Category Archives: Personal Injury

The “Yes and No” Guide for Personal Injury Accidents

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If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that resulted in serious injuries, be sure to know the “do’s and don’ts” of your situation. A person that has been hurt in an accident can easily make fatal mistakes and risk forgoing any future claim with a simple and thoughtless mistake. Go over these rules and advice for personal injury cases so that you are prepared to fight for your rights in the most effective way.

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Say “YES” to…

Always carry, or have on you, a disposable camera. It is recommended to carry one in the glove compartment of your car, but often times, people have camera phones and digital cameras on them at all times. No matter what form of camera you may have, always be sure to have one in case of an accident. This way, you can document the scene of the accident, as well as, your injuries that you’ve sustained. Having this fresh footage will be a huge advantage for your cases in any future claims.

Collect as much information about the parties involved in the accident. Write down their name, address, email, phone number, secondary phone number, insurance details, and drivers’ license number. All of this information is necessary to have if you wish to pursue compensation for your damages.

Collect the same type of information from every single witness that is willing to testify. Get their names, numbers, addresses, email, and their permission to contact them, either you or a lawyer, to be a witness to the accident.

At the scene, discuss the accident in detail with police. Be sure to tell them of your injuries because they will be preparing written statements about the accident and the persons involved. By notifying police that you are injured, insurance companies will be able to see that being testified in the officer’s written reports, and will help your case. Be sure to seek medical attention immediately and make report of that as well.

Tell Yourself “NO” to…

Never speak or provide written or oral statements to any third party committees. Do not speak to insurance adjusters, reps, or anyone else except your lawyer and the police. Once you have been briefed by your personal injury lawyer, they will let you know how to prepare for those types of conversations.

Always stay in constant communication with your attorney during the case. If you are approached by anyone wanting formal information about the case or the accident, call your lawyer right away. This way, your attorney can speak with these third parties and give them the pertinent information they are seeking, without jeopardizing the case.

Do not sign anything! Do not write checks, sign documents, or even agree orally to sign or pay for something. This gesture can destroy any claim that you had pending. Trust your attorney and let him guide you in the right direction.

The legal system is complicated, tricky, and tedious. It is crucial to hire a professional in the industry to speak on your behalf and protect you from loss compensation. There are so many “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to personal injury cases, so be sure to at least speak with a lawyer as soon as you are involved in an accident that results in injury.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being seriously injured in an accident. Call 317-881-2700 for Indianapolis personal injury representation you can trust.

The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. Fights to Get the Legal Compensation You Deserve

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Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

There are never any fees unless Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. can prevail for your case! We are highly-motivated, licensed personal injury attorneys with a convenient location on South Meridian Street in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our lawyers have extensive trial and litigation experience, and knows what it takes to recover the full and fair compensation you or your family deserves after being wrongly injured in a serious accident.

An Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm You Can Trust

We handle all cases; from car accidents and dog bites, to medical malpractice, product defects, elderly neglect, and much more. Visit our practice areas page for a closer look at all the personal injury cases we take on. If you or someone you love was recently injured in an accident, call our office immediately for a free consultation! Don’t let the statutes of limitations run its course, because by then it will be too late! The sooner you take action on your case, the more likely you are to come out on top and receive financial retribution.

Our team of personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, work endlessly, using every resource in our power to fight for your right to compensation coverage. It is not all about winning; it’s about getting what you need to pay off those unexpected medical bills, make up for lost time at work, keep up with everyday living expenses, and much more. We can help you get your life back on track!

Contact Us Today to File a Personal Injury Claim

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. is the solution to all your legal woes regarding your personal injury claim and case in Indianapolis, Indiana. Call our office directly at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation and get qualified answers to all your personal injury claim questions. For seasoned personal injury representation in Indianapolis, call our compassionate accident attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. today.

Do Not Assume That You are Not Hurt After an Accident

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Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Sometimes a person can feel just fine after an accident, but then later on, experience an onset of injuries. This is a common occurrence among victims of serious accidents, primarily car collisions. Directly after an accident, a person can still be in shock, and not realize they are hurt. While other times, they can feel unaffected after an accident, but then days or weeks later they can start to feel sore or have limited mobility. And in more serious cases, an onset of injuries can be the beginning indications of a
serious, underlying injury.

