How Social Media Posts Can Reduce Your Accident Lawsuit Settlement

If you are an injured victim preparing to file a lawsuit for damages against the party who caused your accident or getting ready to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, beware what you post on social media. Whether you are tweeting, Facebooking, Instagramming, or posting on any other social media forum, what you post can and will affect the overall value of your claim, and ultimately, the settlement you are awarded by the jury.

Continue below to learn of an example of how social media posts can reduce accident lawsuit settlements, as well as how to ensure you recover the full and fair settlement for your damages and losses as a wrongfully injured victim in Indiana.

Don’t Make Social Media Mistakes After an Accident

Be Careful What You Post After Being Injured in an Accident

One of the most vivid examples of how social media posts can impact an accident settlement negatively involves an injured victim by the name Omiesha Daniels. Injured in a car wreck in Georgia, Daniels pursued a lawsuit for $1.1 million in damages. She claimed that the injuries she sustained in the auto accident made it impossible for her to continue her job as a hairstylist.

Unfortunately, the defense on the case was keen to her social media accounts, which painted a different kind of story regarding her injuries.

Here is Where the Mistake Was Made:

Omiesha Daniels tweeted posts and pictures of herself during her Spring Break vacation in New Orleans, some posts talking about partying on Bourbon Street, others showing pictures of her enjoying a sunny beach day, and one photo showing her holding her purse with her formally broken arm. Although Daniels was suing for $1.1 million in damages, the jury awarded her $237,000 in damages. But, after the defense used her Twitter account as evidence to disprove the severity of her damages, the jury lowered the value of her damages to $142,000.

The Fundamentals of a Personal Injury Lawsuit

In a car accident personal injury lawsuit, the injured party holds the burden of proof to a more likely than not standard. At trial, it is up to the plaintiff to prove the extent and severity of their damages and losses, while it is the job of the defense to prove that the plaintiff’s damages are not as bad as they claim them to be. This tug of war fueled by evidence is an important part of the trial because whoever has the strongest evidence will prevail.

Defense attorneys and defense adjusters will review you social media accounts.  They will use what you post on these accounts in an attempt to diminish your claim for damages, usually by arguing and stretching the truth as to what the posts or photos allegedly show.  You are better off not posting anything so this does not occur.

Are you looking for a skilled personal injury law firm in Indianapolis, Indiana to represent your accident claim? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation, today! We represent injured persons and wrongful death claims throughout the state of Indiana.

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Tips for Your First Meeting With a Personal Injury Lawyer

As an injured victim, you have already been through enough stress and suffering. But when it comes to meeting with your personal injury lawyer for the first consultation, you should not feel any anxiety or confusion whatsoever. To help ease your nervousness, continue below for advice on how to prepare for and what to expect at your initial case evaluation with your personal injury attorney.

Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Before You Meet With Your Lawyer

The initial meeting with your personal injury lawyer is a case evaluation. For this reason, most accident law firms do not charge for a consultation. Our law firm certainly does not. Your primary responsibility for preparing for your initial meeting is to gather all evidence you have access to regarding your accident, injuries, and losses. This includes pictures, video, witness statements, police reports, medical records, hospital bills, medical treatment bills, receipts, letters and contact data from the insurance companies involved, and similar documents that support your case. If you have these items you should bring them with you to your initial meeting.  If you do not have these items, and you certainly will not have all your medical bills and medical records as you will still be treating for your injuries, just bring what you do have and your attorney will obtain all the necessary items for your case.

Write down any questions you have for your lawyer to help you remember important points you wish to address regarding your accident claim at the initial meeting.

Arriving For Your Meeting

Be sure to do your best to arrive on time. If you are scheduled for a video conference or over-the-phone meeting, be sure you are properly equipped and ready to begin the meeting at the scheduled time. Personal injury lawyers work very hard on their cases because they believe in obtaining justice for their wrongfully injured clients. Although they do not charge you hourly, it is important to respect their time for this reason. If you are running late or cannot make it to your meeting, please call the office to let them know. You can simply reschedule at a later date.  Your attorney should also respect your time and if they have an emergency, running late or cannot make it to your meeting, they should contact you to keep you apprised of any emergencies and the need to reschedule.  Mutual respect for one another is the key.

