Who is At Fault in a 3 Way Car Accident?

Posted on December 28, 2020 by admin

When you are in a car crash, it is generally with just one other driver. In such cases, it is quite obvious who is to blame for the accident. But sometimes there are more than one car involved in a car accident, and when this happens, the blame can be shifted around depending on the facts of the wreck.

Since the very first legal matter dealt with is fault, it should be an important matter to you as a victim of a car accident. Continue reading to learn some facts about car accident liability, including who might be to blame in a 3-way car wreck.

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3 Driver Car Accidents

Even at low speeds, a two-driver car accident can be a jolting experiences for everyone involved, regardless of fault. But when you add a third vehicle to the situation, the severity of injury and damage can be higher. Additionally, the more cars involved, the more complex the case, so pinpointing the blame among multiple parties can take a little longer compared to a common two-car accident.

Determining Fault in a 3 Car Wreck

So, who is at fault in a 3-way car accident? How is such fault confirmed? Can more than one driver be to blame? Well, the answers to these questions depend on the unique details of each individual case, making them difficult to answer concretely. Yes, more than one car driver can be at-fault, in fact, all vehicle drivers can sometimes be a percentage at fault, or just one. It all depends.

For instance, one of the most common types of 3-way car accidents are 3 car fender benders, or a chain-reaction collision. If the first car in line is stopped in traffic, there would be no fault on that driver. The car behind that vehicle hits the stopped vehicle because he is reaching for a cup of coffee and not looking where he is going. That driver is at fault. Following the collision, the driver who was stopped gets pushed into the vehicle stopped in front of him. The driver of the vehicle in front of him would also not be at fault and the driver reaching for the cup of coffee would be at fault in causing both the other vehicles drivers’ damages.

What You Should Do as a Multi-Car Accident Victim

Your best course of action as an injured victim of a car accident that involved more than one other car is to speak with an Indianapolis car accident injury attorney as soon as possible. They will guide you through the process of dealing with the other parties, including their insurance companies. They can respond and provide evidence proving you are not at fault for the car accident, and ultimately, win you a settlement. Some insurance adjusters will try to argue that you are at fault in causing the collision, even though there really is not much or any real evidence to support the argument.

How to Protect Yourself After Being Injured in a 3 Car Accident in Indiana

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about making a car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are fully-prepared to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we obtain a settlement for you. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700 — Schedule a Free Consultation!

What You Need to Know About Car Accident Insurance and Injury Claims

Posted on November 17, 2020 by admin

When a car accident occurs, and a person is seriously injured by an at-fault driver, they may be entitled to file an insurance claim and receive a settlement. In most cases, even for property damage, an insurance settlement is often the most reasonable choice, unless the offer is simply unreasonable. In this case, an attorney might try to settle out of court for a client, but if an reasonable agreement cannot be made, then it’s usually taken to court and presented to a judge or jury for a verdict. There are several options for pursing a motor vehicle accident claim, as you can see, and more to know about each.

Continue reading to learn about filing an auto accident injury or insurance claim, and who to consult for accurate industry advice and counsel.

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Car Insurance Accident Claim Settlements

Just like all other cases, insurance claim settlements vary in outcome. There are a few considerations to be aware of before moving forward with an insurance auto accident claim. For example, if you sustained only minor injuries, and only required a few doctor visits and check-ups, then a simple insurance claim should cover your damages. Damages include hospital bills, medical expenses, pain and suffering, medication, and property damage.

Insurance companies sometimes want to settle as soon as possible, but quick settlements can be a mistake. This is because once a person signs and accepts the offer, the case is immediately closed and cannot be brought back up ever again. If more injury or costs come up after the settlement is closed, the insurance company is not obligated to cover those additional or prolonged expenses. This is why it is important to hire a skilled and experienced Indiana car accident injury attorney to facilitate your claim and make sure that you are fairly and fully compensated.

