Category Archives: Car Accident Lawsuits

Did You Have a Car Accident in a Company Vehicle?

Posted on by

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Many people have to drive from place to place in a company vehicle. Whether salespersons, repairmen, delivery drivers, or taxi service, a company vehicle is used quite often. When accidents happen in a company car, truck, or van, questions generally arise regarding liability. It can be confusing predicting the circumstances of a motor vehicle accident in company property. Would it fall under workers’ compensation? Or would the employee be responsible for their own damages, as well as the vehicular damages? These are all appropriate questions that we will discuss in this blog.

Continue reading to learn about car accidents that happen in company-owned vehicles and what to do if it happens to you on or off the clock.

Steps for Company Vehicular Accidents

Always be prepared for an accident. This means keeping pen, paper, insurance information, vehicle registration, and even a digital or disposable camera in the vehicle at all times. This way, if an accident occurs, you are fully-equipped to document all the needed information and evidence at the scene.

In the case that an accident does take place, the first thing to do is check yourself and the other vehicle occupants for injuries. If you or anyone else are hurt, call 911 immediately; and then call the police. Even if you are just a little sore, contact EMT services or go to the hospital and have yourself checked out. Head, neck, and back injuries from car accidents can lay dormant for several days before showing signs and symptoms. In the case that this happens, you want to have a medical report on file for evidence of injuries and legal purposes.

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

After emergency services are called and if you are not too injured, use the tools you have on-hand to self-document the scene of the crime. Take pictures of all pertinent damages and obstructions. Write down license plate numbers, names, insurance information, your observations of the driver, what the driver says, and more. When talking to the other drivers involved, do not talk too much or say anything that implies remorse, guilt, or fault. Do not admit to anything and don’t say too much because it can be used against you in legal proceedings and questioning later on. Simply exchange necessary information and leave.

Employer Responsibilities

After leaving the scene of the accident, contact your employer to notify them of the incident. Provide all pertinent paperwork, documents, information, and evidence regarding the circumstances of the wreck. Most likely, they have a legal department and company procedures for company vehicular accidents and workers’ compensation. If the company car is still operational, they will ask you to return it so they can either repair it or salvage it. Otherwise, your company will contact a wrecker service to haul the vehicle away to their desired location.

If you are injured as a result of a car accident that happens in a company vehicle on the clock, you can collect workers’ compensation, as well as, pursue a third party lawsuit against the negligent driver that cause your injuries. Contact a personal injury car accident lawyer for details about filing this type of lawsuit. You may be entitled to additional compensation for your damages.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a third party lawsuit against a negligent driver in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney Daniel Craven is a seasoned car accident injury lawyer with decades of litigation and trial experience. Our law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 for details about our personal injury law firm in Indianapolis, IN today.

Can I Sue a Person for Wrecking My Car and Injuring Me?

Posted on by

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

If you let a person drive your car, are you liable for any damages they might cause you and your vehicle? Or are they liable? Laws regarding vicarious liability in motor vehicle accidents vary from state to state, however, many are on the same page when it comes to a letting an individual operate your vehicle willingly. There are also different circumstances that change the liability boundaries among drivers and vehicle owners; such as employer and employee or parent and minor.

In this case, we will discuss the liability for a car accident and personal injury in a standard relationship scenario, like a friend, stranger, or relative. Continue reading to learn who would be at-fault for damages caused in a motor vehicle accident, in the case that someone else was driving the car other than the vehicle owner.

Negligent Entrustment

Negligent entrustment is a term that refers to the scenario of letting an unfit person drive your vehicle willingly. If you were to loan your car to someone that was not fit to operate a motor vehicle under law, then you would be responsible for any damages, injuries, and accidents they cause while driving it. An unfit person is anyone not legally permitted to operate a motor vehicle. This includes anyone who is underage, uninsured, unlicensed, under the influence of drugs or alcohol (including sleeping pills and pain medication), ill or sick, handicap or physically impaired, injured, a repeated reckless driving offender, or too elderly to drive.

Loaning Your Car

If you allow a “perfectly-fit” person to operate your vehicle, there are still liability set-backs in the case of an accident. If you loan your vehicle, or simply let someone drive with you as a passenger, and they cause an accident that results in vehicular damages and personal injuries, you would be responsible under law for these damages. However, there are exceptions to this situation, and it differs from state to state. But in most states, the car owner is the liable party in a case like this. In these states, as long as permission was given, the owner of the vehicle is accountable for any damages another person might cause.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free initial consultation with a seasoned car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney, Daniel Craven, retains extensive trial and litigation experience, and is happy to answer your questions about filing a motor vehicle accident claim in Indianapolis. Call 317-881-2700 today to learn more about your rights following a serious car accident in Indiana.

