Do I Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer for My Accident Claim?

Posted on December 9, 2019 by admin

Although it is not required by law to hire a personal injury lawyer to represent an accident claim, in almost all cases, it is the best choice. Continue reading to learn why it is important to retain a seasoned attorney after being injured in an accident that was not your fault.

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Always Hire an Attorney

When it comes to obtaining the best possible outcome for your accident claim, the most effective course of action, both practically and financially, is to hire a personal injury lawyer. We have the knowledge, resources, and experience to fully comprehend the law surrounding your case which in turn helps protect your right to a full and fair settlement or verdict. You may be entitled to certain compensation to cover your damages and losses that result from your accident and injuries, including medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and much more.

The Consequences of Having No Lawyer

Representing yourself in a personal injury case is referred to as “pro se” in most states. This legal route is extremely risky because, in most cases, it usually costs plaintiffs more money in the long run and renders less of a settlement. The only time it might be acceptable to represent yourself in a personal injury claim would be if the case was worth a very low amount and the plaintiff filed suit in small claims court. However, numerous personal injury lawsuits are high-value claims, making this possibility a very rare one.

Get an Attorney With Injury Experience

Not only should you not enter a personal injury claim without a lawyer representing your best interests, you do not want to hire simply any general practice lawyer. It is vital to hire an attorney who focuses solely on accident law to get the best possible outcome for your settlement. After all, you wouldn’t go to your family doctor to have them do surgery, you would go see a doctor who is a surgeon. The same principle applies when it comes time to hiring a legal professional. Be sure to choose a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing victims that were injured in the same type of accident you were injured in.

Defendant’s Insurance Companies Have Attorneys

The insurance company for the at-fault driver will have an attorney, usually an in-house attorney, that works directly for the insurance company and who is paid by the insurance company to defend the at-fault driver. In bigger cases, an attorney is brought in immediately after the at-fault driver calls their insurance company to advise them of the collision or incident. Because the defendant’s insurance company has an attorney working on the case from day one, so should you.

Get a Free Initial Consultation With a Trusted Indianapolis Accident Lawyer

The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. provides prompt, personalized, and responsive legal services for victims injured in Indianapolis, Indiana. Contact our law office today at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free initial consultation with a practiced Indianapolis injury attorney to find out if your injuries entitle you to legal compensation. We represent injured people throughout the State of Indiana.

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Helpful Personal Injury Links and Resources for Indiana

Posted on November 15, 2019 by admin

If you are looking for reliable legal resources and information regarding your recent personal injury or civil wrong-doing, you have come to the right place. Our Indianapolis personal injury attorneys are well-versed in accident law, and can provide you with the proper guidance following a serious accident. Contact our office at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case with one of our esteemed and seasoned accident lawyers, today.

In the meantime, continue below to review some helpful personal injury links and resources for Indiana residents.

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Useful Indiana Personal Injury Links:

Indiana Government

Indiana Courts

Indiana Supreme Court

Indiana State Bar Association

Indiana General Assembly

Indiana Real Estate Commission

Indiana State Police

Indiana State Police Alliance

Indiana Business

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Indiana Consumer Services

Indiana Code

Indiana Unemployment Information

Indiana Victim Assistance Division

Workers’ Compensation Board of Indiana

Indiana Child Support Calculator

Marion County Prosecutor’s Office Child Support Division

Indiana Institute for Family and Social Responsibility

Recycle Indiana

Indiana Office of Energy & Defense Development

Indiana Division of Oil & Gas

Indiana Business Taxpayers

The American Legion Department of Indiana

Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority

Indiana State Personnel Department

Indiana Department of Correction

Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Indiana Department of Agriculture

Indiana Department of Administration

Indiana Department of Financial Institutions

Indiana Department of Insurance

Indiana Department of Local Government Finance

Indiana Department of Homeland Security

Indiana Department of Child Services

Indiana Department of Workforce Development

Indiana Department of Education

Indiana Department of Health

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Indiana Department of Revenue

Indiana Department of Transportation

Indiana Department of Labor

United States District Court, Northern

United States District Court, Southern

United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District

United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District

Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers You Can Trust

It is important to consult a personal injury attorney soon after sustaining a serious injury in Indiana. The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. are ready to seek full and fair financial compensation for accident victims, as well as, hold responsible parties and their insurance carriers legally accountable for their negligence.

