FAQS About Having to Go Back to Work After a Workplace Injury

Posted on September 4, 2020 by admin

Suffering a serious injury on the job is stressful enough. So, the process of transitioning back into the workplace should be a smooth and comfortable one. Unfortunately, many injured workers have difficulty returning to work, especially those who are forced to come back, or those who have been away for a long period of time. As an injured worker receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you too may be mandated to return to work. Hopefully, your employer has a respectful and reasonable return to work policy in place for such situations, or at least willing to improvise one as they go. Either way, it is important to get your facts straight to ensure your rights and your benefits are protected.

Continue reading to review some frequently asked questions about having to return to work after being injured in an on-the-job accident.

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

Medical Improvement

During the workers’ compensation process, you are routinely seeing your doctor to monitor and record your recovery. At some point in time, your doctor will sign off on your work abilities, confirming that you have reached maximum medical improvement. This might happen sooner than you anticipate, leaving you full of doubts, along with an obligation to comply or risk losing your workers’ compensation benefits.

Here are some of the most common questions injured workers ask about returning to work after suffering a workplace injury:

▶ How Long Will I Be Off Work After a Workplace Injury?

Some injured workers are okayed to return, but under certain restrictions, while others are ordered to wait to return to work until they make further progress. In this latter case, workers are generally not signed off to work again until they have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), which means they have recovered as much as they are going to with medical care. Others are medically approved to return to work before they reach this point. When this happens, they are usually transitioned back into the workplace under certain limitations, such as a modified schedule or lighter duties.

▶ Am I Forced to Return to Work After Being Okayed by a Doctor?

If you are signed off by the doctor to go back to work, you must go back to work, otherwise, you could lose your workers’ compensation benefits. Once you receive your return to work date, be sure to notify your employer as soon as you receive this notice. Also ensure that you carefully examine the documents to learn the exact parameters of your return. Both your workers’ compensation representative and your employer should have copies of your doctor’s orders, especially if it includes any restrictions. You do have a right to have an independent medical examination performed if you disagree with the return to work decision made by the doctor chosen by the worker compensation carrier.

▶ How Does a Doctor Decide if I Am Okay to Return to Work?

As mentioned, every routine visit to your doctor serves as a record in time, monitoring the progress of your recovery, and gauging your capacity to return to your normal work duties. As this process unfolds, your doctor will decide when you can go back to work, and at what scope. Your doctor will do this by performing an evaluation, and then using the data to assign a workers’ compensation disability rating if you have an on-going disability. You have a right to request for an Independent Medical Exam (IME) to gain a second opinion on your ability to come back to work.

▶ How Do I Learn More About My Workers’ Compensation Rights in Indiana?

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with an experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorney who concentrates on Indiana workplace injury claims. Seasoned attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are equipped to recover the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve after being seriously injured at work. Recover for damages and losses, including medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and more. We represent injured workers all throughout the State of Indiana, so get started with a free consultation, today.

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

How to Get Help With Your Minor Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) Claim

Posted on September 1, 2020 by admin

Although it might sound like a contradiction to call any form of brain injury minor, there is in fact a spectrum of severity among brain injury sufferers. In fact, many medical professionals refer to a standard scale to gauge the acuteness of a brain injury. If a brain injury results in certain lasting medical conditions, whether short or long term, it might be diagnosed as a minor traumatic brain injury, or MTBI.

If you are a recent victim of a negligent accident that caused you to suffer a minor traumatic brain injury, you need to consult with a legal team right away, well before the statute of limitations runs out on your claim. As a victim of an accident that was not your fault, nonetheless one that resulted in harm to your brain, you are entitled to full and fair compensation for your losses and damages.

Continue reading to learn how to get help with your minor traumatic brain injury, starting with a free consultation with a seasoned accident attorney.

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Minor Traumatic Brain Injuries

To be diagnosed with a minor traumatic brain injury MTBI, a brain injury victim must exhibit one or more of the following medical conditions must arise after their accident:

⇛ General Confusion and/or Disorientation

⇛ Amnesia Surrounding the Time of the Accident

⇛ Neurological or Neuropsychological Complications

⇛ Scoring 13 or More on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

*Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) – A common scoring system used to define the level of consciousness in a traumatic brain injury patient.

