Can I Still Sue the Other Driver if My Car Accident Injuries Were Not Apparent at the Scene?

Posted on December 14, 2021 by admin

Injuries commonly appear directly after being involved in a serious car accident. But there is another common medical term known as delayed onset of injury, in which vehicle accident injuries present themselves through pain and problems days, weeks or even later following a collision or fall. If you were involved in a car accident that was not your fault and now you are experiencing pain and problems due to your injuries, it is important to know how to protect yourself, both physically and legally.

Continue reading to learn more about later appearing vehicle accident injuries, including what to do if you have an onset of injuries, pain and problems following a car accident in Indiana.

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Common Causes of an Onset of Injury After a Car Accident

When humans are faced with distressing physical or emotional challenges, our bodies can become shocked or stimulated, which can actually help us manage the traumatic situation. Take professional athletes for instance; they often get injured during a big game but will continue to play anyway. This is usually explained by a triggered biological response of adrenaline and endorphin production, which helps mitigate pain, and even fear.

Just like professional athletes who get injured on the track or field, our bodies are significantly stimulated after a traumatic car accident, which can lead to physical shock and block pain. This biological response is a common reason why car accident survivors often do not feel injured directly after an accident, but rather, later that day, days later, weeks later or even longer.

Injuries That Can Appear After a Car Accident

After being in a car accident, your body will become exited or stimulated, and generate higher levels of adrenaline and endorphins. This biological response can make you feel like you are not hurt. But once the triggered stimulation wears off, which can be a matter of hours, days, weeks, or even longer, your body can begin to feel the effects of the injury. Do not assume that you are not hurt after a car accident.

The most common types of later-appearing car accident injuries are ligament, tendon, spinal and muscle and tissue related injuries. Head injuries like concussions are also known to arise after a car accident. When it comes to car accident head injuries, the signs to look out for include cloudy thinking, foggy or blurred vision, slurred speech, memory loss, sensitivity to light or sound, inability to focus, headaches, nausea, dizziness, lethargy, loss of focus and concentration and irregular sleep patterns.

It is vital to see a doctor as soon as you begin to experience any degree of symptoms from injuries following a car accident. While most people wait to see if their symptoms will resolve on their own with time, rest and over-the-counter medications and heat and ice treatments at home, it is always better to be seen by a trained doctor as soon as possible to get good advice and to make sure you are doing everything you can to get better as soon as possible. Not only is medical treatment important for protecting your health and well-being, but it also provides evidence to support your personal injury car accident claim. Insurance adjusters for at-fault defendants want to see medical records.

Claims For Later Appearing Car Accident Injuries and Symptoms

If a car accident survivor who was injured by a negligent driver experiences late-appearing symptoms and injuries, it is not too late to make a personal injury claim. There is still opportunity to pursue legal action and claim payments for your damages and losses. Car accident personal injury claims usually have a statute of limitations of 2 years, depending upon who the at-fault party is.

Claims against governmental entities, including but not limited to a City, County or State must be made in as little as 6 months so it is best to hire an attorney immediately following your auto collision so you can get good advice and not miss any deadlines, as well as to enable your attorney to obtain evidence before it disappears.

This means that from the date of the accident, in most cases, a wrongfully injured car accident victim has 24 months to file suit against the at-fault driver in order to eventually receive a payment on a settlement or judgment from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Settlements can cover damages like hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Are you a recent car accident survivor who has suffered damages because of a wrongfully caused motor vehicle collision in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with our car accident injury lawyers in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent clients throughout the state of Indiana.

Local Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700 — Schedule a Free Consultation!

Can I Sue if the Airbags Did Not Deploy in My Car Accident?

Posted on November 5, 2021 by admin

If you were recently severely injured in a car accident that was not your fault, and the car airbags did not deploy, you may be wondering if you have any legal recourse against the manufacturer of the automobile or the airbags themselves. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about filing suit against an automotive manufacturer for defective airbag systems that did not work in a car accident that you are seriously injured in.

