Adhering to speed limits and other traffic laws is the best way to stay safe while driving. Unfortunately, while nobody expects to be hurt behind the wheel, car accidents are sometimes unavoidable.
Car accidents can lead to disabling injuries, including:
- Cognitive impairments
- Mobility problems
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Broken and fractured bones
- Torn ligaments and tendons
- Herniated and ruptured discs
- Blunt force trauma
A West Lafayette car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for your injuries, especially if you incurred significant financial costs or permanent injuries.
Call Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. today at (317) 636-7777 for a free consultation and to review whether you are entitled to compensation following a car accident.
Types of Damages
Indiana allows a West Lafayette car accident lawyer to pursue economic and non-economic damages for:
- Medical bills
- Medical devices
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
Most car accidents are caused by driver mistakes, which can involve factors such as speeding and improper turning. Indiana is an at-fault insurance state. That means that the driver who caused the accident is liable for economic and non-economic damages. When the other driver is at fault, their auto insurance policy covers expenses related to property damage and bodily injury.
Property damage includes your vehicle as well as any other possessions that were damaged in the accident. Since Indiana is an at-fault insurance state, a West Lafayette car accident lawyer can assist you in filing the proper claims and pursuing additional damages from all liable parties.
Indiana also requires personal injury claims against private individuals involving car accidents to be filed within two years of the accident, making a consultation with a West Lafayette car accident lawyer important during the aftermath of an accident.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving West Lafayette, call 317-636-7777
Indiana Auto Insurance Laws
Indiana requires vehicle owners to carry a minimum amount of coverage for property damage and bodily injury. Auto insurance policies can reimburse you for the expenses you paid because of the accident. Most drivers are required to maintain at least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage, as well as $25,000-$50,000 in uninsured and underinsured bodily injury coverage.
While your initial expenses are paid by the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, serious accidents can lead to extraordinary medical costs. If you have an expensive vehicle, property damage policies may not cover the entire cost to repair or replace your car. When your damages exceed the other driver’s policy limits, you can receive compensation from your insurance company through underinsured motorist coverage.
Some drivers decide to carry policies that exceed state minimum coverage, which is why discussing your case with a West Lafayette car accident lawyer can help you understand how much compensation you are entitled to.
Fault and Liability
Indiana allows you to recover damages for personal injury claims as long as you are 49% or less responsible for the accident.
Proving that the other driver is at fault can involve using:
- Witness statements
- Video footage of the accident
- Pictures of the accident scene
- The other motorists driving history
- Medical records
- Investigations conducted by your insurance company
If you suffer severe injuries, a West Lafayette car accident lawyer can collect evidence such as police reports to support your claim while you recover. If your economic damages exceed insurance coverage, a West Lafayette car accident lawyer can file a civil lawsuit against the other driver to recover those costs.
West Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 317-636-7777
What to Do After a Car Accident
When you are hurt in a car accident, the first step you should take is to report the accident by calling 911. Emergency responders can evaluate your injuries and law enforcement can complete an initial investigation. If you do not require immediate medical treatment, police officers may ask you questions about the accident. Police officers may also interview available witnesses and cite the other driver if they violated traffic laws.
It is essential to receive immediate medical care following a car accident. While some injuries may initially seem minor, symptoms can become worse over time. Other injuries may aggravate pre-existing conditions, which can allow a West Lafayette car accident lawyer to pursue damages against the other driver.
Keep Your Receipts
Car accidents can cause a variety of economic losses. Your vehicle may need to be towed from the accident scene, which is considered an economic loss. If your car needs extensive repairs, your mechanic can provide an estimate, which helps validate your economic costs.
Since paperwork can be lost or damaged, making digital copies of your receipts and expenses is a great way to ensure you preserve evidence of your losses. If your injuries result in time off from work, you can use pay stubs and a statement from your employer to validate how much income you lost.
Document Your Injuries
Medical treatment also establishes the severity of your injuries. If your injuries require hospitalization, your medical bills can accrue quickly. Reporting the accident to your insurance company is the best way to start the process to collect compensation. Your insurance company can investigate the accident and determine who is at fault.
Your medical provider can validate your injuries, which can help you demonstrate how the car accident impacts your daily life. Chronic pain or mobility impairments may lead to a diminished earning capacity or compromised quality of life. Some injuries may require extensive rehabilitation, which means keeping all medical documents is the best way to prove your injuries.
Call Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. today at (317) 636-7777 to discuss your claims during a free consultation.
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Contact Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. Today
A West Lafayette car accident lawyer ensures that your legal rights are protected following a car accident. While an accident can be scary and lead to long-term injuries, a West Lafayette car accident lawyer can focus on recovering damages. It can be difficult to manage your claims while you recover, especially because claims may involve multiple insurance companies.
Severe injuries can limit your ability to work, which may entitle you to unemployment or disability benefits.
To discuss whether you are entitled to damages following a car accident, call Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. today at (317) 636-7777.
Call or text 317-636-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
