Statute of Limitations for Common Personal Injury Claims

When an accident happens as a result of another person or entity’s negligence, injured victims typically wish to pursue a claim against the negligent party in attempt to recover compensation for their damages. This is referred to as a personal injury lawsuit. One of the most important steps to pursuing an accident claim is taking immediate action and hiring a personal injury lawyer. Although there are many reasons why retaining professional legal counsel is so vital to the outcome of your case, one reason has to do with the amount of time Indiana allows personal injury victims to make claims against negligent parties.

Continue reading to learn the statute of limitations for some of the most common personal injury claims filed in Indiana, as well as, where to get professional personal injury representation you can trust.

Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Legal Time Limits for Accident Claims

In all cases of filing a civil claim against another person or entity, there is a legal time limit to do so. The statute of limitations are the laws that set these time limits; either for a state to prosecute a person for a crime, or for a person to file a claim against another person or corporation. These time limits differ from state to state and from case to case.

The statute of limitations generally begins the day and time of an accident or crime, and once the time limit has expired, so have the chances of prosecuting or pursuing a claim. For example, if a person commits a crime as a young adult, the state cannot prosecute them for the crime of the statute of limitations has run out. The same applies for a personal injury claim.

Civil Statute of Limitations

In Indiana, you can find details regarding civil statute of limitations in Title 34, Article 11, Chapter 2 of the Indiana Code book. Below are some common injury and accident cases, as well as the legal time limits assigned to each.

✢ Personal Injury Claim = 2 Years

✢ Medical Malpractice = 2 Years

✢ Product Liability = 2 Years

✢ Assault and Battery = 2 Years

✢ Wrongful Death = 2 Years

✢ Libel = 2 Years

✢ Defamation of Character = 2 Years

✢ Slander = 2 Years

Take note that criminal statutes of limitations are generally longer, as much as five years or more, depending on the crime and state. Most personal injury claims retain a statute of limitations equally out to two years or less, depending on the variables of the case. If you need information regarding Indiana statute of limitations, or wish to learn more about filing an accident claim for a recent personal injury, contact a licensed accident lawyer for effective legal counsel.

In addition, some states, like Indiana, require what is called a torts claim notice to be sent to the at-fault party if the at-fault party is a governmental entity as a prerequisite to bringing a claim against the governmental entity.  Depending on the governmental entity, some of these time limits are set at 150 days so obtaining an attorney as quickly as you can is vital for this and evidence gathering purposes. Also, time limitations can vary in cases involving minors and cases where the injuries were not discovered within two years from the date of the wrongdoing. 

Your Accomplished and Compassionate Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for trusted personal injury representation in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned accident attorneys work tirelessly to ensure our clients’ rights to compensation. We offer free initial consultations to access your case and determine your eligibility for remuneration; and we never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your free initial consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, today.

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Top 3 Things You Can Do to Maximize Your Accident Settlement

Personal injury cases range in value depending on the unique circumstances of each victim, including the seriousness of the accident and subsequent injuries, total economic losses, non-economic losses, and similar damages. Although accident claims tend to payout in the thousands, there are certain things you can do as a personal injury victim, or immediate kin of a wrongfully killed or incapacitated victim, to ensure you get the highest settlement or verdict possible for your claim.

Continue reading to learn the top three.

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Indiana Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Get Medical Treatment by a Licensed Physician

Aside from making a police report at the time of the accident, or soon after, your first step in the personal injury claim process is to get professional medical treatment as soon as possible. This includes ambulance transport from the scene of the accident to the hospital, allowing EMT’s to treat you at the scene, having someone drive you to the emergency room on the spot, seeing a doctor in the days or weeks after your accident, or a combination of these. If you fail to seek or receive any medical attention, it is difficult to argue that you are seriously injured. In the case that you experience delayed pain or injury symptoms, it is vital to see a doctor as soon as you can. There are also statutes of limitations regarding the legal amount of time a person can file a claim against a negligent party, so time is of the essence.