Our licensed accident lawyers gather all relevant information needed for the case, go head to head with insurance companies, handle all communication and negotiations with opposing parties and their counselors, and go to trial if necessary, all to obtain full and fair compensation for injured clients.

We can get damages awarded following a personal injury, such as medical bills, lost wages, injury rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and much more. The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. has experience protecting the rights of victims involved in almost all types of injury cases, including:

How to Get Started on Your Claim Today

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about recovering the full and fair compensation for your damages and losses that you deserve following a serious accident or injury. Not only do we offer free initial consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Get started by scheduling your consultation, today.

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana — Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Choose the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek as Your Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys

Posted on November 8, 2019 by admin

The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. are seasoned accident and injury lawyers who will work hard to assist you with your personal injury case. We can help you learn more about your rights after being negligently injured in a serious accident. From start to finish, our personal injury attorneys are right by your side, representing your best interests, as well as, your rights within personal injury law. We are the experienced and knowledgeable Indianapolis accident attorneys who will recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured in an accident that was not your fault.

Continue reading to learn why we are a leading personal injury law firm in Indiana, and why you should choose us to represent you in your accident claim.

Accident Attorneys Who Truly Care About Your Recovery

Our personal injury lawyers understand that serious accidents are troubling in more ways than one. Not only can a serious accident result in extensive financial damages, they can also require extended mental, physical, and emotional rehabilitation. It is imperative to us that our clients recover emotionally and physically so they can take back control of their lives and move forward once and for all. It is their job to heal and get better, while we fight for full and fair recovery for all their losses.

We Concentrate on a Wide Range of Practice Areas, Including:

We Can Obtain Justice for You

We have decades of experience representing personal injury cases in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our skilled and experienced accident attorneys are highly committed to tort law, and work tirelessly to obtain justice for our clients. We are proficient in personal injury litigation, so you can trust us to clearly advise you of all your legal rights and the best course of action for your claim.

But please beware of Indiana’s personal injury statutes of limitations. If you wait too long to make a claim against the negligent party that caused your accident and subsequent injuries, you can lose your opportunity to make a claim forever. By acting fast and calling our Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm, you can avoid encountering delays or problems from waiting too long to file suit and problems with evidence disappearing with the passage of time.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation to Learn More

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a licensed Indianapolis personal injury attorney who can determine the best strategies for your case. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! We also represent clients all throughout the State of Indiana.

What Type of Doctor Do I See After a Personal Injury?

Posted on September 6, 2019 by admin

Being injured in a serious accident is a shocking time in a person’s life. So naturally, injured victims are often overwhelmed with fears, anxieties, questions, and uncertainties. This confusion is quite normal, but can be mollified with the help of a seasoned personal injury lawyer. They can help you understand which course of action is best for your situation, including recovering compensation for your resulting damages. The very first step to take after being injured in an accident is to obtain medical attention for your injuries.

But many victims are not sure which type of doctor to see. Should they visit the emergency room and see an ER doctor? What if their injuries appear days later? Who do they see then? These are important questions to ask yourself as a victim of a personal injury accident.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about finding and receiving medical care after sustaining serious injuries as a result of another’s negligence.

Medical Care for Personal Injuries

There are various fields of medicine, and therefore, various kinds of doctors. Some doctors specialize in certain areas of the medical field, while others practice generally. The type of doctor you need to see after sustaining injuries in a serious accident will depend on a few factors, including when your accident takes place, where it takes place, and when your injuries are apparent to you.

Instant Injury

In emergency situations in which an injury occurs instantly, such as broken bones, 3^rd degree burns, or serious lacerations, it is common to go to the emergency room and be seen by a licensed ER doctor and their medical team. You would likely be transported by ambulance, or have someone drive you to the emergency room at the nearest hospital.

