus or vehicle as soon as you can do so safely. If you are not mobile, jump to step two. Otherwise, once you exit the bus or vehicle, get yourself away from the accident scene. As mentioned, buses contain a whole lot of fuel, which can explode if ignited by a spark or fire.

❷ Get Medical Attention

Once you are at a safe distance from the accident scene, it is important to get yourself medical care right away whether you think you are injured or not. This is a critical step because it is common for injuries to not show up right away, or for victims to be in shock and not realize they are injured. Call 911 and request an ambulance or EMT’s to respond. They will arrive within minutes to assess your condition and spot treat any injuries or wounds. If you are seriously injured, they will transport you to the nearest emergency room for further treatment.

❸ Contact the Authorities and Obtain Witness Testimonies and Contact Information

Contact the local police department to report the accident. It is important to file a report so that you have records of the accident. Witness testimonies are also important because they can protect you from being accused or questioned about the circumstances of the accident and your subsequent injuries. A law enforcement officer is likely to take down some witness statements as well, but it is strongly recommended to get your own for a more in depth record. Be sure to ask for witness contact information in case you need them to verify their statements later on.

❹ Collect Evidence and Retain All Records

Aside from a police report and witness testimonies, it is important to collect as much evidence to support any potential claims you might make in the future. Types of evidence includes photos and videos of the bus, the involved vehicles, injured passengers, traffic lights, stop signs, skid marks, and anything else that could have possibly contributed to the accident. Retain all related records as well, including bills, statements, physical therapy sessions, doctor appointments, and more. Be sure to keep all of these records and evidence in a safe place; do not throw them away because you do not know when you might need them.

❺ Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm

If you were injured in a bus accident, you are likely eligible for remuneration from the bus company’s (or bus driver’s) insurance carrier. After you have completed all of the above-mentioned steps, move forward by hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer to file an accident claim. You could potentially recover compensation to help pay for your medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and more. They have the knowledge and resources to make sure you do not miss out on being compensated by all possibly liable parties, such as the bus driver, the bus company, the bus manufacturer, or even the city.

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

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you were recently injured in a bus accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can speak with a seasoned Indianapolis car accident lawyer about recovering compensation for your losses and damages. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your claim, and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Get started on your bus accident injury claim by scheduling your appointment, today.

Safety Tips for Railroad Tracks and Crossings

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Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Advance Warning Sign for Railways

Although the Departments of Transportation provide us with several kinds of railroad signs and warnings, highway-rail incidents at public and private crossings still occur all too often. According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), there were 265 fatalities at these locations in 2016 alone. Furthermore, the FRA estimates that more than 75% of all railway accidents in 2016 primarily came from 15 states, and Indiana was 6th on the list.

Railroad safety is not only important at public and private crossings, it is also critical to use proper precaution around train tracks. Continue reading to learn more about highway-rail grade crossings, as well as critical safety tips that will keep you protected from serious accidents and injuries. Be sure to share these tips with your loved ones!

The Most Common Railway Warning Signs

There are several types of devices, signs, and signals the U.S. DOT uses to keep drivers and pedestrians safe around train tracks and crossings. The five most common include bright yellow advanced warning signs, crossbuck signs, crossbuck signs with signals, gates with flashing red lights, and pavement markings. As a driver, it is highly likely you have seen these signs before.

Advanced Warning Signs – These signs are yellow and have the double “R’s” and a big black “x” on them. They are generally the first sign that appears when you are approaching a highway-rail grade crossing. You must slow down and pay close attention so that you are prepared to stop.

Crossbuck Signs – These are the white signs in the shape of a big “X”, with the words “Railroad” on one side and “Crossing” on the other. For crossings with multiple tracks, they are generally accompanied with a smaller sign below indicating the number of tracks to anticipate. When you see this sign, you must yield if a train is on the way, on all tracks.

Crossbuck Signs With Signals – These signs look just like crossbuck signs, but are also accompanied with mechanical signals and lights to indicate an approaching train. When these signs are flashing, you must come to a stop and wait for the train to pass.

Gates With Flashing Red Lights – You often see these red and white mechanical gates that raise and lower for crossing traffic. If you approach railways gates that are lowering and flashing, you must stop and wait for the train to pass. Afterwards, you cannot proceed until the gates have finished lifting.

