how soon after a bad accident do you find an attorney indiana

by Ms. Coralie Hermiston IV 9 min read

That usually means a matter of days, or a few weeks at most.) In Indiana, as in most states, the statute of limitations that applies to most car accident lawsuits is the same as the larger one that applies to all personal injury cases where one person's negligence is said to have caused harm to another.

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What should I do after a car accident in Indiana?

Jun 18, 2020 · After you have been injured, you are entitled to compensation. The type and amount of compensation depends on the injury, bills, the cause of the injury, negligence/bad faith of the defendant, etc. The attorney you retain can also heavy influence your recovery through knowledge, experience, and dedication.

Should I file an Indiana personal injury claim after a car accident?

Addressing Injuries After a Car Accident in Indiana. With any car accident in Indiana, the first thing to do is make sure you and any of the injured parties receive the right medical treatment. If you know first aid, perform it and call 911. If you or a family member has sustained injury, you’ll need to factor in the medical costs associated ...

When do police send someone to an accident scene in Indiana?

Jun 19, 2020 · When you’re looking to get a qualified attorney after an auto accident in Indianapolis or anywhere in the state of Indiana, look no further than the Ken Nunn Law Office. We’ve been fighting back against insurance companies for more than 50 years, and are ready to put our experience to work for you and your family.

What is considered a fair settlement after a car accident in Indiana?

If any of these apply, you may need an attorney. Broken bones, hospital stay, long-term health affected. Someone died in the accident. Medical treatment costing more than a couple thousand $$. Missing more than a couple days work, school, or normal activities. Non-economic losses like emotional trauma, pain and suffering, loss of companionship.

How long does an insurance company have to settle a claim in Indiana?

2 yearsIndiana has a statute of limitations of 2 years after a car accident. That means you have 2 years from the time of the car accident to sue the at-fault driver, or vice versa.Mar 8, 2021

How long after an accident can you sue for personal injury in Indiana?

two yearsIn Indiana, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. This means a victim must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident or injury, or risk having his or her case dismissed without being heard.

When should you contact a car accident lawyer?

If any of the following apply to your situation, call a lawyer right away: Any accident that causes significant injury to you or someone else. Any accident where fault is not clearly established. Any crash involving another motorist, such as a pedestrian, other cars, truck, or cyclist.

What should you do immediately after an accident?

What To Do After A Car AccidentCheck yourself for injuries. If you're injured, call 911 or ask someone else to do so. ... Check on the well-being of your passengers. ... Get to safety. ... Call 911. ... Wait for help. ... Exchange information. ... Document the accident. ... Notify your insurer and start the claims process.

How long do you have to go to the hospital after a car accident in Indiana?

Most insurance companies consider 72 hours to be reasonable. This means that for insurance purposes, you have 72 hours to see a doctor before you risk a serious reduction in the compensation you receive.

How long does it take for a car crash claim?

As a very rough guide, a claim may take 6 to 12 months if liability is accepted by the treatment or care provider immediately. If liability is disputed, it could take 12 to 18 months for more complicated claims. Very complex cases can take significantly longer.

How do I settle a car accident claim without a lawyer?

How Do I Settle a Car Accident Claim Without a Lawyer?Investigating the collision and compiling evidence.Identifying the liable party or parties.Building a compelling case against them.Informing the liable parties and insurance companies about your claim.Navigating state insurance and personal injury laws.More items...•Feb 9, 2022

Where do broadside collisions most commonly occur?

intersectionsMost broadside collisions occur at intersections because they bring together good and bad drivers from four different directions. It's a roll of the dice: Speeding, drinking, drug-influenced, and distracted drivers travel through the same intersections as grandmas, commuters, and cautious parents driving with children.Sep 29, 2020

What is an attorney called?

Names. attorney, advocate, barrister, counsel, judge, justice, solicitor, legal executive.

Should you brace for impact?

According to one chiropractor, you should always brace for impact when you can. Those who brace tend to have fewer injuries and better long-term outcomes from those injuries-after-an-auto-accident.Nov 28, 2017

What is the first thing to do in an injury?

The first important thing you should do to help an injured person is call 911. Do not worsen the injury. The person should not be moved unless he or she is at risk of being further hurt. Apply gentle pressure to stop any bleeding.

How does a car accident affect you mentally?