Out of Court Claim Settlements

In order to receive the compensation that will fully cover all related expenses, medical, pain and suffering and property damages, you should take your claim to a lawyer so they can document the evidence in the case to present it to the at-fault driver’s insurance company in an organized and professional manner. Moreover, experienced trial attorneys like those at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. will be able to take your case to trial, should the insurance company not make a fair offer for your case.

Out of court settlements are best for all parties involved so long as the offer being made is full and fair. In addition, the expenses for expert witnesses and the time involved in taking a case to trial are diminished if the case does not proceed all the way through a trial, making it less expensive for the case to resolve, which ends up getting more money in a client’s pocket out of a settlement offer.

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What to Do if Your Child Was Injured by a Polaris Vehicle in Indiana

Posted on October 27, 2020 by admin

Polaris vehicles have been gaining popularity among children and teenagers over the past several years. With their off-roading, side-by-side designs, it is no wonder that minors have taken so quickly to these recreational all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s). Taking notice, Polaris exclusively marketed certain models, specifically a youth sport side-by-side, to children, describing a thrilling and fun experience for ages 10 and up.

But unfortunately, there have been some serious accidents involving Polaris off-road vehicles; accidents that have resulted in severe injuries and fatalities to kids in particular. You would think that these children’s accidents were caused by operator negligence in some way, but that is not necessarily so. Some of these accidents were caused by a manufacturer defect in Polaris vehicles. As a response, certain models of Polaris have been officially recalled.

If your child was injured as a result of a recalled Polaris vehicle, your next step is to retain professional counsel, and learn your rights to pursuing legal action against the manufacturer. Continue reading to learn which models of Polaris vehicles have been recalled, what types of accident they are causing, and how to contact a personal injury law firm to get started on your Polaris lawsuit in Indiana.

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Polaris Vehicle Recalls

Polaris has manufactured numerous models of ATV’s and recreational vehicles. But between the years of 2008 and 2018, the company had to recall hundreds of thousands of off-road recreational vehicles because they were defective. Not only were they discovered to have crash hazards, they were also major fire hazards.

The 2015 and 2017 Youth RZR 170 were two of the primary models of Polaris vehicles to have these fire and crash manufacturer defects. A faulty fuel pump ring on the 2015 model caused leakage issues, which resulted in many fires and explosions. The 2017 model also caused fatal fires and explosions due to a cracked fuel tank, faulty wiring that was prone to overheating or short-circuiting. And these are not all. Many more youth-marketed models have been recalled for defects that caused serious collisions and crashes.

Not sure if your child has a recalled model? REVIEW THIS LIST OF POLARIS RECALLS

Polaris Accident Claims for Injured Children

Although Polaris equipped their youth vehicles with parental speed controls and safety kits, they were not comprehensive enough when it came to providing children full protection. For this reason, they could be found negligent, and any child who has suffered serious injuries as a result of a Polaris accident needs justice.

How to Make a Polaris Accident Claim in Indiana

If you or your child is a victim of a recalled Polaris accident in Indiana, contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 as soon as possible. Our seasoned personal injury attorneys handle both product liability and child injury lawsuits, and offer free case evaluations to hear your accident case. If you have a valid claim, we begin working on your case immediately without requiring any upfront lawyer fees. We have a zero pay guarantee, which means you pay us nothing until we recover a settlement or verdict for you. We serve clients in Indianapolis and throughout the state of Indiana.

Facts About Liability and Public Transportation Accidents

Posted on October 6, 2020 by admin

Public transportation is a reliable and necessary part of society. But if you are hurt on a bus, train, or other form of transient category, you should seek professional legal advice. If someone is injured while using public transportation, who is at-fault for their damages? There can be several outcomes when determining who is liable for accidents such as these.

Continue reading to understand all the possible parties that might be liable, under law, for injuries sustained to public transportation customers.