Onset of Injuries

But if a person affirms that they are “okay” or “not hurt” after an accident, their statement could impair their eligibility to recover compensation for any damages and losses incurred as a result of being injured. This may include hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, prolonged physical therapy, and more. So if you are ever involved in an accident, keep in mind that an onset of injuries could occur later. Even if you feel fine initially, never tell witnesses, police officers, or insurance adjusters at the scene of an accident that you are not hurt. This could damage your opportunity to recover the amount of compensation you need to recuperate and get back to your normal way of life.

If you find out that you are later hurt, and wish to seek compensation for your injuries, you may face a challenge if you claimed that you were not initially hurt. It is possible for insurance companies to raise questions regarding any statements you make about the accident. You will still be able to file a claim against the negligent party or insurance company either way, but it is better to avoid raising any questions to begin with. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer for help filing an accident claim. They have the knowledge, skills, and resources to support your claim and recover the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve.

Indianapolis Accident Attorneys

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help filing an accident claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are eager to help you get your life back on track after being injured in a serious accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with our Indianapolis accident attorneys, today.

Important Personal Injury FAQS

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If you or someone you love has recently endured a serious injury, time is precious, so it is important to address your concerns and get started on your claim right away. Look below to review some frequently asked questions about personal injuries, and learn where to get started.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

What Should I Do After an Accident?

As soon as you are injured, get medical treatment. Once you are stable and your injuries are addressed by a professional EMT or doctor, you can move onto the next step: hire a personal injury lawyer. They can help you with the remaining steps of the claim process from there. If you are able to, gather as much evidence at the scene of the accident, including witness statements, pictures, names, phone numbers, addresses, insurance information, license plate and drivers’ license numbers (if vehicle were involved), and even video if possible.

Why Do I Need to Hire an Attorney?

Accident and injury claims are challenging, and the laws and procedures surrounding them are quite tricky as well. In order to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney helping you along the way. They have the knowledge, skills, and resources to accurately navigate your claim and argue your case if it goes to trial.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Charge?

Most personal injury law firms work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning they do not get paid unless they recover a settlement for you. If they do not win your claim, you pay nothing. Most firms also offer free initial consultations to discuss your claim before filing.

What if I Do Not Want to File a Lawsuit?

Many personal injury settlements can be negotiated out of court. Only complex or highly-valuable claims end up going to trial. A personal injury lawyer can help guide your claim toward an out-of-court settlement if that’s what you prefer.

How Long Do Settlements Take?

It all depends on the circumstances of your accident and injuries. Some injuries lay dormant for several weeks before becoming an evident injury, in which case, an evaluation of your claim wouldn’t even begin until then. But first, you would need 2 to 4 weeks to compile all of your medical records and billing documents, and then another 2 weeks to have your claim evaluated and a proposal written and submitted to the insurance company. From there, it can take anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the agreeability of the insurance company or defendant party.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned accident attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after suffering a serious injury. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers, today.

What You Need to Know About Barred Claims and Filing Fees

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Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Will a personal injury claim be denied if the filing fee is not paid in full before the statute of limitations runs out? This is a common question among those who have suffered a serious injury and wish to pursue a claim against the negligent party; and a very important one too. If you are preparing to file an injury claim, you should know the answer to this question. Continue reading to learn how a claim can be barred if you do not pay the filing fees in full and on time.

Personal Injury Claims and Fees

In Indiana, in order to initiate a personal injury claim, you must pay the filing fees to the court in full BEFORE the statute of limitations expire. If you do not pay the full amount of filing fees to the court on time, your personal injury claim will be barred. Here is an example that demonstrates how serious filing fees are to a personal injury claim:

Indiana Court of Appeals Ruling in Hortenberry, Natasha F. v. Palmer, Thomas, 10A04-1301-CT-17:

Thomas wanted to file a negligent action claim against Natasha; but when he wrote a check to cover the filing fee, he mistakenly made it out for $2 less than the full amount due. Once the court clerk noticed the error, they notified Palmer who then sent in a check for $2 to cover the difference. The only problem was, by this time, the statute of limitations had run out. Even after several appeals, the courts relied on Trial Rule 3, which clearly states that payment of the requisite filing fee is required to initiate an action.