A major car accident can cause PTSD, extreme anxiety, depression and debilitating phobias. Studies have shown that crash-related mental traumas can have symptoms lasting up to a year after an auto accident, especially for children.

When Your Injuries Are Severe

If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you should almost always speak with a car accident attorney. Auto accidents that result in serious damages tend to be more complicated and navigating the claims process while you’re also dealing with severe injuries will likely be very difficult without help.

When Your Injury Prevents You From Working

Not being able to do your job brings a new level of hardship to your situation. Your job is your income and without it, you could land in serious financial trouble. Insurance companies may offer money for your accident-related medical costs, but they may not even mention the issue of your lost wages that resulted from your injuries.

When There Were Multiple People Involved in the Accident

A car accident with just two drivers is bad enough, but when three or more are involved, it can make the situation much more complicated. You could end up fighting a battle on multiple fronts with several lawsuits in place at once. This is far more than most people would be able to handle while also recovering from serious injuries.

Call Ken Nunn for Help Today!

When you’re looking to get a qualified attorney after an auto accident in Indianapolis or anywhere in the state of Indiana, look no further than the Ken Nunn Law Office.

How much money do you need to settle a lawsuit without counsel?

For example, if you're expecting a $100,000 settlement without the benefit of counsel, a lawyer would need to get you more than $150,000 to make it worth the bother. Believe it or not, most attorneys give honest opinions on whether or not it would be worth your while to hire an attorney or take any easy settlement.

What is the importance of signing off on an agreement?

It is important, however, to have a high level of confidence that something unexpected isn't going to happen. Once you sign off on an agreement, you'll likely never have the chance to seek more money ever again.

Is the police report accurate?

The paperwork does not look accurate ( police report, insurance communications) Details are complicated (technical, legal, medical) Insurance is not playing nice. You do, however, have to ask if paying an attorney to recovery $10,000 in damages is worth the bother if you end up handing over $5,000 to the law firm.

Do insurance companies do their jobs?

In a lot of instances, insurance companies do in fact do their jobs as expected. There are definitely situations where you'd want an attorney to be involved, but there are also times when obtaining counsel is simply overkill. Let's take a look at some of the cases where you may NOT need to hire an attorney after an accident.

Can you file a personal injury claim if you have no injuries?

Generally, if no people were hurt, or there was no damage ( no broken bones or potentially lingering injuries that cause you to miss more than a couple days of work), then it may not be worthwhile pursuing a personal injury claim. Just be careful making this judgment of “no injuries” yourself.

Do you have to have counsel in small claims court?

You're certainly entitled to have counsel present to protect your rights in small claims court . The law firm, however, is likely going to expect a fee for their services rather than working on contingency, since the expected recovery would be very small. It depends on the situation.

What happened to Angelina in the car?

Angelina was driving to work. She stopped at a stop sign. Ritchie was texting and failed to see Angelina. He crashed into the rear of Angelina’s car, causing her to be seriously injured. Angelina filed an insurance claim for $50,000 with Ritchie’s insurance company, representing her medical bills and related damages, including her pain and suffering.

What does "insured" mean in insurance?

“The …Insured agrees to notify the insurer of any accidents and thereafter to provide all the information, assistance and cooperation which the insurer reasonably requests. The insured also agrees that in the event of a property damage or personal injury claim the insured will fully cooperate with the insurer and do nothing that shall prejudice the insurer’s position in the property damage or personal injury claim….”

What is an auto insurance policy?

Your auto insurance policy is a binding legal agreement between you (the “insured”) and your insurance company (the “insurer”). Within that policy there is language compelling you to comply with the Notice of Occurrence and/or Cooperation clauses.

What is the 3rd party liability rule in Indiana?

In a third party fault state, the victim in a car accident has the right to pursue the at-fault driver for compensation. This includes the cost of repair or replacement of a damaged car or other property, medical and chiropractic bills, out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury?

These periods of time are called statutes of limitations. If the claim can’t be settled within that time period, a lawsuit must be filed before the time expires.

What to do if you've been in an accident?

If you’ve been in an accident, stop immediately at the scene, or as close to the scene as is safe. Stay calm. Remain focused. Keep your wits about you. Check for injuries and then call 911.

What are the damages of a car accident?

Damages are unique to every car accident and to every person involved. They can include medical and therapy bills, diagnostic tests, and out-of-pocket expenses (such as medications, slings, crutches, and wheelchairs). Damages can also include lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.