Additional Symptoms of a MTBI:

⇒ Intermittent Dizziness
⇒ Short Term Memory Loss
⇒ Headaches
⇒ Blurred Vision
⇒ Temporary/Partial Blindness
⇒ Poor Concentration
⇒ Agitation/Irritability
⇒ Depression
⇒ Changes in Appetite
⇒ Changes in General Demeanor or Character

Brain Injuries and Newborns

It is possible for infants to suffer traumatic brain injury at birth. Common defects and disorders that arise from birthing injuries include Cerebral Palsy (CP), Erb Palsy (Often misspelled Erb’s), coma, paralysis, and consequent death.

How to Get Started on Your Brain Injury Claim

Regardless of where your minor traumatic brain injury scores, a brain injury is serious, and can have lasting negative effects on a victim’s life, and even their immediate family. And although remuneration can’t entirely dissolve the experience of physically, emotionally, and financially suffering, it can help you and your family get back to a way of life that was as close to the life you had before. Talk to a licensed personal injury lawyer to learn more about making a brain injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indianapolis Accident Attorneys Who Will Win Your Brain Injury Claim

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury or minor traumatic brain injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana or anywhere throughout the State of Indiana. Our accomplished personal injury attorneys want to see you and your family prevail in and outside of the courtroom. This is why we use every resource in our power to ensure you receive the proper and on-going medical care and attention you need following a traumatic brain injury case, including neuropsychological and psychological testing outside of MRI’s and cat scans. Not only do we offer free initial consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement or judgment for you. Get started by scheduling your consultation, today.

Can I Sue a Driver for Hitting Me Because They Were Using Their Cell Phone?

Posted on August 25, 2020 by admin

If you refer to the recent Indiana motor vehicle accident records maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you will learn that, in 2018 alone, nearly half a million car accident victims suffered serious injuries as a result of distracted driving. In that same year, nearly 3,000 actually lost their lives due to distracted driving. Fortunately, Indiana’s government continues to make strides in improving and preserving the standard of protection for drivers and pedestrians alike.

One example is a new law that was passed just last month making it illegal to use or hold a cell phone while driving. If you were recently injured in a car accident because the other driver was using their cell phone, or otherwise distracted, that driver can be deemed negligent in the eyes of the law. In turn, this could make you eligible for a legal settlement or court verdict.

Continue reading to learn more about distracted driving accidents and injuries, including what you need to do as a recent victim to get your claim started, and what Indiana’s law says about using your phone while driving.

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It is Against the Law to Use Your Phone and Drive

Here in Indiana, July 1^st, 2020 served as the day in which using or even holding your cell phone while driving, was decreed illegal. That means it is against the law to operate a motor vehicle, while at the same time, using or holding a mobile phone. However, it is perfectly legal to use voice command or hands-free phone technology, or to use a phone to call 911 for a valid emergency. You can read the full contents of this law is under Indiana Code § 9-21-8-59, which includes this relevant excerpt:

“(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), a person may not hold or use a telecommunications device while operating a moving motor vehicle. (b) A telecommunications device may be used in conjunction with hands free or voice operated technology. (c) A telecommunications device may be used or held to call 911 to report a bona fide emergency.”

With this new law in effect, drivers who reach down to pick up a dropped phone, or choose to send emails or text messages while the car is moving, can be easily found negligent in their actions. Therefore, anyone who suffers injuries in a car accident that resulted from a driver using or holding their phone is likely entitled to certain compensation for their damages and losses because that driver blatantly broke the law.

Other Forms of Distracted Driving

Drivers can become distracted in a multitude of ways; not just by using a phone. If you were seriously injured by a distracted driver, it could be for many reasons. Common examples of distracted driving include reading maps or GPS, eating, handling children in the backseat, rifling through purses or briefcases, and changing music on the stereo.

How to Get started on a Car Accident Claim

Contact a licensed personal injury lawyer who concentrates on car accident injury claims if you were recently injured in a car accident that was not your fault. You see, insurance companies in clear cut cases of liability, such as using a phone while driving, sometimes try to settle as soon as possible. But accepting a quick settlement can be a massive mistake as a car accident victim.