What Happens in the Meeting

During the meeting, the main focus will be to learn as much as possible about your accident and subsequent injuries. The lawyer will review any compensable damages and losses, and educate you on your options for pursuing legal action against the negligent party who caused your accident. During this meeting, you too will have a chance to get to know the lawyer, and ask them questions about their credentials, case history, experience with your particular kind of injury, and so on. The key here is to be honest with your lawyer no matter what you are discussing. Remember, you are protected by the attorney-client privilege, so there is nothing to worry about when disclosing facts about your accident and overall case. This attorney-client privilege even applies if for some reason the attorney decides not to take your case on so it vitally important to be 100% honest with everything.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers Who Will Fight For Your Accident Claim Settlement

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our seasoned personal injury lawyers in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek have multiple decades of trial and litigation experience in various types of injury cases in Indiana, and if we take your case, you do not pay lawyer fees unless we recover compensation for you! Contact us soon, before evidence is lost and time runs out for you to make your claim.  It is always best to call our firm as soon as you can after you get home from the hospital so we can start obtaining the necessary evidence to prove your case for you.

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How to Prevent Winter Slip and Fall Accidents

There is no denying that Indiana took on a significant amount of snowfall these past two weeks. Right now, businesses, apartment complexes and offices all across the state are coping with and mitigating the inevitable trails of snow, slush, sleet, and ice brought in by foot traffic. So, right now, it is important to ensure that visitors and tenants are reasonably protected against these inclement environments, both indoors and out. Under Indiana’s premise liability laws, businesses and employers have a legal duty of care to do so.

If you are a property owner, continue reading to learn some helpful tips for avoiding winter weather-related slip, trip, and fall accidents, as well as what to do if you are injured on the property of another.

Indiana Slip and Fall Personal Injury Attorneys
Indiana Slip and Fall Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Winter Safety for Property Owners

It is important to be prepared, first and foremost. Watch the weather reports and keep up with changing conditions. This will allow the property owner or property manager time to plan and arrange the proper maintenance procedures. Keep in mind that freezing ice that melts and then refreezing is dangerous as well and salting should take place quite often.

We all know that snow and ice lead to wet floors. So, it is wise to be prepared with warning signs, dry mops, fans and most importantly constant inspections to look out for dangerous conditions so the dangerous condition may be fixed before people are injured.

If your employees upon inspection see icy or slippery conditions at work, advise them to be sure to immediately notify a supervisor before any accidents can take place and they should remain with the dangerous condition to warn patrons of the store and the employee who found the dangerous condition should send some other employee to advise a supervisor so that the warning signs, dry mops, fans are brought to the where the dangerous condition exists.

Slip and Fall Prevention for Employers and Places of Business

Employers are encouraged to pass around memos, send emails, give out pamphlets, and hang posters to promote optimal workplace safety inspections at all times. Staff training and safety seminars are another effective tool to further protect staff and customers from slip and fall accidents. A proper inspection schedule and inspections training are vital to keeping the premises safe for all who enter the premises.

It is important for businesses to stay on top of wet surfaces and floors, and post Wet Floor signs in areas that have just been mopped and cleaned. Exterior snow and ice removal is another factor that must be reasonably addressed by business owners to ensure their staffs and guests are protected, especially against melting snow and related hazards. Ice-melting salts should be applied after proper snow shoveling and inspections should be performed and documented as being performed.  Moreover, a business and apartment complexes should designate a representative to watch weather reporting services so the property can be made safe for customers before the customers begin arriving and before tenants have to walk on the sidewalks to get to their cars to go to work. 

Were You Seriously Injured at Work in a Slip and Fall Accident in Indiana?

Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a seasoned Indiana workplace injury lawyer about your best options for pursing legal action after being seriously injured or incapacitated in a slip and fall accident. Our Indiana injury attorneys do everything possible to obtain the full and fair compensation that is rightfully owed to our clients. We retain the proper skills, legal resources, finances, and more to obtain fair and full relief for accident victims. Contact us today at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation over the phone, via video conference, or in-person at our Indianapolis law office. We represent clients throughout the State of Indiana.

