How to Prepare for Your Personal Injury Consultation

Posted on June 18, 2021 by admin

When meeting with a personal injury lawyer for the first time after being wrongfully injured in an accident that was not your fault, it is normal to experience a broad range of emotions, including nervousness, anxiety, and confusion. So, before your initial case evaluation at a personal injury law firm, help yourself by learning what to expect and how to prepare. Continue reading for tips on meeting the personal injury lawyer for the first time.

Indianapolis IN Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

The Purpose of a Personal Injury Case Evaluation

Virtually all personal injury law firms offer free initial consultations, which allow potential clients to learn their eligibility for pursuing legal action against the wrongful party who caused their accident and subsequent injuries, as well as get to know the lawyers and legal team that will be working the case. During your initial consultation, you will discuss your accident and injuries with a licensed personal injury attorney who will gauge the strength of your claim and determine the best course of action to recover compensation for your damages and losses from the at-fault person’s/company’s insurance company.

How You Can Prepare for Your Initial Consultation With an Accident Lawyer

There are plenty of things you can do on your end to be fully prepared for your initial consultation at a personal injury law firm. First, gather all relevant documents and proofs of evidence related to your accident and subsequent injuries. Such documents might include medical bills, notices, letters and/or emails from insurance companies, receipts, police reports, witness statements, medical records, doctors’ notes, records of current treatment, previous paychecks prior to your accident, and anything else that might have to do with your claim.

Once you have gathered all of the necessary paperwork and documentation that is related to your case, your next step to prepare for an initial consultation is to write down a statement or summary of your accident, injuries, and current quality of life and living situation. Be as chronological and detailed as you can, including any times, dates, people, places, and things involved in the accident. At the end of your summary, write down any questions you have for your lawyer. This way, you’ll be able to remember exactly what inquiries you have about your rights.

The Day of Your Case Evaluation

It is important that you arrive on time for your personal injury case evaluation. If you are unable to be on time, or unable to make it all together, be sure to call ahead and let the office manager know as soon as possible.

When you arrive at the office for your meeting, you will check in at the front desk with the office manager or receptionist. You will likely have a seat and a small waiting room, and then be escorted back to an attorney’s office by the attorney themselves or their paralegal. It is very important that you be completely honest with your lawyer and turn over all documents and paperwork that you have gathered for your case.

Are you ready to schedule a free personal injury case evaluation in Indianapolis? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to meet with a seasoned Indianapolis Indiana accident attorney you can trust to recover the settlement you deserve. We represent injured persons and dependents of loved ones in wrongful death cases throughout the state of Indiana.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Slip and Fall Lawsuits

Posted on June 15, 2021 by admin

When a slip and fall accident in Indiana causes you severe injuries, you can expect to also suffer several other types of losses, like mental and emotional anguish, lost wages, and medical bills. If your accident occurred as a result of another’s negligence, you need professional personal injury representation to successfully recover the maximum settlement you are owed for your damages and losses.

Not sure where to begin as a wrongfully injured victim? Continue below to review some frequently asked questions about slip and fall lawsuits, including how to find the right Indiana accident law firm for your claim.

Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers Indianapolis, Indiana 317-881-2700

Slip and Fall Accident FAQS

Do I Need to Hire an Accident Lawyer for My Slip and Fall Injury Claim?

If your slip and fall accident and subsequent injuries were caused by another’s negligence, you are highly encouraged to hire a personal injury lawyer to prove your damages and obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve. As the claimant, you have the burden of proving not only liability, but also damages and losses, past, current, and future. For this reason, a personal injury lawyer is a vital asset, as they have a full comprehension of the laws and therefore, retains the skills and acumen needed to prove your case. They navigate all the legal complexities of your claim, allowing you to put all of your focus on your own physical, mental, and emotional recovery.

How Will My Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyer Prove My Damages and Losses?

The primary aspect of a slip and fall accident claim is to identify the at-fault party. Who is ultimately responsible for the circumstances that made the accident take place? There can sometimes be more than one at-fault party. Your slip and fall lawyer will implement their legal resources to investigate every detail surrounding the accident and overall case, thus gathering the needed evidence to prove liability and duty of care owed.

Once your lawyer proves liability, they will then prove how the at-fault party was negligent, and how that negligence was a responsible cause of the accident and resulting injuries. Then they will present all evidence that proves your injuries and subsequent damages and losses. Such losses include pain, suffering, mental and emotional anguish, as well as lost wages from missing work, hospital bills, medical expenses, and more.

What are Some Common Types of Negligence That Cause Slip and Fall Accidents?

Some of the most common types of negligence that cause slip and fall accidents include wet or slippery floors with no warning signs nearby, crumbling or unlevel steps, torn carpeting, poor lighting, broken stair rails, poorly-maintained pavements, frozen ice on walkways that were not treated with deicer salts and spills on floors that are not cleaned up in a timely manner.

Can I Sue the Person or Company Responsible for My Slip and Fall Accident?

If your slip and fall accident occurred because another person or party acted negligently and failed to uphold their duty of reasonable care to protect you from harm, you should be able to bring a personal injury claim against them in order to obtain compensation for your damages and losses. You should consult with a skilled and experienced Indiana personal injury attorney to learn your eligibility to pursue legal action against a negligent party, and to professionally represent your claim. Most claims are settled out of court, but a competent law firm needs to be willing and ready to take your case to trial to ensure you receive the maximum settlement or verdict for your claim if necessary.

Are you ready to get started with your slip and fall injury claim in Indiana? Contact the accident attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. to schedule a free consultation with an Indianapolis Indiana slip and fall lawyer, today at 888-881-2700. We are happy to discuss your case over the phone, via Zoom, at your home or in person at our office. We represent injured people and wrongful death cases for clients throughout the state of Indiana.

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What if I Miss the Lawsuit Filing Deadline for My Personal Injury Case?

Posted on June 11, 2021 by admin

When it comes to personal injury claims, there is a deadline set by the state’s statutes of limitations. Although in most cases, if this deadline is missed, the claimant loses their opportunity to pursue legal action against the party at fault for the accident; however, there are some rare exceptions that might allow an extension depending on circumstances of the claimant’s case.

Continue reading to learn more about personal injury claims and statutes of limitations, and what might happen if you have missed or are very close to missing this deadline.

Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Statutes of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

Statutes of limitations is a state-level law that sets a time limit on how long a wrongfully injured victim has to pursue legal action against an at-fault party in order to collect compensation for their damages and losses. This set time period usually starts either from the date of the accident or the date of the onset of the injuries, and continues until the date the lawsuit is filed. These laws and deadlines differ from state to state, so it is important that you learn your particular state’s statute of limitations for your type of personal injury claim.

Not all personal injury claims have the same statute of limitations; although most cases are two years from the date of the accident, other types of personal injury cases have shorter or longer statute of limitations. For example, many personal injury cases that involve criminal offenses might have longer statute of limitations up to five years or more. Again, these deadlines differ among jurisdictions, so it is important for you to learn your states laws on filing an accident claim.

What Happens if You Miss the Deadline to File an Accident Claim?

If a personal injury claimant misses the deadline set by the statute of limitations, there are a few things that can happen. Most often, the personal injury claimant loses out on their opportunity to file a lawsuit. However, there are very rare cases in which personal injury claimants can be granted an extension or modify the statute of limitations for their particular type of claim.

Altering or Extending the Statute of Limitations

It is very rare for a claimant to be granted any sort of extension on or modification of the statutes of limitation for their personal injury claim, however it can happen. In legalese, it is referred to as putting a toll on the running of the statute of limitations time clock, which simply means pausing the time clock. This can happen it a few different types of scenarios, the most common including:

◑ The injured victim was under 18 years of age, and therefore minor at the time of the accident.

◑ The injured victim was medically incompetent or declared legally incapacitated from the time of the accident.

◑ The at-fault party attempted to hide evidence of their involvement in the accident, or hide the occurrence of the accident altogether.

◑ The at-fault party fled the state or hid from the law immediately following the accident in order to evade legal liability.

If you were recently injured in an accident that was not your fault, it is important for you to take the steps to learn your eligibility for pursuing compensation to cover your damages and losses, including medical bills and expenses, as well as pain-and-suffering and much more. Speak to an Indianapolis Indiana personal injury lawyer who can help you learn your rights and put you on the right path towards financial recovery.

Are you ready to get started on your personal injury claim 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 skilled Indianapolis Indiana accident attorney you can trust. Our law firm serves clients all throughout the state of Indiana.

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How a Personal Injury Attorney Will Prove Your Accident Claim

Posted on June 8, 2021 by admin

Negligence is the legal concept that personal injury cases depend on. You need proof of negligence for an injured victim’s legal team to recover compensation for the injured person’s damages. This is why it is so vital to hire a licensed personal injury attorney that is experienced in the specific type of serious accident (motor vehicle, trucking collision, slip and fall, wrongful death, etc…) you or a loved one were recently involved in.

Hiring a seasoned accident attorney will give you an advantage when it comes to proving fault in a personal injury case. Just be sure to act fast before evidence is lost and file a claim before your state’s statute of limitations runs out.

Continue reading to learn more about establishing negligence and personal responsibility in an injury claim.

Indianapolis IN Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

A Brief Explanation of Duty of Care in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Negligence can be defined in many ways, but there are two fundamental factors that make evident its basic concept: the two factors being “duty of care” and “breaching” that duty. Every person in the United States has a legal responsibility, or duty of reasonable care, to prevent or avoid causing harm to another person, whether intentional or accidental. Establishing a party’s duty of care is the primary step in a personal injury case, and the step your lawyer will be initially focused on.

Proving Liability

Your hired legal team will work to prove that the at-fault party had a responsibility and failed to uphold that responsibility, causing another person to get injured or killed. They need to show the jury or judge that a defendant breached their personal duty of care, which led to a person getting hurt. If these two concepts can be established and upheld, then a plaintiff has a greater chance of winning their case and recovering recompense for their damages.

Proving Damages and Losses

Once these two concepts are demonstrated and confirmed, the next step is to prove that their client (the injured victim or plaintiff) suffered damages as a result of the defendant’s negligence. For more information or advice regarding accident lawsuits and filing claims after being hurt in an accident, be sure to consult a licensed Indianapolis Indiana accid ent lawyer for accurate and knowledgeable counsel you can trust.

Are you ready to begin the process of filing an accident claim after being wrongfully injured in an accident or event? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn your eligibility for pursing legal action against a suspected at-fault party. Once a verdict or settlement is obtained, the at-fault party’s insurance carrier pays the verdict or settlement. From the initial consultation to the final verdict if necessary, our Indianapolis personal injury attorneys are by your side every step of the way.

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Why Choose Us for Your Indiana Car Accident Personal Injury Claim

Posted on June 4, 2021 by admin

If you were wrongly hurt, you deserve justice. It is vital that you act fast by speaking to a licensed and experienced personal injury lawyer who concentrates on motor vehicle accident claims and lawsuits. It is important to do this in order to avoid losing critical evidence and exceeding the statutes of limitations for your claim. Who can you trust to successfully represent your Indiana car accident personal injury claim and obtain the maximum settlement or verdict for your damages? The answer is simple:

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

Continue below to learn more about getting started on your financial recovery with the help of our esteemed car accident attorneys in Indiana.

Indianapolis IN Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indianapolis IN Car Accident Lawyers Who Will Fight For Your Right to Fair Compensation

Although based out of Indianapolis, our personal injury lawyers represent claimants all throughout the state of Indiana. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your case and determine your eligibility for pursing legal action against the at-fault party who caused the car accident. In fact, there are never any out-of-pocket fees for our services.

Our Indiana accident law firm was founded on the belief that wrongly injured victims and personal injury survivors deserve justice in the form of compensation. For that reason, we make it simple for injured victims to become our clients. Not only do we provide free case evaluations, but we also never charge any upfront lawyer fees. You do not pay us unless and until we recover a settlement or verdict from the at-fault party’s insurance company for you.

Motor Vehicle Accident Cases We Handle:

► Car Accidents
► Truck Accidents
► Commercial Truck Accidents
►Common Carrier Accidents (Public buses, trains, planes, etc.)
► Company Vehicle Accidents
► Motorcycle Accidents
► Boating Accidents
► Pedestrian Accidents
► Drunk Driving Accidents
► Wrongful Deaths

Common Types of Car Accident Injuries We Represent:

▷ Orthopedic Injuries
▷ Soft Tissues Injuries
▷ Whiplash
▷ Head Injuries
▷ Brain Injuries
▷ Compound Fractures
▷ Tissue De-Gloving
▷ Amputations
▷ Ruptured Organs
▷ Internal Bleeding
▷ Coma
▷ Wrongful Death
▷ And More

Get Started on Your Indiana Car Accident Claim ASAP

Each attorney at The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. has more than 25 years of experience representing car and motor vehicle accident cases in Indiana. If you or someone you love recently suffered injuries from a motor vehicle accident caused by negligence of another person, you may be entitled to compensation. We can obtain a settlement or verdict for your damages and losses, such as medical bills, hospital bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Again, you must act fast before evidence is lost and your time to file a claim expires.

Are you ready to get started on your car accident injury claim? Co n tact us as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation with a qualified Indiana car accident injury lawyer. We can speak via phone, video conference, or in-person at our Indianapolis personal injury law office.

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Do You Suspect Neglect at Your Loved One’s Nursing Home?

Posted on June 1, 2021 by admin

Whether it’s your parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or spouse, having a loved one in a nursing home is an experience filled with emotional highs and lows. But no matter what the circumstance is for you and your family, your loved one should never have to suffer abuse or neglect. If you are concerned that your loved one’s nursing care is not up to standard, or you suspect that neglect is taking place, it is vital that you investigate right away.

Start by spending more in-person time with them and discuss their daily experiences and schedules. This can help you identify the common signs of nursing home neglect and elder abuse. You should also speak with the staff and attending physicians about your concerns as well.

Continue reading to learn what signs to look for that suggest abuse or neglect is taking place, and what you can and should do about it.

Indianapolis Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer 317-881-2700

Nursing Home Neglect Cases

Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect is far too common. There are many types of neglect and abuse that can happen at a nursing home or senior care center, and they usually present themselves in tell-tale signs. However, elders don’t always speak up and notify someone when they are experiencing abuse, neglect, or any other kinds of problems in their care home. When elders are abused or neglected, they often hide it, while many others don’t even realize it’s happening to them. But if you keep a keen eye on your loved one and their habits, you should be able to identify the many signs and symptoms of nursing home abuse and neglect.

Common Types of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse:

▷ Wrongful Death
▷ Moving Injuries
▷ Inappropriate Use of Restraints
▷ Physical Assault
▷ Sexual Assault
▷ Not Enough Staff
▷ Emotional or Verbal Abuse
▷ Medication Malpractice
▷ Failure to Use Bed Rails Causing Falls
▷ Failure to Remove Elders from Wheelchairs Properly
▷ Prolonged Isolation or Abandonment
▷ Neglect (allowing/ignoring self-harm, etc.)
▷ Hygienic Neglect
▷ Unqualified Staff
▷ Financial Abuse
▷ Inattentive Staff (slip and falls, leaving the facility, simply not caring, etc.)

How to Identify the Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Elder Abuse:

▷ Staff advising of Self-Harming/Self-Abuse
▷ Depression
▷ Mood Instability
▷ Personality Changes
▷ Poor Hygiene
▷ Financial Inconsistencies/Problems
▷ Missing Money
▷ Malnutrition
▷ Extreme Weight Loss
▷ Severe Dehydration
▷ Bed Sores
▷ Orthopedic Fractures
▷ Unexplained Injuries or Bruises
▷ Missing Valuables
▷ Prolonged Isolation or Abandonment

What to Do if Your Loved One is Showing Signs of Elder Abuse or Neglect

If you suspect your elder is being abused, neglected, or mistreated at their assisted living center, your first step is to contact a seasoned and trusted Indiana nursing home neglect lawyer to learn your rights and best course of action. They have the resources and experience to implement proper investigation, information gathering, and questioning that will lead to proving fault and damages. You could obtain substantial compensation for your loved one’s losses, including pain and suffering and mental anguish. You should always take photos and keep notes on names of persons involved, dates and issues to go over with your attorney.

Are you ready to obtain justice for your abused or neglected loved one? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free consultation with an experienced nursing home neglect lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent clients all throughout the state, and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you.

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The 3 Primary Categories of Torts

Posted on May 28, 2021 by admin

Torts are civil wrong-doings, immoral behaviors, failing to use reasonable care and/or actions against civilians. Most often, torts come with consequences, like serious injuries and death. These consequences establish a civilian’s right to file a personal injury claim against a wrongful party and to recover damages from the wrongful party’s insurance carrier, except for intentional crimes.

Torts that result in serious injury or death can be punishable by imprisonment depending on the wrongful act; however, the objective of tort law is to provide for compensation for damages incurred by victims and families of victims. Its additional, and equally important, depending upon the tort, the intent is to prevent similar wrongdoings from occurring in the future.

Continue reading to learn the 3 categories of torts, and what to do if you are an injured victim who was wrongfully hurt in an accident caused by another.

Tort Law

There are several individual capacities of tort law that all depend on the type of injury or accident that harms a person. Types of cases involving torts include motor vehicle accidents, product liability, assault and battery, sexual harassment, drunk driving accidents, wrongful death, slip and falls, head or brain injuries, dog bites, nursing home neglect, motorcycle accidents, and several other types of infliction of emotional or physical trauma.

Most torts can be grouped into at least one of three separate categories: Intentional Torts, Negligent Torts, and Strict Liability Torts.

► Intentional torts are deliberate, premeditated, and purposeful. Assault and battery, sexual misconducts, and nursing home neglect are some examples of intentional tort.

► Negligent tort occurs as a result of carelessness and disregard. Disobeying traffic signals, failing to pay attention while driving, speeding and causing an accident that harms another person are examples of negligent torts.

► Strict liability torts, on the other hand, occur when a particular action causes harm or damage to another person, such as liability for making and selling defective products that are hazardous.

What to Do as an Injured Victim of a Wrongful Accident

Victims of torts can pursue fair compensation for damages incurred as a result of the tort. Exemplary damages include everything from pain and suffering to loss of companionship, and much more, such as lost wages, hospital bills, medical expenses, scarring or disfigurement, funeral expenses, prolonged rehabilitation, permanent disabilities, and much more.

Injured victims can also pursue compensation for damages like diminished quality of life and loss of benefits from a loved one’s death. Tort law is established to protect injured victims that were wrongfully hurt by a negligent party. Negligent parties can include people, companies, individuals, organizations, etc…

If you are a victim of tort or were recently injured in an accident caused by the negligence or misconduct of another party, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Contact a licensed personal injury law firm for professional guidance and counsel. It is important to take immediate action following a serious injury before the statute of limitation runs out. An experienced tort lawyer will substantially increase your chances and likelihood of winning your personal injury claim recovering compensation for your damages.

Are you ready to learn about your eligibility for recovering compensation as a survivor of a wrongful accident in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free consultation with a seasoned personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, today. We represent inured persons and the survivors in wrongful death cases throughout the state of Indiana.

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Common Damages Awarded for Traumatic Brain Injury Accidents

Posted on May 25, 2021 by admin

One of the most devastating and disastrous personal injuries a wrongly injured victim can suffer is a traumatic brain injury. Such injuries, also called TBI’s, are often life-threatening, but when they do not end up fatal, they can still leave a victim with long-term or permanent damage to the brain. Unfortunately, accidents that lead to severe brain damages are more prevalent than you can imagine. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 2 and half million people fall victim to a serious brain injury every single year.

If you are your immediate loved one was wrongfully injured in an accident that cause a traumatic brain injury, you are owed compensation for all of your damages and losses. Continue reading to learn what those might be, and how to find the right representation for a TBI accident claim in Indiana.

