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The Most FAQS For Personal Injury Lawyers

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Personal injury attorneys are experts in helping people who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Tort law is a complex and ever-changing field, so it is important for potential clients to understand the process and what their rights are when filing an accident claim.

To help with this, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about personal injury claims that you should know before meeting with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer.

Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With a Civil Lawyer in Indianapolis Indiana.
Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With a Civil Lawyer in Indianapolis Indiana.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims

What is a personal injury claim?

A personal injury case is whenever a person has wrongfully suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence or unlawful intentions. Victims of personal injury can seek financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit. There are many different types of injury claims, ranging from premise liability claims to product liability claims, auto or trucking collisions, wrongful death cases and medical or legal malpractice cases. In these accident cases, the victim or plaintiff must be able to prove the defendant was at fault for their personal injury claim to be successful.

In all accident cases, like car accidents or worker’s compensation cases, legal assistance is necessary to present a strong argument in court. It is important for injured victims and/or personal injury clients to seek out the best possible legal representation for their individual case in order to get the best possible outcome for their unique situation.

How do I know if I have a personal injury case?

If you have been the victim of personal injury, you might be wondering if you have a legitimate personal injury case. To determine this, your best bet is to consult an experienced personal injury attorney. They can assess the strength of your claim and advise you on the best way to move forward. Some things an accident attorney will consider include the level of negligence involved in causing the personal injury, how extensive the damages or losses are, the related medical bills or losses incurred as a result of the personal injury, how long the person was injured, whether the injuries are permanent or not and if the applicable defendant or defendants had insurance company. Answering these questions with detail and accuracy can help your personal injury case become a winning one.

What are the time frames for filing a personal injury claim in civil court in the United States?

When filing a personal injury claim in civil court, there are often strict time frames associated with the process. Before initiating any legal proceedings, it is critical to be aware of the state’s and court’s timelines and seek clarification on all relevant requirements. Generally, personal injury claims need to be initiated within 2 years of the date of the incident; however, this can vary significantly depending on which state or territory you are residing in. In Indiana, the general statute of limitations is 2 years for most personal injury claims, excluding claims against governmental entities.  Some injury claims have a 6 month deadline to be filed so it is recommended that you seek advice from a professional personal injury attorney in Indianapolis immediately after the incident that caused the injury to better understand your legal rights and obligations.

How does the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit work and what can I expect throughout the process?

When filing a personal injury lawsuit, it is important to understand the process and what you can expect as your case progresses. This can be a difficult and stressful experience, so it is important to work with experienced Indianapolis accident attorneys throughout the process. Generally speaking, the first step in filing a personal injury lawsuit for serious injuries is to consult with an attorney about liability and statute of limitations issues. Attorneys will advise their clients on how to proceed and will file the necessary documents.

During the personal injury lawsuit process, both parties will exchange evidence related to the case through their attorneys, such as documentation of damages, photos, police reports and medical bills. Additionally, all parties involved, including witnesses and expert testimonies, may be asked to testify or provide sworn affidavits depending on the circumstances. Throughout this process an injury attorney can help ensure that your rights are respected and that you receive the full compensation for your damages and losses.

What happens if my personal injury lawsuit goes to trial?

Most personal injury cases are settled and do not go all the way to a trial.  If a trial occurs though, a trial marks the end of a personal injury lawsuit, unless the plaintiff or defendant file an appeal to a higher court following trial, which does not happen very often. During the trial, each side has an opportunity to explain their case and make their arguments in front of a judge or jury. A trial involves witnesses, testimony, exhibits and expert opinions. Ultimately, it is up to the judge or jury to decide if the plaintiff should be awarded damages against a defendant.  It is almost always the defendant’s insurance carrier that actually pays the verdict against the defendant.

How much money can I expect to receive if my personal injury case is successful?

When weighing the settlement options of a successful personal injury case, it is important to remember that any settlement or compensation you receive will depend on the specific details of your case. This amount can range from a few thousand dollars for minor injuries to hundreds of thousands, even millions for more severe cases. All settlement amounts are determined by analyzing both economic and non-economic damages such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, among others. It’s important to be well-versed in these various components to have an accurate assessment of what type of settlement you may receive at the end of your personal injury case.

What are some things to keep in mind when considering whether to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident?

When considering whether to file a personal injury lawsuit in Indiana after an accident, it is important to keep in mind the various factors involved. Firstly, it is important to determine if your injuries are serious enough that you should move forward with legal action. Secondly, you should seek advice from a qualified accident lawyer in Indianapolis who can assess the specifics of your individual situation and guide you through the legal process. Ultimately, filing a personal injury lawsuit should be an informed decision made carefully and thoughtfully; consulting experienced legal professionals can provide insight into the process and help make sure each step is handled properly.