Document and Save Everything

Like with the police report, it is vital to officially document everything that happens from the time of your accident, and all the way until your claim is complete. Documentation includes police reports, medical assessments and diagnostics, medical treatments, photographs, witness statements, hospital bills, medical bills, lost wages from missing work, and any other paper trail that will prove your damages and losses as a personal injury victim. Save all of your paperwork, mail, bills, and more, and give them all to your trusted Indianapolis personal injury lawyer.

Hire the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. in Indianapolis

The true secret to ensuring you obtain the maximum settlement or verdict for your accident claim is to retain proper legal counsel. But don’t just choose any law firm; you need experienced attorneys who know how to get the most compensation for clients. Here at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we are that Indiana personal injury law firm. Our licensed personal injury lawyers each have more than twenty-five years of trial and litigation experience.

We know the law, and do everything in our power to ensure you get paid the full and fair amount of compensation you are legally entitled to. We work around the clock, handling all elements of your case so you and your family can focus on a safe and full recovery. After a free initial case evaluation, our accident attorneys will determine if your case is worth pursuing, and if it is, we will begin working on it immediately.

We are the Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers You Can Trust

Contact us today at 317-881-2700 today if you or a loved one were recently hurt in a personal injury accident in Indiana. Our team fully understands and empathizes with the seriousness of personal injury accidents and is devoted to protecting victims’ rights. We are dedicated to using the full extent of the law in order to obtain the long-term recovery and compensation our clients deserve, whether through negotiation of a settlement, or accident litigation in a court room. Schedule your free initial consultation, today. We serve clients in Indianapolis and throughout the state of Indiana.

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FAQS Regarding Personal Injury Settlements

After being injured in a serious accident that was no fault of their own, the law provides personal injury victims certain relief for their subsequent damages and losses. They can be awarded compensation to cover their hospital and medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages from missing work, and much more. But personal injury victims typically have a lot of questions about collecting compensation from a negligent party’s insurance company.

Continue below to review some of the most frequently asked questions personal injury lawyers get from their current and prospective clients about accident claim settlements, and perhaps get the answers you are looking for today, including where you can get more answers to your personal injury claim questions at the bottom of this blog.

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Indiana Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Will My Settlement Be Impacted if I am Partly to Blame for My Accident?

When an individual is seriously hurt in an accident, it is necessary to determine who was at fault for the incident. This process of determination is called comparative fault analysis, and it is widely used as a standard in tort cases. The jury gives this report to the judge at the closing of a personal injury trial. Comparative fault analysis simply describes the standard formula used to identify the negligent party involved in a serious accident, however, there are numerous details that go into making these distinctions. Fundamentally, if a victim or plaintiff is 50% (or less) at-fault in the case as compared to all fault against all defendants, then they are most likely entitled to basic compensation. In Indiana, a plaintiff cannot have 51% fault or greater and be awarded compensation.

Where Can I Find Answers to My Personal Injury Questions?

If you have questions about personal injury compensation, it is vital to discuss your claim with a team of licensed Indianapolis Indiana accident attorneys. They can give you personalized recommendations for your case, and document an impactful claim to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. As soon as you receive medical attention for your injuries, your next step should be to contact a personal injury law firm for help with your accident claim.

How Much Does an Accident Lawyer Charge?

Contingency fees are the most common form of billing practice used by personal injury law firms and attorneys. This payment arrangement works by not charging clients any retainers or upfront lawyer fees, but collecting a percentage of whatever monetary settlement they recover for them. Personal injury claims are complex and vary from case to case, so the percentage collected upon judgment will vary among lawsuits.

How Does a Court Assess an Injured Victim’s Damages and Losses?

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/jury 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 of personal injury get back to the condition and state of life they were in before their accident and if that is not possible, to compensate for the permanent injuries. It requires 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, doctor depositions and much more.

What Does Personal Injury Compensation Cover?

Economic losses, non-economic losses, and future economic losses are the types of damages meant to be covered by personal injury compensation. Economic losses may include all or a combination of medical expenses, hospital bills, OTC medication costs, prescription costs, lost wages, childcare expenses, home adaption expenses, and fuel costs (to and from doctors’ visits). Future economic losses may include prolonged medical treatment, physical therapy, long-term care, future medical expenses, future lost wages, future prescription costs, and future hospital costs. Non-economic losses may include pain and suffering, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, mental anguish, PTSD, loss of social life, loss of work abilities, loss of companionship, and loss of education experience.

