When car accidents result in injury in Carmel, victims can seek compensation against the at-fault driver responsible for causing their damages.
Victims of car accidents generally have two years from the date a collision occurs to pursue recovery in Carmel. Bringing a case should be a priority for victims, as delaying the process could undermine a claim. Car accidents are not infrequent in Carmel, the most common being rear-end collisions and right-angle accidents. Following any auto accident, victims should go to the hospital and get the proper medical care for their injuries. This creates evidence that can be submitted as proof of damages alongside other records, enabling victims to recover the compensatory damages they need in Carmel.
To get a free and confidential discussion of your case with our Carmel, IN car accident lawyers, call Wruck Paupore today at (812) 737-3257.
When discussing car accidents, victims need to understand the various types of collisions that are most common in Carmel and the injuries that often accompany those incidents.
Rear-end collisions are some of the most common car accidents. According to the most recent data from the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, there were 31,108 rear-end collisions throughout Indiana in 2020. During that same year, 26,810 drivers were run off the road by other drivers, resulting in accidents that caused 286 fatalities and 5,713 non-fatal injuries.
Right-angle accidents, which occur at intersections, also happened in large numbers in 2020. During that year, there were 22,417 right-angle car accidents in Indiana. In Hamilton County, specifically, where Carmel is located, there were 6,196 car accidents in 2020, making it the county with the sixth most motor vehicle accident of the year. Of those accidents, 23 resulted in fatalities, and 733 resulted in non-fatal injuries.
Regarding rear-end collisions, whiplash is perhaps the most common injury victims sustain. While more severe injuries are typically reserved for more serious accidents, like right-angle accidents and head-on collisions, life-altering injuries, such as brain damage or spinal cord damage, can occur even in seemingly minor accidents in Carmel. Other injuries, like broken bones, scrapes, concussions, eye injuries, fractures, and lacerations, are also common among victims of car accidents
The aftermath of a car crash can be very hectic. Still, there are specific steps you can take that will help protect your potential case against the at-fault party.
If you've suffered a car accident, it is crucial to remain at the scene to ensure the safety of all parties involved. You should dial 911 immediately to report the accident and request emergency assistance if necessary.
The dispatcher may send an ambulance if anyone requires immediate medical treatment. Further, a police officer should be sent to assess the scene and create an accident report. This report may be very useful when seeking to identify who is to blame for your crash.
While at the scene, you should also gather essential information from the other parties involved in the accident. Obtain names, contact details, insurance information, and vehicle registration numbers if possible. This information is crucial for insurance claims and potential legal proceedings.
When communicating with other parties, you must avoid discussing fault or making statements that could be misconstrued as apologies. Such statements may be used against you when pursuing payment for your car accident injuries.
Documenting the scene can also be vital for building a comprehensive record of your accident. Take photographs of the vehicles involved, the surrounding environment, and any relevant road conditions if you can. Be sure to note the positions of the vehicles, traffic signals, and any visible damages. This documentation can serve as valuable evidence later on during legal proceedings.
Even if injuries seem minor initially, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly after your crash. Some injuries may not manifest symptoms immediately and a medical evaluation will be necessary to uncover underlying issues. Further, documenting these injuries and the required treatment is essential for your potential legal claim.
Finally, after addressing your immediate medical needs, you should contact our car accident attorneys. Our team has experience handling car accident cases and can guide you through each step of the legal process. We will work diligently to obtain the maximum amount of compensation available to you.
After a motor vehicle accident, getting medical documentation of a victim’s injuries is very important. A victim’s medical records can serve as crucial evidence when seeking compensatory damages in Carmel.
Building a case for compensation begins when a victim goes to the hospital right after a car accident. These immediate medical records document the date and time a victim was injured and a doctor’s initial assessment of their injuries. Your first visit to the hospital will create a trail of evidence regarding your physical bodily injuries following an accident.
Immediate medical attention, though crucial, is not the only care victims should receive. Taking a doctor’s medical advice and getting the necessary surgeries or treatment is essential. You might be told to see certain specialists, such as a neurologist or physical therapist, depending on your injuries. Continued care from specialists and doctors will be necessary for your physical and financial recovery in Carmel. Missing appointments with medical professionals may not bode well for your future claim.
There are many different types of harm that can result from car accidents. If you sustained any of the following injuries because of your collision, then our legal team will assess your potential claim for monetary damages:
Head and brain injuries are potentially severe consequences of car accidents. These injuries often occur when the head forcefully strikes an object inside the vehicle or when sudden deceleration causes the brain to collide with the skull.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range from concussions to intracranial hematomas that significantly affect cognitive function. Seeking immediate medical attention is crucial to assess the extent of these injuries. Treatment options may include medications, rehabilitation therapy, or surgery, depending on the severity.
Car accidents can also lead to spinal cord injuries. These are injuries that cause damage to the delicate bundle of nerves responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Accordingly, spinal cord injuries can result in severely debilitating symptoms. The force of impact in a crash may result in fractures or dislocations of the vertebrae, causing lasting damage.
Treatment for spinal cord injuries involves stabilization of the spine, surgery, and extensive rehabilitation. Unfortunately, these injuries regularly necessitate costly, long-term medical treatment.