Are you interested in discovering if you have the right to take legal action against a wrongdoer who caused your family or yourself harm? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent all Indiana residents injured in or out of state, including children and teenagers. We also represent persons from other states who are injured in Indiana.

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Can I Receive Personal Injury Compensation Without Filing a Lawsuit?

How Much Compensation Will I Get in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

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If you have been seriously hurt in an accident as a result of another’s negligence, you are most likely entitled to compensation for your subsequent damages and losses. You will need to retain the services of a seasoned personal injury law firm that can prove in a court of law that you are owed remuneration for your medical bills, hospital bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and all other related losses, and ultimately, ensure that you receive a full and fair settlement. But you are probably eager to know how much can you expect to get paid in a personal injury settlement? Well the answer is much more complex, and varies from case to case.

Continue reading to learn which factors and formulas are used by the court and jury to determine what a fair settlement for a personal injury lawsuit would be, as well as, what you can expect to pay your personal injury lawyer once you are awarded compensation.

Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm 317-881-2700
Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm 317-881-2700

Damages and Losses After a Personal Injury

Under tort law, when a person is a victim of a civil wrong-doing, a court or jury may award damages to compensate them for their injuries and losses. Damages vary, but commonly include lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, prolonged rehabilitation, loss of consortium, and various other economic and non-economic losses.  

Economic damages are for tangible financial losses, like bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages might include pain and suffering, mental anguish or illness (i.e. depression, anxiety, etc.), loss of companionship (i.e., wrongful death, brain damage to loved one, paralysis of loved one that changes or prohibits the relationship, etc.), long-term medical care or medication dependencies, diminished quality of life, permanent disabilities, loss of ability to work, and more.

Assessing the amount of damages is often a difficult and complex process since many variables influence the final determination. A court or jury must consider the losses or injuries of a victim’s person, property, and overall quality of life. Personal injury cases generally address three primary issues that ultimately determine what the fair and full payment would be for a victim’s injuries, which are as follows:

❶ LIABILITY – Establishing the degree of negligence of another person or entity;

❷ DAMAGES – The amount of compensation that fairly acknowledges compensates for and covers a person’s injuries;

❸ SOURCE OF COLLECTIONS – Insurance or additional assets to cover the award of damages;

Paying for a Lawyer

If you have asked yourself if you can afford an accident lawyer, the answer is, “yes!” Anyone can afford a personal injury attorney if they have a valid claim and case. They can even have their claim examined by a licensed attorney for free, to determine if they have a valid claim. You see, most personal injury law firms do not collect attorney fees unless they recover a settlement for you. This is why they offer free initial consultations. The consultation gives them an opportunity to discuss a client’s case without obligating them or you to pay anything out of pocket.

Following the consultation, a personal injury lawyer will evaluate the client’s claim to determine if the case is strong enough to pursue. If they believe their client is entitled to compensation, they will take on their case and work toward obtaining a full and fair settlement for their damages. The more a lawyer can recover for you, the more they get paid, which motivates them to work even harder on clients’ cases. A personal injury attorney makes it easy for victims to pursue an accident claim or lawsuit, without risking thousands of dollars of their own money and the chance they may lose their case. 

How to Get Started on Your Claim Today

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim anywhere in Indiana. Our firm is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, have a focus on accident law and retain extensive trial and litigation experience. Not only do we offer free initial consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Get started by scheduling your consultation, today.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Important Personal Injury FAQS

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If you or someone you love has recently endured a serious injury, time is precious, so it is important to address your concerns and get started on your claim right away. Look below to review some frequently asked questions about personal injuries, and learn where to get started.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

What Should I Do After an Accident?

As soon as you are injured, get medical treatment. Once you are stable and your injuries are addressed by a professional EMT or doctor, you can move onto the next step: hire a personal injury lawyer. They can help you with the remaining steps of the claim process from there. If you are able to, gather as much evidence at the scene of the accident, including witness statements, pictures, names, phone numbers, addresses, insurance information, license plate and drivers’ license numbers (if vehicle were involved), and even video if possible.

Why Do I Need to Hire an Attorney?

Accident and injury claims are challenging, and the laws and procedures surrounding them are quite tricky as well. In order to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney helping you along the way. They have the knowledge, skills, and resources to accurately navigate your claim and argue your case if it goes to trial.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Charge?

Most personal injury law firms work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning they do not get paid unless they recover a settlement for you. If they do not win your claim, you pay nothing. Most firms also offer free initial consultations to discuss your claim before filing.

What if I Do Not Want to File a Lawsuit?