Hire an Accident Lawyer

The legal system is complicated, tricky, and tedious. It is important to discuss the details and agendas for your personal injury claim with an experienced accident attorney. They have the knowledge and resources needed to accurately guide you through the process to ensure your claim is handled with care. That is why it is crucial to hire a professional in the industry to help you through the process and protect you from lost compensation. There are many “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to personal injury cases, so be sure to speak with a lawyer as soon as you are involved in an accident that results in an injury.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help filing a negligent action claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned accident lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after suffering a serious injury. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a consultation with one of our esteemed Indianapolis personal injury attorneys, today.

Do You Want to Sue for a Broken Nose?

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Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

A broken nose is a very painful injury. In fact, it’s one the most painful injuries you can receive to the middle of your face. In extreme cases, a broken nose requires corrective or reconstructive surgery. Not only can a broken nose be extremely painful and inconvenient, it can cost quite a bit of money, including lost wages, hospital bills, medical expenses, and more.

If you were recently struck in the face by another person or thing, and suffered a broken nose, you might want to consider filing a claim against the negligent party in order to compensate for your damages and losses.

Continue reading to learn more about suing for a broken nose, and how to determine whether or not you have a valid case.

Broken Nose Lawsuits

A broken nose can happen as a result of intention or by accident. Regardless of how a broken nose happens, you may have a valid claim against the negligent party who caused your injuries. If you are beat up by someone, and suffered injuries like a broken nose, you may be able to sue your aggressor for battery. Keep in mind that laws vary from state to state, so depending on where you live, the process for filing a lawsuit against a person for battery may differ as well. But in general, in order to sue someone for battery, you must be able improve four elements in your case:

Intent – First, you must be able to prove that your aggressor intentionally committed an act of unwanted contact, either towards you are another party.

Contact – Next, you must be able to prove that actual contact was made; either to your body or to your “extended personality”, such as a necklace, clothing, purse, or similar item attached to your body.

Injury – You must then prove that the manner of contact was harmful or offensive.

Damages – Last, you must prove that the manner of contact was the direct cause of your damages and losses, and that your damages and losses can be compensated with money.

If you suffered a broken nose as a result of an accident, you may still be able to pursue a lawsuit against the negligent party. Personal injury lawsuits, such as a broken nose, are mostly cases of negligence, which are also based on four elements that must be proven in order to win your claim. These elements include:

Duty of Care – You must be able to prove that the negligent party owed you a duty of care, such as keeping a hazard-free premise or driving carefully.

Breach of Duty – You must then prove that the negligent party breached the duty they owed you by not exercising reasonable care.

Causation – You must prove that their breach of duty was a direct cause of your injuries, and that they should have or could have foreseen that an accident would occur.

Damages – Just like a battery case, you must be able to prove that your damages and losses can be sufficiently compensated by money.

It is very complicated to prove each element of negligence in a personal injury case, and even more challenging to prove that you are owed compensation for your damages and losses. For this reason, it is important to retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney who can fight for your rights and recover full and fair amount of compensation you deserve. They have the knowledge and skills necessary to prove your case and when your settlement.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P. C. At 317-881-2700 to file a claim for broken nose in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are eager to help you recover the compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled Indianapolis personal injury attorneys, today.

Is it Optional to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer for an Accident Claim?

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Seriously injured victims are faced with several challenges following an accident. Recovery, treatment, hospital bills, medical expenses, prolonged therapy, lost wages, and funeral expenses are some of the more common economic damages and losses suffered by accident victims. In order to get a fair shot at collecting the full and fair amount of compensation from an insurance company or third party, a victim would require professional legal assistance. However, it is not mandatory in terms of the law. Although it is entirely optional to hire an accident attorney to represent your personal injury claim, it the key to recovering for your losses. Continue reading to find out why.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Attorneys

Not all accident cases require a victim to hire a personal injury lawyer. For instance, if a person lives in a “no-fault” state, they would not have any legal consent to sue, so instead, victims would have to collect coverage from their own third-party Personal Injury Protection Plan (PIP). In another example, if a person’s insurance company is already paying the maximum benefits available they wouldn’t necessarily need a lawyer either.

