Things to Consider Before Suing a Relative for a Personal Injury

Posted on July 19, 2016 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Accidents can happen anywhere, and when they happen as a result of another’s negligence, someone should be held accountable for a victim’s damages and losses. But what if you or someone you love ends up seriously injured at a relative’s house? The lines between right and wrong can seem blurred when it comes to suing a family member for injuries sustained by you or your children, however, many families feel like they are left with no other choice. So before jumping right into a lawsuit, you need to think about a few things first.

Turning Family Matters into Legal Matters

From swimming pool accidents to fireworks injuries and more, several types of personal injuries can take place at a private residence. And the likelihood of injuries only increases as families grow and get together more often. For this reason, many people have chosen to sue family members in order to cover compensation for medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and more. So if you are in the same predicament, and you are leaning toward filing a claim against a relative, you are not alone. But before you do, it is strongly encouraged to go over the practical and emotional considerations involved in suing family.

Practical Considerations

The first question you want to ask yourself is whether or not you can actually recover anything if you do decide to sue your uncle, sister, cousin, father-in-law, etcetera. You want to think about whether or not they have the financial means for remuneration, including cash, insurance, or liquid assets. If they have very little of these, or none at all, there is little-to-no chance of collecting any money. Under circumstances like these, pursuing a lawsuit would only cause friction within the family. And if they do have some financial means, the second question you need to ask yourself is whether or not they have enough that would make the settlement worth it?

Emotional Considerations

Aside from the practical aspects of suing a relative, there are some important emotional considerations that can influence your decision to move forward with a lawsuit. For instance, if you were to collect compensation from your family member, will there be a consequential domino-affect for the family as a whole? Will their children or other “innocent bystanders” of the family be negatively affected by the lawsuit and eventual settlement? This could not only cause you to have guilt and remorse, it could lead to several uncomfortable and difficult conversations for the entire family, and for many years to come. It could also turn out to be a conflict that changes the dynamic of the family, and never forgotten for the rest of their lives.

The Reality of Injuries

Regardless of practical and emotional issues, sometimes it is necessary to go forward with a personal injury claim, especially when injuries are very serious. For this reason, it is important for family members to understand the realities of injuries, and that a claim for compensation is nothing personal. You can even have a discussion with family to strategize ways to avoid a claim, lawsuit, and legal fees. For example, your relative can pay medical expenses and hospital bills, and everyone can move forward happy and conflict-free. Talk to your personal injury lawyer for professional advice and guidance after being seriously injured in an accident at a family member’s house.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are here to help. They have extensive trial and litigation experience, and can guide you in the right direction for your personal injury claim. They offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless they recover for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with an
Indianapolis accident attorney today.

What Will Personal Injury Compensation Cover?

Posted on July 6, 2016 by admin

Accidents happen. But sometimes they happen because of human error or negligence. Common examples of personal injury cases include slip and falls, workplace accidents, car accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, product defects, and assault. When a person is seriously injured in an accident because another person or entity was careless in some way, they can seek out monetary compensation for their damages and losses. Damages and losses differ from case to case, depending on the circumstances of the case, the extent of injuries, the extent of negligence, and more. Personal injury claims generally recognize and consider three types of “losses, called compensatory damages.

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Types of Losses

1. Economic Losses
2. Future Economic Losses
3. Non-Economic Losses (Pain & Suffering)

Compensatory damages are meant to cover a wide variety of expenses and associated costs. Although most of these costs and expenses are pretty obvious, there are many others that victims often unaware of. This is why it is important to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer if you or someone you love was recently injured as a result of another’s negligence. They have the knowledge and resources to navigate every aspect of your case, and recover the fair compensation you deserve.

Types of Economic Losses:

• Medical Expenses
• Hospital Bills
• OTC Medication Costs
• Prescription Costs
• Lost Wages
• Time Off Work
• Child Care Expenses
• Home Maintenance Expenses
• Fuel Costs (to and from doctors’ visits)

Types of Future Economic Losses:

• Prolonged Medical Treatment
• Physical Therapy
• Long-Term Care
• Future Medical Expenses
• Future Prescription Costs
• Future Hospital Costs

Types of Non-Economic Losses:

• Pain and Suffering
• Permanent Disability
• Permanent Disfigurement
• Mental Anguish
• PSTD
• Loss of Social Life
• Loss of Work Abilities
• Loss of Companionship
• Loss of Education Experience

Contributory and Comparative Negligence

Depending on where and how your injuries occurred, some states use contributory negligence laws in personal injury cases. These laws prohibit personal injury victims from recovering compensation (or full compensation) for their losses if the accident was in any way their fault. Other states have laws that will grant victims partial compensation if the accident was only partially their fault.

However in Indiana, we are a comparative fault state. This means that if a victim is 50% or less “at-fault” compared to the other party (or parties), they collect compensation. But if a victim is more than fifty percent at-fault, they cannot collect compensation. It is strongly suggested to discuss your recent injury claim with an Indianapolis accident attorney that can determine the best strategy for your case.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you were recently injured in an accident in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. Seasoned personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are happy to discuss your case and determine what kinds of compensation are due to you. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a friendly office attendant to schedule an appointment, today.

Accident Liability for Hosting an Employee Party With Alcohol

Posted on June 14, 2016 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

At any party with alcohol being served, excessive drinking is always a possibility. For this reason, hosts are often concerned about being held liable for a drunk person’s damages or injuries. If you are an employer that is planning to host a social gathering for your staff, it is important to learn some vital information about host-alcohol liability in the case of an intoxication-related accident. Continue reading to understand your potential liability in such situations, and how to prevent it.

Dram Shop Laws

Dram Shop laws pertain to commercial vendors like bars, restaurants, and package stores, and holds business owners responsible for injuries and damages caused by an intoxicated customer. They vary greatly from state to state, and retain separate sets of limitations regarding the amount of damages a victim can sue for. Unless you are a commercial vendor of alcohol, it unlikely for you as an employer, or anyone for that matter, to be held liable for another person’s alcohol overindulgence and subsequent damages. However, it is not impossible.

Intoxicated Individuals and Victims

In most states, a drunk person cannot sue a host for injuries and damages they endured or caused to themselves. But if an intoxicated individual causes harm or damages to another person, a third-party lawsuit can be filed by the victim, against both the intoxicated person and the host that served them the alcohol. This is especially common in cases when the defendant does not have sufficient insurance to cover their victims’ damages. But the limitations to the host’s liability differs from state to state.

Limited Liability State to State

In some states, the law does not impose any liability on a social host at all. Other states simply limit the amount of liability on a social host to accidents that occur on their premises. And some states actually extend the limit of liability to accidents and injuries that occur after they have left their premises, such as traffic accidents. But almost all states hold social hosts liable for intoxication-related accidents when 1) alcohol was served to minors, 2) Alcohol was served recklessly, or 3) a “reasonable” host should have recognized a guest’s level of intoxication and stopped serving alcoholic drinks.

Employer Liability

Many states also hold employers responsible to a certain degree when social gatherings are held for a business-related purpose. This extra duty of care is imposed on employers under these circumstances since many employees feel obligated to attend an office party more so than another social event. In order to prevent employer-liability for over-intoxicated guests, be sure to make your social gathering’s focus on entertainment, rather than drinking. There are several steps you can take to lessen the possibility of overindulgence and alcohol-related accidents.

Preventing Alcohol-Related Accidents

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

First and foremost, you should never serve minors alcohol, or allow them to consume it under your nose. Under perfect conditions, minors would not be allowed to attend an adult social gathering where alcohol is being served and consumed. Also, always discourage guests from over-drinking, stop them from drinking further when they’ve noticeably had too much, and strongly encourage designated drivers and sober transportation.Another great tip is to hold your workplace event at a local bar or restaurant. Under Dram Shop laws, this relieves your liability for alcohol-related accidents, and provides a wait staff that is professionally-trained to monitor everyone’s alcohol consumption and politely cut someone off when they have had too much.

Try a Cash Bar

If you must host an employee social gathering on company or personal premises, consider having a cash bar. Provide all the party supplies except the liquor, and have guests pay for their alcoholic beverages with their own money. Since you are not necessarily making alcohol entirely unlimited to your guests, you can be relieved of some liability. If you have questions about an alcohol-related injury case, contact a personal injury lawyer for professional guidance. They have the knowledge to provide accurate state-specific answers to your injury-liability questions and concerns.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for answers to your personal injury questions. Seasoned accident attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek retain extensive trial and litigation experience. They are happy to answer your questions about a recent personal injury or accident, and even provides free initial consultations to discuss your case in person. Call 317-881-2700 for Indianapolis personal injury lawyers you can trust.

Information about Elevator Accidents and Injuries

Posted on May 16, 2016 by admin

Injured in an Elevator? Call 317-881-2700

You may be surprised to learn that elevator accidents are often caused by improper maintenance and safety training rather than faulty installation or manufacturing. Building owners, property managers, and elevator maintenance companies are required to provide routine maintenance for their elevators, as well as, on-going safety training regarding all the proper procedures that go along with elevator service, repair, and emergencies.

When these duties are neglected, and they are more than you would think, the liability for damages and injuries falls onto these parties under premise liability law.

Poor Property Management

One of the most common root-causes behind elevator accidents is poor property management. Often times, building owners or maintenance teams may choose to implement unsafe, temporary fixes in place of spending the extra money for professional service and repair. There have even been cases of elevator parts being held together with nothing more than simple household items. Accordingly, they tend to neglect their responsibility to provide proper elevator safety training for property managers and in-house maintenance staffs. This lack of knowledge, training, and attention can make an elevator and its surroundings extremely dangerous.

Without proper maintenance, an elevator is a risky means of transportation. Even the smallest issue can cause a serious or life-threatening accident. But regular maintenance is just the start to commercial elevator safety. Without proper safety training, property managers may not know how to react to an elevator emergency, which can also put a person’s life in danger. Elevators are manufactured with a series of built-in protective safety measures that kick in when an elevator mechanism fails.

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For example, if an elevator suddenly stops at an improper place, there are set safety procedures that help prevent it from falling several stories. One of these safety features keeps the inner and outer elevator doors closed if it does not line up to a floor. Safety regulations instruct management to NOT open the doors in this case, and instead, wait for rescue or maintenance teams to repair the problem. But if property managers are unfamiliar with the correct safety procedures, they may choose to manually pry open the
doors, jeopardizing the safety of those inside.

Elevator accidents can also take place under several other conditions. Dim lighting, abrupt stops, quickly closing doors, slippery flooring, unleveled floor stops, frequent unnecessary stops, and much more. All of these issues can be managed and prevented with regular elevator maintenance. If you or someone you love was recently injured or killed in an elevator accident, contact a personal injury lawyer right away to learn your rights to compensation. If your elevator accident was a result of improper maintenance or manager negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages and losses. You can then use your awarded compensation to cover hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, mental anguish, and much more. Choose an experienced Indianapolis accident attorney that has your best interests at heart.

Indianapolis Accident Attorneys You Can Trust

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file an elevator injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek retain extensive trial and litigation experience in personal injury law. They work hard to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being wrongfully hurt. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 when you need Indianapolis accident attorneys you can trust.

Types of Damages Awarded for Victims of Injury

Posted on March 15, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Under tort law, when a person is a victim of a civil wrong-doing, a court may award damages to compensate them for their injuries and losses. Assessing the amount of damages is often a difficult and complex process since so many variables influence the final determination. A court must consider the losses or injuries of a victim’s person, property, and overall quality of life. Courts take this responsibility seriously since the law intends to help victims get back to the same state of life they were in before their accident.

It requires substantial evidence on behalf of the victim to recover the full and fair amount of compensation for the total amount of damages and losses. Evidence includes medical records, police reports, expense records, witness statements, interviews, and much more. But when the process of assessing damages is over, there are certain categories of damages that may be awarded. Continue reading to learn what three types of damages are awarded to injured victims and what they each represent.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are also called “actual” damages, since they are calculated by traceable and tangible losses. Compensatory damages have two subcategories: special damages and general damages. Special damages compensate victims for quantifiable economic losses, such as lost wages, hospital bills, medical expenses, legal fees, and property damage.

Special damages can also include incidental, speculative, and future damages if substantial evidence can prove future losses like prolonged therapy or loss of earning capacity. General damages, also referred to as hedonic damages, represent non-monetary losses, like pain and suffering. Pain and suffering can represent several losses, including mental anguish, loss of consortium, physical disablement, lost ability to work, reduced quality of life, wrongful death, grief, humiliation, damaged reputation, and more.

Punitive Damages

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Courts may also award additional punishable damages in special cases of egregiously offensive conduct. These are called punitive damages, or exemplary damages, and are more intended to reprimand the wrong-doer rather than award the victim (although the victim still receives monetary compensation). Punitive damages are awarded in cases where victims suffered losses as a result of anothers extreme maliciousness, brazenness, or flagrant negligence. They are intended to set an example, as well as,
reform the wrong-doer and deter others from
similar immoral behaviors.