Many personal injury settlements can be negotiated out of court. Only complex or highly-valuable claims end up going to trial. A personal injury lawyer can help guide your claim toward an out-of-court settlement if that’s what you prefer.

How Long Do Settlements Take?

It all depends on the circumstances of your accident and injuries. Some injuries lay dormant for several weeks before becoming an evident injury, in which case, an evaluation of your claim wouldn’t even begin until then. But first, you would need 2 to 4 weeks to compile all of your medical records and billing documents, and then another 2 weeks to have your claim evaluated and a proposal written and submitted to the insurance company. From there, it can take anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the agreeability of the insurance company or defendant party.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned accident attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after suffering a serious injury. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers, today.

Accident Liability for Hosting an Employee Party With Alcohol

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Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

At any party with alcohol being served, excessive drinking is always a possibility. For this reason, hosts are often concerned about being held liable for a drunk person’s damages or injuries. If you are an employer that is planning to host a social gathering for your staff, it is important to learn some vital information about host-alcohol liability in the case of an intoxication-related accident. Continue reading to understand your potential liability in such situations, and how to prevent it.

Dram Shop Laws

Dram Shop laws pertain to commercial vendors like bars, restaurants, and package stores, and holds business owners responsible for injuries and damages caused by an intoxicated customer. They vary greatly from state to state, and retain separate sets of limitations regarding the amount of damages a victim can sue for. Unless you are a commercial vendor of alcohol, it unlikely for you as an employer, or anyone for that matter, to be held liable for another person’s alcohol overindulgence and subsequent damages. However, it is not impossible.

Intoxicated Individuals and Victims

In most states, a drunk person cannot sue a host for injuries and damages they endured or caused to themselves. But if an intoxicated individual causes harm or damages to another person, a third-party lawsuit can be filed by the victim, against both the intoxicated person and the host that served them the alcohol. This is especially common in cases when the defendant does not have sufficient insurance to cover their victims’ damages. But the limitations to the host’s liability differs from state to state.

Limited Liability State to State

In some states, the law does not impose any liability on a social host at all. Other states simply limit the amount of liability on a social host to accidents that occur on their premises. And some states actually extend the limit of liability to accidents and injuries that occur after they have left their premises, such as traffic accidents. But almost all states hold social hosts liable for intoxication-related accidents when 1) alcohol was served to minors, 2) Alcohol was served recklessly, or 3) a “reasonable” host should have recognized a guest’s level of intoxication and stopped serving alcoholic drinks.

Employer Liability

Many states also hold employers responsible to a certain degree when social gatherings are held for a business-related purpose. This extra duty of care is imposed on employers under these circumstances since many employees feel obligated to attend an office party more so than another social event. In order to prevent employer-liability for over-intoxicated guests, be sure to make your social gathering’s focus on entertainment, rather than drinking. There are several steps you can take to lessen the possibility of overindulgence and alcohol-related accidents.

Preventing Alcohol-Related Accidents

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

First and foremost, you should never serve minors alcohol, or allow them to consume it under your nose. Under perfect conditions, minors would not be allowed to attend an adult social gathering where alcohol is being served and consumed. Also, always discourage guests from over-drinking, stop them from drinking further when they’ve noticeably had too much, and strongly encourage designated drivers and sober transportation.Another great tip is to hold your workplace event at a local bar or restaurant. Under Dram Shop laws, this relieves your liability for alcohol-related accidents, and provides a wait staff that is professionally-trained to monitor everyone’s alcohol consumption and politely cut someone off when they have had too much.

Try a Cash Bar

If you must host an employee social gathering on company or personal premises, consider having a cash bar. Provide all the party supplies except the liquor, and have guests pay for their alcoholic beverages with their own money. Since you are not necessarily making alcohol entirely unlimited to your guests, you can be relieved of some liability. If you have questions about an alcohol-related injury case, contact a personal injury lawyer for professional guidance. They have the knowledge to provide accurate state-specific answers to your injury-liability questions and concerns.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for answers to your personal injury questions. Seasoned accident attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek retain extensive trial and litigation experience. They are happy to answer your questions about a recent personal injury or accident, and even provides free initial consultations to discuss your case in person. Call 317-881-2700 for Indianapolis personal injury lawyers you can trust.

The Steps to Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

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Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

After being injured in an accident that was no fault of your own, you need a competent and tough personal injury lawyer in your corner to protect your rights and ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve. The potential compensation you may be owned is imperative to help pay for medical expenses, hospital bills, time off work, and additional financial losses. But if your accident and injuries were egregious, the courts may award punitive damages as well, in order to make up for losses such as pain, suffering, loss of companionship, loss of professional vocation, prolonged rehabilitation, permanent disfigurement, mental anguish, wrongful death, and much more.