Common Defects with Vehicular Recalls

Posted on by

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Thousands of vehicles have been recalled by the manufacturer over the past several decades. This happens when certain parts or functions of a car or truck malfunction in a way that can cause a person harm or death. Defectively-designed automobiles are a danger to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, putting the vehicle’s manufacturer in a liable position. There are many different ways a vehicle can be defective, resulting in recall.

Continue reading to learn what these common defects are and who to call if you believe you were injured as a result of a malfunctioning automobile.

Motor Vehicle Defects

Vehicles have been recalled for various reasons regarding defects over the past twenty years and more. Such defects cause accidents like vehicular fires, explosions, faulty seat belts, defective airbag systems, obstruction of views, tire blow-outs, engine malfunctions, loss of control, loss of brakes, and much more. Adults, teens, and children have been killed, disfigured, paralyzed, scalded, burned, and seriously injured from motor vehicle accidents caused by auto defects and malfunctions.

Automotive manufacturers retain state of the art equipment and technology to produce vehicles that can render a safe collision course for passengers and drivers; so there is no excuse for them to make such devastating mistakes. They often rush a new line of vehicles out to the market allowing their economic agendas outweigh proper consideration for safety. So crucial corners are cut when it comes to adequate safety features in order for them to get their product on the dealership floors faster; only this comes back to haunt them later. The result is usually some form of automotive product liability lawsuit.

Here are some examples of the most common vehicular defects in popular make and model cars and trucks that were pulled from the market for liability reasons:

• Defective Tires
• Airbag System Defects
• Seat Belt Defects
• Electrical Circuit Defects
• Faulty Car Doors (allowing ejection in an accident)
• Defective Car Roof Structures (can roll-over or crush victims in an accident)
• Fuel System Defects (PCFFF, or Post Collision Fuel Fed Fire)
• Defective Side-Impact Features
• And More

If you or a loved one was recently injured in a motor vehicle accident as a result of another person or entity’s negligence, including defective automobiles, contact a car accident injury lawyer right away and learn your rights to compensation.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for information about product liability and car accident injury lawsuits in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned attorney, Daniel Craven, is happy to answer your questions about all personal injury accidents and claims. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 and schedule your free consultation to discuss a recent Indianapolis personal injury with a licensed attorney, today.

Safety Tips Following Airbag Deployment in a Motor Vehicle Accident

Posted on by

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Modern vehicles have an airbag system meant to protect drivers and passengers from sudden impact or ejection. In older model cars and trucks, there is typically only one airbag, and it’s located in the steering wheel or driver’s side dash. Newer model vehicles are more likely to come equipped with driver-side and passenger-side airbags; and others even come with side-cabin airbags, headrest airbags, rear-seat airbags, and more.

There are several crash sensors located all throughout a vehicle that relay instantaneous messages to the airbag control unit when they sense the car’s physical well-being has been damaged. The airbag control unit then responds by initiating airbag deployment. From the moment a vehicle’s crash sensors detect a collision, to the moment the airbags deploy, only a fraction of a second passes by. This entire process from start to finish happens faster than a person can blink an eye.

Airbags are enormously advantageous and revolutionary assets to our society. This is because they provide a soft cushion in the case of a sudden impact or collision, preventing serious head and chest injuries, brain injuries, orthopedic injuries, ejection from vehicles, and more. Although airbags are meant to, and do, save lives, they can also cause minor to moderate injuries; especially if seat belts are not worn.

Airbags are designed to work in conjunction with a vehicle’s safety restraints. Failure to properly restrain oneself in a vehicle can result in more severe airbag injuries or more serious injuries. After being involved in a motor vehicle accident that causes your airbags to deploy, it is best to know what to do next for the safety of yourself and your passengers. Continue reading to learn the proper steps to take after an airbag system deploys in a vehicle.