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Public Transportation Traffic Accidents

Public transportation is a wonderful asset for thousands of Americans all across the country. Buses, trains, subways, limousines, metros, taxi cabs, and more are just a few examples of the various common carriers we have to choose from when it comes to public transport. As customers and clients, we generally trust that these choices are safe and reliable, but sometimes unexpected common carrier accidents happen.

Commercial Bus Accidents

When it comes to public transportation, buses are one of the most popular. Tickets are inexpensive, and some buses are complementary to individuals in the community. School buses are also widely used for public school transportation. With the rising popularity of public buses, more and more are on the roads every day. As a result, the number of bus accidents continue to increase each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 300 bus accidents happen every year, some of which resulting in injuries to the passengers.

Bus crashes, and other public transport cases, are complicated to litigate. Determining the at-fault party is a bus crash can be tricky because it may be more than one person. Fortunately, Indiana bus accident laws do protect innocent victims. It is extremely beneficial to have an attorney with the professional litigation skills and trial experience of highly qualified Indianapolis accident attorneys to effectively pursue a bus accident injury lawsuit or claim. If you or someone you loved has recently been injured in a public transient accident, like buses or taxis, contact a local personal injury lawyer to learn your rights.

Possible At-Fault Parties in a Common Carrier Accident:

⇢ The Driver of the Bus or Taxi
⇢ Management Companies
⇢ Other Negligent Drivers
⇢ Government Entities (If Public)
⇢ Equipment Manufacturers
⇢ City Traffic Management (If Defective Light or Sign)

Common Causes of Public Transient Accidents:

⇢ Drunk Driving
⇢ Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
⇢ Defective Stop Light or Traffic Sign
⇢ Driver Inattention
⇢ Reckless or Careless Driving
⇢ Poor Equipment Maintenance
⇢ Defective Equipment

Addressing Other Negligent Vehicles on the Road

Traffic accidents, public or not, happen very quickly, and usually result in serious injuries and damages to innocent bystanders and drivers. If a person is injured using public transient systems as a result of another’s carelessness or negligence, they are entitled to legal compensation for their pain, suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and more.

Start Your Indianapolis Personal Injury Claim Today

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to get your Indiana personal injury claim started on the right path. Licensed accident attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are ready to pursue your case and obtain a full and fair settlement for your losses. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win compensation for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your complimentary consultation with a seasoned personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN today. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

What to Do if You are in a Company Car Accident

Posted on September 22, 2020 by admin

Nothing interrupts a workday worse than wrecking the company vehicle. And when injuries are serious, it can interrupt the quality of your life as well. For this reason, it is important to be prepared. Knowing how to handle a car accident in your work vehicle will be helpful to your claim and recovery. Continue reading for tips on what to do if you are ever involved in one.

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Tips for Driving a Company Vehicle

If you are frequently commuting back and forth in a company car all day long, it is important to be prepared for a car accident. With so much driving, the likelihood of being involved in a collision of some sort increases drastically. To prepare, keep a camera in your vehicle, along with your insurance information, pen, paper, and of course, your drivers’ license. These items will make your post-accident timeline much smoother, and will also allow you to record any evidence you need to support your insurance and/or injury claim. Evidence includes witness statements, witness contact information, other driver’s insurance and contact information, pictures of damages and the scene of the accident, and more.

Steps to Follow After a Company Car Accident

As soon as you are involved in a car accident in your company-issued vehicle, the first step is to seek medical attention right away. Once you are stable, you can continue on. If you are transported directly to a hospital for serious injuries, ask a police officer to help collect the information you need beforehand (if you can). If not, don’t worry about it; an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you gather all the evidence needed to support your case if need be.

If you are stable, then your next step is to check on the other people involved in the accident to see if they are okay. If they require medical treatment, step back and allow them to receive it. If they are stable, then you want to exchange insurance and contact information with them. It is also recommended to take a photo of their insurance card, license plate, and drivers’ license to ensure accuracy in case of clerical errors.

