Am I Covered By My Own Auto Insurance in a Rented Car?

Car rental companies make substantial revenue from selling insurance coverage to their customers. But do you really need this added insurance protection along with your existing automotive insurance policy? Continue reading to find out more about car insurance coverage in a rented car, as well as, what your options might be if you are injured in an accident while driving one.

Indiana Car Accident Claims 317-881-2700
Indiana Car Accident Claims 317-881-2700

Car Rental Insurance

When renting a vehicle, you will be faced with the option of adding extra insurance coverage, offered by the rental company in a series of packages and prices. The cost of these supplementary protection plans vary from as little as $15 per day, to as high as $100 or more. It all depends on the plan you choose, the type of car you are renting, and more. Most often, customers opt for more insurance coverage for the sake of abating risk and liability. But is the cost worth it?

Your Automotive Coverage

Your existing automotive insurance policy, and even your bank card services, may already provide you with sufficient coverage in the case of an accident in a rental car. You see, most car insurance policies, including liability, comprehensive, and collision, cover any vehicles driven by the policy holder, whether they own the vehicle or not. In the case that a driver of a rental car is found at-fault for the accident, they will likely be required to pay the deductible, as they would for any other standard accident.

Rental Car Injury Claims

For this reason, and for the sake of avoiding liability, it is vital that you have a full understanding of your automotive insurance policy BEFORE renting a vehicle. Your understanding must include what would happen if you were to be involved in a car accident while driving a rental vehicle, your extent of coverage, and the method of payment. See our blog, “Can I File a Personal Injury Claim After a Rental Car Accident?” to learn more about your rights to compensation in a rental car accident.

Indianapolis Car Accident Attorneys

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

If you were injured in a car accident, contact a seasoned car accident attorney who can help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve for your damages and losses. Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn just how to get started on your car accident claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our law firm offers free initial consultations, and never collects lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement for you.

Top Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Indiana

Motor vehicle accidents are all too common throughout the country, and happen for a large number of reasons. Sometimes, nature interferes and there is not much drivers can do to protect themselves from an accident or collision. But mostly, car accidents occur as a result of some degree of carelessness, whether at the fault of the driver, or someone else. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), nearly 1.25 million people are killed in road crashes every year, which averages out to 3,287 deaths per day, and an additional 20 to 50 million are seriously injured or disabled.

Annual Car Accident Statistics

Here in Indiana, the statistics for annual car accidents are not much different. According to statistics gathered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the total number of motor vehicle accidents have increased by 10% since 2005, with a 44% increase in motorcycle accidents.

What can we do to reduce the number of road crashes in our state? To start, we can commit to safer driving habits, and increase our awareness on the road for other reckless drivers. Continue reading to learn what the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) says are the top causes for motor vehicle accidents in Indiana, as well as, what to do if you are negligently injured by a careless driver.

Indianapolis Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Top Causes of Car Accidents Include,
but are not limited to:

Impaired Driving – Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a controlled substance is considered impaired driving under Indiana state law. According to the NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 22% of all traffic-related fatalities were caused by impaired drivers.

Reckless Driving – Reckless driving is a common cause for motor vehicle accidents, and includes any form of driving that is dangerous or irresponsible. The most common examples of reckless driving that has led to car accidents in Indiana are speeding, failing to yield, tailgating, unsafe passing, changing lanes without looking, ignoring road signs, and driving the wrong way on a one-way road.

Distracted Driving – Distracted driving causes several car accidents each year in Indiana. The Traffic Safety Division reports that recently, nearly 500 traffic accidents were caused by cell phone distractions. Examples that cause accidents include texting, eating, reaching for kids or items in the back seat, reading, cell phone talking, and pets.

Fatigued Driving – Fatigued and drowsy driving are similar to both distracted driving and impaired driving since it takes a driver’s focus away from the road. According to the Traffic Safety Division, fatigued driving recently caused over 1,600 accidents.

Backing Up – Unsafely backing up is another common cause for serious car accidents, especially among pedestrians and children. Although newer model vehicles have technologies such as cameras and alarms, which help drivers see behind them, these accidents can still occur when drivers do not use the proper precautions when reversing their vehicles.