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Defective Airbag Systems

Airbag systems are standard in most modern vehicles. Although they are designed to save lives and significantly reduce injuries to drivers and passengers, airbags are not always 100% reliable. When automotive airbag systems fail to deploy or deploy defectively in a motor vehicle collision, injured victims may have a valid product liability claim if they suffered damages as a direct result of the product defect. In a typical car accident situation, the legal recourse would be pretty straightforward: the injured victim would file a personal injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, and with success collect compensation for their damages and losses.

However, some car accidents are more complex than this. Sometimes, third-party car accident injury claims can have more than one at-fault party to blame for the accident, like in the case of a multi-car accident or automotive manufacturing defect. More specifically, when defective airbag systems fail to do their job, and as a result, a driver or passenger is severely injured more so than they would have been had the airbag deployed and done its job.

Product Liability Lawsuits

In the case that an injured driver or passenger suffers damages and losses as a result of another driver’s negligence, they could file a claim with that driver’s insurance company to collect compensation for medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages at work, pain-and-suffering, property damages, and much more.

However, if during the accident the airbags did not deploy or deployed wrong because of a manufacturing defect, and as a result the driver or passenger was injured more severely, they could also potentially pursue a product liability lawsuit against the automaker or the manufacturer of the airbag system in addition to their car accident injury claim. In order to do this though, you would need evidence that the airbag was defective.

Most common kind of product liability lawsuits involving airbag systems:

▷ Design Defects – Before the manufacturing process can begin, the design phase must take place. Sometimes, especially in the case of defective airbag systems, the design of a product is flawed, which can lead to product liability lawsuits.

▷ Manufacturing Defects – Manufacturing defects are one of the most common types of product liability cases within the airbag and automaker industry. Although the design of the product may be sound, negligence can occur or mistakes can be made in the manufacturing process, which later can cause defective airbag operation.

▷ “Failure to Warn” Negligence – Manufacturers have a duty of care to warn consumers of any foreseeable dangers and hazards with their products. When it comes to airbag systems, some product liability cases arise because the airbag manufacturer failed to place a warning on the airbag against children sitting in the front seat of vehicles.

Are you a victim of a wrongful car accident or defective product in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free personal injury case evaluation with a seasoned Indianapolis accident lawyer you can trust. We represent clients throughout the state of Indiana.

FAQS About Car Crash Personal Injury Lawyers

Posted on October 8, 2021 by admin

After being injured in a car crash in Indianapolis, you are likely wondering how to get started with the process of hiring an Indiana personal injury lawyer. After all, the thought of paying out of pocket for all your past, current, and future damages can be a scary one. Fortunately, there are plenty of qualified resources to rely on for answers to your auto accident personal injury questions.

Continue reading to review some frequently asked questions about car crash personal injury lawyers in Indiana, and even learn how to get started on a case evaluation soon.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Personal Injuries

Do I Need to Hire an Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney?

Regardless of how minor the insurance adjuster for the at-fault party claims your car accident injuries or damages might be, it is vital to retain professional legal representation from an experienced personal injury lawyer who specializes in motor vehicle accidents.

Many car accident victims make the mistake of believing they can represent themselves in a car crash personal injury claim; only later to discover that their case was worth much more than what they eventually settled for. A skilled and seasoned car crash attorney in Indianapolis will use every resource in their power to obtain the maximum settlement or verdict for you.

Can Wrongful Death Car Crash Victims File an Accident Claim in Indiana?

If you are a spouse or next of kin who has just suffered the wrongful death of a loved one, an Indiana auto accident lawyer will protect your rights to compensation for all of the resulting damages and losses incurred to the family, including medical expenses, hospital bills, loss of social security benefits, loss of income, loss of consortium, pain, suffering, and more.

What Will a Car Accident Attorney Do?

Not only will a car accident attorney in Indiana support you through your recovery process from start to finish, they will also navigate all elements and aspects of your personal injury claim. This includes recovering and scrutinizing all gathered evidence surrounding your case, interviewing any eyewitnesses or involved parties, documenting all testimonies, obtaining photographs, videos and other evidence, conferring with your medical professionals in regard to your injuries and recovery process, and if necessary, obtaining the services of an accident reconstruction specialist to assist in proving the fault of the other driver if necessary.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Crash Lawyer in Indianapolis?