Next, use your phone or camera to take pictures and video of the scene of the accident, the vehicular damages, the road signs, stop lights, or other objects you think contributed to the accident. Also take pictures of any physical injuries you have on your body. Once you have visual evidence, look around to see if there were any witnesses to the accident. Ask them for their contact information if you need their statements during the claims process.

The last step is to hire an experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorney to help negotiate your car accident settlement in the case that you were seriously injured. They can help you recover the full and fair compensation you need to come back from your losses and damages, including hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from time off work, pain, suffering, and more.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek Helps Injured Indiana Car Accident Victims

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned injury lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, handle car accident injury claims and workers’ compensation claims, and have represented thousands of injured persons in Indiana. Our personal injury law firm offers free initial consultations to evaluate your eligibility to pursue legal action and collect compensation for your damages. Best of all, we never collect attorney fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you!

Can I Sue a Driver for Hitting Me Because They Were Using Their Cell Phone?

Posted on August 25, 2020 by admin

If you refer to the recent Indiana motor vehicle accident records maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you will learn that, in 2018 alone, nearly half a million car accident victims suffered serious injuries as a result of distracted driving. In that same year, nearly 3,000 actually lost their lives due to distracted driving. Fortunately, Indiana’s government continues to make strides in improving and preserving the standard of protection for drivers and pedestrians alike.

One example is a new law that was passed just last month making it illegal to use or hold a cell phone while driving. If you were recently injured in a car accident because the other driver was using their cell phone, or otherwise distracted, that driver can be deemed negligent in the eyes of the law. In turn, this could make you eligible for a legal settlement or court verdict.

Continue reading to learn more about distracted driving accidents and injuries, including what you need to do as a recent victim to get your claim started, and what Indiana’s law says about using your phone while driving.

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It is Against the Law to Use Your Phone and Drive

Here in Indiana, July 1^st, 2020 served as the day in which using or even holding your cell phone while driving, was decreed illegal. That means it is against the law to operate a motor vehicle, while at the same time, using or holding a mobile phone. However, it is perfectly legal to use voice command or hands-free phone technology, or to use a phone to call 911 for a valid emergency. You can read the full contents of this law is under Indiana Code § 9-21-8-59, which includes this relevant excerpt:

“(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), a person may not hold or use a telecommunications device while operating a moving motor vehicle. (b) A telecommunications device may be used in conjunction with hands free or voice operated technology. (c) A telecommunications device may be used or held to call 911 to report a bona fide emergency.”

With this new law in effect, drivers who reach down to pick up a dropped phone, or choose to send emails or text messages while the car is moving, can be easily found negligent in their actions. Therefore, anyone who suffers injuries in a car accident that resulted from a driver using or holding their phone is likely entitled to certain compensation for their damages and losses because that driver blatantly broke the law.

Other Forms of Distracted Driving

Drivers can become distracted in a multitude of ways; not just by using a phone. If you were seriously injured by a distracted driver, it could be for many reasons. Common examples of distracted driving include reading maps or GPS, eating, handling children in the backseat, rifling through purses or briefcases, and changing music on the stereo.

How to Get started on a Car Accident Claim

Contact a licensed personal injury lawyer who concentrates on car accident injury claims if you were recently injured in a car accident that was not your fault. You see, insurance companies in clear cut cases of liability, such as using a phone while driving, sometimes try to settle as soon as possible. But accepting a quick settlement can be a massive mistake as a car accident victim.

This is because once a person signs and accepts the offer and releases the defendant from further liability, the case is immediately closed and cannot be brought back up ever again. If more injuries are discovered after settlement, which can occur and is called “delayed onset” or other damages appear or get worse after the settlement has closed, the defendant and their insurance company will no longer bear any responsibility. This is why it is important to hire a licensed Indiana car accident attorney to represent you.

Indianapolis Indiana Car Accident Lawyers Who Can Help

Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a seasoned personal injury attorney about your car accident injury in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek each have decades of car accident litigation and trial experience, and will work diligently to ensure you obtain the full and fair compensation for your damages. We offer free initial consultations to assess your case, and never collect attorney fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your initial consultation, today.