This is because once a person signs and accepts the offer and releases the defendant from further liability, the case is immediately closed and cannot be brought back up ever again. If more injuries are discovered after settlement, which can occur and is called “delayed onset” or other damages appear or get worse after the settlement has closed, the defendant and their insurance company will no longer bear any responsibility. This is why it is important to hire a licensed Indiana car accident attorney to represent you.

Indianapolis Indiana Car Accident Lawyers Who Can Help

Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a seasoned personal injury attorney about your car accident injury in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek each have decades of car accident litigation and trial experience, and will work diligently to ensure you obtain the full and fair compensation for your damages. We offer free initial consultations to assess your case, and never collect attorney fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your initial consultation, today.

How to Recover Damages From Your Wet Floor Slip and Fall Compensation Claim

Posted on August 20, 2020 by admin

A wet floor sign plays a vital role in the safety of both patrons and staff within a business. However, more needs to be done to protect others from slip and fall accidents. When such warnings and actions are not applied properly for this purpose, the property owner or proprietor can be held legally liable for any victim’s damages and losses that result from their injuries. If you were recently injured on a commercial property in a wet floor slip and fall accident, your next step is to retain skilled personal injury representation so that you can recover the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Continue reading to learn more about Indiana slip and fall accidents, including how to maximize your compensation and where to get started on your claim.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Losing one’s balance as a result of a wet floor can result in slipping and falling. When this happens as a result of a store or business owner’s negligence, the victim is likely entitled to economical reimbursement for their damages and losses. Damages and losses include out-of-pocket expenses accrued as a result of their injuries, like hospital and medical bills, lost wages from missing work, and more. So, what does negligence look like in a wet floor slip and fall scenario? Well, there are many ways a business can be negligent. One of the most common mistakes or inactions made is not displaying proper signage and warnings on rainy days, snowy days, mopping days, spills, leaks, or when the floors are otherwise wet. If this happens, a business is not taking the proper precautions they are obligated to under Indiana duty of care and negligence laws.

A Business’s Duty of Care

Negligence can be defined in many ways, but there are two fundamental factors that make evident its basic concept; these two factors are “duty of care” and “breaching” the duty of care. Every person in the United States has a legal responsibility, or duty of care, to prevent or avoid causing harm to another person, whether intentional or accidental. Stores and businesses have this same legal responsibility, and if they fail to uphold that responsibility, thus directly causing another person to be injured or killed, they have breached their duty of care.

Advice for Making a Slip and Fall Claim in Indiana

If you or a loved one recently suffered serious injuries as a result of a slip and fall accident on another person’s property, you have the option of filing a slip and fall claim. During this filing process, evidence will be requested to prove that the owner of the property should have known, or did know, about the hazard that caused the accident to occur. To do this, hire an Indianapolis personal injury attorney that has experience in slip and fall lawsuits. They will provide comprehensive representation for all aspects of your slip and fall lawsuit. They can obtain compensation for damages related to your accident and injuries.

Contact Our Indianapolis Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyers Today

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to get started on your slip and fall accident claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers have decades of experience working on slip and fall cases, and will use every resource in our firm’s power to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Best of all, we offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we win a settlement for you. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana. Call 317-881-2700 to get started, today.

How to Collect Full and Fair Compensation for a Shoulder Injury Caused By Someone Else

Posted on August 11, 2020 by admin

Your shoulders are arguably one of the most important body parts when it comes to having full mobility. When you suffer a serious shoulder injury due to someone else’s negligence, you are entitled under the law to be compensated for your damages and losses. Trust the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. to represent you in your personal injury shoulder claim, and obtain the full and fair recompense you are rightfully entitled to.

Continue below to learn more about should injury claims in Indiana, and what our esteemed and accomplished Indianapolis personal injury lawyers can do to get your life back.