Pavement Markings – Pavement markings like “RXR’s” and “stop lines” are common to see when you are approaching a railway crossing. You must stay behind the stop line and pause to look for an oncoming train. If the tracks are clear, you can proceed. If there is not a stop line present, you must stop at least 15 feet from the closest rail.

Critical Railroad Safety Tips

⛒ Always look both ways before crossing a railroad track, whether on foot, on a bike, or in a car.

⛒ When crossing a track in a manual transmission vehicle, do not change gears mid-track.

⛒ If you must cross a track on foot, you must be sure there is enough clearance on the other side before crossing. In many cases, trains overlap tracks by 3 or 4 feet, and sometimes more.

⛒ Never park or linger on train tracks. If an engineer sees you, they cannot stop in time at 55 miles an hour. It would take at least a mile for the train to come to a complete stop.

⛒ If your car stops on tracks, immediately exit your vehicle and wait at least 15 feet from the train tracks for roadside assistance or the police. You may also call the emergency notification number posted near the crossing. Do not call a non-professional (friend, family, etc.) for help; this is not safe.

⛒ If you see a train approaching, do not try to outrun it with your car or bike. Although trains look like they are faraway, they are much closer and faster than they appear.

⛒ If you are seriously hurt as a result of someone else’s train track negligence, contact an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to recover compensation for your losses and damages.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys You Can Trust

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
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 complete and just compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you. Call 317-881-2700 to get started on your financial recovery, today.

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. After a Car Accident

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If you are injured in a car accident, our seasoned personal injury lawyers will work around the clock to ensure your settlement coverage is fair. Although we aim to settle out of court, we are full-prepared to take your case to court if the insurance company doesn’t offer a full and fair settlement.

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700


The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. is a personal injury law firm that specializes in car accident injury claims. After being injured in a car accident, it is important to protect yourself with immediate medical care, as well as, legal assistance. Insurance companies are only interested in paying out the smallest amount of compensation, and will look for any way to blame the accident on you.

When you are hurt in a car accident, bills pile up and wages go lost. Time of work, hospital bills, medical expenses, car repair costs, and more can add a great deal of emotional stress, and can even slow your recovery. Our personal injury lawyers work hard to ensure your insurance company, or the opposing party’s insurance, pays out a settlement that fully covers your losses and more.

There are Never Any Upfront Lawyer Fees

We offer free initial consultations, so there is never any out of pocket obligation to discuss your case with a licensed accident attorney. Furthermore, our law firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means that we only collect our lawyer fees if we recover a settlement for you. You do not pay us a single dime, up front! This puts your mind at ease, and gives you confidence knowing that we don’t get paid unless you do. O

ur scheduling process is very flexible, and we can sit down with you any time during the regular business week, during regular business hours. Call Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, and speak with a friendly and professional legal representative who can give you all the information you need to get started with our claim.

Indianapolis Car Accident Attorneys You Can Trust

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

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 car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are eager to recover the complete and just 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 car accident attorney, today.

Can I File a Personal Injury Claim if I Was Hurt in an Uber Accident?

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Car Accident Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

One of the most surprising growing trends these days is sharing rides. Companies like Uber and Lift are becoming increasingly popular for the convenience they offer to the public. Not only do these services divert intoxicated driving, they also help drivers conserve fuel and provide options for those unable to drive their own vehicles. Despite these companies being fairly new, they are not excluded from old struggles; namely, liability.

Although incredibly rare considering the number of ridesharing users and employees, crimes like assault, kidnapping, and even manslaughter have been associated with ridesharing in the past. Because of reports like these, many people are questioning their safety and their rights in the case that an Uber ride goes wrong. Again, these types of crimes are rare in the ridesharing industry. Chances are, the most common incidents encountered while riding in an Uber are motor vehicle accidents.

Uber Accident Claims

If you are injured in a car accident while riding as a customer in an Uber or Lift, you need to learn your rights. Filing a personal injury claim for an Uber accident is essentially the same as all other third-party liability claims. However, they can be more complex since you may be able to file a claim against the company, as well as the driver themselves, or the other driver that caused the accident. For this reason, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney to navigate your claim and protect your right to a full and fair settlement for you damages and losses. These can include hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, and more.

What You Can Expect

In most cases of Uber accident claims, it is the Uber driver, as well as the other driver involved in the accident, who would be responsible for your damages and losses of you were injured in an accident they caused. But what about the driver? If they are injured while driving for Uber, do they have rights? The answer to these questions vary depending on a long list of factors.