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How to Get the Maximum Settlement for Your Indiana Accident Lawsuit

If you are an injured victim recovering from a wrongful death or injury accident in Indiana, a call to the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. is the phone call you need to make. Just be sure you call soon, before evidence proving your case is lost or before time runs out to make a claim. We can get you the maximum settlement or verdict for your economic and non-economic damages and losses, including medical expenses, hospital bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and more.

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

Why Choose Us for Your Indiana Accident Lawsuit?

There are many reasons why our Indianapolis, Indiana personal injury law firm has continued to excel in both case results and professional reputation. Hoosiers all across the state have received full and fair compensation for their injuries and related damages as a client of ours, and you can too. We are seasoned personal injury lawyers who have extensive trial and litigation experience representing victims of negligent accidents, and can obtain the best possible settlement or verdict for your Indiana accident lawsuit or claim.

We strongly believe that wrongfully injured victims deserve justice as we too have been injured as the result of negligent persons and companies and a person should never be left financially responsible for paying their bills, expenses, and having to suffer other losses when those losses were not caused through fault of their own. We work around the clock to ensure our client’s get justice for their wrongful accident in the form of compensation, which is what Indiana law requires. That is why we also provide free initial case evaluations, and work on contingency, which means we only collect payment from a settlement or verdict if we are successful at obtaining a settlement or verdict for you.

Our Indiana Accident Attorneys Will Fight for Your Right to Be Fully Compensated

As honored members of The Trial Lawyers of America, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and several other notable associations within our field, we have earned distinguished careers practicing law. We retain a solid reputation for providing aggressive, all-inclusive, and valuable legal advocacy for clients with the primary goal of ensuring that our clients are supported physically, emotionally, and legally during the progression of your case. In fact, we handle all aspects of our client’s case so that you can put your attention toward healing and simply getting your life back to where it was the day before the negligence and injuries were caused.

Get Started on Your Indiana Accident Claim Without Paying a Single Penny

In addition to representing a wide range of accident cases and wrongful death cases, do not forget that our seasoned personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover and Blazek P.C. offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Furthermore, we also offer 24 hour phone services, at-home visits, hospital visits, Spanish speaking staff, and much more. Unable to travel? No problem, as we also offer case evaluations and meetings over the phone, via email, or through online video conference, such as Zoom or Skype.

Contact our Indianapolis, Indiana personal injury lawyers at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your rights to pursuing legal action against a party who caused your accident and subsequent injuries.

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What Should I Do if Injured in an Accident I Did Not Cause?

After being in an accident there could be a million thoughts rushing through your head. But it is important to immediately seek medical treatment, either at the scene of the accident, or in your own time shortly after. This is your first step after being hurt in an accident that you did not cause.

Continue below to learn everything you need to do and focus on after your initial medical care, and how to recover compensation for your resulting damages, including medical bills and missed paychecks.

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Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Medical Treatment is Step Number One

As mentioned, your first step after getting injured in an accident, no matter the type of accident, is to get medical treatment right away. You can seek medical care at the scene of the accident through emergency medical technicians or paramedics, go to the ER, or make an appointment with your primary care doctor. Regardless of which medical care route you take, just be sure to keep all documents and records of your treatment. These documents and paperwork will be pertinent to your personal injury claim. It is important that you obey all medical treatment plans and doctor’s orders during this time.

Report the Accident

You should call 911 and have the police show up at the scene.  Just like your duty to seek medical care right away, it is also important to immediately, or as soon as you are capable, to make a police report to document and record the accident and the relevant information from all involved parties. Preferably, you want to do this at the scene of the accident. But if you are not able to, at least make a report soon after, within a day. Request and retain a copy of the police or accident report, and be sure to give this your personal injury lawyer at your initial consultation.

Document and Gather Evidence

If possible, document the scene of the accident, and all relative details of the accident, via video, photographs, and obtaining witness names, addresses and phone numbers. Be sure to take pictures of any visible injuries, if possible. These pieces of evidence will help prove your personal injury case later on. If you are not able to physically take pictures or ask for witness contact information, ask a friend, witness or police officer for assistance.

