The Bloomington car accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers help car accident victims and their families seek compensation for auto accidents that cause injuries, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Read on to understand more about the process of filing a claim for compensation under Indiana law, what steps to take after a car crash, how long you have to file a claim, and what you can expect in terms of compensation.
Filing a Car Accident Claim With Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Working with the experienced attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help simplify the process of recovering full and fair compensation from the at-fault driver, insurance companies, and any other responsible parties.
Free Consultation
During your first consultation, your Bloomington car accident lawyer will discuss what happened to see if it is possible to seek compensation from the at-fault party involved in the crash.
Case Investigation
Should you decide to proceed with legal action, your Bloomington car accident lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation of your auto accident to gather evidence and determine which parties can be held at fault.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Your insurance company will try to offer you an initial settlement that’s lower than your case may be worth as a way to minimize their expenses, whether the policy is yours or that of the other driver. Your team of attorneys will negotiate with the insurance company so your medical bills, property damage, and motor vehicle repair or replacement are covered.
If it isn’t possible to get fair compensation from the insurance company or if there are other parties listed as defendants in your auto accident lawsuit, your legal team will prepare to take your case to court.
What to Do After a Car Crash in Bloomington, Indiana
The immediate aftermath of a motor vehicle accident can be disorienting. Here are some general steps to take after a car accident:
- Contact the police department – Depending on exactly where your car accident takes place, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police, or other municipal police will be sent to the accident scene. The police report from your accident could document the other driver’s negligence or circumstances that contributed to your accident which could be helpful later.
- Collect contact information – You ideally want to document the contact information for everyone else involved in the crash and any witnesses. If you are able to safely do so, document the accident scene and the damage to your vehicle using your phone.
- Seek medical attention – Even if you aren’t sure if you’ve been injured, it is important to seek immediate medical assistance anyway. Many injuries are not evident right away. You don’t want to miss your chance to get the help you need. The medical records can also be used as evidence in a civil case.
- Report the accident to your insurance company – You must report the accident to the relevant insurance companies in accordance with your policy. However, before speaking with insurance adjusters or accepting a settlement, be sure to discuss your case with an Indiana personal injury attorney. Insurance companies are not known to pay fair compensation without strong negotiation.
- Schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced car accident attorney – A qualified lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can give you guidance on what to do next after a car accident.
Legal Liability in Car Crash Cases
There are different parties that can be held liable in car accident cases, depending on the nature of the crash. Common parties held liable in car accidents are:
- Other drivers – Other drivers can be held liable for your auto accident, especially if they broke the law or drove recklessly.
- Companies – If a vehicle involved in your accident is owned by a company or if your accident took place on corporate-owned property, it may be possible to hold a business liable for your accident.
- Government agencies – For accidents involving government-owned vehicles like garbage trucks or on poorly maintained government roads, you may be able to sue the government agency in civil court.
Proving Fault in Car Accident Cases
To win maximum compensation in personal injury cases, personal injury attorneys must prove someone else’s negligence caused your injuries or other damages. In Indiana, under the state’s comparative fault laws, this means you must not be more than 51% at fault.
Your attorney will work with you to build a case showing how the other party’s actions caused your injuries or losses.
Damages Our Bloomington Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover
The Indiana car accident lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you recover different types of damages depending on what happened during your car accident and who is filing the claim. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, repairing vehicle damage, car replacement, or compensation for property damage. Non-economic damages include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, lost income potential, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages can also be awarded.
Car Accident Wrongful Death Claim
Unfortunately, fatal injuries are common in auto accidents. If your loved one died in a car accident, it is possible to recover money for funeral costs, medical expenses, the loss of financial support, and the loss of companionship.
You Have Limited Time to File a Car Accident Claim in Bloomington, Indiana
The statute of limitations refers to the amount of time that you have to file a claim for compensation after an auto accident. In accordance with Indiana law, personal injury and wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of the car accident.
Financial Compensation We Can Help You Secure
There is no standardized amount of compensation auto accident victims can expect for their injuries. This depends heavily on factors like medical expenses and if you are awarded amounts for pain and suffering.
The Bloomington car accident lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have successfully recovered millions of dollars in financial compensation for other clients after car accidents. This includes securing a $1 million policy limit settlement in a wrongful death case and recovering $18.5 million for a client who suffered from permanent disabilities as the result of an auto accident.
Car Accident Injuries You Can File a Claim For
You don’t need to have suffered a permanent disability to seek compensation for your car accident. Some common car accident injuries you can file a claim for include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Spine injuries
The Time It Takes to Settle a Car Accident Case
Reaching a fair settlement with the at-fault party takes time. The average time it takes to settle a car accident case in Bloomington is 6 months. However, there are some factors that can speed things along.
Generally, car accidents with fewer or more recoverable injuries request smaller sums of compensation and can be resolved faster than an auto accident case with multiple defendants and catastrophic injuries.
Having a Bloomington lawyer represent you after your auto accident could help to settle a case more quickly, as the insurance company and others involved in the accident may take the act of hiring a lawyer as a sign that you’re more serious about your case. Your lawyer will also have a better understanding of the local court system in Bloomington, which can save you time.
The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
The most common causes of auto accidents in Bloomington, Indiana include:
- Failure to yield
- Following too closely
- Running off the road
- Animal or object in the road
- Unsafe lane movement
- Improper turning
- Speeding
- Unsafe backing
- Disregarding traffic signals
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
Contact a Bloomington Car Accident Lawyer Today!
Schedule a no-obligation consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for free by filling out our contact form or calling our law firm toll-free at (888) 424-5757.
We have recovered millions of dollars in fair compensation for our clients and are prepared to help you. Our team is available 24/7 to answer your call.
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