A licensed accident attorney is the only one who will be your true advocate during your legal battles, and will stop at nothing to recover the compensation you deserve after an awful tragedy.When it comes to hiring a personal injury lawyer, there are a few recommended steps to take to ensure you find an experienced and competent attorney for your legal needs. Continue reading to learn which steps to take in order to find and hire the right personal injury attorney for your accident claim.

After the Accident

As soon as you, or a loved one, is capable of making a call to a personal injury law firm, this must be done. It is common to call directly from the hospital, because the sooner you retain professional legal counsel, the better your chances of recovering full recompense for your losses. It will give the attorney a head-start in investigating and researching your case, and allows them to gather all the necessary evidence and facts to negotiate your remuneration. It also allows them to speak on your behalf to insurance adjusters and other investigators, to make sure you do not say anything that can compromise your case. Make this call as soon as you are physically capable. If your accident was serious enough to be unconscious or unable to move, have a loved one make the call for you.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal injury law firms generally offer free initial consultations to discuss your accident and determine if you have a valid case. For this reason, there is no need to be anxious about making the call to an attorney since there is no out-of-pocket obligation whatsoever, until they win your settlement. That is right; most personal injury lawyers also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning if they do not recover compensation for you, you pay nothing for their services. This is a sure-fire way to know that a personal injury attorney is doing everything in their power to win you the compensation you deserve, otherwise they do not get paid either.

Research

For less extreme injuries, or those that show up after some time (which is very normal, especially in car accident cases), you may have some more time to look for a qualified attorney. Either way, be sure you call a personal injury lawyer that is experienced, esteemed in the community, and has represented similar cases to yours. This is a good way to gauge whether or not a lawyer is qualified to represent your case. Start online, looking up different personal injury law firms in your town. It is wise to read client reviews and check for licensing. There are attorneys out there that are dishonest and claim they practice personal injury law when they are actually a divorce lawyer or other practice area that is completely unrelated.

Take a Short Cut

If you want a short cut through all this hassle and research, simply trust one of the most well-known and respected law firms in Indianapolis:

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

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys Indianapolis 317-881-2700

Call The Law Firm of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for personal injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek have extensive trial and litigation experience, and have practiced personal injury law for decades. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation with a respected personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, IN today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims – Part I

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Injuries are bound to happen to all of us at some point in our lives; but what happens when your injuries were no fault of your own? What if another person or entity is responsible for the accident that caused you harm? These two inquiries are just the beginning to the frequently asked questions about personal injuries and claims. After being seriously hurt in an accident, people are often confused, stressed, and full of questions. It is important to retain the services of a licensed personal injury lawyer so you have professional guidance and knowledge concerning your rights and your case. Continue reading to review some more FAQs about personal injury accidents and cases.

Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Do I Have a Valid Personal Injury Case?

Medical expenses, hospital bills, time off work, and general life expenditures tend to add up quickly after a serious injury. At this point, victims are usually very stressed and overwhelmed. They want to know if they should be paying these and if they have a valid claim. The only way you can know if you have a case is to speak with a licensed personal injury lawyer. They can assess your case and determine your eligibility for remuneration. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION with a licensed personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, today.

Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Yes. There is no getting around it. A personal injury lawyer is your best chance at recovering the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve after being wrongfully injured. They retain the knowledge, experience, and resources to aggressively negotiate your claim without backing down. They investigate, research, and recover all necessary evidence, eye witnesses, and more to win your claim. Insurance companies are tough, and they will take advantage of a member by urging them to agree to a small payout. But personal injury attorneys know better than this, and they know how to fight insurance adjusters to get what their client’s need and deserve.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?

Most personal injury law firms provide their services on a contingency-basis. This means there are no upfront costs or lawyer fees, and clients pay nothing if their claim is not settled. If an attorney wins your claim, they generally take a set, pre-negotiated percentage of the total amount collected from the claim. This is can be anywhere from 20% to 40% and more. It varies depending on the law firm and other factors. Choose a law firm that uses the contingency-fee rule, and discuss costs before making any final hiring decisions.

How Long Does it Take to Get My Compensation?

From start to finish, a personal injury case can take anywhere from one year to five years or more, depending on the complexity of the case. You can expect it to take at least one year before a case is settled. And then once a case is settled, you can expect to wait at least 2 to 4 months before actually receiving any money. There are countless variables that affect the time frame of a personal injury claim and receiving awarded compensation. Again, talk to your attorney to get a better idea of how lo9ng your particular case may take.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for personal injury lawyers in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek retain extensive trial and litigation experience. We are confident our law firm can recover the compensation you rightfully deserve after being injured in an accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN today.