Do Not Speak to the Insurance Adjuster for the At-Fault Party

You do not want to talk to the opposing party’s insurance adjuster until you have retained a seasoned Indiana personal injury lawyer who can handle the insurance company for you. Anything you say or do will be used against you when it comes time to negotiate your settlement. So, be sure to not talk about the accident or your injuries with anyone other than your medical care providers and your lawyer. Also important, stay off of social media. Anything you post can be used to lessen the value of your claim.  Defense adjusters and defense attorneys will try to take things you post on social media and argue them out of context. 

Let Your Accident Attorney Do Their Job

Your accident attorney is on your side from start to finish, and you can turn to them for any questions and concerns you might have during the personal injury lawsuit process. Your main priority at this point is to recover, physically, emotionally, and mentally, as best you can. Your lawyer will handle all filings, paperwork, deadlines, negotiations, and more, all in the best interests of your financial recovery. As your attorneys, we only want you concentrating on getting better and getting your life back to normal.  We will take the other stressors and worries off your plate.

Who Can You Trust for Skilled Indiana Personal Injury Legal Representation?

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about filing a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are seasoned accident attorneys who will fight to recover the full and fair compensation for your losses. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win a settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your free consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, today.

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What is the Worth of My Personal Injury Claim?

If you were hurt in an accident that was someone else’s fault, after seeking immediate medical treatment, the first thing you should do is consult with an attorney so you may become informed as to your rights, including your right to receive full and fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

Continue reading to learn more about confirming the worth of your personal injury claim, including the common damages you might recover, and how to get started with a free consultation with a seasoned Indiana accident lawyer.

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

Calculating Personal Injury Claim Values

The value of your personal injury claim is important because in the end, you deserve the be granted full and fair compensation for all of your damages and losses. Whether the value of your claim is relatively small or substantial, it is vital that you seek proper legal consultation and representation from an experienced Indiana personal injury law firm. They can ensure that you receive the maximum settlement or verdict for your claim.

It is impossible to precisely quantify a personal injury claim before extensive investigation and case documentation have been completed and even then although it is difficult , you can get a rough estimate by identifying the common damages in a personal injury claim. There are a few different categories of damages recognized by the law, but the two primary types of personal injury damages are compensatory and punitive damages

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are also called actual damages, as they are measurable by calculation, and intended to compensate you for your out-of-pocket costs that resulted from your accident and injuries. Actual damages include both economic and future-economic losses, like hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from missing time at work, fuel costs driving to and from medical care, and future economic losses, such as permanent disability, disfigurement, loss of consortium (intimacy),loss of work abilities, loss of education experience, and similar reasonably measurable losses. Pain and suffering and mental anguish damages are the most important damages in a personal injury case however.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are much different than compensatory damages. Also known as exemplary damages (as in ‘setting an example’), such damages are awarded to accident victims more so for the purpose of punishing the at-fault party, as well as setting a public example to deter the particular type of gross negligence involved in the case. This generally occurs when the at-fault party is found or suspected to have acted deliberately, spitefully, grossly negligent, or with wanton disregard for the rights and welfare of the victim. Nonetheless, it is the victim that is compensated in the end for such egregious negligence.

How to Get Started on Your Personal Injury Claim in Indiana

Start by gathering up all of your quantifiable compensatory damages, such as medical bills, hospital bills, your lost paychecks from missing work, and any other bills that resulted from your accident and injuries. This will give you a very rough estimate of how much your case might be worth. You should hire an attorney right away because they will help you in obtaining the necessary evidence for your case and they will obtain the vast majority of the evidence so you do not have to. Your next step is to contact an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to learn more about the validity and strength of your claim. Most accident law firms will meet with you for free to hear your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for reputable and experienced personal injury representation in Indianapolis, Indiana. Accident attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless they win your settlement and recover compensation for your damages. We serve clients in Indianapolis and all throughout Indiana, via phone, online video conference, or in-person at our Indy-based office. Get started today, before the statute of limitations runs out on your claim!