Personal injury law firms in Indianapolis may differ in terms of their payment arrangement and business model, but most work on contingency. This means that clients do not pay any upfront lawyer fees or costs. In fact, clients do not pay at all unless their personal injury lawyers recover a settlement or verdict for them.

Once a settlement or verdict is obtained, then clients will pay the lawyers a previously agreed upon percentage of their compensation from the defendant’s insurance company. Furthermore, we offer free initial case evaluations to determine your eligibility for pursuing legal action against an at-fault party.

Where Can I Find the Best Car Crash Personal Injury Law Firm in Indianapolis?

The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. is ready to fight for your rights in an Indiana personal injury car accident case. We begin with a thorough review and assessment of the circumstances surrounding your auto accident so that we can document a strong case against the negligent party or involved third parties.

If we cannot get insurance companies or opposing parties to settle out of court and provide you the compensation you deserve and are owed, we take the lawsuit to court. Our Indianapolis Indiana car accident attorneys offer free case evaluations and do not collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you so there is no reason not to contact us today.

Are you ready to get started on your auto accident personal injury claim? Contact us directly at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed Indianapolis Indiana personal injury lawyer, today. We represent injured victims all throughout the state of Indiana.

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Information About Being Injured By a Driver Who Ran a Red Light

Posted on September 21, 2021 by admin

Some of the scariest car accidents that result in serious injuries or fatalities are those that occur as a result of driver negligence and red lights. In fact, a comprehensive study performed by AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals that over 900 people were killed in car accidents in 2017 because drivers failed to stop at a red light. This statistic represents a 28% increase in red light accidents and fatalities since 2012.

Unfortunately, running red light car accidents are a common personal injury claim here in Indiana. If you are a recent Indiana car accident victim due to a negligent driver who ran a red light, continue reading to learn what you need to know about pursuing legal action against them for the purpose of obtaining compensation for your damages and losses.

Red Light Car Accident Lawyer Indianapolis 317-881-2700

Understanding Negligence in a Red Light Running Car Accident Case

In all states, running a red light is illegal no matter how you look at it. If you are caught by law enforcement, you will likely be cited a ticket and pay a fine. However, if you run a red light and the result leaves another driver or pedestrian injured, there could be additional legal implications. You see, not only is running a red light a criminal offense, but it can also be a civil lawsuit because of a common legal principle known as negligence per se.

Because a driver is breaking a general traffic law or regulation, they are deemed negligent per se because such laws are set for the purpose of promoting safety and protecting people from injuries. Some states use negligence per se as proof that a driver violated a law, ordinance, or regulation, thus deciding the case entirely. Other states may use negligence per se as a piece of evidence showing that the defendant acted negligently.

An Indiana Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover Financially

In Indiana, the law recognizes negligence per se as evidence against an at-fault party in all types of personal injury cases. To understand your rights to pursuing legal action against an at fault driver who caused your injuries in a serious car accident, it is important to speak to a licensed Indianapolis personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Act fast before the statute of limitations runs out on your case, or evidence is lost that would support your claim.

Are you ready to get the settlement you deserve after being injured by a negligent driver in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free case evaluation with a seasoned Indianapolis car accident attorney, today. We represent clients throughout Indiana, including Indiana residents injured in other states.

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Top 5 Tips for Safe Driving in Indianapolis

Posted on August 27, 2021 by admin

The number of drivers who are seriously injured or killed in car accidents each year is astonishing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 3000 people were killed in a distracted driving car accident in 2019 alone, while more than 400,000 drivers and passengers were seriously injured because of distracted driving. What’s even more disconcerting is, with good intention and practice, distracted driving can be easily prevented. Therefore, no one should ever have to become a victim of a distracted driving car accident.

In fact, continue reading to learn the top five tips for safe driving in Indianapolis so that you can avoid becoming a distracted driver yourself and potentially harming another person in a car accident. Be sure to spread these tips among your friends and family to protect them as well.

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How to Avoid Distracted Driving

Know the Weather

Whether you are heading off to work or preparing for a long-distance road trip, the weather is something you always want to pay attention to when you plan on driving. Inclement weather conditions can increase the degree of hazard you experience on the road while driving, and if you add any type of distraction on top of that, it can pose a higher risk of being involved in a car accident.