What Do I Say to Insurance Adjusters After Being Injured in a Car Accident?

Posted on August 4, 2020 by admin

It can be very confusing knowing what to say, sign, or do after a car accident that leaves you seriously injured. It is important to understand as a car accident victim that anything said or signed can be used against you when making a claim for compensation. To make matters even more delicate, insurance adjusters seek to obtain certain information and admissions out of claimants through strategic and formulated interview questions, all for the purpose of using the information as a means to evade liability for their client’s damages. Basically, insurance companies’ main objective is to pay as little as possible to anyone making a claim with them.

Continue reading to learn what your rights are as a personal injury car accident victim, including what you should not say to insurance adjusters and police in order to protect your rights to full and fair compensation.

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What To Do as a Car Accident Victim

It is vital to make a police report at the scene of the incident, even if the at-fault driver drove off and even if the at-fault driver tells you at the scene they are at-fault. Likewise, it is just as important to get a medical report recorded at the scene of the accident as well. If the paramedics believe you require medical care, allow them to transport you to the nearest hospital. They are specifically trained to make these types of medical decisions.

If you are transported by ambulance and are not able to talk with the investigating officer at the scene of the collision, make your police and medical report in the hospital. Most police officers will go to the hospital to obtain your version of the incident. In any even, as soon as you are stable, whether at home or in the hospital, it is time to hire an Indiana personal injury lawyer to represent you in your car accident claim.

Never Talk With a Defendant’s Insurance Carrier

As a recent car accident victim, the best course of action for you to take is to get a legal professional on your side as soon as possible. If an insurance carrier calls you, take down their name, address, phone number and claim number and provide that information to your attorney. Waivers, documents, and interviews can entail confusing jargon and mislead victims.

An experienced car accident attorney will handle and organize every single detail of your case. This includes gathering all necessary documents, such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, expert testimonies, and more. They will also conduct all communications with your insurance company and the opposing insurance adjusters, as well as, opposing counsels, judges, doctors, and more.

Your Rights as a Car Accident Victim:

✅ You have the right to ask a police officer to file a police report.

✅ You have the right to take pictures at the scene of the accident, including damages to property (both vehicles), injuries, persons in the area, surrounding landmarks and structures, etcetera.

✅ You have the right to deny an insurance adjuster’s request for a recorded statement without consulting with your lawyer first (whether it’s your insurance carrier or another).

✅ You have the right to professional and private legal counsel.

✅ You have the right to seek to collect compensation for your damages and losses if negligently caused by another person.

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers That Work Hard to Protect Your Rights

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed personal injury attorney about your car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are motivated to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being seriously injured in an accident. Call 317-881-2700 for Indianapolis personal injury representation you can trust. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

Why You Need to Consult With an Indianapolis Car Wreck Attorney ASAP

Posted on July 30, 2020 by admin

In the case that a car accident was not your fault, and you wound up suffering serious injuries, it is important to consult with the seasoned Indianapolis car wreck attorney as soon as possible. Continue reading to learn your rights after being seriously injured in a car accident that was not your fault, why you need to seek professional legal counsel as soon as possible, and how to get started on your claim today.

Your Rights to Compensation After a Car Accident

After being injured in a car accident, you are entitled to certain rights to make a claim for compensation. If a car accident were your fault, you would likely be filing a claim with your own auto insurance, as well as your own health insurance carrier. However, if the car accident was someone else’s fault, and you suffered serious injuries that resulted in specific losses and damages, you are entitled to make a claim against the at fault party’s insurance carrier. In this case, you would need to hire a skilled personal injury lawyer to represent your claim. They have the knowledge, skills, and professional resources to navigate your case in a way that ensures you obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve.

You can recover compensation for proven economic and non-economic losses and damages, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from time off work, prolonged physical therapy, permanent disability or disfigurement, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and much more depending on your particular case. See our blog, “Types of Damages Awarded for Victims of Injury” to learn more about recoverable personal injury damages and losses.