Indiana Shoulder Injury Lawyers — Shoulder Injury Lawyers Indianapolis, Indiana 317-881-2700

The Scope of Shoulder Injury Severity

Shoulder injuries can range from minor, such as a slight pull or strain, to moderate, such as tears, rips, and dislocations, and all the way to severe, such as deformation, permanent loss of use, permanent disability, and injuries requiring major or multiple surgeries. Because the scope of shoulder injuries is so wide, it is important to see a medical professional as soon as you are experiencing any discomfort after an accident. There is a medical phenomenon known as “onset of injury” which basically means that a victim might feel unhurt directly after an accident, and then days, weeks and even months later, begin to suffer symptoms as a result of an injury. See our blog, “Do Not Assume That You are Not Hurt After an Accident” to learn more about this.

Each attorney at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. has more than 20 plus years of experience representing clients that have suffered shoulder injuries, such as:

Indiana Should Injury Claim Experts

Here at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., you can trust that our experienced accident attorneys have the skill, motivation, and professional resources to win your shoulder injury lawsuit. We have represented a large number of shoulder injury cases in Indiana over the past several decades. Not only are we well-versed in personal injury law, we retain a vast knowledge of shoulder injury acumen in terms of liability and scope of recovery. Our personal injury lawyers know exactly what it will take financially to get your life back to the way it was after sustaining a serious shoulder injury.

Set Up a Free Consultation With a Seasoned Shoulder Injury Lawyer

When it comes to learning more about your rights to compensation after being negligently injured in an accident that caused you serious shoulder injury, you don’t have to worry about cost. Our Indianapolis personal injury law firm does not charge for initial consultations, so you can freely discuss the potential of your claim with a seasoned attorney, without any out-of-pocket obligation. Furthermore, we work in contingency, which means that if we take on your case, you do not owe us lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement or judgment for you. No upfront costs for consultations or representation is just one way for us to ensure you stay on a healthy road to recovery while we navigate your case.

Contact Us Today at 317-881-2700

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule your free shoulder injury consultation with our seasoned Indianapolis personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

How to Make a Claim as a Recent Construction Accident Victim in Indiana

Posted on August 7, 2020 by admin

Here in Indiana, construction accidents are not only one of the most common workplace injury accidents that occur on the clock, they are often times the most severe. That is because construction work typically involves heavy materials, powerful machinery, large motorized equipment, and working at heights. Construction injuries are not to be taken lightly, especially since many can result in an onset of injury, rather than an instantaneous one. For all of these reasons and more, construction accident victims tend to suffer exponentially in terms of their damages and losses.

If you are a recent construction accident victim, or your spouse, it is vital to hire a seasoned Indiana workers’ compensation lawyer for your construction accident injury claim. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about construction accident claims and lawsuits, including how to get started on yours.

Indiana Construction Site Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Construction Accident Claims

Although construction contractors and proprietors have a legal duty of care to maintain safe and hazard-free construction sites, accidents still happen every day in this line of work. As mentioned, construction complexes are more dangerous than standard workplace environments because they house various tools, products, heavy machinery, and equipment. As a result, there are infinite types of risk involved with construction work, and even more ways a worker can get hurt.

Here in Indiana, the most common types of construction site injuries and accidents include:

➾ OSHA Violations
➾ Scaffolding Accidents
➾ Explosion Injuries
➾ Crane Injury Accidents
➾ Falls
➾ Ladder Accidents
➾ Roofing Accidents
➾ Chemical Leaks
➾ Welding Injuries
➾ Severe Burns
➾ Blunt Force Traumas
➾ Machine Malfunctions
➾ Faulty Equipment
➾ Electrical Injuries
➾ Forklift Injury Accidents
➾ Trenching Accidents
➾ Nail Gun Injuries
➾ Wrongful Death
➾ And More

Construction Site Accident Lawyers Can Help Your Case

It is important to protect your rights if you were injured on a construction site, whether as a worker, pedestrian, driver, or visitor. Hiring a team of skilled personal injury attorneys who well-versed and familiar with the intricacies regarding workplace accident law, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, Indiana construction laws, safety laws, contractor liabilities, owner liabilities, agent liabilities, and similar areas of expertise, is your best chance at recovering the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Who to Trust With Your Indianapolis Construction Accident Claim

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with our team of highly-accredited and experienced personal injury attorneys about your recent construction accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are fully-prepared to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured at a construction site. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Get in touch with a friendly legal assistant about scheduling a free consultation with a construction accident lawyer, today. We represent clients throughout the State of Indiana.