Onset of Injury

In the case that you experience an onset of injuries, meaning your injuries are not apparent right away, but appear and worsen days, weeks, or months later, you must see a doctor on your own. If the injury is serious, go to the emergency room. But if you are not sure of the extent of severity, you can start by contacting your primary care physician, or family doctor.

A general practice doctor can give you an initial medical assessment consisting of some basic checks like blood pressure, temperature, mobility, blood work, and even x-rays. From there, they can refer you to a specialist to address your injuries more specifically, such as back injuries, head injuries, and orthopedic injuries. These doctors will likely order more tests, such as MRIs, CAT scans, and more. Afterwards, you will need to obtain follow-up care, which your specialist or PCP will arrange for you. You may even be referred to mental health services from a licensed counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

Have more questions about the onset of injuries? See our blog, “Do Not Assume That You are Not Hurt After an Accident” to learn more. If you are still unsure about which doctor you should see regarding your injuries, it is helpful to contact a personal injury lawyer to assist you. They have the knowledge and experience to give you personalized advice for your unique case.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers Who Can Help

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for help filing a negligent action claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned accident lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, can help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after suffering a serious injury. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Schedule your consultation before the statutes of limitations runs out on your claim.

How Much Compensation Will I Get in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Posted on August 27, 2019 by admin

If you have been seriously hurt in an accident as a result of another’s negligence, you are most likely entitled to compensation for your subsequent damages and losses. You will need to retain the services of a seasoned personal injury law firm that can prove in a court of law that you are owed remuneration for your medical bills, hospital bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and all other related losses, and ultimately, ensure that you receive a full and fair settlement. But you are probably eager to know how much can you expect to get paid in a personal injury settlement? Well the answer is much more complex, and varies from case to case.

Continue reading to learn which factors and formulas are used by the court and jury to determine what a fair settlement for a personal injury lawsuit would be, as well as, what you can expect to pay your personal injury lawyer once you are awarded compensation.

Damages and Losses After a Personal Injury

Under tort law, when a person is a victim of a civil wrong-doing, a court or jury may award damages to compensate them for their injuries and losses. Damages vary, but commonly include lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, prolonged rehabilitation, loss of consortium, and various other economic and non-economic losses.

Economic damages are for tangible financial losses, like bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages might include pain and suffering, mental anguish or illness (i.e. depression, anxiety, etc.), loss of companionship (i.e., wrongful death, brain damage to loved one, paralysis of loved one that changes or prohibits the relationship, etc.), long-term medical care or medication dependencies, diminished quality of life, permanent disabilities, loss of ability to work, and more.

Assessing the amount of damages is often a difficult and complex process since many variables influence the final determination. A court or jury must consider the losses or injuries of a victim’s person, property, and overall quality of life. Personal injury cases generally address three primary issues that ultimately determine what the fair and full payment would be for a victim’s injuries, which are as follows:

❶ LIABILITY – Establishing the degree of negligence of another person or entity;

❷ DAMAGES – The amount of compensation that fairly acknowledges compensates for and covers a person’s injuries;

❸ SOURCE OF COLLECTIONS – Insurance or additional assets to cover the award of damages;

Paying for a Lawyer

If you have asked yourself if you can afford an accident lawyer, the answer is, “yes!” Anyone can afford a personal injury attorney if they have a valid claim and case. They can even have their claim examined by a licensed attorney for free, to determine if they have a valid claim. You see, most personal injury law firms do not collect attorney fees unless they recover a settlement for you. This is why they offer free initial consultations. The consultation gives them an opportunity to discuss a client’s case without obligating them or you to pay anything out of pocket.

Following the consultation, a personal injury lawyer will evaluate the client’s claim to determine if the case is strong enough to pursue. If they believe their client is entitled to compensation, they will take on their case and work toward obtaining a full and fair settlement for their damages. The more a lawyer can recover for you, the more they get paid, which motivates them to work even harder on clients’ cases. A personal injury attorney makes it easy for victims to pursue an accident claim or lawsuit, without risking thousands of dollars of their own money and the chance they may lose their case.