If you know it’s going to rain, be sure your windshield wipers and tire tread are in good condition. If you know it’s going to snow, be sure to give yourself some extra time to clear off your windshield and warm your car up before taking off. If you know it’s going to be very hot, bring a windshield shade cover or choose a shaded parking spot for the day.

When the weather report predicts rainy, icy, or wet conditions, plan to leave earlier to give yourself some extra time; this way you won’t feel rushed on the road and tempted to speed or drive recklessly and because everyone on the road should be driving slower you will need more time to get to your destination safely.

Never Drive Under the Influence

Whether it’s alcohol, prescription drugs, controlled drugs, over-the-counter medication, or illicit drugs, never under any circumstances should you operate a vehicle when you are under their influence. Not only is it illegal, but it is very dangerous. Even something as unassuming and innocent as cough syrup can make you drowsy, which can cause you to lose focus while driving. Fatigued driving is one of the most dangerous types of distracted driving. In fact, that’s your next safe driving tip.

Get Plenty of Rest

It is important that you are well rested before operating a motor vehicle. Never drive when you are sleepy or drowsy because this can cause you to quickly lose focus on the road and other drivers around you. Even if you feel like you can stay awake, there is always a chance of slipping behind the wheel. Avoid taking prescription medications or over-the-counter medications that cause drowsiness before driving. Always check the label of your medications to be sure.

Avoid Distracting Behaviors While Driving

There are many things you might be doing behind the wheel of your car that you don’t realize are distracting. Examples include texting, taking phone calls, changing the radio station, entering coordinates into your GPS system, eating, putting on makeup, rummaging through your purse, taking your eyes off the road to reach for a food or beverage, checking for items in the backseat, and more. All of these behaviors are considered distracted driving, which is incredibly unsafe. So, when you are driving, stick to driving and only driving. Wait for a stoplight to perform any of these behaviors or pull over safely first. Here in Indiana, texting and driving is now illegal and you will be cited for an expensive ticket if you are seen by a police officer.

Do Not Drive Recklessly

One of the most effective best practices for safe driving is to simply follow all traffic rules and regulations. First, avoid reckless driving. This means drive the speed limit, obey all traffic signs, use your turn signals, give yourself plenty of room between vehicles, and so forth. Also, it is important to stay current on all of your automotive maintenance to ensure that your vehicle is in optimal condition for safe driving. By following these rules, you can avoid unsafe and distracted driving.

Were you injured or a loved one wrongly injured or killed in a car accident recently? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to meet with a seasoned Indiana car accident injury lawyer who can fight for your right to full and fair compensation. We can consult over phone, video, or in person at our In dianapolis law office. We represent injured persons and their loved ones throughout the state of Indiana and Indiana residents injured in other states.

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

Why Should Employees Injured in Work-Related Car Accidents Hire a Lawyer?

Posted on August 10, 2021 by admin

In last week’s blog, we discussed some of the most frequently asked questions about work-related car accidents, including various facts about workers’ compensation benefits, third-party claims, and hiring a car accident lawyer to represent injured people in such cases. In today’s blog, continue reading to learn how a skilled and specialized personal injury lawyer can protect wrongfully injured car accident victims by recovering the full and fair compensation they deserve for their damages and losses.

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Work-Related Car Accident Injuries and Claims

There are several reasons why an injured employee who is hurt and work-related car accident should hire personal injury lawyer. Here are some scenarios to demonstrate the importance of retaining proper legal representation after being injured in a car accident while performing work-related duties:

Employers or their insurance carriers may try to establish that an employee’s car accident wasn’t work-related and attempt to reject their workers’ compensation claim. If this were to happen, an employee would need a skilled litigator to fight for their rights to compensation by proving their case.