How Long Does it Take to Get My Compensation?

From start to finish, a personal injury case can take anywhere from one year to five years or more, depending on the complexity of the case and how long the injured party needs medical care. You can expect it, in most cases, to take at least one year before a case is settled. There are countless variables that affect the time frame of a personal injury claim and receiving awarded compensation. Again, talk to your attorney to get a better idea of how long your particular case is predicted to take. In some cases, a settlement can and does occur within 1 year though.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Indianapolis, Indiana Who You Can Trust

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for information about your rights to pursue legal action after being seriously injured in a wrongful personal injury accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Keith Blazek, and Ralph Hoover are highly experienced accident lawyers who will obtain the full and fair compensation you rightfully deserve for your damages and losses. Not only do we offer free initial consultations, in-person or over the phone, we also work in contingency, which means we never collect attorney fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you. Contact us today at 317-881-2700 to set up your free case evaluation with a seasoned Indianapolis accident attorney. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

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Your Legal Rights After Being Seriously Burned With Hot Wax at a Salon

When you visit your local beauty salon, whether for a luxury manicure and pedicure, or for a routine hair removal appointment, you trust your cosmeticians to protect you from harm when using hot wax. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as hundreds of beauty salon clients have suffered serious second and third degree burns due to salon or beautician negligence. If you are one such victim, it is important to consult with a skilled personal injury lawyer to learn your eligibility for taking legal action against your negligent salon. You could be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering, and any other related damages that resulted from your salon accident.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know after suffering serious hot wax burns at a salon in Indiana.

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Burn Injury Attorneys in Indianapolis, Indiana 317-881-2700

Beauty Salon Liability

Beauty salons, like all other businesses, have a lawful duty of care to protect their guests from foreseeable harm by maintaining a safe and hazard-free environment. When a beauty salon does not take the proper precautions to ensure their hot wax products and equipment are up to standards and their staff knows how to properly use them, they are not upholding their duty of care. If a client is seriously injured after being burned with hot wax, the salon owner can be held legally liable for their client’s damages and losses.

Common Hot Wax Burn Injuries:

✦ Hair Loss
✦ Permanent Scarring
✦ Permanent Disfigurement
✦ Loss of Motor Skill Function
✦ Nerve Damage
✦ Infections
✦ Loss of Sight, Smell, Hearing, or Touch

Common Damages Collected By Beauty Salon Burn Victims

Common damages and losses suffered by victims of hot wax burn injuries vary greatly depending on the location of the hot wax contact, and the severity of the injuries. Many hot wax burn victims in the past have collect compensation for damages such as medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages from time missed at work, prolonged physical therapy, reduced quality of life, loss of ability to work, and pain and suffering. Pain, suffering, mental anguish, permanent scarring, disfigurement, and similar tolls that serious injuries take on burn victims are known as non-economic damages. These are damages that are not directly calculable, but rather, up to interpretation in terms of their gravity. Learn more about Types of Damages Awarded for Victims of Injury for a better understanding of the possible damages a burn victim might collect in a personal injury lawsuit.

How to Make an Injury Claim Against a Negligent Salon in Indiana

Contact the esteemed law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana against a salon that has caused you serious harm and subsequent losses. Personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are well-versed in Indiana personal injury law. Not only do we offer free case evaluations to discuss whether or not your matter is worth pursing for you, we represent clients all over the State of Indiana and never charge lawyer fees unless we win your case. Schedule an appointment, and get started as soon as today.

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Facts About Liability and Public Transportation Accidents

Public transportation is a reliable and necessary part of society. But if you are hurt on a bus, train, or other form of transient category, you should seek professional legal advice. If someone is injured while using public transportation, who is at-fault for their damages? There can be several outcomes when determining who is liable for accidents such as these.

Continue reading to understand all the possible parties that might be liable, under law, for injuries sustained to public transportation customers.