Aggravated Damages

Aggravated damages are not a separate category of damages, but rather an extension of general damages that fall under compensatory damages. Aggravated damages are essentially the same as punitive damages, since they are awarded for cases of egregious invidious conduct, however, they are directly compensatory in nature. Punitive damages are meant to punish, whereas aggravated damages are meant to monetarily compensate a victim for aggravated injuries sustained by a defendant’s extreme malevolent conduct.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 when you need experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorneys you can trust. Seasoned accident lawyers Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are eager to recover the full and fair compensation victims of wrongful injuries deserve. Our personal injury law firm provides free initial consultation and never collects attorney fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Get started on an effective path to restoring your life after a serious accident by calling our Indianapolis accident attorneys at
317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment today.

How to Avoid Bicycle Accidents While Riding Roadside

Posted on March 1, 2016 by admin

Bicycle Accident Lawyer 317-881-2700

Cyclists and bikers are involved in thousands of motor vehicle accidents each year. Although bike-riding is a fun and healthy activity for the whole family, it can make a person much more vulnerable if riding on the side of the road. This is especially true for those who frequently ride alongside busy streets and roadways. No matter how much experience and awareness a person may have as a cyclist, no one can never predict or trust the actions of others on the road. For this reason, protection and safety are vital.

Continue reading to learn how to be safer while enjoying the pleasures and perks of roadside cycling.

Bike Safety

By applying safe bicycling habits and practices, a person can avoid accidents and injuries from taking place. In order to avoid one of the most life-threatening injuries from occurring is wearing a helmet. Head and neck injuries are very serious and can even cause death in severe cases. By wearing a helmet, a rider can protect their cranium in the case of a sudden impact or fall. Helmets are basically bike safety rule number one.

For those who enjoy night riding, it is strongly suggested to wear proper reflective gear, as well as, reflective lighting on spokes and handlebars. By illuminating a cyclist, car and other traffic can spot the rider and avoid hitting them or causing them harm. Anyone can purchase reflective biking gear at any local sporting goods store or superstore. They are relatively inexpensive and come in a wide array of colors, sizes, and products.

Following all cycling rules, as well as all rules of the road, are important parts of safe biking. Bicyclists are not only responsible for following the cycling rules while riding, the must also obey all traffic signal and laws as well. This is especially important for those who commute to work or school on bike. Designated bike lanes should always be used on public roadways for protection against fast-moving traffic. Bikes will simply never be able to compete with a car, so if they come into contact with one another, the car will not suffer nearly as much damage as a bike and cyclist. By staying in the bike lanes, a person can avoid coming into the contact with traffic, or backing up traffic.

Bicycle Accidents in Indianapolis

If you or a loved one was recently injured negligently in a bicycle accident, contact a licensed and experienced personal injury law firm right away. Don’t let the statute of limitations run out before you have a chance to collect compensation for your damages. If you were truly injured as a result of another driver’s negligence, or the negligence of the city, you may be entitled to remuneration for your losses. You can recover for lost wages, time off work, medical expenses, hospital bills, pain and suffering, and much more.

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

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for details about bicycle accident injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are happy to answer your questions and concerns about a recent bicycle accident. We offer free initial consultations to assess your case and determine your eligibility for compensation. And we never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement! Call 317-881-2700 and speak with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer today.

Basic Glossary Terms for Personal Injury Lawsuits

Posted on February 22, 2016 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

When a person is seriously injured by a person, place, or thing as a result of negligence, they are victims of a personal injury. Victims of personal injuries are entitled to compensation for their damages and losses; such as medical expenses, hospital bills, prolonged rehabilitation, lost wages, mental anguish, pain, suffering, and more. In order to pursue compensation following an accident, it is strongly advised to hire a licensed and experienced lawyer that is well-versed in tort law.

It can be very complicated dealing with insurance companies and opposing parties when it comes to recovering compensation; but a seasoned personal injury attorney has the resources and knowledge to fight for the recompense their clients are rightfully owed. Because the process of filing a claim against a company or person is complex, it is imperative to have professional legal counsel in order to present an effective case. Below are several glossary terms that are related to tort law and lawsuits. Continue reading to learn common legal jargon used in a personal injury claim or case.

Important Legal Terms for Tort Law

Personal Injury – Injury to the body, mind, or emotional health.