In the case that an employee’s workers’ compensation claim is approved, the employer’s insurance company may try to reduce the benefits of the claim or change the benefits in a way that negatively impacts the employee. For instance, the employer’s insurance company can have the worker compensation doctor the insurance carrier chose issue an opinion that an employee has reached maximum medical improvement and require them to return to work before they are actually capable; or the doctor chosen by the worker compensation carrier may issue a lower permanent partial impairment rating than should be issued. It is very important to understand that in most work-related automobile collisions, it is the worker compensation carrier and not the patient who chooses who the treating doctor is.

Numerous work-related car accidents involve third parties who may also be held accountable for any damages and losses suffered by an injured employee. Third-party claims are not handled by an employee’s insurance company or employer. An employee would be responsible for hiring their own lawyer to pursue any third party claims and they absolutely should.

An experienced personal injury lawyer is an injured victim’s best chance at obtaining the most successful outcome possible in a car accident claim. Indiana civil litigators are well-versed in tort law and may be able to find other types of settlements to pursue outside of workers’ compensation.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer after being injured in a work-related car accident makes the entire legal process easier for victims. Lawyers will handle and navigate every element of your case so that you can focus solely on getting better.

Hire a Workers’ Compensation/Third-Party Liability Lawyer FAST

It is very common for injured workers to lose out on their possible benefits a because they do not hire an Indianapolis IN workers’ compensation lawyer fast enough. In order to have a successful recovery, employees who are injured in a work-related car accident must get their investigation started early; before evidence is lost that supports their claim. Not only can witnesses forget details and paperwork and get lost in the shuffle, but all states have a set period in which a wrongfully injured victim can pursue legal action against an at-fault party known as the statute of limitations.

Are you ready to speak with an expert workers’ compensation and third party liability lawyer who can begin investigating your claim right away? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free consultation with a skilled Indiana workplace injury lawyer as soon as possible. We represent injured victims throughout the state of Indiana and Indiana residents injured in other states.

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FAQS About Work Related Car Accidents

Posted on August 6, 2021 by admin

In today’s workforce, many employees are required to drive as a part of their job-related duties. When an employee is involved in a car accident, whether in their personal car or in a company car, so long as they were performing work-related duties, workers’ compensation usually pays for all of their medical expenses and the majority of their lost wages from missing work. But after being in a car accident, injured victims suffer more damages than just medical expenses and lost wages. In such cases, they may be eligible to pursue in accident claim against third parties responsible for any damages resulting from their car accident injuries.

There’s a lot to know about work-related car accidents, workers’ compensation benefits, and third-party claims, but fortunately you don’t have to bother with any of this. As soon as you are capable, speak with a licensed Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to learn the best course of action for your car or trucking accident claim in Indiana.

In the meantime, continue reading to review some frequently asked questions about work-related car and trucking accidents to get a better understanding of what type of legal process you may experience ahead of you.

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What is Considered a Work-Related Car Accident?

A work-related car accident is when an employee who is performing work duties is involved in a car or trucking wreck or collision. The accident does not have to be with another vehicle; it can be just the employee. The most common types of work-related car accidents happen to those whose primary role is driving, such as delivery drivers, commercial truck drivers, bus drivers, and similar commuting-based vocations.

What are Some Other Types of Work-Related Car Accidents That May Be Covered Under Workers’ Compensation?

In addition to those whose primary role within the company is to drive, there are other types of work-related car accidents that can take place. Car accidents happen in an employer’s parking lot may be covered under workers compensation, as well as employees who are driving from one company location or job site to another for the purpose of a job shift change. Also, workers compensation may cover car accidents that occur to employees who are driving to or from a mandatory company meeting or event, such as a training program or conference.

What are Some Examples of Car Accidents That Would Not Be Considered Work-Related, and Therefore Not Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Not all car accidents are considered work-related even though they may appear to be. In such a case, employees would not be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. For instance, if an employee is involved in a car accident on their way to work or on their way home from work, their accident would not be considered work-related. Although every case is fact sensitive so it should be investigated.

Another example would be if an employee was in a car accident after a company social event, like a holiday party or charity fundraiser. Since the event is not mandatory, and employees are not compensated for their attendance, a car accident that takes place before or after the event might not be considered work-related.

What Should I Do if I Am injured in a Work-Related Car Accident?