Additional Causes:

➝ Automobile Manufacturer Defects

➝ Pedestrian Negligence

➝ Defective Stoplights

➝ Unsafe Road Conditions

➝ Missing or Obstructed Road Signs

Recover Compensation After a Car Accident Injury

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

If you were injured in a car accident as a result of another’s careless, please contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed car accident attorney who can help. You may be entitled to compensation for your related losses and damages, such as medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages from work, pain and suffering, and much more. We never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Get started today by scheduling your free consultation.

Facts About Vicarious Liability Lawsuits

Have you ever borrowed a friend’s car? Or maybe you drove your parent’s vehicle as a teenager? Is so, vicarious liability played a role in terms of the law. Aside from driving another person’s vehicle, there are many other circumstances that pose this level of liability.

Continue reading to learn more about vicarious liability, including some common examples and how to make a claim.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers
Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

According to Dictionary.law.com, vicarious liability is defined as, “(…) an attachment of responsibility to a person for harm or damages caused by another person in either a negligence lawsuit or criminal prosecution. (…)” Vicarious liability is also referred to as “imputed liability.”

In plainest terms, vicarious liability cases are those in which one party is held legally responsible for another party’s negligent or unlawful actions. Although the first party is legally responsible, the law holds the secondary party accountable as well. Vicarious liability comes to play in situations where a person has a duty of care for another person or thing, but acts negligently, resulting in serious injuries or accidents.

Examples of Imputed Liability

To better understand the principles and laws surrounding imputed liability, it is helpful to review some examples of such cases. For instance, employers have a duty of care to their staffs, making workplace accidents a common outcome of imputed liability. As an example, if an employer retains a staff of employees who act negligently in the workplace (i.e. sexual harassment, discrimination, assault, etc.), the employer can sometimes be held legally accountable for any resulting damages to employers, clients, or other victims.

In turn, victims of this negligent behavior can then make a personal injury claim to collect compensation for medical and hospital expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more, all from the employer and each individual guilty employee. Employers in this situation are considered responsible because they have the duty to prevent and be aware of negligence in the workplace. By law, they should have stopped or prevented harmful behavior on the job before any serious repercussions could occur.

As mentioned before, driving another person’s car may also involve vicarious liability. For instance, if a minor crashes their parent’s vehicle and causes serious injury or death to another driver or pedestrian, it is the parents that can also be held legally responsible for all damages and losses that occurred as a result of the car crash, sometimes whether the minor had permission to drive the vehicle or not.

You see, by law, parents have a duty of care to properly teach their child how to operate a vehicle safely, and only allow their teen to drive their vehicle when they are capable of doing so responsibly. This is also the case if a friend or other relative borrows someone’s car and hurts someone else while driving it. Although the owner of the car was not the one behind the wheel, and the person driving had a valid license, the owner could be held accountable for the damages to the injured party.

Were You Hurt in a Negligent Car Accident?

If you were recently involved in a car accident that was not your fault, and now you are facing heaping medical expenses, hospital bills, and missing work, talk to an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer about making a car accident claim. You may be entitled to collect compensation to cover all of your financial losses and damages that resulted from your accident.

Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to discuss your recent accident and learn the best course of action for your personal injury claim. We can help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Furthermore, we offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to get started, today.

Did Your Recent Car Accident Result in a High-Risk Pregnancy?

Pregnancy Injury Claims 317-881-2700
Pregnancy Injury Claims 317-881-2700

If you are expecting, it is only natural for you to do everything in your power to protect your child. From regular OBGYN visits and prenatal care, to healthy eating, researching, and more, you have checked off all of your maternal duties in order to prepare for your precious blessing. But keep in mind that there is only so much you can do.

You see, no matter how much you plan and prepare, you cannot control those around you. This is often the case with reckless car accidents. Such accidents have the potential of turning a healthy pregnancy into a high-risk one. Continue reading to learn more about high-risk pregnancies and car accident claims, including how to get started on yours as soon as today.

