Important Facts About Dram Shop Laws

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Virtually all states in our country have Dram Shop laws in place that impose legal liability onto owners of bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and any other establishments that sell alcoholic beverages and products to intoxicated customers. These laws are set to protect individuals from harming themselves or others as a result of over-indulging in alcohol. For instance, it is possible for a victim of a drunk driving accident to sue the establishment that sold the drunk driver the alcohol if the driver was already intoxicated at the time of the sell.

In the past, courts did not hold bar and liquor store owners responsible for anything their customers do after leaving their place of business. But that is no longer the case in most parts of the country. Dram shop laws are quite common these days, but also still controversial since many people are concerned that someone could be unfairly accountable for another person’s actions. Regardless of controversy, Dram Shop laws are meant to ensure that everyone takes responsibility for their own actions. This includes the obligation of owners to sell their alcohol responsibly in order to reduce the potential risks of deadly outcomes and consequences that result from drinking too much.

Dram Shop Law Facts

There are a few misconceptions about Dram Shop laws. Let’s clear those up right now. Continue reading to learn the truth about these lawsuits, and who to trust for responsible legal representation if you are a victim of a drunk driving accident or alcohol-related accident.

❶ Dram Shop lawsuits are civil, not criminal.

While most people wrongly assume that a Dram Shop lawsuit is a criminal matter, it is in fact a civil matter and falls under tort law. Those found liable will not face jail time, but may be forced to pay restitution for a victim’s losses and damages.

❷ Minors can sue for self-intoxication accidents.

In some states, if a bar or liquor store owner sells alcohol to a minor, and that minor causes an accident that results in injuries to themselves or others, they may be able to sue the store owner for their damages since it is against the law to serve minors alcohol.

❸ Adults may be able to sue for self-intoxication accidents.

In a few states, adults who injure themselves or others after being sold alcohol when they were already intoxicated can sometimes sue bar or liquor store owners. This is called first party dram shop law, and they are hard cases to prove. Not only are they very rare, they are even banned in most states.

❹ The basis of most dram shop lawsuits is recklessness.

Many people would assume that Dram Shop laws are based on negligence since they are civil tort lawsuits. However, the basis of most Dram Shop law cases is recklessness. That is because it is reckless to sell an intoxicated individual alcohol, not negligent, since negligence implies there was no intention. It is easy to spot the signs of intoxication, and an alcohol-serving establishment has a duty of care to know these signs and look for them at all times.

Indianapolis Accident Attorneys to Trust

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for alcohol-related personal injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned accident attorneys offer free initial consultations to review your claim, and never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Call 317-881-2700 to speak with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer you can trust.

Vital Tips for Avoiding Train Track Intersection Accidents

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Trains are not always on a set schedule, but they are always closer than they appear. It takes a train more than a mile to come to a complete stop, which means anything in its way is at serious risk of danger. Train track accidents are far too common in the United States. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there have been more than 3,900 total railroad accidents since 2014. From those, more than 200 of involved fatalities. Whether on foot or by vehicle, it is vital to your safety and to the safety of others, to abide by all train track intersection laws and regulations.

Continue reading to learn some vital safety tips for rail road tracks, and what to do if you or someone you love is seriously injured in a railway accident.

Causes for Train Track Accidents

The most common cause for train track accidents is negligence, whether by pedestrian, driver, manufacturer, or railway company. In many cases of driving, drivers will attempt to beat the train and cross the tracks by increasing their speed. As mentioned, trains are always closer than they appear, they are much faster than they appear, and they take several minutes to come to a complete stop. It is a dangerous decision to out-drive a train because of these facts and more.

Other cases of train accidents occur when there is a lack of adequate signage or signals on railway tracks and intersections to alert drivers of passing trains. This is especially common at night when it is dark and both drivers and train conductors have difficulty seeing their surroundings. There are several other potential causes for train accidents, some of which are entirely out of a victims control regardless of how obedient they are to the law, including train defects, track defects, electronic defects, judgement errors, mistakes, faulty construction, and inclement weather.

Railroad Safety Tips:

Always adhere to all railroad and traffic laws, whether on foot or in a vehicle.

When driving, only cross a railroad intersection when you are sure there is no risk of stopping or stalling.

Drivers should always remain at least 15 feet away from the actual railroad track. Trains are wider than their tracks.