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How to Recover Lost Wages After Suffering a Personal Injury in Indiana

Suffering a personal injury as a result of another’s negligence or recklessness is an egregious injustice, which is why the law provides economic, and non-economic, relief for those who have valid accident claims. If you are a recent personal injury victim, you will likely suffer certain financial losses, or economic damages, most certainly, lost wages from missing time at work. Often times, loss of a paycheck is one of the most impactful damages suffered by both accident victims and their immediate household families. Fortunately, there is way to ensure you recover damages for lost wages, and all other damages suffered, financially or otherwise, after being injured by a careless person, business, or manufacturer.

Continue reading to learn how to recover lost wages after suffering a personal injury, including who to choose for superior accident claim representation in Indiana.

Indiana Personal Injury Accident Lawyers
Indiana Personal Injury Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Choose the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. in Indiana

Here at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., our personal injury lawyers have extensive trial and litigation experience, and serve clients in Indianapolis, and all throughout the state of Indiana. Whether you were injured at work and require assistance with a workers’ compensation lawsuit, or you have recently been confined to a wheelchair after a T-bone car accident, the seasoned attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. can recover the maximum settlement you deserve!

How to Get Started With an Indianapolis Accident Claim

The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. was founded on the creed that all personal injury victims deserve justice no matter their income or social class and no matter the size of the case. For this reason, we provide all first consultations and case evaluations for free, which means you pay nothing out of pocket to simply learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of your case and the best course of action for your claim. Even better, our legal teams work on contingency, so if we do not recover a settlement or verdict for you, you do not pay us any lawyer fees. With no upfront costs to you, there is no reason not speak with our skilled personal injury attorneys about your rights to financial recovery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

What You Need to Know as a Personal Injury Victim

As soon as you are in an accident or injured, it is vital to seek emergency medical treatment as soon as possible, and get all of your doctor’s visits, orders, and treatment documented and kept in a safe place. You will need all of this documentation for your accident claim. While you are receiving your medical treatment, it is important to contact one of our accident lawyers at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation, which can be done over the phone, via Skype or Facetime, through email, in-person at our Indianapolis office, or at the hospital where you are being treated. We make it simple for our clients to obtain the full and fair compensation they deserve after experiencing the pain, suffering, and financial impact of being a victim of another’s negligence.

We have successfully recovered a wide range of both economic and non-economic damages for personal injury clients over the past several decades of our practice. One of the most straightforward losses to recover through an accident claim are lost wages from time missed at work while recovering from your accident. In addition to lost wages, we can also fight for your right to compensation for hospital bills, medical expenses, fuel costs from traveling to and from treatment, pain, suffering, mental anguish, disability (temporary, total temporary, partial, and permanent total), and much more.

Start on Your Path Toward Financial Justice Today

Contact us at 317-881-2700 to schedule your free consultation to learn if your Indianapolis Indiana personal injury claim merits civil legal action. We serve clients all throughout Indiana, and do not collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you. Get started today, before the statute of limitations runs out on your claim!

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The General Stages of a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Most personal injury claims do not end up in court. However, when a personal injury claim does turn into a lawsuit, the legal climate changes. Although not all personal injury lawsuits are alike, once the courts are involved, most tend to take on the same succession of steps. Whether you are preparing to enter into personal injury lawsuit, or you are a recent victim of a personal injury and wish to move forward with an accident claim, it would be wise for you to familiarize yourself with what might take place.

Continue reading to learn the general stages of a personal injury lawsuit, and how to get started on your accident claim in Indiana.

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When a Personal Injury Claim Goes to Trial

Even though personal injury lawsuits are all different, when they end up in trial, they usually have the same litigation milestones. These milestones lay the foundation of what you can expect the general succession of steps in a personal injury lawsuit to look like. If you have already decided to file a personal injury lawsuit, you have hopefully already hired professional legal representation from a law firm who specializes in personal injury law.

This is the first stage of the process.

Stage 1

The first step to addressing any legal matter is to retain qualified legal representation. However, you do not want to hire just any attorney. It is vital that you seek legal assistance from a law firm that specializes in the type of claim you need to file. In this case, you would hire an Indiana personal injury lawyer. Most personal injury law firms provide free initial case evaluations for you to learn your legal rights to being compensated for your damages and losses.