Every case is different, and ordinances surrounding these cases vary among jurisdictions. It is, however, possible for an Uber driver to turn around and sue the company, but this would require intensive investigatory work, as well as, accumulating enough evidence to prove their case. Generally, if the accident happened on the clock, the driver is covered by Uber’s insurance; but they would have to file under their own insurance first, and then wait for Uber’s insurance to take over.

What Should You Do?

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Long story short: if you were injured in an Uber accident, whether a driver or passenger, you need to contact a licensed Indianapolis car accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn your rights and the best strategies to recover for your losses. Here at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we offer free initial consultations, so you can freely discuss your case with one of our seasoned accident attorneys, and learn whether or not you have a valid claim, without any out-of-pocket obligations. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.

The 5 Rules of Driving Safety for Teens

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Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

With so many new distractions made available to drivers these days, such as high-tech navigation systems and touch phones, you can never review safe driving tips with your teenagers enough. Not only can a car accident pose serious physical injuries and fatalities, they can also be devastating financially and emotionally as well. Even a simple tap on the fender can throw off your entire day and interrupt your schedule.

For these reasons and more, it is important to remind your teens how to avoid serious accidents and drive safe at all times. One quick conversation can have the power to prevent potential accidents and/or injuries in the future. Continue reading for a quick review of the top five rules of driving safety for adolescent drivers. And then discuss what you’ve learned over dinner with your loved ones!

Rule #5 – Don’t Speed!

Speeding is one of the number one causes of fatal car accidents in the country. Tell your teenagers it is better to be late than dead or seriously injured. Remind your teenagers that speeding will only get them to their final destination a few minutes sooner, making it unnecessary and unreasonable. You simply do not have full control over your 5 ton vehicle when you are speeding. Remind your teenagers that the speed limit is set for their safety and for the safety of others. It is important to keep the flow of traffic, but it is also important to obey the speed limit reasonably.

Rule #4 – Never Drive Aggressively or Tailgate

It is important for teens to understand that they cannot act recklessly while driving. Tailgating and following too closely behind other vehicles is unsafe. That is because drivers do not have enough time to stop if the car in front of them suddenly breaks. It also obstructs your view of being able to see what’s ahead of the car in front of you. Tailgating is the number one cause of fender bender’s in the country. Remind your teenage drivers to always signal and to always drive courteously.

Rule #3 – Steer Clear of Aggressive Drivers

It is important to educate your teenagers about the dangers of other drivers. As mentioned, they need to know that it’s not always themselves they have to worry about, it’s other drivers on the road as well. This is where defensive driving comes into play again. Teach them to steer clear and avoid drivers that appear to be aggressive or intoxicated. Switch lanes, make a turn, or pull over and park to keep it as much distance between them as possible. If they come across the driver who is honking repeatedly and harassing them while on the road, instruct them to pull over in cases like this and to call the police if they feel further threatened.

Rule #2 – Remain Focused and Alert

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

As mentioned, there are lots of distractions made available to teenagers these days, like cell phones and stereos. But for teens, it is so easy to be distracted, and many believe they are great at multitasking. But the reality is that multitasking while driving is a serious hazard that often ends in accidents and/or injuries. Remind your teens to always be vigilant while behind the wheel of the car. Remind them that they may be a wonderful driver, but they can’t always trust everybody else on the road.

Teach them to always stay alert, and be on the lookout for aggressive or intoxicated drivers, road obstructions, traffic signs, pedestrians, and more. Defensive driving is a large part of safe driving. Here are some great tips to be a focused driver: Only use your cell phone at stop lights, pull over and park to use your phone, install a hands-free system.

The #1 Rule – NEVER DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Teenagers are bound to face tough decisions among their peers, namely in terms of substance use like alcohol or drugs. It is important to set boundaries early on with your kids, teaching them about the dangers of alcohol and drugs so they understand the devastating consequences of using them. When it comes time for your teens to get the driver’s license, it is important to review these facts and to instill in them how critical it is to always drive sober no matter what. Not only can you harm yourself while driving under the influence, you could potentially harm or kill another person, child, or infant. No one has the right to operate a vehicle while intoxicated. This is an important message to send to not only your children, but to everyone else as well.

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a recent car accident, contact an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer right away to learn your rights to compensation.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

Call the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 when you need an experienced car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, have extensive litigation and trial experience. They will work around the clock to ensure you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after suffering injuries in a serious accident. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis.