The Costs of a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Posted on July 16, 2018 by admin

When it is time to look for a reputable personal injury law firm to represent you in your accident claim, your first concern may be money. Fortunately, accident attorneys are on your side in terms of economic recovery; their primary goal is to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured in an accident. However, their services are not free, which means you can expect to pay lawyer fees. Furthermore, there are additional costs that you may incur in a personal injury lawsuit aside from lawyer fees.

Continue reading to learn which costs you are likely to incur in a personal injury lawsuit and who to talk to about making an accident claim.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Consultation Fees

Most personal injury law firms offer free initial consultations so they can determine whether or not a client has a strong case. This is because these firms work on contingency. This means they only get paid if they recover a settlement for you. If they do not believe they can recover a judgement in your favor, they will not take on the case, so there is no reason to charge a client for an initial consultation.

Contingency Fees

A personal injury lawyer gets paid a percentage of the money you are awarded in judgment, either after the trial or in settlement of your case before trial. This percentage is discussed and outlined for a client when an accident lawyer decides to take on their case. From the time they take on your case to the time of trial or settlement, you do not have to pay them as you go for additional meetings or time spent working on your case. However, once you receive your judgement, you must pay out the percentage they are owed, as outlined in your contract.

Additional Fees

After you pay your lawyer fees, there are additional fees that may be owed. You do not pay these fees out of pocket, or even as the case progresses; instead, these fees are paid out of your settlement after you have paid the lawyer fee. Personal injury lawyers may or may not front medical costs; it depends on the bar rules in your state.

The most common fees you might expect to pay in a personal injury lawsuit include:

☑ Copies of Records and Reports (i.e. medical records, police reports, etc.)
☑ Legal Research Costs
☑ Court Costs (i.e. Filing Fee, Deposition Fees, etc.)
☑ Investigators Fees
☑ Expert Witness Fees
☑ Office Expenses (i.e. Copying, Faxes, etc.)

It is vital to talk to a trusted Indianapolis personal injury law firm right away about your accident claim. They can help you choose the best course of action for financial recovery. They have the knowledge and resources to answer your questions about legal concepts and claim procedures, as well as, provide up-to-date information you can trust.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Claims

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed attorneys are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured in an accident caused by another party. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you.

Common Terminology in a Personal Injury Claim

Posted on June 25, 2018 by admin

A personal injury is harm or damage incurred as a result of another’s negligence or other conduct. This includes physical injuries like broken bones, concussions, lacerations, wounds, burns, internal organ damage, back and neck injuries, head injuries, slip and falls, and wrongful death. It may also include mental and emotional harm, such as damage to one’s reputation in the case of slander or defamation. Sexual harassment and discrimination are other examples of mental and emotional harm.

Continue reading to familiarize yourself with some common personal injury claim terms that will help you better understand your case. Always talk to a seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to get professional advice and assistance with making an injury claim.

Personal Injury Lawyers
317-881-2700

⚖ Tort ⚊ A wrongful or immoral act that causes another person injury or harm. Often times, you will hear personal injury law referred to as “tort law.”

⚖ Accident ⚊ An unintentional and unanticipated event that causes harm to a person, a person’s reputation, or their property.

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

⚖ Damages ⚊ Economic compensation that is awarded by a court in a civil action to a party who has been injured through the wrongful conduct of another party.

⚖ Pain and Suffering ⚊ The physical and/or mental distress experienced by a victim after being injured in an accident.

⚖ Liability ⚊ In tort law, the term “liability” refers to the legal responsibility for one’s acts or omissions.

⚖ Plaintiff ⚊ The party, or group of individuals, bringing forth a lawsuit. Also referred to as a claimant.

⚖ Defendant ⚊ The person or entity that is being presented with a lawsuit from the plaintiff. The party supposedly liable for the plaintiffs’ injuries and damages.

⚖ Party ⚊ A participant in a lawsuit. This may include the person (plaintiff or defendant), their insurance company, and their attorney.

⚖ Claimant ⚊ Also referred to as the “plaintiff”, it is generally the party who brings forth a lawsuit.

⚖ Tortfeasor ⚊ The tortfeasor is the actual person who demonstrated negligence that caused someone harm or damage (also referred to as the “at-fault party”). In some cases, it is the defendant rather than the actual at-fault person. For example, in the case of a minor, the parents might be the defendants, while the juvenile is the actual tortfeasor.

⚖ Lawyer ⚊ The licensed legal party that represents a claimant or a defendant. Sometimes one person, and other times, a small team of people.

⚖ Judge ⚊ A pubic officer that is appointed to hear and decide legal cases in a court of law.

⚖ Jury ⚊ A small group of selected individuals that assist a judge in identifying the guilty party in more complex lawsuits.

⚖ Answer ⚊ The pleading filed by the defendant or opposing party in response to the claimant’s allegations and requests, revealing their position in the case.

⚖ Complaint ⚊ A pleading or formal expression of grievance filed in the appropriate court by the plaintiff.

⚖ First Party Insurance ⚊ The claimant’s insurance company.

⚖ Third Party Insurance ⚊ The defendant’s insurance company.

⚖ Third Party Claim ⚊ A personal injury claim that is filed with the insurance company of another person or entity. They are brought forth by individuals who were purportedly injured or harmed by another party.

⚖ Adjuster ⚊ An individual appointed by an insurance company to handle and investigate a claim. Their purpose is usually to coordinate a settlement that doesn’t require the insurance company to pay out, or pay-out as little as possible.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers You Can Trust

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured in an accident caused by another party. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you.

A Brief Explanation of Compensatory and Punitive Damages

Posted on June 12, 2018 by admin

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

In tort law, there are 2 main categories of damages that can be awarded in a personal injury case: compensatory damages and punitive damages. The chief objective of such damages is to restore an injured victim’s quality of life back to the way it was before they were involved in an accident. Continue reading to learn more about each category of damages, as well as, what to do if you were recently denied sufficient compensation to cover your losses after being injured in a serious accident.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are meant to restore a victim’s losses that were incurred as a result of a defendant’s wrongful conduct or negligence. Types of losses that fit this category include property damage, hospital bills, current and future medical expenses, lost wages, prolonged physical therapy, permanent disfigurement or scarring, loss of consortium, reduced quality of life, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and more. The most common accidents that result in compensatory damages being awarded are generally those that involve carelessness and negligent, such as car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and product defects.

Punitive Damages

Cases in which a defendant’s conduct was especially egregious, a court may award a victim with punitive damages. These are generally reserved for those who deserve penalty or punishment for an outrageously negligent or illegal act that harmed another person. An at-fault party in this type of case would likely face criminal prosecution too. Not only will courts use punitive damages to punish a defendant, they may also award them to set an example for the rest of the community. Common examples of such cases include drunk driving accidents, wrongful deaths, and medical malpractice.

Nominal Damages

Aside from the standard compensatory and punitive damages awarded in a personal injury lawsuit, there is a third category that is not as common called nominal damages. Nominal damages are small sums of money that are sometimes awarded to injured victims who have not incurred a significant economic loss or injury, but did experience an invasion of rights. Although minimal in funds in most cases, these damages are still important because they allow injured victims to pursue legal recompense for an immoral act against them, even if the act didn’t cause any financial repercussions. A court may award nominal damages to a plaintiff simply to show that the plaintiff is right and the defendant is wrong. They can be as low as 1 dollar since they are really meant to prove a point.

An Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm You Can Trust

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help making a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned accident attorneys are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you.

What are the Two Types of Causation in the Law?

Posted on June 4, 2018 by admin

According to Wikipedia.com, the legal concept of “causation” can be defined as “a means of connecting conduct with a resulting effect, typically an injury.” In the law, there are two separate types of causation: proximate cause and cause-in-fact. This concept is important in personal injury law since the top priority for every injury case is to prove that a defendant was negligent, and that their negligent actions caused a victim harm. However, a victim must be able to provide sufficient evident of both types of causation, as well as various other facts, in order to win their case.

Continue reading to learn more about proximate cause and cause-in-fact, and where to get free information regarding your potential injury claim.

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Cause-in-Fact

Also referred to as “actual cause”, cause-in-fact is the principle of showing evidence that proves a defendant’s actions “caused” a victim’s injuries, and ensuing damages and losses. For instance, if you were injured by a drunk driver while driving your vehicle, you would have to show evidence that proves their misconduct (operating a vehicle while intoxicated) was a direct cause of the accident, which subsequently caused your injuries.

To determine cause-in-fact, the “But-For” test is often used. Here is an example of how to apply the “But-For” test to the above scenario: “But for driving while intoxicated, the accident would not have taken place.”

Proximate Cause

Proximate cause is a complicated legal concept. Essentially, proximate cause exists if a victim’s injuries were foreseeable. It supports the notion that a defendant should have reasonably anticipated that their actions could cause a victim harm. Taking into consideration the above-mentioned example, a driver should have reasonably foreseen that operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated can cause an accident that injures another person.

Talk to an Accident Lawyer Today

If you were recently injured in an accident that was not your fault, it can help having a legal professional navigate your claim for you. To learn more about your potential injury claim, talk to a licensed Indianapolis accident lawyer as soon as possible, before the statutes of limitations runs out. They have the knowledge and resources to answer your questions about legal concepts and claim procedures, as well as, provide up-to-date information you can trust.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Representation

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 when you need to make a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Here at our law firm, we are eager to help injured victims recover the full and fair compensation they deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your claim. Contact us today to get started.

How Can I Tell Whether or Not I Have an Injury Case?

Posted on April 24, 2018 by admin

After sustaining injuries in an accident, there are thousands of questions and concerns going through your mind, such as “Am I going to be Okay?”, “How long will it take for me to recover?”, Will my injuries affect me long-term?”, “Is the quality of my life at stake?”, and “How will I pay my bills if I’m unable to work?”

Not only are these questions all incredibly important, they are also very common to experience after a serious accident. In fact, there are several more frequently asked questions among accident victims; one of the most communal being, “Do I have an injury case?” If you are asking yourself this same question, continue reading to learn an effective approach for finding the right answer.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers
317-881-2700

There are three fundamental questions you can ask yourself in order to better understand if you have a valid personal injury case or not. Your answers can help you comprehend the facts surrounding your accident, and give you a place to start in your pursuit towards resolution. However, keep in mind that every case is different, so you cannot base your case’s validity solely on these questions.

So after finishing your personal valuation, you must consult with a licensed Indianapolis personal injury attorney. They will make a professional case assessment based on the unique factors of your situation and offer the best course of action for your particular claim.

Here are the 3 questions to ask yourself before you contact an injury lawyer:

❶ Did I Sustain Serious Injuries?

First, you need to ask yourself if you were seriously hurt. If you are not hurt, you do not have a strong injury case. If you are injured, this question is often the easiest to ask yourself because only you truly know the extent of your pain and suffering. In addition, you need to consider all of the professional medical diagnoses you’ve received following the accident. Remember that “harm” is not always just physical; it can also be emotional or financial.

Economic damages are often awarded to cover financial harm like hospital expenses, medical bills, and lost wages. Physical and emotional damages are sometimes awarded to compensate for harm like life-long disability, permanent disfigurement, PTSD, or loss of companionship. The factors that define an “injury” vary greatly, and can be quite complex. Only your accident attorney can help you fully understand your rights and limitations regarding your injury case.

❷ Is Someone Else Responsible for My Injuries?

If you are seriously injured, your next question should be directed at a liable party. Think about who could be at-fault for the accident that caused your injuries. This can be very complicated since more than one party could be responsible for your accident and subsequent injuries, including yourself. Sometimes, there is no one to blame for an accident or injuries, such as in the case of harsh weather.

In addition to targeting a liable party, it must also be determined whether or not they acted negligently. The act of negligence is generally defined as “behaving below an acceptable or reasonable standard of care.” Basically, if you do something careless that causes another person harm, then you would be legally responsible for the all of the harm that person suffers. If you suspect that someone else is responsible for your injuries, you must act fast and contact an Indianapolis personal injury attorney right away.

❸ Is There an Available Resource That Can Compensate Me?

If you are seriously injured and it was someone else’s fault, your next inquiry should be in regards to how you will get paid. Who is going to compensate you for all your damages and losses? In most personal injury cases, the liable party’s insurance company pays the settlement, usually auto insurance, homeowners’ insurance, both, or other type of coverage.

In other cases, there may not be an insurance company involved at all. This means that the liable party would be forced to pay out of pocket; but if they do not have any assets or money, this is not likely to happen. It is important to hire a seasoned personal injury law firm that has the skills and resources to locate additional insurance coverage and recover the settlement money you deserve.

Were You Hurt in an Accident?

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a licensed Indianapolis personal injury attorney who can determine the best strategies for your case. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Contact us today at 317-881-2700 to learn more about getting started.

Can I Make a Claim for an Injury Sustained at a Beauty Salon?

Posted on April 16, 2018 by admin

Men, women, and even kids enjoy a visit to their local beauty salon. Whether or a haircut, color, eyebrow trim, manicure, massage, or some other beauty service, it is the responsibility of the salon to ensure you are in safe hands. So what happens if you are injured at a beauty salon? Who is liable? Who pays for your medical expenses and lost wages? After seeking immediate medical attention following a beauty salon accident, the best course of action to take is to contact a local Indianapolis personal injury law firm to discuss liability and your rights to remuneration.

Continue reading to learn more about beauty salon liability, injury claims, and lawsuits.

Beauty Salon Injury Claims 317-881-2700

Beauty Salon Accidents

If you think about it, a beauty salon can be a dangerous place. From the chemicals and electrical equipment, to the sharp steel used to cut, shape, and trim, there are thousands of accidents waiting to happen at your local salon. Fortunately, most salons are very professional and highly trained at protecting clients and staff from harm, which is why the beauty salon injury rate is quite low every year.

However, beauty salon accidents do occur from time to time when carelessness comes into play. The scope of injury that can occur in a beauty salon ranges from slightly embarrassing to deadly.

Common accidents that result in injuries to salon patrons include:

Burns – Burns are one of the most common salon injuries. They can occur from improper color or chemical treatments, curling irons, blow dryers, waxes, ointments, and anything else than can irritate or burnt the skin. Burns are usually minor and can be self-treated, however, more serious burns can result in prolonged treatments, scarring, permanent hair loss, skin graft surgeries, permanent disfigurement, and mental anguish.

Neck and Back Injuries – Neck and back injuries are also common in massage parlors and hair salons. The reclining position used to wash hair in the salon sink can cause strain or stress to the neck, while improper massage practices can injure the muscles in the neck or back.

Lacerations – Another common injury that occurs at beauty salons are cuts, scrapes, and similar skin wounds. These can occur from negligent hair cutting, waxing, eyebrow trimming, nose and beard trimming, and certain laser treatments.

Slip, Trip and Falls – Slip, trip, and fall accidents are also common at beauty salons. All sorts of equipment are plugged into the walls, leaving electrical cords exposed in some circumstances. Also, floors are often covered in hair debris, and the areas around sinks can get splashed with water from shampooing service. When these obstructions are not dealt with in an efficient and reasonable fashion, it can cause a person to fall and incur serious muscle and orthopedic injuries.

Beauty Salon Negligence

If a serious injury occurs to a beauty salon client, they may have a negligence claim against the salon. The salon could be held liable for the client’s losses and damages incurred as a result of the injuries sustained in their salon. These may include compensatory damages such as lost wages, hospital bills, and medical expenses, or other forms of losses, like pain, suffering, permanent disfigurement, reduced quality of life, mental anguish, and more.

There are several aspects involved in proving a negligence claim against a beauty salon; however, the chief factors include showing evidence that:

☑ The salon had a duty of care to protect their clients from such injury.

☑ The salon did not act according to reasonable standards to prevent such injuries.

☑ The client was injured as a direct result of the salon’s failure to act according to reasonable standards to prevent such injuries.

Making a Claim for a Beauty Salon Injury

If you or a loved one was injured in a beauty salon, it is strongly encouraged to consult with a seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyer for information about your potential claim. The actual liable party depends on several factors, and sometimes, it may not even be the beauty salon. For instance, if you were injured by a malfunctioning electrical appliance, like a curling iron, it is likely that the manufacturer is liable, rather than the beauty salon or an individual technician. Be sure to talk to a licensed attorney to learn exactly where you stand with your beauty salon injury claim.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers Who Can Help

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

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

The Do’s and Don’ts for Personal Injury Plaintiffs

Posted on April 10, 2018 by admin

When a person acts negligently or behaves in a way that causes another person injury, the insurance carrier for the at-fault driver or negligent actor can be held liable for the victim’s losses and damages, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more. For those who are at-fault and those who are not at-fault for an accident resulting in injuries to others, it is important to follow the proper procedures in order to avoid making matters worse or potentially breaking the law.

Continue reading to learn what to do and what not to do if you cause an accident that harms another person or if you are the person who was harmed.

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

It can be very scary being involved in a serious accident, especially if that accident involves injury. The stress of a collision can understandably cause a person to use poor judgement or make brash decisions following an accident, but it is important to remain calm and keep your composure. Learning what you should and shouldn’t do in the case that you are involved in a serious accident can better prepare you for what to expect and how to handle the situation without panicking.

If You are Involved in an Accident…

DO:

Call the Police – Law enforcement and emergency personnel should be contacted immediately following an accident. If a witness, bystander, or other party has not done so, call the police yourself. They will arrive on scene to provide medical care and collect statements from all witnesses and involved parties. It is vital to have a police report on file to solidify the facts of the accident so no one can change their stories later on.

Be Cooperative – Always be entirely honest and cooperative with all police officers and emergency personnel. Stay out of their way at the scene of the crime, and remain polite and courteous when discussing the accident. Listen to their instructions and take them very seriously. If you are belligerent in any way, law enforcement can arrest and detain you for disorderly conduct and more.

Give and Take Information – Especially for motor vehicle accidents, if possible, be sure to exchange information with all parties involved, as well as, any witnesses that saw the accident take place. If you or the other person are too injured to do so, law enforcement generally handles it. Important information includes name, address, phone number, license plate numbers, email address, and insurance information. Part of this step includes picture-taking as well. It is very important to take as many pictures of the scene and damages as possible. Use your cell phone or an emergency disposable camera in your car. If you do not have either, ask another person to send you the pictures they take, or buy a disposable camera at a nearby gas station or convenient store.

Notify Your Insurance – Immediately following an accident, you must contact the insurance company to notify them of the accident and injuries. If you do not contact your insurance company as soon as possible, your claim can get denied.

Retain an Attorney – It is important to protect and secure your rights. Hiring an attorney will provide this security. The sooner you retain legal counsel, the easier it will be to get through the process.

BUT NEVER…

Leave the Scene of the Accident – You must wait for the police to arrive to allow you to leave.

Move Your Car – If it is a car accident, do not move your vehicle to the shoulder or side of the road, or anywhere at all. It must remain in the exact place the accident left it in order for the police to obtain evidence and facts regarding the event.

Discard or Conceal Evidence – This is against the law. If it is relevant to the accident or resulting injuries, it must be saved.

Talk About the Accident – Unless you are talking to YOUR attorney, you should never discuss the accident with anyone until the entire case is over. This includes the other party’s legal team and all insurance adjusters.

If You Were Injured in an Accident…

Contact an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer right away to learn your rights. They are able to quickly determine if you are entitled to compensation for injuries and damages following a serious accident. If you are, they have the experience, knowledge, and resources to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after experiencing a traumatic injury or accident as a result of another person’s negligence.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 when you need an experienced Indianapolis personal injury law firm you can trust. Their personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless they prevail for you! Get professional representation after being injured in an accident in Indianapolis, IN.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Accident Lawyer?

Posted on April 4, 2018 by admin

It is always best to hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you or your family in an accident case, however, many people are hesitant to do so out of fear that they charge too much for their services. If you want to know how much an accident lawyer charges for their services, continue reading and review the several types of pay rates and price tiers that are common among law firms and independent attorneys.

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Understanding Lawyer Fees

Law firms collect their fees in a variety of ways. It can depend on the type of case, the lawyer’s experience and more. Common payment arrangements used by law firms and lawyers include hourly rates, flat rates, retainers, and contingent fees. Flat rate fees are generally arranged for basic and simple legal services, like divorces and wills. Hourly fees are the most common payment arrangement for lawyers, and vary in price depending on the lawyer’s experience. Hourly attorney rates can be anywhere from $50 to $1,000 per hour! However, these rates vary from firm to firm.

Contingent Fees and Retainers

Retainers are used for certain cases and charged upfront before services are rendered. As clients are billed, the amount is deducted from the retainer as the case proceeds. Contingent fees are only collected if a lawyer wins a settlement for their client. This means they work on a contingent fee basis. This is most common for personal injury lawyers and law firms like ours.

Most personal injury law firms, including ours, offer free initial consultations to discuss your accident and assess whether or not it’s a valid claim. If it is valid, they will accept the case and move forward with the legal process upon your request, without ever collecting lawyer fees unless they win your settlement. So most often, no upfront fees are necessary, but this is not the case for all firms.

Recovering a Settlement

Once a settlement is recovered, there are different methods and price tiers of payment collected by lawyers. How they choose to collect or charge their fees all depends on the firm or the lawyer themselves. A certain percentage is deducted from the settlement amount and paid to the personal injury attorney for their services. But if the client does not win their case, the lawyer collects nothing. Generally, accident lawyers collect one third of the settlement recovered; however, these percentages vary among firms.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We never collect attorney fees unless we win your settlement. We concentrate on various accident cases, including motor vehicle accidents, slip trip and fall accidents, dog bites, workers compensation, and much more. Call 317-881-2700 to file a personal injury claim, today.

Who is Liable if an Adolescent Causes a Car Accident?

Posted on March 28, 2018 by admin

Car Accident Claims for Minors 317-881-2700

In almost all automotive accident cases, the main objective of both parties is to prove who is responsible for the resulting damages. Avoiding liability and recovering compensation depends on which parties acted negligently to cause the accident, and to what degree. This means, a party involved in the accident will be proven at-fault and held liable for any economic damages and losses suffered by the injured party.

Although this is standard procedure under law, there are circumstances in which a person who was not present or driving the vehicle can be sued and held liable for a motor vehicle accident. This is referred to as “vicarious liability”, or “imputed negligence”, and it plays a major role in situations where minors cause serious car accidents that involve injury to one or more parties.

Vicarious Liability

Even if a person was not driving their vehicle, or even present at all during the accident, there is still a possibility that they could be sued for damages in a car wreck. This is mostly common among parents who lend their vehicles to their children, or have their children’s vehicles in their name. If a minor causes a car collision that results in another person’s injury or death, the parents of that minor can be held liable for all damages under vicarious liability law. There are a few separate ways in which this can occur.

Negligent Entrustment

The law may perceive a parent, also referred to as an “entruster”, as negligent if they allow their teenager to drive a vehicle in their name knowing that their child is reckless, untrustworthy, inadequate at driving, or unlicensed. If a child falls under any of these descriptions, and subsequently causes a serious accident, the guardians can be held accountable for the damages.

They can be sued for high amounts of compensation to cover automotive repair costs, hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, prolonged therapy, lifelong disabilities, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and much more. There is virtually no limit to which a victim can sue a negligent parent after their teenager causes them serious injury from a motor vehicle accident.

Family Purpose Doctrine

In the case that a member of the family borrows another family member’s vehicle, with or without permission, and then causes an accident, the car owner can be held liable for the damages incurred. This holds true regardless if consent was granted or not. In other states, whoever signs for a minor’s Drivers’ License is the authority that can be held accountable if a minor causes serious injury to another person while driving.

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for motor vehicle accident claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. If you or a loved one was recently injured in a car accident caused by a minor, call our licensed personal injury attorneys right away. There is a statute of limitations in Indiana that regulates the amount of time a victim has to legally pursue compensation for a serious injury. When you need strong and successful legal representation following a serious car accident, we are the trusted personal injury lawyers to trust. Schedule a free initial consultation, today!

Our Law Firm Never Charges Lawyer Fees Unless We Recover a Settlement for You!

Posted on March 26, 2018 by admin

Do not allow personal injury lawyer costs to hold you back from getting the full and fair compensation you deserve. The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. will settle your case, or you owe nothing. Call us for a FREE consultation 317-881-2700.

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Here at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we are your number one advocate after being wrongly injured. We are seasoned personal injury lawyers who work around the clock to ensure every detail of your case is investigated and managed. We use every resource in our power to recover sufficient compensation for your injuries, losses, and damages. Furthermore, statutes of limitations are honored here in Indiana, so we feel eager to remind anyone that has been involved in an accident to contact our personal injury law firm as soon as possible to discuss filing a claim.

A Contingency-Fee Basis That’s Convenient for You

It is normal to feel concerned and overwhelmed about the thought of having to pay for lawyer services, especially during a time when bills are adding up faster than you can blink. You may be worried that you cannot afford such services along with all your other financial obligations. Fortunately, you do not have to pay these concerns any attention when you have our personal injury law firm working on your claim. Our personal injury clients never have to worry about budgeting attorney costs. That is because they are never required to pay any lawyer service fees unless we recover a settlement for them.

So what does this mean for you? As a potential client of ours, you do not owe us a penny for lawyer services if do not collect a settlement for you!

Our licensed and skilled personal injury lawyers have extensive trial and litigation experience, and are seasoned in several areas of civil and tort law. We utilize our knowledge of the law and our hands-on litigation experience to help you get the full and fair compensation you deserve after being negligently injured in an accident.

We Have the Resources to Be Successful With Your Claim

If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident that was not your fault, we have the resources to protect your needs. Do you need medical coverage? Are you missing work and losing out on pay? All these concerns and more can be addressed by one of our highly experienced personal injury lawyers. We work hard to recover compensation that will be sufficient enough to cover all of your lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, prolonged therapy, and much more. At Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we promise to not collect any payment at all for our services unless we are triumphant in your case.

Experienced Accident Attorneys Working for You

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call our office today at 317-881-2700 and schedule a FREE initial consultation to discuss your Indianapolis personal injury claim. Seasoned attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are ready to listen to your case and determine the best strategy for pursing a claim. At your free initial consultation, you can have your case heard and evaluated without any payment obligations. Contact us to get started in your financial recovery, today.