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Indiana Public Transportation Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Public Transportation Traffic Accidents

Public transportation is a wonderful asset for thousands of Americans all across the country. Buses, trains, subways, limousines, metros, taxi cabs, and more are just a few examples of the various common carriers we have to choose from when it comes to public transport. As customers and clients, we generally trust that these choices are safe and reliable, but sometimes unexpected common carrier accidents happen.

Commercial Bus Accidents

When it comes to public transportation, buses are one of the most popular. Tickets are inexpensive, and some buses are complementary to individuals in the community. School buses are also widely used for public school transportation. With the rising popularity of public buses, more and more are on the roads every day. As a result, the number of bus accidents continue to increase each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 300 bus accidents happen every year, some of which resulting in injuries to the passengers.

Bus crashes, and other public transport cases, are complicated to litigate. Determining the at-fault party is a bus crash can be tricky because it may be more than one person. Fortunately, Indiana bus accident laws do protect innocent victims. It is extremely beneficial to have an attorney with the professional litigation skills and trial experience of highly qualified Indianapolis accident attorneys to effectively pursue a bus accident injury lawsuit or claim. If you or someone you loved has recently been injured in a public transient accident, like buses or taxis, contact a local personal injury lawyer to learn your rights.

Possible At-Fault Parties in a Common Carrier Accident:

⇢ The Driver of the Bus or Taxi
⇢ Management Companies
⇢ Other Negligent Drivers
⇢ Government Entities (If Public)
⇢ Equipment Manufacturers
⇢ City Traffic Management (If Defective Light or Sign)

Common Causes of Public Transient Accidents:

⇢ Drunk Driving
⇢ Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
⇢ Defective Stop Light or Traffic Sign
⇢ Driver Inattention
⇢ Reckless or Careless Driving
⇢ Poor Equipment Maintenance
⇢ Defective Equipment

Addressing Other Negligent Vehicles on the Road

Traffic accidents, public or not, happen very quickly, and usually result in serious injuries and damages to innocent bystanders and drivers. If a person is injured using public transient systems as a result of another’s carelessness or negligence, they are entitled to legal compensation for their pain, suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and more.

Start Your Indianapolis Personal Injury Claim Today

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to get your Indiana personal injury claim started on the right path. Licensed accident attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are ready to pursue your case and obtain a full and fair settlement for your losses. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win compensation for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your complimentary consultation with a seasoned personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN today.  We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

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Is it Better to Settle an Accident Claim Out of Court in Indiana?

There is a reason why most personal injury lawsuits are settled before ever having to go to trial. In fact, there is more than one reason why. Not only are trials very expensive, they can be extremely stressful and even more unpredictable in terms of liability and damages. Also, trials are not private, and they can sometimes last for years. In most cases, especially for minor accidents and injuries, settling out of court is quicker, cheaper, and less risky.

However, this does not mean that all injury claims are better settled out of court. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, a trial is the better, or necessary, route to take. It is important to discuss the recommended strategy for your personal injury claim with an experienced accident lawyer who can provide experience based knowledge for what’s best for your case.

Continue reading to learn more about the advantages to settling an accident claim out of court, as well as, how to get started on your personal injury claim.

Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700
Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Going to Court is Never the Cheaper Course of Action

Trials are expensive. And although your personal injury lawyer probably works on a contingency-fee basis, it is still something that can still hold back your final settlement after you receive your compensation. In most contingency-fee arrangements, the attorney receives 33% of any pre-trial settlement and then 40% of any compensation awarded once the trial begins. The client then receives the remainder after any expenses and subrogation or lien claims are paid. Not all contingency arrangements are done this way although the vast majority are; it differs among law firms.  By avoiding court, the plaintiff can avoid paying high expenses in having to pay expert witnesses when going to court.

As for defendants, there is no contingency-fee basis. In almost all cases, the defendant’s insurance company must hire a lawyer who gets paid by the hour or the defendant’s attorney is an employee of the insurance company.

Trials Can Be Stressful and Cumbersome

Not just the trial itself, but the weeks leading up to the trial can also be very stressful for a person and their loved ones. Both the plaintiff and the defendant can be subjected to invasive examinations and cross-examinations, and in a public arena.