Indianapolis IN Brain Injury Lawyer 317-881-2700

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI’s)

A TBI is any type of serious injury to the brain. Often times, they are caused by a significant jolt or blunt force trauma. The most common causes for traumatic brain injuries are motor vehicle accidents, construction site accidents, slip and fall accidents, assault, pedestrian and cyclist accidents, and motorcycle accidents.

The resulting damages and effects of a traumatic brain injury vary on a wide spectrum. Such factors that influence the aftermath of a TBI include the type of injury, severity of injury, area of the brain injured, and much more. Some victims develop short-term symptoms, such as a mild concussion, while others live with symptoms and losses for the rest of their lives, such as motor skill issues.

Common short-term and immediate medical consequences of a TBI include migraines, headaches, dizziness, nausea, trouble focusing, blurred vision, and fatigue. Common long-term or life-long medical consequences often include permanent brain damage, loss of motor skills or control, behavioral changes or mood dysfunctions, and several other types of cognitive disorders.

Making a Traumatic Brain Injury Claim

Traumatic brain injuries do not just go away over time. The resulting damages from a TBI are usually life-long, and/or require extensive, on-going rehabilitation and treatment. For this reason, the law provides legal relief in the form of compensation for those who were injured by a negligent party and suffered serious brain damages as a result.

In order to learn your rights and eligibility for pursing legal action against the wrongful party who injured you or your loved one, you will need to find a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. They have the knowledge and resources to recover the full and fair settlement or social security disability verdict you deserve.

Common Damages Awarded to TBI Victims:

▷ Hospital and Medical Bills
▷ Pain and Suffering
▷ Mental and Emotional Anguish
▷ Diminished Quality of Life
▷ Income Loss
▷ Loss of Ability to Perform Same Work Duties
▷ Loss of Ability to Work, Drive, Etc.

Wrongful Death After Brain Injury

In the case that your loved one lost their life as a result of a serious head or brain injury, an accident lawyer can navigate a wrongful death lawsuit so that you can obtain compensation for losses such as household bills, medical expenses, funeral arrangement expenses, burial expenses, lost wages, lost benefits, loss of consortium, and much more.

Have you or a loved one recently suffered a TBI in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a seasoned brain injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Schedule a free initial case evaluation, today. We serve clients all throughout the state.

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How Long Does it Take to Settle an Accident Claim?

Posted on May 21, 2021 by admin

If your personal injury claim settles too quickly, does that mean you’ve settled for less compensation?

If your claim settles too slowly, will you be able to cover your out-of-pocket expenses while in recovery?

How long will it take to settle my case and receive payment?

These are common questions asked by wrongfully injured accident survivors all across the nation, and rightfully so. It is important to understand your rights as an accident victim, as well as your eligibility for pursing legal action against the at-fault party and their insurance carrier. Continue reading to learn how long personal injury claims take to reach a settlement or verdict, and what you can expect as a client of a skilled and experienced accident attorney.

Indianapolis IN Personal Injury Claim Law Firm 317-881-2700

The Beginning of the Personal Injury Claims Process

There are certain strategies that work better than others when it comes to obtaining the maximum settlement or verdict for a personal injury claim. The best and most effective approach is to hire a licensed and experienced personal injury law firm to represent you in your case. From there, they will navigate each and every aspect of your claim, using their own proven strategies to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve.

In fact, hiring a reputable Indiana accident lawyer is your first step you should take as soon as you are medically stable after an accident. Even if you are not medically stable enough to contact a lawyer and discuss your claim, you can have your spouse or next of kin do it for you. Family and guardian ad litems can file personal injury claims on behalf of an injured victim in certain circumstances.

Settling Too Quickly Can Mean Less Compensation

In most cases, settling a personal injury claim too quickly can result in being shorted on the compensation the victim is rightfully owed. Although there are some cases in which settling quickly is the right option, most times, a personal injury lawyer will continue to fight the insurance company until a maximum settlement is reached. This takes time, which is just one element of a personal injury case that can extend the amount of time it takes to come to an end. With a skilled accident lawyer on your case, you will not have to worry about settling too quickly and sacrificing monies that you could have been awarded or offered.