Accident – An unexpected and often sudden event that causes harm to another person, reputation, or property, unintentionally.

Tort – A wrongful action that results in the injury or trauma of another person, their 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.

Pain and Suffering – Mental and/or physical distress experienced by a victim of a personal injury.

Recover – To receive compensation equivalent to the losses and damages incurred from a negligent accident that caused a personal injury.

Party – A participant in a lawsuit.

Plaintiff – The party of people 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.

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 randomly selected individuals that assist a judge in identifying the guilty party in more complex lawsuits.

Adjuster –An individual appointed by an insurance company to settle a claim. Their purpose is to coordinate a settlement that doesn’t require the insurance company to pay out, or pay-out as little as possible.

First Party Insurance – The claimant’s insurance company.

Third Party Insurance – The defendant’s insurance company.

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

Complaint – A formal expression of grievance filed in the appropriate court by the plaintiff.

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

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for information about personal injury lawsuits in Indianapolis, Indiana. Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are seasoned accident attorneys that can fight to recover compensation for your losses. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win a settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your free consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, today.

How to Find a Reputable Personal Injury Lawyer in Indiana

Posted on February 16, 2016 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

After being injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, victims are sure to have questions and concerns. This is why a personal injury lawyer is a significant asset to anyone that’s suffered a recent serious injury or been involved in a serious accident. They are there to represent a victim’s best interest, as well as, the best interests of their family and future.

A professional personal injury attorney can bring your claim to trial, or settle out of court with opposing parties and insurance companies, to recover the full and fair compensation an injured victim deserves. When searching for a reputable accident attorney or law firm, it is important to hire someone with a certain level of credentials, including ample experience. Continue reading for tips on how to find a personal injury attorney you can trust is a reputable choice.

Accident Lawyers and Firm Credentials

Misconduct, negligence, malicious intent, and carelessness are all factors that play a huge role in causing a personal injury to occur. These factors and more are used as a basis to begin understanding and investigating an accident case. Once these grounds are determined, lawyers can assess whether or not a person is entitled to compensation for their damages. Of course, the process of assessing an injury case is not so cut and dry; there are several more variables, factors, research, interviewing, investigating, and more that a legal team must cover in order to put together a strong claim for their client’s.

So how do you know your attorney can provide comprehensive legal representation and recover the recompense you deserve? Here are some credentials, attributes, and more to look for when choosing a personal injury lawyer:

➀ Proper State Licensing

Every attorney should be legally licensed to practice their particular area of law in the state they work and live. Be sure they are true, licensed, practicing lawyers before paying a retainer or hiring them on the spot.

➁ Trial and Litigation Experience (at least 10 years)

Choose a lawyer that has several years of experience practicing law, litigating, and going to trial. Experience means more knowledge, better resources, and more power. An experienced lawyer is a confident and assertive lawyer that knows how to recover for clients.

➂ Client Amenities

Law firms should set themselves apart from the others by offering client conveniences and amenities. This lets the client know they are not out to just get paid, but they really care about the comfort and well-being of their clientele. Look for offerings like free initial consultations and no upfront lawyer fees. These client conveniences are a good sign.

➃ Lawyer Availability

An injury attorney should be easily available for their clients at most times. What’s the point of having an attorney if you cannot consult them or bring to them your questions and concerns when you need to? Although it is not possible to always meet or speak in person, but a lawyer should provide full-on open communication with clients through email and phone.

➄ Track Records

Look into an attorney’s track records for success. Find out how many cases were settled, won, lost, and so forth. A good success record means a lawyer knows what works and knows how to bring a claim against an opposing party, like insurance companies. Do not be afraid to ask a lawyer, straight up, about their track record and trial history.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned Indianapolis personal injury attorneys, Dan Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek have extensive trial and litigation experience. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless they settle or win your claim. Call 317-881-2700 to learn how to file a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, IN today.

When is a Personal Injury Claim Rejected?

Posted on February 8, 2016 by admin

When a person or family experiences a tragic accident or serious injury at the hands of another company, entity, individual, or group of individuals, they often times seek legal counsel in order to pursue a personal injury claim. Many law firms that focus on personal injury claims will represent a case for free, initially, and only collect attorney fees if they win the settlement or recover compensation for their clients’ damages. In order for a personal injury lawyer to take on a person’s case, they must have a valid claim
that legally entitles them to remuneration.