As soon as you are involved in a car accident, whether it is work-related or not, your priority should be medical treatment. Contact the police and the paramedics to ensure that you and anyone else involved in the accident are seen by EMTs. Next, you want to start documenting the scene of the accident. So, be sure that you have the police there to file a police report, get a copy of the police report, and continue to document any other pieces of evidence via video or photos.

Take pictures and videos of the cars involved in the car accident, the nearby intersection, the streetlights, the surrounding environmental terrain, and anything else that could be used as evidence to support your car accident claim. It is helpful to also ask onlookers or witnesses for their contact information in the case that they can provide witness testimony later.

✨ Stay tuned for next week’s blog in which we’ll discuss why injured employees need to hire a personal injury lawyer after being involved in a work-related car accident.

Are you looking for a skilled personal injury attorney who can help you with your car accident or workers compensation claim in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free personal injury case evaluation. We represent clients throughout the state of Indiana.

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How to Obtain the Best Possible Outcome for Your Indiana Personal Injury Lawsuit

Posted on July 13, 2021 by admin

The Seasoned Litigators With Craven, Hoover, Blazek P.C. Will Recover the Maximum Settlement for You

If you or your loved one was recently involved in an accident here in Indiana, and as a result, has suffered serious injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your past, current, and future damages. In order to obtain the best possible outcome for your case, it is vital that you choose a skilled and qualified Indiana personal injury law firm to recover the maximum settlement or verdict for you.

Who can you trust to obtain a successful ending to your Indiana accident claim? Like thousands of accident survivors before you, trust none other than the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, Blazek P.C. in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Our Indiana Accident Lawyers Don’t Back Down to Insurance Companies

Let the expert Indianapolis personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, Blazek P.C. represent your accident claim after being seriously injured in an accident that was not your fault. Our experienced and knowledgeable accident lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies. In fact, our Indiana personal injury firm has a solid reputation for standing up to insurance companies, as well as various other opposing counsels, in order to recover the compensation our clients justly deserve.

We make sure that responsible parties are held accountable for our negligence and honor our responsibilities to our clients. Our legal teams work around the clock to secure all relevant documentation and records, such as police reports, medical charts, medical records, witness statements, and all existing evidence. We also secure expert testimonies and evaluations to back our case up with facts and more evidence. We will use every resource in our power to prove that you are owed compensation for medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and much more.

We Will Get You and Your Family the Compensation You Rightfully Deserve

As proud members of The Trial Lawyers of America, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and several other notable administrations, you can trust that you are in the hands of top-choice professionals with a passion for helping victims of negligent accidents. Since the start of our practice in 1995, we have earned a strong reputation for providing aggressive, comprehensive, and quality legal advocacy for our clients.

At our firm, our legal teams will work hard to build a strong case based on the facts that substantiate your injuries and damages so that you and your family receive the maximum compensation deserved. If a settlement is not agreed upon, we will take the case to court and present it to a jury and judge. We believe that fair compensation should reflect the full extent of a client’s economic and personal loss. We will ensure your case is successful.

Ready to learn your eligibility for pursing legal action to recover compensation? Contact us directly at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed Indianapolis Indiana personal injury lawyer, today. We represent injured victims all throughout the state of Indiana.

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Can I Be Sued for Someone Else’s Reckless Driving?

Posted on July 9, 2021 by admin

If you let someone else drive your car, whether it be your teenager, your boyfriend, or your best friend, there is a change you could be held liable in the case that their negligent or careless driving causes someone else harm. Continue below to learn more about this type of liability, and what you can do if you were injured as a result of another’s driving negligence.

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Vicarious Liability and Car Accidents

When it comes to liability and personal injury compensation, the primary element of every case is to determine who is at fault for the car accident. In doing so, it is possible for more than one person to be responsible, such as the case of letting someone else drive your legally-owned and registered vehicle. Even if you are not in the car nor at the scene of the accident, you could be held legally responsible for all damages incurred by the car accident victims if someone wrecks your car while driving it with your permission.

The relationship between you and the driver must be a certain type, however, in order for you to be liable as the vehicle owner. Such relationships include parent and child, employer and employee, and similar types of connections. This is known as vicarious liability, which is also referred to as imputed negligence. There is another area of law that applies in the case of loaning your vehicle to someone who you know is incompetent, called negligent entrustment.