High Risk Pregnancies

A common and unfortunate outcome of serious car accidents involving pregnant victims are high-risk pregnancies. Not only do high-risk pregnancies pose serious health complications for a baby, they also pose health complications for a mother. Before a car accident, a woman might have a healthy pregnancy; but then following a car accident, she may begin to experience several types of complications, either before, during, or after birth. Examples of high-risk pregnancy complications may include placenta issues, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, slowed fetal development, pre-term labor, and even miscarriages.

If you are ever involved in a car accident while pregnant, immediately seek medical attention or see your doctor, even if you think the accident was minor. Furthermore, if you experience any high-risk pregnancy complications, it is vital to contact an experienced personal injury law firm for legal guidance. You may be entitled to certain compensation for your accident-related damages and losses.

Recovering for Losses and Damages

Pregnant women who enter into a high-risk pregnancy as a result of a negligent car accident will need more medical care, more time off work, and experience several other types of losses and damages. Even if no issues result after birth, a high-risk pregnancy still leads to several kinds of economic losses, including missed work, higher medical expenses, more hospital bills, and more.

Lower-risk pregnancies simply do not incur as much medical expenses as high-risk pregnancies. For this reason, it is vital to hire a personal injury lawyer so that you can learn your rights to compensation. As a car accident high-risk pregnancy victim, you are owed recompense for you and your child’s cumulative damages if caused by another party’s negligence.

Make Your Claim Today

If you are a recent car accident victim whose injuries include a high-risk pregnancy, you have a right to make a claim against the negligent driver and their insurance carrier. You may be entitled to collect compensation to cover all of your damages and losses, including hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, ongoing care, pain, suffering, and more. Since such cases are so complex and delicate, it is imperative that you hire a seasoned accident attorney who can aggressively represent you in your case.

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

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

Start by calling the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Although based out of Indy, our law firm represents victims all throughout the state, as well as, out-of-state victims who are injured in Indiana. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your claim, and never require any upfront lawyer fees. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.

How to Get Help With Your Hospital Bills After a Car Accident

After being seriously injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, your life is instantly turned upside down. Not only are you in pain, you have a lot on your mind, which fills your days with anxiety about all sorts of matters. But how your accident affects your finances should not be one of them. If you are concerned about paying bills, including hospital and medical bills, do your best not to worry. That is because there are options available for recovering compensation for all the damages and losses you’ve incurred after being injured in a motor vehicle accident.

Continue reading to learn how to get started.

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Immediately

Your first step after being injured in a car accident that was not your fault is to hire a licensed personal injury lawyer who concentrates on motor vehicle accidents. With their assistance, you can make a claim for compensation. At the appropriate time, they will solicit an offer from the insurance company and negotiate with them until a full and fair settlement offer is made.

If the insurance company will not budge or resolve the case for full and fair compensation, then a more drastic course of action becomes necessary. Most often, a seasoned personal injury lawyer can negotiate a claim and settle out of court, but they will go to trial if the defendant’s insurance carrier makes it necessary.

If you win your case, the jury is allowed to award damages for all medical bills, future medical bills, past and future pain and suffering, compensation for scarring, reduced quality of life, lost wages and more. In certain egregious cases, you may even be able to win punitive damages. See our blog, “A Brief Explanation of Compensatory, Nominal, and Punitive Damages” to learn more about the types of damages in a personal injury case.

If Your Bills Keep Coming

Now that you are out of the hospital and recovering at home, you are likely already receiving hospital and medical bills in the mail. If you have the resources to pay them, do so for now. This would include making sure your medical bills are submitted to whomever your medical bills would normally get submitted to for payment, like Medicare,
Medicaid, and other non-governmental related private health insurance companies.

You may also have what is called medical payments coverage under your own automobile policy which would allow you to submit your medical bills for payment under your own automobile policy. See our blog, “What is MedPay?” to learn more. In addition, if you are injured on the property of a business or home, sometimes the insurance carrier for the business or home owner will have medical payments coverage that can be used to pay your medical bills while you are awaiting a settlement of your case.