If a victim of a personal injury has a claim that is not strong enough to win a settlement, a law firm may pass on representing them; however, if the client insists on pursuing their claim, a lawyer may do so for upfront, non-refundable fees. So what makes a case weak? And why do lawyers pass on certain cases and personal injury claims? There are several reasons why a personal injury law firm will deny a case and refuse to represent someone that has been seriously injured. Continue reading to find out why.

The 101 on Personal Injury Claims

In order for a victim of a personal injury to successfully win a settlement for their damages, they must prove that they were injured as a result of another person’s negligence or carelessness; and at no fault of their own. There are several laws and stipulations that regulate these boundaries of negligence and fault, and lawyers are extensively well-versed in each of them. If they review a case that seems to have flaws or holes within it, they may not see value in representing the client because the case is weak.

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For example, if a person is injured in a motor vehicle accident because the opposing driver failed to stop at a red light, they may have a valid case. A lawyer will assess whether or not the injured driver obeyed all traffic signals and laws; and if they did, they were injured as a result of direct negligence and is entitled to compensation for their damages. In this situation, a personal injury attorney would most likely accept this case and represent this client on a contingency fee basis, only collecting lawyer fees if they win a settlement.

In an opposing example, if a person was involved in a motor vehicle accident and suffered injuries, and there were clues that the injuries were the result of their own negligence, then a lawyer will deny representing their claim. If a driver rear-ended a person, and that person hit their head on the dashboard, suffering head injuries, then the accident and injuries were caused by the opposing driver; but, if the victim was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, then the accident was still the opposing driver’s fault, but the victim’s injuries were a result of neglecting to wear a safety belt. Although this person may still be entitled to recompense for their damages, it is a weak case that may not pull through in a court of law.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for reputable and experienced personal injury representation in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek offer free initial consultations for injured victims, and never collect lawyer fees unless they win your settlement and recover compensation for your damages. Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a knowledgeable and friendly legal representative today about your recent personal injury in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

Frequent Mistakes Victims Make in Personal Injury Claims

Posted on February 1, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Have you or a loved one recently suffered a personal injury from a serious accident? In so many cases there are accidents that cannot be avoided or are simply unforeseen. We can’t escape every accident or injury that happens in life, which is why there are personal injury law firms. Personal injury attorneys protect individuals that were injured in accident that resulted from another person or entity negligence and carelessness.

When this happens it’s important for that injured individual to file a personal injury claim against the opposing or negligent party. In order to do this, one must outsource a professional personal injury lawyer to help them through the entire legal process. This process can be extremely complicated, complex, and tedious; another reason why personal injury attorneys are so important to wrongly injured victims.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

When filing a personal injury claim, it is important to avoid certain mistakes. There are so many mistakes that people make when it comes to filing personal injury claims. Learning a few of these common mistakes can help you avoid making the same mistakes as those injured before you. Here’s a list of the most common mistakes to avoid in a personal injury claim:

• Neglecting to Document the Accident Scene
• Giving Too Much or Implicating Information to Police or Emergency Personnel
• Failure to Obtain Professional Medical Services or Attention
• Making Statements to Opposing Insurance Companies Without Legal Council or Guidance
• Rejecting Hospital or Physician Instructions and Orders
• Applying for Damages that were Never Documented at the Scene of the Accident or in Professional Medical

Facilities or Hospitals:

• Admitting or Accepting Any Degree of Fault for the Accident
• Speaking with Opposing Councils or Insurance Companies
• Waiting Too Long to File an Injury Claim
• Exaggerating or Being Untruthful about Sustained Injuries
• Hiring Inexperienced or Unprofessional Accident Attorneys

There are many other mistakes that a person can make when it comes to filing a personal injury claim as well; however, if they have professional legal counsel on their side, they can be sure they are heading in the right direction to pursue an effective and proper personal-injury lawsuit.

There are several reasons to file a personal injury claim. When you or someone you love has been wrongly injured in an accident, it can be a very emotional and traumatic time. Injured victims face lost wages, medical costs, hospital bills, mental anguish, emotional trauma, lost the ability to work, and much more. In accident attorney is there for families in times like these. They can be trusted to implement all the appropriate legal requirements in your personal injury case, as well as, prepare and facilitate all communication and litigation opposing counsel and parties.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help with personal injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can speak with a live legal representative to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer you can trust. Attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are eager to answer your questions about injury claims and lawsuits in Indiana. For more information about how to file a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, call 317-881-2700 right away.