Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents happen across Indianapolis and the rest of America every day. Many of these car accidents are harmless fender-benders that cause little or no damage to the vehicles and their occupants. However, more serious car accidents do occur. When this occurs the result can be devastating injuries to the driver and heavy damage to the vehicle. These injuries are compensable and include a calculation of loss of income, loss of future income, pain and suffering, and other compensatory damages. There are also other effects a car accident may cause such as emotional and psychological problems. 

The good news is that an accident victim may be compensated for injuries and damages they suffered as a result of the accident. Oftentimes, the insurance company for the driver responsible for the accident will pay to compensate the car accident victim. In order to maximize the amount of compensation a victim receives it is important to seek the help and professional experience of an Indianapolis injury lawyer.  The attorneys at RileyCate, LLC have the training, experience, and expertise to maximize personal injury victim’s recovery. 

RileyCate, LLC can help you and guide you through all the stages of the injury claim process, from filing your injury claim to negotiating with the insurance company to make sure that they offer you a fair settlement, or if necessary, trying your case before a judge or a jury. All of our attorneys are highly knowledgeable, experienced, and  will work hard to obtain the compensation you or your loved one is entitled to receive. So contact RileyCate, LLC as soon as possible when you need an Indianapolis car accident attorney.

Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents can come in many different types, some of which are far more dangerous than others. The following are some of the more common kinds of car accidents:

Rear-End Collisions – These usually happen when a car collides with a stationary or slow-moving vehicle ahead of them, usually because the at-fault driver was not paying attention. These collisions are common and are usually among the least dangerous because they routinely occur at low speeds. Rear-end collisions can also be catastrophic based upon the type and speed of vehicles involved.  

Side Impact Collisions – Also known as T-bone collisions, can be quite dangerous. These collisions occur when the front of one car collides with the side of another vehicle. Side impact collisions occur most commonly at intersections.  They are particularly dangerous because the side of a vehicle has less protection than the front or back of a vehicle. That means the people in those positions have a much higher chance of getting seriously injured in an accident.

Head-On Collisions – Head-on collisions are not as common because they occur when two vehicles are travelling in opposite directions towards each other. This usually happens when a car drifts out of its lane into the opposite lane. Head-on collisions can be very dangerous and can cause serious injuries or death to the occupants of each vehicle.

Sideswipe Accidents – These accidents happen when two vehicles are traveling in the same direction and brush up against each other. This usually happens when a vehicle changes lanes without checking if the lane is clear. Sideswipe accidents can be dangerous when they push a vehicle out of its lane or cause a vehicle to lose control.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Indianapolis

The reasons why car accidents happen in Indianapolis are much the same as why they happen across the rest of the country. The following are common reasons why car accidents happen in Indianapolis:

Driving Under the Influence – Driving under the influence, drunk driving, or driving while intoxicated (all are common terms but have the same meaning) because of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous, and is prohibited across the country. An intoxicated driver’s reaction time and judgment are severely impaired, which can lead to accidents if they have to react to an emergency situation.
Speeding – Speeding is dangerous because it lowers a driver’s reaction time and increases the stopping distance of the vehicle. Each of these factors increases the chances for an accident occurring. Accidents that happen at high speeds are capable of causing a lot of damage and severe injuries.

Distracted Driving – There are many causes for distracted driving, however, there are three common types of distracted driving:  manual distractions, which are actions that cause the driver to take their hands off the wheel; visual distractions, which cause the driver to take their eyes off the road; cognitive distractions, which takes the driver’s mind off the task of driving. Any one of those distractions is dangerous, but an activity that combines two or all three of them is especially hazardous. This is why texting while driving is so dangerous and the culprit for so many car accidents — it combines all three distractions into one activity.

Driving While Tired – A tired driver may drift off to sleep and drift out of their lane into oncoming traffic, or they may crash into a vehicle ahead of them. A fatigued driver needs to stop and rest if they start falling asleep at the wheel. A failure to adequate rest before getting behind the wheel of a car can impose liability on a driver for being negligent.

Reckless/Aggressive Driving – A driver is reckless or aggressive when they ignore traffic signs or signals, frequently change lanes, tailgate other drivers, and generally display a lack of regard for the safety of others. 

Poor Weather Conditions – Bad weather like rain or snow can lower visibility and make the road more slippery. Both of those conditions can increase the risk of accidents. 

What to Do After a Car Accident

After a car accident, your first priority should be to ensure your health and safety. You should also take steps to increase the chances of getting the compensation you need if the accident was not your fault.

Call 911 – You should call first responders so that they can address any injured people involved in the accident. Paramedics will take care of anyone who was hurt, and the police will cordon off the scene to prevent other people from getting involved and preserve evidence if necessary. The police will also write a report of the accident which often includes witness statements and crash reconstruction.
Take Pictures of the Accident Scene – If you are able to take pictures of the accident scene before the first responders arrive, then you should do so. You should take pictures of the general accident scene as well as the damage done to each vehicle. Those pictures can help to establish who was responsible for the accident.

Be Careful of What You Say – One thing you should absolutely avoid after an accident is purposefully or accidentally admitting fault for the accident. That means explicitly stating that the accident was your fault or apologizing for the accident. Insurance companies commonlyl use any admission of fault to reduce or deny your settlement amount.

Get a Full Medical Evaluation – You should let the paramedics examine you even if you do not feel that you are injured because you could have unknown injuries. Excitement and adrenaline cause by the crash can often disguised even serious injuries. It is never a bad idea to visit your primary care physician after an accident to ensure you were not injuried. If your primary care physician determines there to be an injury it is important to comply with and follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. Some injuries may not manifest immediately, and some injuries become more severe over time.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney – An attorney can help you with your injury claim and will make sure that it gets filed before the statute of limitations runs out. They can also help you in a number of different ways.

How an Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney Can Help You

If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver, then the help that a car accident attorney can provide is invaluable. An attorney can help to gather evidence that proves the culpability of the at-fault driver. This could include the police report of the accident, witness testimony, any surveillance footage, and more. Your lawyer can also help you to calculate the expenses caused by the accident to develop a framework for a settlement demand. An attorney  will also help determine the value of any non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.

A car accident attorney will also help you to file your injury claim on time and will send a demand letter to the insurance company for the at fault driver. A demand letter often includes the lawyer’s accident investigation and a demand for compensation. Once the insurance company receives the letter, they often will make a counteroffer. Rarely will the counter offer cover all of your damages which is why it is important to have an negotiate, or litigate if necessary, the injury claim. Most car accident cases do not go to trial because a trial is wrought with risk. There are times, however, that trial is the only outcome to obtain a fair and just result.  

Contact RileyCate, LLC When You Need an Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney

If you need an Indianapolis car accident attorney, then you should contact RileyCate, LLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced, knowledgeable and are eager to help you with your case. We can help you right after your accident so contact us as soon as you can. 

Contact RileyCate, LLC if you want to have the best chance of getting the compensation that you deserve after you have been in a car accident in Indianapolis.

*Past results are not a guarantee of future performance.