Do not stop making payments, or the hospital or doctor might stop treating you. If you are having trouble keeping up with your payments, you may be able to request delayed or reduced payment, but this would require the help of a lawyer. This is just another reason why your first step to getting help with your medical bills is to hire a seasoned personal injury lawyer who focuses on Indiana car accident claims.

Who to Call for Personalized Advice

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

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

Tips for Documenting Your Injuries After a Car Accident

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Whether a motor vehicle accident is minor or major, it is common for victims to be unclear about what to do next. Immediate medical attention should always be the top priority after being involved in a car crash; however, many victims are unaware that there are certain steps they can take on their own, which may improve their chances at recovering a full and fair amount of compensation for their damages and losses.

Aside from medical treatment, evidentiary documentation is a very critical part of a legal claim. Having such evidence is an advantage since memories can dissipate and statements can be aggressively questioned and probed later on. There are various forms of documentation that are recommended for car accident victims, including video recording, photography and witness statements. All of these will help support your case after being injured in a car accident.

Video and Pictures

These days, almost everyone has video and photography settings built in to their smart phones. If you have a camera on your phone or mobile device, use it to take as many pictures and video recordings of the scene of the accident as you can. You never know which image may reveal some fragment of evidence that is critical to your claim.

Include video and photos of the vehicles, vehicular damage, the street, nearby intersections and stop lights, crossways, walkways, street lamps, pavement, sky, and more. Also be sure to get video and pictures of your injuries, from immediately after the accident, all the way through the treatment and recovery process. These images will be quite substantial to your legal claim.

Witness Testimony

If there were people around who witnessed the accident take place, it is wise to get their personal statements on record. Be sure to collect names, contact information, and a detailed statement from each possible witness. Witnesses can be other drivers, pedestrians, store clerks, onlookers, and anyone else that happened to see the accident happen.

If You Require Emergency Transport…

After a car accident, victims who require emergency transport to a hospital for their injuries are not expected nor capable of collecting all of this documentation. If you are unable to gather such pieces of evidence on your own following a car crash, a friend, family member, or law enforcement official can remain behind and manage it for you.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

You alone cannot be expected to implement the level of effort needed to successfully recover a full and fair settlement from your legal claim. You need a seasoned Indianapolis car accident lawyer who can document a strong and impactful case on your behalf, and navigate all aspects of the claim from start to finish. They are your best chance at recovering the full amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Contact Our Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers Today

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, & Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a car accident claim in Indianapolis, Indiana and throughout Indiana. Our seasoned car accident lawyers are ready, willing and able to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Not only do we offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement for you.

Shocking Facts About Alcohol-Impaired Driving and Accidents

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 29 people become fatal victims of alcohol-impaired driving in the United States, EVERYDAY. This statistic should startle you, as it is incredibly tragic and 100% preventable. More alarmingly, it adds up to an average of 1 death every 50 minutes.

Drunk driving is a terrible and life-threatening crisis in our country, and continues to take the lives of innocent men, women, and children, every single day. Perhaps learning the truth about alcohol-impaired driving will help spread the word to never drink and drive, and ultimately, save lives.

Continue reading to learn more facts surrounding drunk driving motor vehicle accidents and fatalities, and then share your knowledge with those around you to support the initiative to stop alcohol-impaired driving.

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Shocking Drunk Driving Statistics for 2016

More than 10,000 people lost their lives to drunk driving. This total added up to 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.

Over 1 million drivers were arrested for intoxicated driving, including alcohol and illicit drugs. These 1 million drivers only made up 1% of the total amount of self-reported incidents of alcohol-impaired driving for 2016.

A total of 1,233 children, infants to 14 years old, lost their lives in traffic accidents, of which, 17% (214) were caused by alcohol-impaired driving.

A 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey of high school students revealed that, within the past 30 days, 6% drove after consuming alcohol, while 17% rode with a driver that had been drinking alcohol.

Indiana Drunk Driving Statistics

Between the years of 2003 and 2012, a total of 2,210 people lost their lives to a drunk driving accident.

Nearly 1 in 3 fatal motor vehicle accidents in the United States involve drunk driving.