How to Get Started on Your Claim Today

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim anywhere in Indiana. Our firm is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, have a focus on accident law and retain extensive trial and litigation experience. Not only do we offer free initial consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement for you. Get started by scheduling your consultation, today.

An Overview of Personal Injury Basics

Posted on August 23, 2019 by admin

Personal injuries fall under an area of law known as tort law. Under tort law, anyone injured at not fault of their own, but rather, the fault of another person or entity, is entitled to recover compensation for various types of damages. If you or someone you love has suffered losses as a result of a negligent accident, continue reading to learn some basic terms and information that will help you get started on your personal injury claim.

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Statute of Limitations

An important factor to consider when facing a potential personal injury claim is time. There are set time limits on how long a personal injury victim has to make a claim against a negligent, at-fault party. The amount of time set for such cases depends on a few factors, primarily the type of injury and state laws. See our blog, “Can a Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Be Extended?” to learn more about personal injury claim timelines.

Negligence

Under tort law, negligence is defined as a 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. The burden of proving negligence in a personal injury case falls onto the plaintiff, who must show that the defendant 1) owed a legal duty of care, 2) breached that duty of care, 3) the breach directly caused the accident, and 4) the accident resulted in losses and damages.

Damages and Losses

There are various types of economic losses a victim can suffer as a result of a serious accident or injury. Common damages awarded to personal injury victims include compensatory, nominal, and punitive damages such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings, physical disablement, lost ability to work, and more. See our blog, “Types of Damages Awarded for Victims of Injury” to learn more about personal injury damages.

Pain and Suffering

Also referred to as hedonic damages, pain and suffering is a legal term used in tort law that describes the cumulative non-physical injuries, or emotional and mental trauma and burdens, experienced by the victims as a result of the accident and injuries. Non-physical injuries might include fear, anxiety, grief, worry, insomnia, a loss of enjoyment for one’s life, loss of consortium, wrongful death, and more.

Personal Injury Claims

In order to recover the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve after being seriously injured in an accident that was not your fault, it is best to make a personal injury claim. In order to present an effective case, it is wise to seek out professional legal representation for help navigating and negotiating your claim. See our blog, “How to Make a Personal Injury Claim in Indiana” to learn how to get started. Or simply scroll below to skip the hassle and speak directly to seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyers who can help.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, if you or a loved one was recently hurt in a serious accident in Indiana. Our personal injury attorneys offer free initial consultations to sit down and assess your case. If we feel that you are entitled to compensation for your injuries, we begin working on your case immediately, without charging a dime. If we do not prevail for you, you will not owe our law firm any payment. We are the strong voice and immediate action you need for your personal injury lawsuit.

Are Personal Injury Lawyers Expensive?

Posted on August 9, 2019 by admin

If you are a recent victim of an accident, do not let your income or cash availability stop you from hiring a personal injury lawyer to represent you in your claim for fair compensation. Regardless of employment, income, and cash availability, anyone can afford to retain the services of a personal injury law firm. Furthermore, virtually all personal injury offices offer free, first-time consultations in order to have your case reviewed by a licensed accident attorney.

Continue reading to learn more about paying for a personal injury lawyer, including how much they collect for attorney fees and most importantly, how to get started as soon as today!

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Lawyer Fees

Here in the United States, the most common payment arrangements used by law firms include hourly fees, flat fees, fee retainers, and contingency fees. When it comes to personal injury representation, the contingency fee is the most common fee arrangement used. Under a contingency-fee basis, a client does not pay anything upfront in terms of lawyer fees. Instead, clients only have to pay if a settlement is recovered for them. This is a great advantage for clients since they normally do not have the cash available, to pay the attorney fees, especially after a fall when a person is incurring medical bills and may be off work for a time.