What Do I Say to Insurance Adjusters After Being Injured in a Car Accident?

Posted on August 4, 2020 by admin

It can be very confusing knowing what to say, sign, or do after a car accident that leaves you seriously injured. It is important to understand as a car accident victim that anything said or signed can be used against you when making a claim for compensation. To make matters even more delicate, insurance adjusters seek to obtain certain information and admissions out of claimants through strategic and formulated interview questions, all for the purpose of using the information as a means to evade liability for their client’s damages. Basically, insurance companies’ main objective is to pay as little as possible to anyone making a claim with them.

Continue reading to learn what your rights are as a personal injury car accident victim, including what you should not say to insurance adjusters and police in order to protect your rights to full and fair compensation.

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What To Do as a Car Accident Victim

It is vital to make a police report at the scene of the incident, even if the at-fault driver drove off and even if the at-fault driver tells you at the scene they are at-fault. Likewise, it is just as important to get a medical report recorded at the scene of the accident as well. If the paramedics believe you require medical care, allow them to transport you to the nearest hospital. They are specifically trained to make these types of medical decisions.

If you are transported by ambulance and are not able to talk with the investigating officer at the scene of the collision, make your police and medical report in the hospital. Most police officers will go to the hospital to obtain your version of the incident. In any even, as soon as you are stable, whether at home or in the hospital, it is time to hire an Indiana personal injury lawyer to represent you in your car accident claim.

Never Talk With a Defendant’s Insurance Carrier

As a recent car accident victim, the best course of action for you to take is to get a legal professional on your side as soon as possible. If an insurance carrier calls you, take down their name, address, phone number and claim number and provide that information to your attorney. Waivers, documents, and interviews can entail confusing jargon and mislead victims.

An experienced car accident attorney will handle and organize every single detail of your case. This includes gathering all necessary documents, such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, expert testimonies, and more. They will also conduct all communications with your insurance company and the opposing insurance adjusters, as well as, opposing counsels, judges, doctors, and more.

Your Rights as a Car Accident Victim:

✅ You have the right to ask a police officer to file a police report.

✅ You have the right to take pictures at the scene of the accident, including damages to property (both vehicles), injuries, persons in the area, surrounding landmarks and structures, etcetera.

✅ You have the right to deny an insurance adjuster’s request for a recorded statement without consulting with your lawyer first (whether it’s your insurance carrier or another).

✅ You have the right to professional and private legal counsel.

✅ You have the right to seek to collect compensation for your damages and losses if negligently caused by another person.

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers That Work Hard to Protect Your Rights

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 about your car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are motivated 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. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.

Why You Need to Consult With an Indianapolis Car Wreck Attorney ASAP

Posted on July 30, 2020 by admin

In the case that a car accident was not your fault, and you wound up suffering serious injuries, it is important to consult with the seasoned Indianapolis car wreck attorney as soon as possible. Continue reading to learn your rights after being seriously injured in a car accident that was not your fault, why you need to seek professional legal counsel as soon as possible, and how to get started on your claim today.

Your Rights to Compensation After a Car Accident

After being injured in a car accident, you are entitled to certain rights to make a claim for compensation. If a car accident were your fault, you would likely be filing a claim with your own auto insurance, as well as your own health insurance carrier. However, if the car accident was someone else’s fault, and you suffered serious injuries that resulted in specific losses and damages, you are entitled to make a claim against the at fault party’s insurance carrier. In this case, you would need to hire a skilled personal injury lawyer to represent your claim. They have the knowledge, skills, and professional resources to navigate your case in a way that ensures you obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve.

You can recover compensation for proven economic and non-economic losses and damages, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages from time off work, prolonged physical therapy, permanent disability or disfigurement, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and much more depending on your particular case. See our blog, “Types of Damages Awarded for Victims of Injury” to learn more about recoverable personal injury damages and losses.

You Need a Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer if…

You should always hire a skilled personal injury attorney.

