Indiana, the 17th most populous state in the U.S., has been hosting the Indy 500, an annual automobile race, since 1936. Ironically, the state recorded over 200,000 car accidents in 2017, causing about 900 deaths and 50,000 non-fatal injuries. A more concerning factor is that nearly 30% of car crashes in Indiana include BAC in their reports.
If you endure severe injuries in the car crash, the physical and financial ramifications can be overwhelming. Hiring an expert Indiana car accident lawyer is the best option to manage such critical situations. They have excellent expertise to represent your interests and defend your rights in the court of law. If you are not convinced yet, these reasons will compel you to hire an attorney, in the case of a car crash.
Actuating the Right Value of Your Injuries
In Indiana, nearly 30,000 people are involved in collisions due to Overspeed, representing about 8% of all auto accidents. Moreover, reckless driving accounted for 50% of car crashes in the state.
If you met with such accidents, you would inevitably have severe injuries, increasing your medical expenses by manifolds. The opposite team can convince you for a lower settlement, escaping from paying your claim’s real value.
A diligent car accident lawyer will recognize the actual value of your injuries and work for winning the compensation that covers the full extent of your losses.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement
As per the Indiana State Law, you can claim hospital bills, ongoing medical care, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and vehicle repair costs.
However, the insurance companies and the opposite party’s legal team will do their best to downplay your claims.
Thus, it is best to hire a personal injury attorney to negotiate with the other party and win a fair deal.
Dealing with the Insurance Companies
In Indiana, some automobile insurance policies include medical payments, which range from $1,000 to $25,000. The coverage pays for your reasonable medical expenses, endured during the car accident.
Typically, the insurance companies try to find the loopholes in your car accident case and deny you the compensation you deserve by devaluing your losses.
Hiring an Indiana car accident attorney can strengthen your case for negotiating with the insurance consultants on your behalf and handling all details of your claim.
Determining the Liable Party
Indiana is a “fault” insurance state, making every driver responsible for their action. Also, as per the Indiana Comparative Fault Act, the victim should have less than “51% fault” to claim compensation.
Thus, it boils down to your ability to prove that you are the victim. Worry not! A competent attorney tracks the evidence and builds an unbeatable argument. They interview the witnesses and consult the medical experts to evaluate the seriousness of your injuries.
Guidance with Legal Paperwork
Indiana considers photos and medical records, evidence of fault, and injury as valid documents to file a car accident lawsuit.
With the increasing number of car accidents, lawyers in Indiana are well aware of the records that can help you win your case. They guide you to collect documents like police reports, doctor, and economic experts’ testimonies.
Your Health Condition Might Not Let You Focus on The Legalities of Your Case
Did you know that about 23% of all fatal collisions in Indiana were partially due to the driver’s excessive and unsafe speed? Men aged between 15 to 24 years made up nearly 38% of such speed-related fatal crashes.
With such fatality rates and considering the age factor, car crashes can take a toll on your health. Your state of mind might not allow you to analyze the legalities of your case. The best alternative is to hire a proficient lawyer to handle your case’s legal aspects so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Filing a Lawsuit
The Indiana Code section 34-11-2-4 allows you two years to request the state courts for a civil remedy for personal injury and property damage from a car crash. Also, the Indiana Code section 9-26-1-1.1 states that if you cause a car accident involving a victim or property damage, you have to notify the county sheriff’s office at the earliest.
If the insurance company challenges your claims or needs to defend your fault ratio, you can hire an attorney to file a car accident lawsuit, within the stipulated timeline.
Indiana ranks high in car crashes in the country, with a 50-50 ratio between single-vehicle and multi-vehicle crash deaths. Recent reports suggest that fatal car crashes have increased by over 20% in the last five years. With unsafe driver actions and loss of control being the top reasons for car crashes in Indiana, hire an experienced lawyer to win you the compensation you deserve, if ever in a car accident.