Trial Outcomes Cannot Always Be Well Predicted 

Although today’s legal system is set up in a way that takes surprises out of the trial process, they can still pose a long list of potential unexpected occurrences that influence the final outcome of a settlement. For instance, key evidence may be excluded from trial by the judge, new testimony can come out on the witness stand, key witnesses may sound unreliable or not show up at trial, and more.

Aside from all these potential unpredictable possibilities, the amount of compensation recovered is up to the jury. This means a plaintiff can be awarded much more or much less than the parties expected. Out of court, the plaintiff party and the defendant party have control over the negotiation of recompense.

What to Do as an Accident Victim in Indiana

If you or someone you loved has been hurt in a serious accident as a result of negligence by a company, person, or entity, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Get started on a path to justice and full and fair compensation, right now. Call an experienced Indianapolis personal injury law firm to speak to a legal representative about your recent injury or accident.

Indianapolis Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys Who Won’t Back Down to the Insurance Companies

Call the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a personal injury claim in Indiana. We are seasoned personal injury attorneys who want nothing more than to recover the full and fair compensation for accident victims across Indiana. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 and get started as soon as today.

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How to Maximize Your Personal Injury Verdict After an Indiana Boating Accident

With the exception of this week’s forecast, recent weather has been very permitting for outdoor activity, which is why so many boaters are still enjoying the lake life around Indiana. But not all boat days end in sun tans and good memories; some boating days end in severe injury. If you were just injured in a boating accident in Indiana, it is vital that you seek professional legal counsel right away. An accomplished personal injury law firm with a team of attorneys who specialize in Indiana boat accidents is the right hire to represent your injury claim.

But who can you trust to deliver such results? The answer is The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Indiana Boating Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. for Boating Accident Claims in Indiana

Boating accidents are typically very serious, as they tend to involve extremely vulnerable and exposed victims, heavy motorized boats, high speeds, and deep waters. This combination can be deadly in the case of a boat collision, or being hit or runover by a vessel. Boating accident victims in the past have suffered a vast range of severe injuries, such as orthopedic fractures and breaks, traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s), spinal cord injuries, serious burns, lacerations, amputations, and even wrongful deaths and drowning.

Due to the severe injuries suffered by boating accident victims, the cost of medical care is typically much higher than an average personal injury case, which in turn means that the amount of damages for the victim and their immediate families also tend to be higher. Hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from missing work, property damages, pain and suffering, and more, are all examples of possible damages you can collect as an Indiana boating accident victim.

Common causes of boat accidents include, but are not limited to:

🛥 BUI’s (Boating Under the Influence)
🛥 Inattention
🛥 Distracted Driving
🛥 Inexperienced Driving
🛥 Speeding
🛥 Ignoring Wake Zones
🛥 X-Large Wakes
🛥 Turning Too Sharply
🛥 Recklessness
🛥 Dangerous Weather
🛥 Failure to Wear Life Jackets
🛥 Negligent Boat Maintenance

Getting Started Doesn’t Cost You a Thing

Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation to learn your eligibility to pursue legal action against a wrongful party in a boating accident. We never collect lawyer fees upfront, nor do we charge hourly, require retainers, or surprise you with hidden fees. Our Indiana personal injury attorneys work on contingency, which means that you do not owe us a dime unless we recover a settlement or judgment for you! You can get started on your path toward financial recovery and justice, without paying a single penny. Initial consultations are not only free, we can perform them over the phone, via online conference, at your home or in person at our Indianapolis personal injury law office.

Learn More About Your Claim From a Trusted Indianapolis Accident Lawyer

Our esteemed Indiana personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek will work hard so you can recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured in a serious boat accident. Not only do we represent injured people throughout the State of Indiana, we never collect lawyer fees unless we obtain a settlement or judgment for you. Contact us today at 317-881-2700 to get your case in motion.