Airbag Injuries

It is very common for a person to experience an airbag deployment at least once in their lives. For this reason, it is helpful to know how to handle this type of situation in order to reduce anxiety, stress, and shock if it does ever happen. Keep in mind that airbags don’t just deploy in serious car accidents, they can also deploy from minor ones as well. For example, in some vehicles, if the crash sensors detect abrupt and forceful braking, the airbags might deploy. In any case that airbags deploys, here are the steps to take to ensure your safety and security:

Assess Your Health

Car Accident Claims 317-881-2700

Car Accident Injury Claims 317-881-2700

Immediately after the airbags deploy and your vehicle has come to a complete stop, the first thing to do is assess your health and the health of any passengers that might be with you. Are you and your passengers conscious? Take a look at all extremities and skin, checking for burns, abrasions, or possible broken bones. Consider the head, neck, back, and spine; how do they feel and do you believe they’re injured? Can you walk? Can you talk? Can you see? Do you feel nauseous?

These are all important considerations for drivers and passengers after an airbag deploys. If you conclude that you are in good health, begin to offer help to other passengers, as well as, any other individuals that were involved in the accident.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Even if you and your passengers feel as though everything is fine, sometimes adrenaline or shock can null pain and injury. Also, concussions and head traumas can lie dormant for days before becoming evident. This is why seeking immediate medical care is vital. In almost all cases, an emergency vehicle or EMT crew will arrive minutes after a car accident to do just this. They can offer medical care at the scene, or provide transportation to the hospital for more serious injuries.

For accidents that do not involve injury

Once the airbag deploys, and you are sure you are not injured, the first thing to do is turn the vehicle’s engine off and get out of the vehicle. Most of the time this happens automatically when airbags are deployed; but if for some reason the vehicle does not turn off, be sure to do it yourself. This prevents explosions or fires in the case of fuel leaks. So as soon as you are stable, turn the ignition off and give yourself some distance from the vehicle.

If you were recently involved in a motor vehicle accident in which you believe the airbag malfunctioned, or you were injured as a result of another driver’s negligence, contact a personal injury law firm right away. They have the proper knowledge and resources to recover compensation for victims of negligent car accidents and injuries.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 and speak with licensed accident lawyer, Daniel Craven, about motor vehicle accident claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our personal injury law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects legal fees unless we earn your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 and schedule an appointment with a seasoned car accident attorney in Indianapolis, IN to learn your rights, today.

A Pre-Existing Medical Condition Can Affect a Personal Injury Claim

Posted on by

Medical Malpractice Lawyers 317-881-2700

Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

When two drivers are involved in a motor vehicle accident, the at-fault party is the driver that demonstrated negligence, thus causing the accident. It is the insurance company of the at-fault party that will file any personal injury claims or damage claims set by the victim or victim’s family. One of the most common defense methods used by insurance companies in an attempt to evade responsibility for someone’s damages, is to identify a pre-existing medical condition and blame the severity of one’s injuries incurred in a car accident on this pre-existing ailment
rather than the accident itself.

If they suspect that a person’s injuries are a result of an injury that has occurred in the past, they can legally request and receive a victim’s medical records by subpoena to look for any medical ailments that might be related or similar to the injuries sustained in the car accident. Insurance adjusters do this in order to prove that a pre-existing medical condition is directly related to the severity of a victim’s current injuries caused by a motor vehicle accident. If they are successful, then a victim may not be able to recover as much compensation for their damages as they would if they had not had a previous medical condition similar to the ones incurred from the car collision.

At-Fault Liability

Just because a victim might have a pre-existing condition that is relatable to their current injuries following a car accident, an at-fault driver is not off the hook. They are still liable for their negligence, and are still accountable for a victims exemplary damages. It simply means that a victim will have to fight harder to prove their case and defend the fact that their injuries were solely a result of their recent accident. Challenging an insurance company on your own is almost impossible; as they will find any reason to not pay out as much money for one’s damages.

This is just one reason why a car accident victim requires the professional representation of a personal injury attorney. They retain the litigation and trial experience necessary to prove a case and recover the full and fair compensation their client’s rightfully deserve. A licensed car accident lawyer knows how to build a solid injury case and refute any allegations from an opposing party. They can facilitate an in-depth review of all medical history, as well as, call previous doctors and medical advisors to the stand to testify on their client’s behalf. They will fight hard to prove to the judge and jury that the previous medical injury was fully healed, and not a pre-existing condition.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call our licensed car accident lawyers at 317-881-2700 for information about filing a claim after a motor vehicle accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney Daniel Craven is eager to answer your questions about suffering serious injuries after a car wreck. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we win a settlement for you. Call 317-881-2700 to learn your rights following a serious car accident in Indianapolis, IN.