Never attempt to cross a railroad when the indicators and gates are closing.

If a gate is stuck and will not open back up, contact a police officer for assistance. Never attempt to lift the gates yourself.

Don’t just listen for trains, look for them too. Modern technology makes them quieter.

Do not wear headphones when walking near train tracks. Stay alert and avoid distractions such as these at all times.

Wear reflective gear at night when walking or riding a bike near train tracks or public roads.

Always use extra caution when walking, riding, and driving near train tracks.

Train Accidents and Injuries

Regardless of how your railroad accident occurred, if your injuries were caused by another’s negligence, you need to speak with a licensed Indianapolis personal injury attorney to learn your rights to compensation for your damages and losses. Be sure to do this right away before the statutes of limitations runs out.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Personal Injury Law Firm  317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call the law firm of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you or someone you love has suffered serious injuries as a result of a train track accident that was not their fault. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are eager to help all victims of wrongful injuries recover ample compensation for their medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis. That means you do not pay a dime unless we win a settlement for you. Call 317-881-2700 to speak with a compassionate and experienced Indianapolis
personal injury attorney
, today.

The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. Handles Personal Injury Cases on Contingency

Our seasoned accident attorneys are highly dedicated to serving justice to those wrongfully injured in Indiana.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

The personal injury law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. offers their professional legal services for anyone wrongfully injured in Indiana. Our seasoned accident attorneys practice in several different areas of tort law, and have successfully recovered settlements for victims of car accidents, slip and fall accidents, workplace accidents, wrongful deaths, and much more, right here in Indianapolis, Indiana.

We work hard to protect our clients’ rights to full and fair compensation for their damages and losses suffered after a serious personal injury. We stand up for those who need it the most because we know the struggles families experience after a serious accident.

No Upfront Lawyer Fees, EVER.

We make sure everyone has a fair chance at justice by offering our services on a contingency-fee basis, meaning our client’s don’t have to pay for our legal services if we do not recover a settlement for them. There are never any upfront lawyer fees or charges to hire our law firm to represent your case. In fact, we also provide free initial consultations to discuss your incident and determine whether or not you have a valid claim.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

Personal Injury Law Firm  317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney who cares about your economic reclamation. You can have the opportunity to discuss your experience and the losses you’ve incurred from your accident with no out-of-pocket obligation. We offer flexible scheduling, compassionate client support, and aggressive litigation. Call 317-881-2700 to get started on your financial recovery after being seriously injured in an accident, today.

Your First Steps in an Accident Claim

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Getting injured in an accident is a confusing and stressful time for anyone, including the loved ones in your life. It is common to feel a sense of incomprehension and uncertainty after suffering serious injuries in an accident that was not your fault. That is because your first priority was getting the proper medical attention you needed. And as soon as you are medically stabilized, you are faced with another priority: getting your life back on track. This can be very difficult to do, however; which is why it is strongly encouraged for accident victims to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. You can recover financially to help pay for hospital bills and medical expenses, and even make up for lost wages and time off work.

Continue reading to learn what your first steps should be if you want to pursue a personal injury claim for your recent accident.

After Medical Stabilization

Once you have been treated medically, and you are in a place where you can make important decisions, you are ready to pursue a personal injury claim. Just remember, medical attention should always come first. And it is equally important to retain as much documentation of your primary medical treatment, hospital stay, and post-medical treatments. In fact, this is the first task on your list of steps.

First…

Collect all evidence and documentation (or as much as you can) concerning the accident, including pictures of the accident scene, surrounding obstructions or hazards, witness testimony, video footage, and police reports. Also collect all documentation regarding all of your medical treatment, including doctors’ statements, medical reports, surgeries, medications, and more. All of these documents and evidences will be used to prove the validity of your claim.

Next…

Write a personal report documenting and describing everything you’ve experienced, including the accident, your feelings, your injuries, your hospital experience, lost wages, time of work, medical bills, mental anguish, emotional issues, problems with your recovery, conversations you’ve had with the at-fault party, and anything else you can remember. This will help you remember all the facts, which is useful for building your case.