Here’s Why:

Once the at fault party calls their insurance carrier to advise them of the incident, the insurance carrier immediately begins their investigation of the case and it immediately assigns an adjuster to obtain facts and evidence which will support their insured’s version of the incident. In cases where their insured potentially causes severe injuries to another person, the in-house and sometimes out-of-house attorney will become immediately involved. It is vital to your case to have your own attorney so they can seek and obtain the evidence necessary to bring your claim and help you recover a full and fair settlement for your injuries.

A defendant’s insurance carrier owes an injured party no duties. It also owes no duty to treat the injured party fairly and to reach a fair settlement with an injured party. In fact, a defendant’s insurance carrier’s duty is to it’s shareholders to make them money, which is why, if they attempt to settle a case at all, they attempt to settle the case for as little money as possible. A defendant’s insurance carrier has a monetary interest in settling a claim for as little money as possible and to not settle the case at all if they can because that would mean the insurance carrier would pay nothing.

The bottom line is you should always hire a skilled personal injury attorney so you have someone looking out for your best interests and your best interests alone. The at-fault party already has an adjuster and attorney looking out for theirs.

Why Time is of the Essence

Every state has a set time limit in which an injured person can bring about a claim, or file a lawsuit in civil court, against another party. This is known as statutes of limitations. Here in Indiana, the standard statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years. If a personal injury victim fails to pursue a claim within this time period, they lose their opportunity to do so, forever. See our blog, “Can a Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Be Extended?” to learn more about such limitations and what you can do if you miss the deadline.

Moreover, evidence needs to be obtained quickly as it will disappear with the passage of time and memories of what happened become faded with time. For example, photos of the vehicles should be taken immediately. Why? Because if the vehicles are totaled they may get demolished in a wrecking yard once the property damage claim has been resolved. Moreover, if the vehicles are not totaled and are fixed, you will not have evidence of the impact and dames to the vehicles involved.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION WITH AN EXPERIENCED INDIANA ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you have recently suffered a personal injury in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis car accident injury attorneys are happy to answer your questions about personal injury claims, lawsuits, and more. Initial consultations are free of charge, and we never collect lawyer fees unless they recover for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation, today.

How to Make Your Own Bicycle Safety Kit

Posted on July 27, 2020 by admin

With all the recent events of the year, people are spending more time outdoors. One of the most popular and budget-wise outdoor activities for people of all ages is bike riding. Although one of the oldest pastimes in America, bike riding has taken on many modern and innovative features today, which can pose new safety threats and risks. You see, bike riders are especially vulnerable on the roads, and often times, become victims of serious accidents and injuries. From conventional bipedal models and tandem seaters, to electric bicycles, motorbikes, scooters, and more, regardless of the type you and your family rides, be sure you know how to stay safe as much as you can. A great way to ensure you are practicing bike safety is to carry a bicycle safety kit.

Continue reading to learn how to make your very own bicycle safety kit, and what to do if you are seriously injured in a bicycle accident.

Indiana Bicycle Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

What to Put in a Bicycle Safety Kit

Bicycle safety kits come in many forms, and can be customized to meet your exact needs. Such kits may be available in a local cyclist store or sports shop, but it is cost-effective and fun to curate your own! You can assemble your own by choosing the general safety items and then adding in any additional items you think you might need. Not sure where to get started? Here are some recommended supplies and gear to include in a general bicycle safety kit for adults and children:

🚲 Helmet – Wearing a helmet is biking safety 101, regardless of your age. It is the first piece of safety gear to consider, and in many states, it is the law to wear one. Be sure to choose a quality helmet that is the proper size and fit.

🚲 Reflectors – Having reflectors is not only important for nighttime biking, it is also a good idea to have reflectors on hazy, foggy, or cloudy days. Reflectors can be worn as sashes and vests, or they can be attached to your bike on the front and back. They can be solar-powered or battery-powered, and they come in all different shapes, sizes, watts, and fits.

🚲 Tools – There are various tools you can add to your kit to ensure safer, easier biking in the case of an incident. The collection of bicycle tools you choose to add to your kit will largely depend on your level of biking ability, and the type of biking you’ll be doing. Standard tools include a tire puncture repair kit, tire pump, and a pocket-sized tool kit, while more advanced tools may include a spoke wrench, screwdriver, and chain tools.

🚲 Water – Biking exerts energy and burns calories, so it is important to stay hydrated. Always carry a bottle or thermos of water with you when you ride.