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How to Interview a Personal Injury Lawyer

After being injured in an accident that was not your fault, you have a right to claim your damages through a personal injury claim. In order to get the maximum settlement or verdict for your case, it is vital to retain the services of a licensed accident attorney; but not just any accident attorney, as there are thousands to choose from just in Indiana alone. You must choose an experienced and qualified lawyer to represent you in your personal injury claim. How do you know you have found the right accident lawyer to work with? You will have to meet or speak with them, and decide for yourself if they are a good fit.

Continue below to learn what you should be asking personal injury lawyers when you are interviewing them as a potential legal representative your Indiana accident claim.

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Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Questions to Ask Your Accident Attorney

Have You Represented Cases in Civil Court?

All personal injury lawyers have seen the court room during their career, but you want to choose a lawyer who is familiar with the civil courthouses throughout the State you are filing your claim in.  Our law firm has represented injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

Have You Represented Cases Like Mine Before?

Choose a personal injury lawyer who is well-versed in the particular type of injury or accident you have suffered. For instance, if you were seriously injured in a car accident, you will want to find a personal injury lawyer who concentrates on car accident claims and has represented such cases before with successful outcomes.  Our law firm has represented thousands of injured persons successfully throughout the State of Indiana.

Do You Take a Lot of Cases to Court?

Most personal injury lawyers can settle the cases they work on out of court, without ever going to trial. However, they should always be ready and willing to take the case to a jury if the insurance company won’t deliver a fair settlement offer. Ask your potential accident attorney how often their cases go to court to gain an idea of their hands-on trial experience.

Do Other Lawyers Work on Your Cases Too?

Some personal injury lawyers work as a team within a law firm. Not only is it quite common for more than one lawyer to handle a personal injury case, it is an advantage to have multiple astute minds working on a client’s financial recovery. Furthermore, it is easier to get in touch with a legal professional during the claim process when you have questions.

How Much Do You Charge in Lawyer Fees?

Most personal injury law firms work on contingency, which means clients do not owe any fees unless the lawyers obtain a settlement or verdict for them. There are no upfront lawyer fees, hourly billing, or retainers. So, you should ask your potential lawyer if they too work on contingency, and if so, how much they deduct from your settlement for attorney fees if they are successful with your case. 

How Soon Can You Start on My Claim?

Personal injury lawyers know that claims are limited in time with the state’s statute of limitations. So, most often, they will get started on your case the same day, or at least very soon after you agree to hire them.

How to Get Started on Your Indianapolis Personal Injury Accident Claim

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer who can help you gain control of your life and who will take some of the stress off of you after suffering serious injuries or damages at the hands of another. We offer free initial consultations and never collect fees attorney fees unless we recover for you.  We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

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What to Do if You are in a Company Car Accident

Nothing interrupts a workday worse than wrecking the company vehicle. And when injuries are serious, it can interrupt the quality of your life as well. For this reason, it is important to be prepared. Knowing how to handle a car accident in your work vehicle will be helpful to your claim and recovery. Continue reading for tips on what to do if you are ever involved in one.

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Indiana Car Accident and Workers’ Compensation Lawyers 317-881-2700

Tips for Driving a Company Vehicle

If you are frequently commuting back and forth in a company car all day long, it is important to be prepared for a car accident. With so much driving, the likelihood of being involved in a collision of some sort increases drastically. To prepare, keep a camera in your vehicle, along with your insurance information, pen, paper, and of course, your drivers’ license. These items will make your post-accident timeline much smoother, and will also allow you to record any evidence you need to support your insurance and/or injury claim. Evidence includes witness statements, witness contact information, other driver’s insurance and contact information, pictures of damages and the scene of the accident, and more.

Steps to Follow After a Company Car Accident

As soon as you are involved in a car accident in your company-issued vehicle, the first step is to seek medical attention right away. Once you are stable, you can continue on. If you are transported directly to a hospital for serious injuries, ask a police officer to help collect the information you need beforehand (if you can). If not, don’t worry about it; an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you gather all the evidence needed to support your case if need be.

If you are stable, then your next step is to check on the other people involved in the accident to see if they are okay. If they require medical treatment, step back and allow them to receive it. If they are stable, then you want to exchange insurance and contact information with them. It is also recommended to take a photo of their insurance card, license plate, and drivers’ license to ensure accuracy in case of clerical errors.