Additionally, most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning they do not collect any lawyer fees unless they recover settlement or verdict for you. If they are unsuccessful at obtaining a settlement for you, there is no obligation to pay them for their services. Be sure to also choose a law firm that has extensive trial and litigation experience.

Stage 2

The next stage of a personal injury lawsuit mostly involves your hired legal team. To determine if you have a valid case, your personal injury lawyer will likely begin an exploratory investigation, starting with a liability investigation and confirming the adequacy of the opposing party’s insurance coverage. Sometimes, this step is done prior to making the client-attorney relationship official.

In the event that your accident lawyer believes your case is valid, they will move forward by filing a personal injury complaint against the defendant in the appropriate civil court. This personal injury complaint is the very first official document of an accident lawsuit. From this time, your personal injury lawyer will have to locate and serve the defendant a copy of the complaint.

Stage 3

After a defendant is served a lawsuit, the defendant will provide a copy of the lawsuit to their insurance carrier and the insurance carrier will hire a defense attorney for the defendant to answer the complaint and defend the case. Under any insurance policy a defendant has with their insurance company, the insurance company chooses the defense attorney and the insurance company pays the defense attorney.

Stage 4

At this stage of the personal injury lawsuit process, the lawyers hired to represent both parties will begin the pretrial process. This is known as discovery, and involves several steps in itself. During this time, both lawyers will exchange all evidence with one another, including witness information. They will also go before the proceeding judge to let them know how the case is proceeding. Also in the presence of the judge, they will decide on all deadlines for filings in the case, a mediation deadline, a final pre-trial conference date and a trial date.

As the discovery stage continues, both lawyers will also schedule depositions and other necessary interviews and statements. This stage of the personal injury lawsuit process can take several months and involve a few court appearances. The amount of time it takes to complete the pretrial stage will depends on various factors, such as the current traffic of the court, the amount of investigation required, court delays, rescheduled court dates, and so forth.

The Final Stage is Trial

The last stage of the personal injury lawsuit process is the actual trial, which can last for several days. The judge will be the ultimate decider, unless it is a jury trial, in which a jury will decide who is at fault for the accident and which damages the plaintiff is entitled to. Most personal injury cases are jury trials.  After the trial, either side can choose to file an appeal. Once all appeals are extinguished, the defendant [ie. defendant’s insurance company] must pay the plaintiff their verdict if they received one.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers That Will Fight For Your Rights

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you need an experienced personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are ready and able to recover the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve after being seriously injured by another’s negligence. You should recover for damages and losses, including medical expenses, hospital bills, pain, suffering, lost wages, and more if the damages were caused by another person’s negligence.  We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana. Get started with a free consultation, today.

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The First Questions You Should Be Asking About Your Personal Injury

After suffering serious injuries and resulting damages in an accident that was not your fault, it is quite normal to feel an onset of emotions and confusion. You and your family are likely full of questions regarding your recovery, losses, financial impacts, physical impacts, and more. To sort through the overwhelming number of questions and concerns running through your head, begin with the basics. This will put you on the right path toward obtaining fair compensation and easing anxiety.

Continue reading to learn the very first questions you should be asking yourself about your personal injury, including how to get started on your claim.

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Indiana Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?

Each state has a set time limit known as a Statute of Limitations in which accident victims can bring about a personal injury complaint against an at-fault party. Here in Indiana, most personal injury cases have a statute of limitations of 2 years, including cases involving car accidents, premise liability, medical malpractice, libel, defamation, slander, assault, battery, and product liability. Cases regarding governmental and school liability have certain limitations that must be met within as little as s6 months to bring a claim so you should obtain an attorney as soon as possible following any injury, not only because of time limitations but because evidence can quickly be lost forever.

Can the Statute of Limitations for My Personal Injury Case Be Extended?