But in all other accident cases, it is in the best interest of the victim (or the bereaved) to hire a personal injury lawyer for their claim. Even if injuries are minor, it is still helpful to retain the services of an experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to ensure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve after being seriously injured in an accident. Keep in mind that minor injuries can turn into major ones later on, while other injuries might take days or weeks to appear.

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700


Esteemed Attributes of Accident Lawyers:

Drive and Motivation – Most personal injury law firms operate on a contingency-fee basis, which means they do not get paid unless they recover compensation for their clients. This also means that accident lawyers are highly-driven and motivated to represent victims to the best of their abilities.

Knowledge and Experience – Personal injury lawyers are knowledgeable of the law, and have experience investigating and litigating accident claims. This gives victims an immediate advantage when negotiating for a settlement.

Dependability – Personal injury lawyers know what it takes to win an accident case. Their knowledge of the law combined with their extensive litigation and trial experience, makes them a dependable resource for recovering compensation for your losses.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with one of their seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyers, today. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Kieth Blazek are experienced personal injury litigators with a passion for helping victims of serious accidents. We never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to learn your options from a licensed accident attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Can I Sue Someone for Harming My Credit Score?

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Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

In today’s economy, a person’s credit score is a significant asset. When good, they open people up to more opportunities and a better quality of life. But when poor, credit scores can cause people to struggle with various aspects of living. Bad credit can make it difficult, or even impossible, for someone to get approved for loans, rent a home, finance a vehicle, and even get considered for certain promotions at work. While on the other hand, good credit can provide a way of living that is much more comfortable.

Needless to say, credit ratings play a major role in our everyday life, so it is natural to feel protective of yours. And unfortunately, this is a valid concern. Stolen credit cards, identities, and other types of fraudulent crimes are common these days, and can destroy a person’s credit rating. But if this ever happens to you, there may be a way to recover for any damages or losses incurred as a result. Although challenging, it is possible to sue a person for injuring your credit score. Continue reading to learn more about suing for damaged credit scores.

Proving Damage

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

It is not easy to win a damaged credit claim because there are several facts you must prove. And the most challenging fact to prove is how much the damage cost you. It is tough quantifying the harm done to you as a result of damage to your credit score. It takes a highly-creative and experienced personal injury attorney to figure out a valid way to quantify the damage in a dollar amount, and then prove the remaining factors, including:

➢ The person or entity owed you a duty of care;
➢ They breached that duty of care;
➢ The breach caused harm to your credit rating;
➢ The harm to your credit rating caused you to suffer damages or loss.

For Example…

❝ Vicky warned a large-chain clothing store that she was not applying for a line of credit after discovering that a thief was attempting to do so using her identity. The store ignored her warnings and continued to allow the thief to inquire about a line of credit using Vicky’s identity. While this was happening, Vicky was applying for a loan to buy a new house. But her credit rating was plummeting due to the activity caused by the thief. Since the store did not do anything to prevent the thief from damaging her credit after repeated warnings, she sues the chain store for negligence. She might have a good shot at winning since she was applying for a mortgage loan at the same time.❞

It is important to discuss your credit damage with an experienced personal injury lawyer. They have the proper knowledge of the law to determine whether or not you were owed a duty of care and if that duty was breached. If so, they have the experience and skills to prove that breach caused you harm.

Indianapolis Accident Attorneys

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana

Personal Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with an Indianapolis accident attorney about your personal injury claim in Indiana. Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are seasoned injury attorneys that will recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a consultation with a licensed personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, IN today.

Common Carrier Accidents and Liability

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When we choose to fly or take a Greyhound bus, we place our trust in the pilots, engineers, drivers, and even manufacturers, to get us there safely and in a timely-manner. But sometimes, common carriers experience problems that can lead to serious accidents and injuries. The term “common carrier” refers to any entity that provides transportation services for the public. Examples of common carriers include commercial airlines, public buses, tour buses, cruise ships, and more. In the case of an accident, common carriers are held to a more stringent duty of care in comparison to private carriers. So when common carrier accidents do occur, such cases are taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly.

Continue reading to learn more about common carrier liability, and who to contact for more information regarding the laws surrounding aviation and public transportation accidents.