Next, use your phone or camera to take pictures and video of the scene of the accident, the vehicular damages, the road signs, stop lights, or other objects you think contributed to the accident. Also take pictures of any physical injuries you have on your body. Once you have visual evidence, look around to see if there were any witnesses to the accident. Ask them for their contact information if you need their statements during the claims process.

The last step is to hire an experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorney to help negotiate your car accident settlement in the case that you were seriously injured. They can help you recover the full and fair compensation you need to come back from your losses and damages, including hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from time off work, pain, suffering, and more.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek Helps Injured Indiana Car Accident Victims

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned injury lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, handle car accident injury claims and workers’ compensation claims, and have represented thousands of injured persons in Indiana. Our personal injury law firm offers free initial consultations to evaluate your eligibility to pursue legal action and collect compensation for your damages. Best of all, we never collect attorney fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you!

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Common Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Elder Abuse

If your loved one is currently living in a nursing home, or will be entering one soon, it is important to you that they are being cared for to the best of the staff’s abilities. Unfortunately, the industry’s employment turnover rate is high, and it is difficult for many establishments to retain a sufficient staff of fully-qualified caregivers. For these reasons, it is common for seniors to experience different levels of abuse and neglect. So how do you know your loved one is in good hands? There are various signs of nursing home abuse and neglect that you can look out for if you suspect any maltreatment is taking place.

Continue reading to learn more about elder abuse and neglect, including common signs exhibited by patients, as well as, which steps to take if you are concerned about the standard of care at your loved one’s Indiana care facility.

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Indianapolis Elderly Abuse Lawyers 317-881-2700

What is Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

It is important to understand that the circumstances surrounding neglect can vary greatly, especially since it can happen both intentionally and unintentionally. Sometimes, a staff member is unaware of the level of care a patient requires because they are insufficiently trained, and as a result, neglect to meet the patient’s nursing needs, resulting in harm to the patient. In other cases, a staff member might be in denial about a patient’s true needs, or simply refuse to provide certain levels of treatment because they think it’s unnecessary. In egregious cases, staff deliberately abuse elderly patients, verbally, mentally, emotionally, or physically. Yet, regardless of intention, it is 100% immoral, unethical, unacceptable, and against the law.

Common Types of Elder Neglect

Emotional – This type of disregard for a patient can occur in many forms, such as being yelled at or ignored or left alone for long periods of time. Verbal and mental abuse are also common examples of emotional neglect.

Basic Needs – When a patient’s basic needs are not being met, whether intentional or unintentional, it can be described as basic needs neglect. Basic needs include things like food, water, bathroom, and being kept in a safe environment.

Medical – Medical neglect can occur when a patient’s medical needs are not being met. This includes medical treatments, medications, or general attention and supervision.

Personal Hygiene – Personal hygiene neglect can be another form of basic needs neglect. It can occur when a patient is denied the proper bathing, grooming, clothing changes, and other standard hygienic practices.

Possible Signs of Elder Neglect

The signs of elder abuse and neglect can be very obvious, entirely undetectable, or somewhere in between. It is important to pay close attention to your loved one in order to evaluate their quality of life and the level of care they are being given. Possible signs of elder abuse or neglect include poor hygiene, weight loss, mood changes, unexplained or mysterious injuries, decreased muscle strength, stiffness or lack of mobility, unsanitary conditions in the home, reduced interest in activities or companionship, anxiety, depression, and other drastic physical or emotional changes.

If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of elder abuse or nursing home neglect, it is important to discuss your concerns with a licensed Indiana personal injury lawyer right away. They can help you understand your legal options and recommend the best course of action for protecting your loved one.

Indianapolis Indiana Elder Abuse Lawyers Who Can Help Your Loved One

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a personal injury lawyer about making a nursing home neglect claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are extensively experienced and well-versed in Indiana elder abuse law, and can stand up to the insurance company and demand the maximum offer for your loved one’s damages. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your case and determine if you are entitled to remuneration for your family’s damages. As an added convenience for our clients, we never collect lawyer fees unless we obtain a settlement or verdict. 

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