Drivers are deemed alcohol-impaired by law when they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more.

In 2012 poll taken among adults, 1.6% people admitted to driving after having too much to drink in the past 30 days.

Fortunately, the rate of drunk driving fatalities have gone down as a result of steadfast efforts. Indiana now allows sobriety checkpoints and more to reduce the temptation to drive under the influence.

Support the CDC

These facts are all derived from the CDC website, an incredible organization that works toward protecting and saving lives. They are also a great resource for all kinds of free information on health, safety, diseases, conditions, emergency preparedness, and much more. Please continue to be supportive of the CDC!

What We Can Do About Drunk Driving

Spreading the message of the deadly and life-long consequences that come from intoxicated driving is a great way to encourage the safe driving movement. Talk to your friends, family, and children about the importance of drug and alcohol-free driving, and foster an ongoing open discuss for questions and learning.

If You Were Injured By a Drink Driver, Get Legal Help

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you or a loved one was recently injured or killed in a drunk driving accident in Indiana. Our seasoned car accident lawyers will be aggressive with your claim, and do everything in our power to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after experiencing this tragedy. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you.

Auto Insurance Terms You Need to Know as a Car Accident Victim

All drivers should have a basic understanding of their auto insurance policy. This is especially true for anyone injured in a car accident. This awareness can also help victims if you have to make a personal injury claim. A good place to start is by learning the common auto insurance terms used in the industry.

Continue reading to review some basic terminology surrounding automotive insurance claims and policies, as well as where to get started with your car accident claim.

Indianapolis Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700


The terms and definitions listed below are likely to vary from state to state. Be sure to check with your insurance provider to confirm the details of your state’s particular auto insurance laws and policy limitations. If you have questions about making an accident claim, it is vital that you speak with a seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyer for professional advice and assistance you can trust.

Here are some common auto insurance terms you may come across:

Accident Forgiveness – While most providers will increase a policy holder’s premium after causing an accident, policies with accident forgiveness will not add a surcharge after a car accident.

Adverse Carrier – The insurance carrier of the other party involved in a car accident.

Appraisal – The estimation of the property damage and the cost to have it repaired.

At-Fault – The party who is legally responsible for damages resulting from an accident.

Binder – A provisional insurance contract that provides proof of insurance coverage until a permanent policy can be allotted.

Bodily Injury – Injuries sustained by individuals involved in an accident.

Claim – The formal request to an insurance company for compensation following a car accident.

Comparative Negligence – Victims who are partially at-fault can collect a partial amount of compensation for their damages and losses based on the percentage of their contribution to negligence. See our article on The Difference Between Comparative and Contributory Negligence.

Coverage – The overall protection and benefits provided by an insurance policy contract.

Covered Person – Those who are insured under a car insurance policy.

Damage – Harm or loss to a person or property.

Deductible – The fee the insured party must pay in order for their insurance company to pay their claim.

Proof of Financial Responsibility – A law mandating that all drivers must retain the state’s minimum amount of liability insurance coverage to legally operate each vehicle they own (Indiana’s requirement is 25/50/25 minimum liability insurance).

Indemnification – Compensating an injured party for the purpose of restoring their estimated financial position and quality of life back to what it was before an accident.

Liability – A legal and imposable obligation for the losses and damages suffered by an accident victim.

Liability Insurance – Car insurance coverage that defends against claims that a driver’s negligence cause a victim bodily harm or property damage.

Limits – The maximum benefits an insurance company will pay for losses and damages covered in an insurance policy.

Loss – The amount of money assigned to a claim.

Negligence – Failure to possess or demonstrate a level of care, expected by all persons under law, which protects another person, reputation, or property from harm or foreseeable and unreasonable risks.

No-Fault Insurance – A policy that covers medical treatment, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses, regardless of who is at-fault for an accident.

Per Occurrence Limit – The maximum benefits paid by an insurance company for all claims stemming from a single incident.

Per Person Limit – The maximum benefits paid by an insurance company for a single person’s injuries arising from a single incident.