🚲 First Aid Kit – Perhaps one of the most important components of a bicycle safety kit is a first aid kit. Such kits come prepackaged and can be purchased at your local pharmacy or department store. You can also make your own first aid kit, and include items such as bandages, alcohol wipes, antiseptic spray, antibiotic ointment, gauze, elastic bandage, adjustable arm sling, cotton balls, and eye drops.

If Involved in a Serious Bicycle Accident

If you or a loved one is seriously injured in a bike riding accident, your first priorities are to seek immediate medical attention and to make a police report. Keep in mind that an onset of injuries could occur later. If your bike accident happened due to another person’s negligence, your next step after medical treatment is to hire a licensed personal injury lawyer. We will seek to recover full and fair compensation for your damages and losses on your behalf. Just be sure to act fast before the statutes of limitations runs out and evidence can be lost if not accumulated quickly.

How to Get Started on Your Indianapolis Bicycle 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 a serious bicycle injury or loss. 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.

The Benefit of Settling a Personal Injury Claim Out of Court

Posted on July 24, 2020 by admin

It is a fact that the vast majority of personal injury cases settle outside of the courtroom. Continue reading to learn the various benefits of settling out of court, and what you can do to ensure you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve for your damages and losses.

Indiana Personal Injury Litigators 317-881-2700

Out-of-Court Personal Injury Settlements

For most personal injury claims, litigation is resolved well before the case can go to trial, let alone turn into a lawsuit. There are many good reasons why. The top advantage of settling a personal injury claim outside of court is the time and money saved. Although many accident law firms work on contingency, meaning they do not collect lawyer fees unless they recover a settlement for their client, a long, on-going case can add up in other types of pre-litigation expenses, such as filing fees, legal research fees, expert witness and testimony fees, and more. See our blogs, “What are Contingency Fees?” and “The Costs of a Personal Injury Lawsuit” to learn more about associated costs and fees in a personal injury case.

As for defendants in a personal injury case, there is no contingency-fee basis. In a personal injury case, nearly every defendant has insurance which will pay for any judgment against them. Their insurance carriers hire a lawyer who gets paid by the hour. And on top of lawyer fees, defendants’ insurance companies are also obligated to pay court costs, filing fees, and more. Defendant’s insurance companies also pay expert witnesses if need be. By avoiding court, a defendant’s insurance company can benefit greatly in terms of overall out-of-pocket costs.

Additional Benefits of Settling Outside of Court:

☑ It Eases Stress

Trial can be stressful for a person and their loved ones. The plaintiff can be subjected to invasive examination and cross-examinations, and even have their character called into question on a public platform. Being prepared by your attorney for this is vital to lowering that stress.

☑ It Allows for More Control

Although today’s legal system is set up in a way that takes most 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 more reliable, 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 expected. Out of court, the plaintiff party and the defendant’s insurance company have control over the negotiation of recompense. It is the defendant’s insurance company that decides if an offer will be made and not the actual negligent party themselves.

☑ It Avoids Timely Appeals

The appeals process in a personal injury lawsuit can take several months, or even years. In fact, once a lawsuit it filed, it will not likely see trial for at least 12 months. This puts a massive delay on a victim’s full and fair compensation, causing them to continue paying out of pocket for all of their losses and damages, such as medical expenses and hospital bills if they do not have health insurance coverage, lost wages from time off work, and more. Even the most basic and obvious personal injury cases can get stuck in this deferred legal timeline because a defendant’s insurance carrier refuses to make a fair offer on the case of an injured plaintiff.

☑ It Protects a Victim’s Privacy

If a personal injury case is settled out of court, everything except actual court filings are kept entirely private between the two parties. However, cases that go to trial in a court room are open to the public, recorded in public records and occur in front of six jurors in Indiana. It is possible for a judge to order a case to be sealed, but it does not happen often.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers That Will Fight For Your Rights

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you need an experienced personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are ready and able to recover the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve after being seriously injured by another’s negligence. Recover for damages and losses, including medical expenses, hospital bills, pain, suffering, lost wages, and more should occur if the damages were caused by another person’s negligence. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana. Get started with a free consultation, today.