And Then…

Contact a personal injury attorney to begin developing your case. Be sure to choose an experienced law firm whose lawyers are well-versed in the type of accident you were involved in, as well as, experienced in trial and litigation. They will provide an assessment to determine how strong a case you have, and then move forward with filing the claim according to your state’s requirements. And personal injury attorneys generally work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning they do not collect lawyer fees unless they recover for you.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you would like to file a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned accident attorneys are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation with an experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorney, today.

Who is Liable for Public Park Accidents and Injuries?

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Now that the weather is getting warmer, Hoosiers are taking full advantage of public parks all across the state. These amenities are cherished parts of our neighborhoods and communities because they promote fun and healthy outdoor activity, such as walking, jogging, biking, fishing, sports, playing, and more. And the best part is, they are free to enjoy! But visiting our local parks comes with a certain level of responsibility.

It is important to take necessary precaution in order to prevent serious accidents and injuries. In the case that you or someone you love is injured at a public park, it is helpful to know who is liable for the damages and losses resulting from the accident. Continue reading to learn about public park liability, and your rights to compensation as an injured victim.

Public Park Accidents

There are several ways a person can get hurt at a public park. But the most common accidents include slip and falls from wet surfaces, slippery rocks, unstable bridges and platforms, unleveled steps and staircases, broken ladders, and defective playground equipment. But there are other common public park injuries too, such as flesh wounds, cuts, splinters, animal bites, rashes, and more. In more serious cases, there have been hit and run accidents, drowning accidents, tree climbing accidents, cliff jumping accidents, and more.

Public Park Liability

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Public parks are generally the property of the state, meaning the local government is responsible for them. Accordingly, the government is protected by a separate set of laws that relieves them of certain liability for accidents and injuries that occur on government grounds. This makes it extremely difficult to win a claim against a government-owned public park; however, it does not mean that it is impossible.

The state has a responsibility to keep citizens safe by maintaining hazard-free premises. If an accident occurs out of negligence on behalf of the state, the park may be liable to some extent, especially if the state knowingly neglected a hazard that caused the victim their injuries and subsequent losses.

Suing the Government

Suing the government is a very different process than suing a regular person or entity for a serious injury. The process is more complex, and follows an entirely separate judicial process. For this reason, it is vital to retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney. They have the knowledge and resources to effectively navigate your claim and recover the full and fair compensation you are owed.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you were injured at a public park in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our personal injury attorneys have extensive trial and litigation experience, and know how to recover the compensation you deserve. Our Indianapolis personal injury law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects attorney fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation with a licensed accident attorney, today.

Explanation of Pain and Suffering in a Personal Injury Case

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

When a person is wrongly injured as a result of another’s negligence, they may be entitled to certain compensation to cover their losses and damages. Losses and damages generally include economic losses that can be calculated monetarily, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost work wages, and more. But sometimes, a victim can also receive compensation for non-economic damages and losses, such as prolonged physical pain, permanent disfigurement, a loss of limb, lengthy physical therapy, a loss of companionship, reduced quality of life, mental anguish, and more.

All of these damages, both economic and non-economic, fit under the umbrella category of “pain and suffering.” Continue reading to learn more about pain and suffering in a personal injury case.

What is Pain and Suffering?

The phrase, “pain and suffering” is a common legal term used in personal injury practices to describe economic and non-economic damages and losses a person may experience after sustaining a serious injury or being involved in a serious accident. The term is meant to describe both physical and nonphysical harm that resulted from such trauma.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Physical injuries include everything from flesh wounds and muscle injuries, to spinal cord injuries, nerve injuries, brain injuries, and more. Non-physical injuries include emotional mental trauma such as fear, anxiety, grief, worry, insomnia, a loss of enjoyment for one’s life, and more.

Since it is difficult to provide evidence to prove non-physical injuries without a reasonable doubt, it is necessary to have an experienced personal injury lawyer to navigate, negotiate, and settle your claim. They have the skills, experience, knowledge, and resources to ensure your rights to compensation, and to protect you from aggressive insurance adjusters and unfair settlements. Be sure to choose an Indianapolis personal injury attorney that has extensive trial and litigation experience. They will have what it takes to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve for the pain and the suffering you’ve experienced as a victim of a serious accident.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you need an experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorney who you can trust. Seasoned accident lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, have practiced personal injury law for decades. Our law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule yours today, and get started toward a brighter future with the settlement you deserve.