Why Cases Sometimes Take a Long Time to Settle

Along with back and forth negotiations and stubborn insurance companies, other common reasons why personal injury cases take longer to reach a settlement include:

▷ Victim has not yet reached maximum medical improvement (MMI);
▷ The case involves a considerable amount of money;
▷ There are legal or objective issues that need resolving.

Never accept a lowball settlement from an insurance adjuster after being wrongfully injured in an accident because once the settlement is agreed to, there is no going back on it if you find you need further medical care. Contact the accident attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free case evaluation with a seasoned personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana to learn more about your rights to compensation. We represent injured persons and the dependents in wrongful death cases throughout the state of Indiana and Indiana residents injured in other states.

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What is the Worth of My Personal Injury Claim?
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Are Bicyclists Considered Drivers if They Ride on the Street?

Posted on May 18, 2021 by admin

Are people on bikes considered drivers or pedestrians if they are riding in the street rather than on the sidewalk? When attributing fault for an accident, does this distinction matter? And is it legal for them to block traffic? If you were recently injured by a negligent cyclist as a driver or pedestrian, you will want to know this information and more.

Continue below to learn what most state laws say about bicyclists’ rights on the road, as well as what you should do if you were injured in a related personal injury accident that was not your fault.

Indianapolis IN Bicycle Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Understanding a Bicyclist’s Rights on the Street

If a bicyclist was riding recklessly, whether in the street or through a crossing, and they caused you to have a car accident, it is complicated to know whether or not they will be considered a driver or pedestrian when it comes time to assign liability. It is important to speak with a licensed personal injury lawyer who can explain the laws surrounding such situations, and how they are applied in the case of an accident claim. The truth is that cyclists’ rules and rights are positioned in a cloudy area of the law. Most states leave it up to their local municipalities to make and uphold such laws, which tend to further muddle the distinction between a cyclist being a pedestrian or driver.

However, even with the freedom of creating their own laws for bike riders, most jurisdictions remain in agreeance with the Uniform Vehicle Code, which states that those operating bicycles on the street are subject to the same traffic rules and responsibilities as those operating motor vehicles, and therefore, are considered drivers themselves, except where the law says otherwise.

Bicycles are Typically Viewed as Vehicles

The universally-accepted principal among most municipalities is that a bicycle is a type of a vehicle, so anyone operating a bicycle on the street is considered a driver. Some states actually mandate that bicycles have license plates if they are to be ridden on the road, while others require helmets or even a registration. In all states, it is illegal for anyone to ride a bicycle on the freeway or interstate, unless there is no other alternative route.

Cyclists Must Stay Right and Ride in the Same Direction as Traffic

Most states have provisions in their statutes that decree how far to the right a bicyclist should be when riding on the road. Although many people misread the statute and assume that it says riders should stay as far right as possible, it really says to say as far right as practicable. Furthermore, bike riders are required in most states to ride in the same direction as traffic, with a few exceptions, such as cross-traffic turns or to avoid a hazard.

Injured By a Negligent Bike Rider?

Bicyclists are not often considered pedestrians in the case of an accident that results in a personal injury. They do not usually have the right-away on crosswalks like those on foot do, and they can be held liable in the case that their carelessness causes a car accident, or some other type of serious accident. If you or your loved one recently suffered serious injuries after being involved in a car accident caused by a irresponsible cyclist, get in touch with an Indiana car accident injury lawyer right away.

Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a certified and skilled personal injury lawyer if you were injured in a car accident caused by a bike rider in Indiana. We are well-versed in Indiana bicyclist liability laws, and can ensure your rights to being compensated are fully-protected, and most importantly, upheld. Our Indianapolis car accident attorneys will obtain the maximum settlement or verdict for your personal injury claim, regardless of the size or scope of your accident.

Ready to get started on your financial recovery after a bicycle accident in Indiana? Contact us soon to schedule a free case evaluation, which can be held via phone, video conference, or in-person at our Indianapolis law office. Act fast to preserve your rights, before the statute of limitations runs out on your claim.

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