For example, let’s say you loan your car to your best friend because hers is in the shop for the week. She goes on to drive your car intoxicated and causes a serious car accident, injuring other drivers and their passengers. Because you are the car owner, and you allowed them to operate your vehicle, it could be you that winds up a defendant in court, and accused of being liable for all damages and losses of the victims.

Parents and Teens

There are few relevant laws for parents who let their teenagers drive their vehicles. Negligent entrustment is a legal theory and applied law that holds parents or guardians responsible for all damages caused by their child’s negligent driving. This is often used in cases in which teens are unlicensed or inexperienced. Then, there is the Family Purpose Doctrine, which holds you, the car owner, liable for any damages caused to other drivers if a family member drives your car. This liability applies whether you give your relative permission or not.

Employers and Staff

In the case of driving a company car, the employer is legally responsible for their employee’s driving while they are performing work-related duties. If the employee drives negligently and causes a car accident, the employer will be the one who is liable for all damages incurred by the car accident victims, including property and personal injury damages.

Negligent Entrustment

If you were to loan your vehicle to someone who you know is irresponsible, negligent, reckless, unlicensed, intoxicated, a substance abuser, too elderly, ill, or otherwise unfit to drive a car, you would be legally responsible for any damages they cause while driving your car under negligent entrustment laws. This applies to both family members and non-relatives.

Are you an Indiana car accident survivor looking to be compensated for your damages and suffering? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Indianapolis car accident lawyer. We represent clients throughout the State of Indiana.

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Indiana’s Minimum Liability Limits for Auto Accidents

Posted on June 29, 2021 by admin

After being injured in a car accident in Indiana, one of the most common questions heard by personal injury lawyers is the question of whether or not there auto insurance policy to cover their medical bills and other related accident expenses. If you are a recent victim of an auto accident, it is important that you understand your rights to pursuing legal action against the party who is responsible for your damages and losses, including such costs and more.

Continue reading to learn the minimum liability limits in Indiana for auto accidents, and how to get started on personal injury car accident claim so that you may recover the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Indianapolis IN Auto Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Insurance Policy Coverage for Auto Accidents

Insurance companies are required by law to offer certain coverages for injuries and damages sustained by people. However, sometimes there is not enough insurance coverage to cover the full damages and losses suffered by an auto accident victim, including future damages like ongoing physical therapy, future pain and suffering or loss of ability to earn an income. Most often, car accident victims assume their costs will be covered, but then later discover there are major coverage gaps in their policy or the defendant’s insurance policy.

These days, cheap state-minimum insurance is common and/or the defendant may have no auto insurance at all. With the help of a seasoned Indianapolis Indiana accident lawyer, car accident survivors can obtain the full and fair compensation they deserve for their medical bills, hospital bills, lost wages, pain-and-suffering, and much more.

Minimum Liability Limits in Indiana

Bodily Injury –
Minimum $25,000 Per Person/$50,000 Per Accident
If the defendant is insured, this is the minimum coverage most defendants in Indiana have.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Here in Indiana, all registered drivers can purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. In the case of a car accident, you can collect your damages from your own insurance policy if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. Because state-minimum insurance is usually so inadequate or even non-existent, everyone should purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage through their own insurance carrier.

For example, let’s say a person is rear-ended in a collision and incurs $40,000 in medical bills, $5,000 in lost wage and obviously, pain and suffering. The defendant may only have $25,000 and the injured person collects that amount from the defendant’s insurance carrier. If the injured person has $100,000 in underinsured coverage, they can collect up to an additional $75,000 from their own insurance carrier in settlement of their injuries and damages sustained in the wreck.

It is vital that you retain a skilled car accident injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana.

If you were recently injured in a car accident, semi collision or slip and fall where you were significantly injured, it is important that you act fast before the statute of limitations runs out on your case, or evidence is lost that would support your claim. Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free case evaluation with a seasoned Indianapolis IN car accident attorney, today. We represent injured persons throughout the state of Indiana and Indiana residents injured in other states.

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