Whiplash is another common injury in car accidents, often occurring when there is a sudden jolt or impact that causes the head to jerk forward and backward rapidly. This motion strains the neck's soft tissues, potentially resulting in neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
Treatment for whiplash typically involves rest, pain medication, and physical therapy to improve flexibility and strength in the affected area.
Furthermore, chest injuries often arise from the impact of a car accident, especially if the chest collides with the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag. These injuries may include rib fractures, contusions, or internal injuries to organs such as the lungs or heart.
Seeking prompt medical attention is vital for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment. This treatment may involve pain management, breathing exercises, or, in severe cases, surgical intervention.
The force of a car accident can lead to broken bones and fractures in various parts of the body. Commonly affected areas include the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. These injuries can involve a high degree of physical pain.
Treatment options depend on the location and severity of the fracture and may involve casting, splinting, or surgical intervention to realign and stabilize the bones. Rehabilitation is often necessary to regain strength and mobility in the affected limb.
Car accidents can also cause other types of internal injuries that may not be immediately apparent. Collisions can cause victims to incur damage to internal organs such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys. Internal bleeding and organ damage may manifest hours or even days after the accident. Diagnosis typically involves imaging tests and treatment may require surgery or other medical interventions to address the specific injuries.
Many car accident victims sustain facial injuries. These injuries often result from an impact with the airbag, steering wheel, or dashboard. Facial injuries can include fractures, lacerations, or damage to the jaw and teeth.
Treatment for such injuries may involve surgical procedures to repair facial fractures, stitches for lacerations, and dental interventions for oral injuries. The recovery process may even extend to cosmetic procedures to address any lasting effects on victims’ appearance.
Lastly, in addition to physical injuries, car accidents can have a significant impact on mental health. Psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression can develop because of trauma experienced during accidents.
Seeking therapy or counseling is essential to address these psychological challenges and promote victims’ emotional well-being.
When car accidents happen, victims must waste no time in pursuing compensation. Delaying your case could ultimately undermine your ability to recover compensatory damages in Carmel.
The deadline to bring a case for a car accident in Carmel is two years from the date an incident occurred. If a victim sustained injuries that were not discovered until a later date, the discovery rule might apply, giving them more time to bring a claim.
While two years is typically the length of time victims have to take action in Carmel, that does not mean that victims should actually wait two years to speak to our car accident lawyers about their case. The longer our attorneys have to build your case, the better so that we can source medical records, photographs, surveillance footage, witness statements, and other helpful information that can allow you to recover compensation. Certain evidence might degrade or become inaccessible as time passes, so immediately taking steps to begin the recovery process is crucial for car accident victims in Carmel.
It is the victim’s responsibility to take the necessary steps to recover compensatory damages after a car accident in Carmel, not the negligent driver’s. Fortunately, this allows you to take control of the factors that might influence the amount of compensation you recover.
Victims must provide proof of damages when seeking compensation from a negligent driver after an auto accident in Carmel. These are documents or records of any financial losses you have incurred because of a negligent party’s actions. In car accident cases, proof of damages typically requires providing medical bills and proof of loss of income. Suppose non-economic damages are available in your case. In that circumstance, statements from those who have witnessed the pain and suffering you have experienced may allow you to recover non-pecuniary damages in Carmel.
Indiana is a modified comparative fault state, meaning victims’ damages can be reduced if they share partial fault for their injuries sustained in an auto accident. Being aware of this possible hindrance to your recovery is important so that you can anticipate comparative fault laws being used against you and prevent that from happening by providing compelling evidence of a negligent driver’s fault for your injuries.
To have Wruck Paupore assess your case, call our car accident lawyers at (812) 737-3257.
Don is a founding partner and one of the nation’s top-ranked personal injury litigators. He is a member of the Multi-million Dollar Advocates Forum, which includes less than 1% of the nation’s trial lawyers, and awarded the highest ranking given by Martindale Hubbel and AVVO.
More importantly, Don understands representing personal injury victims is about more than recovering the best settlement: it’s about helping clients get back on their feet and supporting them in every aspect of their recovery.
In nearly all cases, our clients seek compensation from the wrongdoer’s insurance company. Before forming Wruck Paupore, Jason worked for a prominent law firm representing some of the world’s largest insurers. This experience gives Jason a deep understanding of the insurance industry and the strategies it uses to pay injury victims as little as possible.
Jason -- and our entire team -- put this inside knowledge to work to force insurance companies to pay what is actually owed. Often, we use the insurance company’s own tactics against them as we fight for the full compensation our client deserves.
For more than four decades, Keith has been fighting for injury victims. During that time, he’s watched the insurance industry change, with insurers now more interested in protecting their stock price than treating injury victims fairly.
Since the beginning, Keith has put people first. From his childhood in Gary, Indiana during the 1960’s and working his way through law school, Keith has risen to become one of the Midwest’s most respected trial lawyers. He has never forgotten that being a lawyer is about helping people -- and seeing injury victims through struggles in a way that could change their lives forever.
Over the decades, Keith, Don and Jason have fought relentlessly for clients, even when other lawyers have said the case was impossible to win.
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