Public Transportation Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700
Public Transportation Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Common Carrier Liability

Regulatory bodies that set standards for safety and other types of concerns are the authorities that govern common carriers. For example, the governing regulatory body for commercial airlines is the Federal Aviation Administration (FFA). In terms of safety, these standards obligate common carriers to utilize the highest degree of diligence and care for the sake of their passengers and cargoes. And when common carriers fail to adhere to such regulations, they can be held legally responsible for any damages and losses suffered by those affected by their negligence.

Proving Fault

There is a legal theory called “strict liability” that essentially holds people or entities responsible for injuries and subsequent damages regardless of fault. But when it comes to common carrier lawsuits, strict liability does not apply. When a victim chooses to file a common carrier injury lawsuit, they hold the burden of proving the common carrier’s fault in the accident.

In order to prove fault, victims must be able to prove that the common carrier had a duty of care and breached that duty of care, and that the breach of care directly caused their injuries, which caused other damages and losses. Using evidence to show a common carrier’s breach of duty is the strongest method for winning an injury settlement. Viable evidence can include pictures, videos, witness testimony, inspection records, maintenance logs, and more.

Hire a Lawyer

An experienced personal injury lawyer can help victims of common carrier accidents collect and organize all details and evidences pertaining to their case, and look for certain regulations that the common carrier may have directly neglected, which caused your injuries. This is called “negligence per se” and is a common legal strategy used by accident attorneys to prove injury cases. Be sure to trust only experienced personal injury law firm to recover the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve after being injured in a common carrier accident.

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

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn your options after a public transportation injury in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are seasoned litigators with extensive knowledge of personal injury law. They will stop at nothing to ensure your damages and losses are fairly compensated for. Out law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects attorney fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with a licensed Indianapolis accident lawyer, today.

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

The 4 Elements of Negligence in a Personal Injury Case

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Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Every personal injury case is based on the legal principle of negligence. Under this principle, if a person or company’s negligent actions causes another person harm, they can be held legally responsible for the victim’s damages and losses. Most personal injury and accident disputes are adjudicated by using the principle of negligence to determine fault. But the victim holds the burden of proving that a defendant acted in a negligent or careless way. To recover compensation, victims must prove all four elements of negligence: 1) duty of care, 2) breach of duty, 3) causation, and 4) damages.

Continue reading for a closer look at each element of negligence.

❶ Duty of Care

The first aspect of proving negligence is to establish whether or not the defendant owed the victim a legal duty of care in any way. This could be between employer and employee, child and sitter, doctor and patient, school and student, and much more. For instance, an employer has a legal duty of care to provide employees with a clean and safe work environment, while a doctor has a legal duty of care to provide competent medical care for patients. In other examples, a nursing home has a legal duty of care to look after their residents, while drivers have a legal duty of care to drive safely when behind the wheel of a vehicle.

❷Breach of Duty

Once it is recognized that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant breached that duty. A defendant can breach their duty of care by either action or inaction. If a person does something, or fails to do something, that a reasonable person under the same circumstances would do, and it causes harm to another, they are acting negligently. For example, if a person is late for work and runs a red light to save time, and in running the red light they strike another vehicle and injure the driver, they will be found negligent in a court of law. In an example of inaction, if an employer fails to keep their premises up to code, and as a result their employees suffer from severe respiratory illnesses from mold inhalation, they can be found negligent.

❸Causation

It is not enough for a victim to prove that a defendant breached their duty of care. Plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits must also prove that the defendant’s action (or inaction) was the direct cause of their injuries. But there is another aspect to causation. Courts will also assess and determine whether or not the defendant could have reasonably foreseen that their actions would or could injure someone. Accidentally causing someone harm through a random, unforeseen act of nature might not be looked at as negligent. However, if it is found that a defendant should have known that their actions or inactions would or could cause injury, then they can be found negligent in a personal injury case.

❹Damages and Losses

After proving all of the above elements of negligence, a victim must then prove their subsequent damages and losses. Word of mouth will not hold up in a court of law, so a victim must have proof and evidence of their damages and losses. Damages and losses can include medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, prolonged treatment, pain and suffering, mental anguish, permanent disfigurement or scarring, loss of companionship, loss of job opportunity, and much more. These losses can be proven with medical records, doctors’ statements, receipts, bills, witness testimony, and more.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help with your personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our Indianapolis personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are eager to help victims recover the full and fair compensation they deserve after being hurt in a serious accident. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your claim, and never collect lawyer fees unless we recover for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment, today.