Upon recovering a settlement or judgment for a client, a personal injury lawyer will collect a prearranged percentage previously agreed upon in the signing of the client-attorney contract. Commonly, lawyers retain around 1/3^rd of the total settlement, but this percentage varies among firms. Always ask your personal injury lawyer about their payment arrangements and price tiers at your initial consultation. In fact, read our blog, “The First Questions You Should Ask About Your Personal Injury” to learn how to prepare for your first meeting.

What You Might Have to Pay For Yourself

Although personal injury lawyers work on a contingent basis, you might be obligated to pay additional fees related to your case. Such fees may include court costs, witness testimonies, expert panelists, filing fees, private investigation costs, background checks, and more. Most law firms will front these costs for a client until the time of settlement, at which point those fees/expenses would be paid out of the total settlement. Fortunately, these costs usually do not amount to a lot, and tend to stay within an affordable price range; especially when you consider the settlement you are potentially recovering for your total damages and losses that resulted from your accident.

How to Get Started on a Personal Injury Claim

Call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned lawyers, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are motivated to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured in a serious accident. Best of all, we only collect lawyer fees if we obtain a settlement for you!

How a Personal Injury Evaluation Can Help You

Posted on June 21, 2019 by admin

Did another person’s negligence cause you injury? If so, you could be entitled to certain compensation for your damages and losses. Start the process of obtaining coverage for hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, property damages and much more with a personal injury claim.

The very first step to making a personal injury claim for your recent accident is already in the process, as you are reading this blog and learning what you need to know about getting started. The next step is to schedule your initial consultation with a seasoned and skilled personal injury attorney who is well-versed in the specific category of accident law that relates to your claim.

Continue below to learn the importance of this initial consultation, and where to find the most vigilant personal injury representation in Central Indiana and throughout Indiana.

Here are the reasons why your first personal injury evaluation will help you with your legal needs following an accident:

☑ They Confirm Merit

The primary reason why these evaluations are so vital in the beginning of the process is that they determine if your case is valid, or worthy of pursuing. Whether or not you actually have a merited case depends on a long list of factors; factors that only a seasoned personal injury lawyer will know. Such considerations include the state’s statute of limitations, prohibiting factors, total economic and non-economic losses, and much more. See our blog, “How Can I Tell Whether or Not I Have an Injury Case?” to learn more about assessing the strength of a personal injury claim. Once you have a legal professional on your side who knows you deserve to be compensated for your losses, you can feel confident knowing that someone will help you fight for your rights. Insurance companies have in-house attorneys on staff reviewing your claim and you should have your own attorney as well.

☑ They Educate You

You are probably not a lawyer yourself, which means that the law and related legalese can be quite confusing, if not entirely foreign to you. For this reason, it is important to have your case and the laws surrounding your case explained to you in a language you can clearly understand and comprehend. An initial personal injury consultation will provide this advantage. You can also refer to our blog, “A Review of Personal Injury Claim Terms and Definitions” to get a head start with some legal basics.

☑ They Offer Peace of Mind With No Obligation

If budget is holding you back from scheduling an initial evaluation with a personal injury attorney, you have no need to worry. Most personal injury law firms offer free initial consultations, which means there is no out-of-pocket obligation to you. So even if it is determined that you do not have a case, you will have peace of mind knowing that you learned the truth. Furthermore, if they take your case, there are usually no upfront lawyer fees since most firms work on a contingency-fee basis. See our blog, “How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Accident Lawyer?” to understand this pricing model better. The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. does not charge upfront lawyer fees.

Seasoned Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to discuss your recent accident with a seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, and learn the best course of action for your claim. We are ready, willing and able to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve and we represent injured clients throughout the State of Indiana. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you.

What are Punitive Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Posted on June 3, 2019 by admin

When accidents happen as a result of negligence, the scope of possible injuries are vast. Accordingly, the scope of carelessness on behalf of the at-fault party will also vary greatly. In cases where the tortfeasor demonstrated outrageous or egregious misconduct that directly caused the victim’s injuries, a court or jury may decide to award additional monetary damages to the plaintiff party in a personal injury lawsuit. These are called punitive damages, or exemplary damages, and they are meant to punish and deter negligent parties.