You Need a Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer if…

You should always hire a skilled personal injury attorney.

Here’s Why:

Once the at fault party calls their insurance carrier to advise them of the incident, the insurance carrier immediately begins their investigation of the case and it immediately assigns an adjuster to obtain facts and evidence which will support their insured’s version of the incident. In cases where their insured potentially causes severe injuries to another person, the in-house and sometimes out-of-house attorney will become immediately involved. It is vital to your case to have your own attorney so they can seek and obtain the evidence necessary to bring your claim and help you recover a full and fair settlement for your injuries.

A defendant’s insurance carrier owes an injured party no duties. It also owes no duty to treat the injured party fairly and to reach a fair settlement with an injured party. In fact, a defendant’s insurance carrier’s duty is to it’s shareholders to make them money, which is why, if they attempt to settle a case at all, they attempt to settle the case for as little money as possible. A defendant’s insurance carrier has a monetary interest in settling a claim for as little money as possible and to not settle the case at all if they can because that would mean the insurance carrier would pay nothing.

The bottom line is you should always hire a skilled personal injury attorney so you have someone looking out for your best interests and your best interests alone. The at-fault party already has an adjuster and attorney looking out for theirs.

Why Time is of the Essence

Every state has a set time limit in which an injured person can bring about a claim, or file a lawsuit in civil court, against another party. This is known as statutes of limitations. Here in Indiana, the standard statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years. If a personal injury victim fails to pursue a claim within this time period, they lose their opportunity to do so, forever. See our blog, “Can a Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Be Extended?” to learn more about such limitations and what you can do if you miss the deadline.

Moreover, evidence needs to be obtained quickly as it will disappear with the passage of time and memories of what happened become faded with time. For example, photos of the vehicles should be taken immediately. Why? Because if the vehicles are totaled they may get demolished in a wrecking yard once the property damage claim has been resolved. Moreover, if the vehicles are not totaled and are fixed, you will not have evidence of the impact and dames to the vehicles involved.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH AN EXPERIENCED INDIANA ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you have recently suffered a personal injury in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis car accident injury attorneys are happy to answer your questions about personal injury claims, lawsuits, and more. Initial consultations are free of charge, and we never collect lawyer fees unless they recover for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation, today.

How to Win a Car Accident Lawsuit

Posted on June 12, 2020 by admin

A motor vehicle accident can happen in a second. One moment someone is driving down the road peaceably, and the next minute they find themselves in the midst of a motor vehicle collision. Because there are so many factors involved in proving a personal injury case, it is important to consult a personal injury attorney for professional legal counsel.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about how to win a car accident lawsuit if you are injured through the fault of another.

Receiving Compensation Through a Settlement

Violating road signs, ignoring traffic signals, zipping through stop lights, not paying attention, speeding, driving under the influence, and several other types of reckless or negligent driving behaviors are common causes of automotive collisions that result in injuries. If a victim was injured as a result of another driver’s negligence, they will most likely be eligible to pursue compensation for their damages. In order to recover compensation for pain, suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and various other standard damages, a victim holds the burden of proving their case. A skilled personal injury lawyer will retain the proper resources, knowledge, and skills to effectively prove a case against the negligent party.

However, as an injured victim, you can also take certain steps to help increase your chances of recovering a settlement and being fully compensated, such as:

☑ Contact 911 and Get Medical Care

If you are ever involved in a car collision that causes you injury, the first thing you or the person with you needs to do is contact emergency services immediately. The most important concern is your health and safety. Contact 911 or some other type of emergency medical dispatch service for immediate medical attention. Once you are medically stable, you can take the next vital steps, which include seeing a doctor for your injuries and hiring a lawyer to represent your claim. See our blog, “Tips for Documenting Your Injuries After a Car Accident” to learn how to assess your own car accident injuries.

