Indiana Vehicle Accident Lawyers
An auto accident can wreak havoc, from minor property damage to serious injury or even the loss of a loved one. When the responsibility for that accident lies in the hands of another individual or business, you have a right to much needed compensation. Medical bills, time off work for treatment and recovery, and property damage are just the beginning, and then there’s the harm to your mental health. To optimize your compensation, you need the experienced Indiana auto accident lawyers at Keffer Hirschauer, LLP.
The attorneys at Keffer Hirschauer, LLP. have extensive experience in personal injury litigation and auto accident claims in particular. With a focus on protecting their clients’ rights, our Indiana auto accident attorneys mount a robust campaign to fight for your right to be made whole.
Many Factors Indiana Auto Accident Lawyers Evaluate in Each Case
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), automobile accidents are a leading cause of injury and death for people aged one to 54 years old in the US. In Indiana, even 2020 saw an increase in auto accident fatalities despite the decrease in number of people on the road during the pandemic lockdown.
The type and severity of injuries sustained in motor vehicle accident depend on a number of factors including the kind of accident involved, the speed of travel prior to the collision, and the number of vehicles involved in the crash. These factors, along with who was primarily at fault for an accident and the type of injuries sustained, all play a role in the amount of compensation that an injured party can expect to receive after an accident.
If you have been injured in an Indiana auto accident, it is critical to make early contact with experienced Indiana auto accident lawyers who can evaluate the circumstances of your own case and advise you accordingly. Evaluation of the car accident, damages and injuries sustained, and contributing liability is best left to legal professionals skilled through years of trying Indiana auto accident cases. At Keffer Hirschauer LLP, we will protect your interests and fight for the damages award or settlement that you deserve.
Types of Indiana Auto Accident Cases
There are many different types of motor vehicle accidents, but a few injury-causing Indiana auto accident types tend to occur more often:
- 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, as their name suggests, occur when a vehicle tips over, often as a result of a vehicle defect, sharp turn, or dangerous road condition
- Sideswipe accidents, which occur when one vehicle scrapes along the side of another, not always resulting in injuries but tending to cause significant property damage
- Side-impact or T-bone collisions, in which one car strikes another on its side
No two car accidents are exactly the same, but all should be reported to the police and recorded on an Indiana crash report. The report details the type of car accident that occurred along with the specifics of the accident such as the parties involved, vehicle makes and models, location, directions of travel, and insurance companies of those involved.
The Indiana auto accident lawyers at Keffer Hirschauer LLP will obtain and review your crash report to help develop an appropriate strategy for success in your auto accident case.
Indiana Auto Accident Injuries
While all car accidents are dangerous to both drivers and passengers, 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. An Indiana auto accident involving a sideswipe typically only results in property damage, while side-impact crashes tend to result in shoulder and rib injuries, hearing loss, or head trauma.
The most likely factors impacting the severity of the injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident include:
- The kind of accident in which the person was involved
- The number of vehicles involved in the collision
- The speed at which the parties were traveling prior to the crash
- The age and general health of the vehicles’ occupants
- Whether the parties were wearing seat belts
- Whether the vehicles’ airbags deployed properly
The best way to avoid injuries is to prevent an accident. However, if you have been in an accident and sustained injuries, consulting with an attorney at the Keffer Hirschauer LLP can help. Using the facts to your advantage, Indiana auto accident lawyers can help you recoup financial compensation to cover the losses incurred as a result of your injuries.
Commonly Asked Questions after an Indiana Auto Accident
Automobile accidents are traumatic experiences. Injuries sustained during an accident can exacerbate that traumatic event. This experience could leave you with many questions about what to do next, or where to turn. To ensure that your questions are answered appropriately for your specific situation, it is best to contact our Indiana injury lawyers for a consultation as soon after your accident as possible. However we’ve outlined some of the most common questions asked for your convenience here.
Am I Partly to Blame for Causing the Indiana Auto Accident?
Indiana accident laws allow you to recover damages from the at-fault party if you are not more than 50 percent at fault. Even if you bear some responsibility for the accident, you can still bring a lawsuit and recover compensation for your injuries if you are less than 50 percent at fault. Whatever award you receive in a jury verdict will be reduced by the percentage of blame the jury assigns to you. This is an important fact to keep in mind when deciding whether to accept a settlement offer from the insurance company or take your case to court.
The Keffer Hirschauer LLP have a great deal of experience in determining fault in a car accident. With prior experience leading the Fatal Alcohol Crash Team programs in Marion County and Tippecanoe County, Bradley Keffer and Tom Hirschauer are especially adept at trying Indiana auto crash cases.
What Kinds of Damages Are Recoverable in a Personal Injury Claim?
Injury victims of an Indiana auto accident can recover compensation, called damages, for all of their related medical costs, such as doctor bills, hospital bills, prescriptions, physical therapy, and medical equipment. If medical expenses are projected into the future for a permanent disability, these costs can be factored in as well. Additionally, victims can recover compensation for lost wages or income for missed days of work as a result of the accident as well as any lost income if they can no longer work at the same earning capacity after the accident.
Other types of damages recoverable in a personal injury claim include compensation for a victim’s pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and other so-called “noneconomic” damages. Punitive damages are also sometimes awarded to punish a defendant for especially reckless or willful behavior that causes an injury. A drunk driving car crash or hit-and-run accident are examples of Indiana auto accident types that may be appropriate to pursue punitive damages against an irresponsible driver.
What Should I Do First after an Indiana Auto Accident?
The first thing you should do after an auto accident is seek necessary medical treatment. However, your next step should be to contact qualified Indiana auto accident lawyers. Memories fade and evidence supporting your claim can be lost unless identified and preserved. With early involvement, an Indiana auto accident lawyer can begin collecting and preserving evidence to support your claim right away.
Call Indiana Auto Accident Lawyers Who Can Help
Whether you were involved in a head-on collision, hit by an uninsured driver in Indiana, involved in a drunk driving crash, or involved in a less severe accident, contacting the experienced attorneys at Keffer Hirschauer, LLP. to protect your interests is critical to moving forward with your auto accident claim. For a free consultation with one of our Indiana auto accident lawyers, complete our online contact form or call us at 317-455-4043.