Indiana Car Accident Attorney

When Should You Contact an Indiana Car Accident Attorney?

In Indiana, there was an increase in the number of fatal car crashes in 2020 even though there were fewer cars on the road due to the pandemic. The type and severity of injuries sustained by in a car accident depends on a number of factors, such as the kind of accident, the speed at which the vehicles involved were traveling prior to the collision, the weather and road conditions, and the number of vehicles involved in the crash. But all accidents have one thing in common: working with an experienced Indiana car accident attorney is critical to protect your right to compensation.

If you were recently injured in a car crash, it is critical to contact a personal injury lawyer with a background in handling car accidents, who can evaluate the circumstances of your own case and advise you accordingly. At Keffer Hirschauer LLP, we can help.

How an Indiana Car Accident Attorney Can Help You

Injury victims need a lot of help after a car accident. They may have significant doctor and hospital bills. With time off work due to injury, they lose the ability to pay those bills as well as pay mortgage or rent, put food on the table, and cover other expenses. An Indiana car accident attorney can help you fight for compensation to make you whole.

The amount of damages (compensation) possible in an Indiana car accident case depends on the circumstances of the case. The type of injuries involved, the number and identity of the parties involved in the accident, speed, and who was primarily at fault for an accident, all play a role in the amount of compensation that an injured party can expect to receive after an accident.

At Keffer Hirschauer LLP, we understand the burdens and stressors arise after you’ve been injured in a car accident. Keeping your best interests in mind, we will fight for maximum compensation.

What Evidence Does an Indiana Car Accident Attorney Need to Help You?

To get compensation in an Indiana car accident, you’ll have to prove several elements, including who is at fault for causing the accident, the nature of your injuries, and any other losses suffered as a result of the accident. In evaluating your case, an Indiana car accident attorney will collect evidence such as the following:

• Police report of the accident
• Your statement
• Witness statements
• Any photos you took of the crash scene
• Evidence regarding vehicle damage
• Security footage showing the crash
• Hospital and other medical records

All of this evidence will help your lawyer figure out which party is at fault, the strength of your case, and an approximation of potential damages.

Per Indiana Code § 9-26-2-2, a law enforcement officer must investigate and write up a report for any motor vehicle crash that results in injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. Usually, the police officer who responded to the call will determine who is at fault.

If more than one party is at fault for causing an accident, compensation gets more complicated. In Indiana, under the comparative fault statute, Indiana Code chapter 34-51-2, if you are found to bear any fault, your compensation for injuries would be reduced by the percentage of responsibility you bear for causing the accident.

Types of Car Accidents

No two car accidents are the same, and the severity of a person’s injuries often depends on the type of crash. There are, however, a few different types of crashes that tend to occur more often than most and to result in similar injuries. These include:

• Head-on collisions, which occur when the front portions of two vehicles collide
• Rear-end crashes, which occur when the front end of one vehicle strikes the rear of another
• Rollover accidents, which occur when a vehicle tips over, often as a result of a vehicle defect, sharp turn, or dangerous road condition
• Sideswipe accidents, which don’t often result in injuries but do tend to cause significant property damage as they occur when one vehicle scrapes alongside of another
• Side-impact or T-bone collisions, which occur when one car strikes the side of another

While all car accidents are potentially dangerous to occupants, certain types of crashes are more likely to cause serious injuries than others. Head-on collisions, for example, are notorious for resulting in especially devastating injuries, as they often occur at high speeds. Sideswipe accidents, on the other hand, typically only result in property damage, while side-impact crashes often occur in intersections and tend to result in shoulder and rib injuries, hearing loss and head trauma. An Indiana car accident attorney will evaluate your injuries to determine possible compensation.

Types of Car Accident Injuries

Car accident injuries in Indiana can include high impact injuries and low impact injuries. A high impact crash is more likely to result in more serious injuries. However, a low impact crash can also cause serious injury. Some common types of car accident injuries are:

• Whiplash
• Scrapes and cuts
• Severe bruises
• Head injuries, such as a concussion
• Broken ribs
• Other broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Herniated discs
• Knee trauma
• Back injuries

If you are feeling any pain or discomfort after a car accident, you should seek medical attention immediately to make sure you don’t have any internal bleeding. It is also important that you document your injuries. This information will be very helpful when you seek the advice of Indianapolis car accident attorneys.

If you have been injured in a car accident, you should contact an Indiana car accident attorney as soon as possible. To speak with the dedicated Indianapolis car accident lawyers at Keffer Hirschauer LLP for your own collision-related injuries please call 317-455-4043 or fill out the contact form.