Personal Auto Policy (PAP) – A simple, rudimentary automotive insurance policy that provides coverage for liability, medical payments, uninsured and underinsured motorists, and physical damage protection.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – A type of medical payments coverage in which all or a portion of medical expenses and hospital bills (driver and passengers) are paid for, no matter who is to blame for an auto accident. See our blog on Discussing Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

Policyholder – The individual who owns the policy. It may also include anyone covered under the policy.

Premium – The amount paid for an automotive insurance policy.

Property Damage Liability Coverage – This covers any property damage done to another person’s property in the case that a driver is at-fault for their accident.

Replacement Cost – The total cost to replace damaged property, with the exclusion of depreciation reductions.

Split Limits – An imbursement strategy used by the insurance company to pay for individual components of a car accident.

Underinsured – A policyholder who does not retain enough insurance coverage to cover all related damages in a car accident.

Unsatisfied Judgment Fund – A state fund intended to compensate individuals for any losses sustained from an automobile accident caused by an uninsured/underinsured motorist, or person without money.

Get Started on Your Car Accident Claim Today

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a licensed Indianapolis car accident attorney who can determine the best strategies for your case. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to get started on your financial recovery, today.

Legal Disclaimer: Although every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice. Individual cases differ and should be discussed with a lawyer.

Can I File a Personal Injury Claim After a Rental Car Accident?

If you were recently involved in a car accident while driving a rental car, and you suffered injuries as a result, it is natural for you to have questions about making an injury claim to recover compensation for your medical bills and more. Continue reading for some helpful tips that will get you started in the right direction.

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700


Rental cars are convenient commodities for traveling relatives, businessmen, tourists, and more. However, if a person is involved in a car accident while driving a rental car, there could be some serious legal consequences depending on the type of auto insurance carried and various other factors. If you are ever hurt in a car accident, whether in a rental car or your own, it is vital to get in contact with a licensed car accident lawyer to discuss your rights to compensation and the best course of action for making a claim.

Contract Terms and Conditions

When renting a car, it is important to choose a company that is well known for reputable business and dependable vehicles. Once you choose your car rental company, make it a priority to review their contract terms and conditions closely before signing any documents. Rental car liability differs from state to state, and even sometimes from company to company.

For instance, some states require a driver to have their own auto insurance policies to cover property damage to the rental vehicle in the case that they cause an accident. Other states require drivers to have their own insurance policies that will cover their damages and injuries that result from a rental car accident, regardless of who is at fault.

Check Your Policy

Your policy may or may not protect you if you are injured in a rental car accident. For these reasons and more, it is wise to review your own auto insurance policy coverage before renting a vehicle. This is especially important if you are renting a vehicle that will be operated by another driver. These conditions should be reviewed and understood prior to doing any business with a rental car company too.

If your automotive policy only provides a limited amount of coverage, you always have the option of adding additional liability coverage through your own insurance carrier or through the rental car company. Although optional, it is strongly recommended to always purchase additional insurance coverage when you pick up your rental vehicle.

Common Types of Rental Car Insurance Coverage May Include:

Loss Damage Waiver (Collision Damage Waiver)This pays for the cost of repair for any damages to the car. Generally, the client pays the deductible.

Personal Accident InsuranceThis pays remunerations for personal injuries or wrongful deaths.

Supplemental Liability InsuranceThis pays remunerations for property damages and personal injuries of other victims, aside from the driver and their passengers.

Personal Effects CoverageThis is meant to members a driver for any personal belongings damaged or lost.

Talk to a Rental Car Accident Attorney Right Away

Rental car accidents can result in severe injuries, and in very unfortunate scenarios, death. Whether you were driving a rental car at the time your accident occurred, or you were injured in an accident by a rental car driver, it is important to contact a licensed Indianapolis car accident attorney right away to protect your rights to remuneration. They have experience working with rental car agencies and accident claims, and can recover the full and fair compensation you deserve to get your life back to where it was before your injuries.

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

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

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

What You Should Know About Whiplash Personal Injury Claims

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

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

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Whiplash Pain and Treatment

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

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

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

Whiplash Personal Injury Claims

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

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

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