☑ File a Car Accident Report With Police

It is very important to have a police report filed with the details of the car collision and the injuries you sustained. With a police report on file, judges and juries can use the details as proof of evidence in your case. See our blog, “Are Police Reports Important to an Auto Accident Claim?” to learn how police reports can impact your case.

☑ Hire a Licensed Personal Injury Law Firm

You should always hire proper legal counsel. It is imperative to hire legitimate and licensed personal injury attorney services in order to have your best chance at recovering remuneration for your damages following a car accident. Accident attorneys are trained and extensively educated in personal injury law. They have the legal resources and proficiency to effectively represent you in your case. Most law firms do not charge upfront fees for their services, and instead, collect their attorney fees once they win compensation for you. If they do not win compensation for you, you do not owe them any fees at all.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers You Can Count On

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover and Blazek P. C. at 317-881-2700 to secure your rights after a serious car accident injury in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover and Keith Blazek retain extensive trial and litigation experience in accident law and handle both car accident and trucking cases. It is important to act fast after being injured in an accident because the sooner you act, the more likely your chances are of winning your claim and recovering compensation for your damages because evidence can be obtained before it is gone. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana today.

Are Police Reports Important to an Auto Accident Claim?

Posted on May 26, 2020 by admin

Usually, no one walks away from a car accident and says it was no big deal. They are serious matters that have the potential to cause severe injuries and even death. For these reasons and more, auto accidents are scary, and tend to leave injured victims feeling confused.

If you are in a car collision, whether as a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian, one of the first steps you can take is also one of the most vital. After getting medical attention for yourself and others involved, be sure to contact law enforcement and make a report at the scene of the accident. In fact, it is required by law in most cases.

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Here in Indiana, the law requires individuals to immediately alert the local police department of a car accident in certain cases, including if:

It results in any form of bodily harm or death.
It causes over $1,000 in property damage.
City ordinance requires car accident reporting.
The insurance company requires car accident reporting.

Personal Injury Claims and Police Reports

Separate from your legal obligation to report a car accident to the nearest police station, it is in your best interest to do so for your own personal injury claim. You should always contact the police and have them come out and do a report as a general rule. There are some cases in which victims do not immediately feel or appear injured initially after an auto accident, but later on, sometimes hours, days, weeks and even months, develop serious symptoms and the injuries sustained during the collision begin manifesting themselves. This is known as an onset of symptoms, and is a common occurrence in car accidents. The amount of time an onset of injuries takes to appear varies from person to person.

Police are specially trained to investigate and evaluate the details of a car accident, and therefore, should accurately record a report that defines relevant details regarding the collision. A completed police report can protect your rights to recovering compensation in an insurance settlement or personal injury lawsuit for your losses by documenting evidence of the facts surrounding your case. Such reports usually provide a large amount of valuable information, such as:

Time, Date, and Location
Contact Information for All Parties Involved
Insurance Information for All Parties Involved
Statements from All Parties Involved
Witness Statements and Contact Information
Description of Injuries Reported at the Scene
The Officer’s Personal Account and Opinion of the Accident
A Diagram of the Accident Scene
Description of Road and Weather Conditions
Description of Vehicle and Property Damages
Pictures of Injuries, Damages, and Scene Surroundings
Description of Tickets Issued at the Scene By the Officer
And More

Because investigating police officers usually do not know the drivers involved, they are usually seen as unbiased witnesses to a car accident, and therefore, have no stake in the outcome of a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim, their reports of an accident are highly valuable and persuasive forms of evidence in a case. Police can be, and are often, used as witnesses in car accident injury cases. Contact a licensed Central Indiana car accident lawyer for help navigating your claim on a course toward a full and fair financial recovery.

Who to Trust With Your Indiana Car Accident Claim

Contact the esteemed law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help making a car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, focus on car accident claims, and are well-versed in Indiana personal injury law. We offer free initial consultations, we represent clients all over the State of Indiana and never charge lawyer fees unless we win your case. Schedule an appointment, and get started as soon as today.