Many accident claimants ask the questions, “Can a personal injury statute of limitations be extended?” The answer is not likely. The reason for time limitations on civil cases is to avoid losing evidence and preventing fraud. If you were hurt in an accident that was not your fault, it is important to seek medical attention right away, follow all doctors’ orders, and retain professional personal injury legal representation. Do these things as soon as you can, and you will not be in jeopardy of running out of time on your claim.

What Can I Be Compensated For?

There are several types of losses a personal injury victim and their families can suffer. Such losses are referred to as damages. Common damages in a personal injury claim include general damages, special damages, and punitive damages. Victims and families of victims can be awarded compensation for hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from time off work, pain and suffering, disability, prolonged physical therapy, permanent scarring or disfigurement, loss of ability to work, loss of companionship, and much more.

Can I Be Liable for My Injuries?

This question is important to ask yourself both before and during a meeting with a personal injury lawyer. If you were at all to blame for your accident and subsequent injuries, it will impact your case. If you are not sure if you were to blame for your accident, talk to a personal injury lawyer to learn more about your eligibility to pursue legal action against another party.

How Do I Get My Personal Injury Claim Started?

Your first step to making a personal injury claim is to have your case evaluated by a skilled and experienced accident attorney. They will determine how strong your case is, and whether or not you could be successful in moving forward with filing a complaint in court or a claim with a defendant’s insurance company. Choose a trusted and proven Indiana personal injury law firm that can obtain the maximum settlement or verdict for your accident claim.

What is a Top Personal Injury Law Firm in Indianapolis, Indiana?

That’s simple; trust the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., just like thousands of Hoosiers before you.

Call the Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn how to get started on making a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our compassionate accident attorneys are well-versed and experienced in several practice areas, from slip, trip, and fall accident claims, to auto accidents, semi collisions, medical malpractice, product liability, workers’ compensation, catastrophic injuries, and much more. When you walk into our office for your free consultation, you will instantly feel confident that you are in good hands. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you. Call 317-881-2700 to get started, today.

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Do I Need a Lawyer for My Personal Injury?

There are several different personal injury practice areas, from slip, trip, and falls, to car accidents, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, defective product liability, elder abuse, trucking accidents, wrongful death, and more. No matter which type of personal injury or accident you’ve recently suffered, when deciding whether or not to hire a lawyer to represent your claim, the answer is always yes. Even if it to just get a review or your case and the relevant issues. 

Continue reading to learn why it is essential to hire a skilled accident attorney, and where to get a free case evaluation to determine if you are eligible to pursue legal action against a negligent party in Indiana.

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What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do for You

The law is complex, so managing your own personal injury case is not something you want to attempt. Furthermore, after suffering injuries and damages after an accident, you need to be focused on your physical and mental recovery, and not on complicated legal matters. A personal injury lawyer is more than just a legal advocate for their clients; they manage all aspects of their client’s claim, including investigations, initial demands, settlement negotiations, case development, complaint filing, litigation, and everything in between.

Professional legal representation by a specialized personal injury attorney is the key to obtaining the maximum settlement or verdict for a claim. The insurance company for the defendant will act like you do not need an attorney and will even sometimes advise you that, but during that time period, evidence is being lost. It is vital to your case that the evidence be obtained and preserved.

How to Get Started With Your Personal Injury Claim in Indiana

If you have been involved in a personal injury, your first step is to obtain medical care and then hire an attorney immediately. Not only are there statutes of limitations that limit how long a claimant can file a claim, evidence can be lost forever if not obtained quickly. To find out the answers to your eligibility to make a claim, contact an Indiana personal injury law firm and schedule a consultation with a certified accident attorney. We provide initial consultations for free, which allows you to learn your legal options with no obligations.

Choosing the Right Indiana Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case

There are several Indiana law firms to choose from, but be sure your selection is based on reputation and successful case results. Look for a personal injury lawyer who can offer a free consultation and works on contingency.

Trust the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. for Indiana Personal Injury Representation

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for trusted personal injury representation in Indiana. Our seasoned accident attorneys work tirelessly to ensure our clients’ rights to full and fair compensation. We offer free initial consultations to access your case, and never collect attorney fees unless we obtain a settlement or verdict for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your free initial consultation with an Indiana personal injury lawyer, today.

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