Continue reading to learn more about punitive damages, as well as where to get started on your personal injury claim in Indianapolis.

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Personal injury law generally recognizes and considers three types of losses, referred to as compensatory damages. Depending on the types of losses experienced following a personal injury, one’s damages will be either economic (including future economic losses), non-economic, or both. Types of economic losses may include medical expenses, hospital bills, OTC medication costs, prescription costs, lost wages, child care expenses, fuel costs (to and from doctors’ visits), and similar payments.

Future economic losses are included as economic losses, such as prolonged medical treatment, physical therapy, long-term care, future medical expenses, future hospital costs, and more. Types of non-economic losses may include pain and suffering, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, mental anguish, PSTD, loss of consortium, loss of work abilities, loss of education experience, and more.

Punitive Damages

Aside from the 3 common types of damages awarded in a personal injury lawsuit, there is another category that can also be awarded in addition to actual damages. These are called punitive damages. Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are different from economic and non-economic damages because they are not intended to compensate a victim for the loss of their quality of life. Instead, they are meant to punish the tortfeasor, as well as, set a public example and double as a deterrent for the particular gross negligence involved in the case.

Punitive damages have even been branded “quasi-criminal” since they sit halfway between the criminal law and civil law. Furthermore, defendants are seen as acting deliberately, spitefully, grossly negligent or with disregard for the rights and welfares of the victim. In fact, the typical terminologies used to describe such conduct and justify the awarded damages in personal injury cases include wanton, fraud, malice, outrageous, violent, bad faith, oppression, reckless, grossly negligent and even wicked.

Where to Get Reliable Legal Advice Regarding Your Recent Accident

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn the best course of action after being negligently injured in an accident in 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.

The First Questions You Should Ask About Your Personal Injury

Posted on May 28, 2019 by admin

Becoming a victim of a personal injury that resulted at no fault of your own is not an obstacle you planned on facing in life. However, now that you are on this journey, the most important factors are your health and well-being. Aside from medical treatment, it is important to also protect your legal rights, especially to compensation for your damages and losses. So as you turn the corner from medical care to legal action, be sure you are asking the right questions about your personal injury case.

Continue reading for some helpful tips, including who to call for professional legal advice regarding your potential claim.

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Do I Have a Case?

The first and foremost question you should be asking yourself, and then a qualified lawyer, is the question of validity. Are there grounds for compensation? Did the at-fault party have a duty of care and breached it, resulting in your injuries? Consult with a licensed Indianapolis personal injury lawyer who offers free consultations, and use that time to discuss the strength of your case.

How Long Do I Have to Make a Claim?

There are set statute of limitations for every type of legal action. In tort law, personal injury claims are brought forth in civil court, which generally has shorter statute of limitations compared to criminal courts. For personal injuries, the amount of time depends on the type of injury, however, most claims retain an average statute of limitations of 2 years or less. Refer to Title 34, Article 11, Chapter 2 of the Indiana Code book for details regarding civil statute of limitations in our state.

How Long Will My Case Take?

There are countless factors that contribute to the amount of time it takes to settle a personal injury claim, which means it is virtually impossible to predict a timeline since they vary greatly from case to case. Sometimes cases are clear-cut, while others require ongoing litigation, and as a result, more time. Standard cases can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year, while more complex cases can take double, or triple that amount of time. In some cases, no settlement is ever reached.

Will I Have to Go to Trial?

There are various factors that influence the outcome of a settlement. Whether a claim is settled out of court or goes to trial depends on many details of a particular case. For most plaintiffs, a personal injury lawyer assists with this part of the process. They are prepared to go to court for their clients, but do everything in their power to avoid it and settle out of court instead. In most cases, personal injury claims are settled out of court.

How Much is My Case Worth?

The amount of compensation you will likely collect largely depends on your total damages and losses, including lost wages, hospital bills, medical expenses, pain, suffering, and more. In order to truly know how much your case is worth, you must consult with a licensed and experienced personal injury attorney.

Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a licensed personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek can help you recover the compensation you deserve after being injured in an accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.