Evansville Car Accident Lawyers

If you are injured in an Evansville car crash, you should strongly consider hiring an Evansville car accident attorney for legal counsel. Our attorneys at Tuley Law Office can help conduct an investigation of your accident, communicate with insurance companies, and continue to advise you throughout a lawsuit. Reaching out to an Evansville car accident lawyer is an essential step on your road to recovery.

Experienced Car Accident Attorneys Serving Evansville, Indiana, and Surrounding Counties

Car accidents can be traumatic, even if no one sustains any injuries. When drivers act negligently, they put others on the road at risk. Car accidents can be life-altering physically, emotionally, and financially, which is why it’s important that you get the necessary time to recover after a crash. And the Evansville car accident attorneys at Tuley Law Office are here to help you with your car accident case.

Types of Car Accidents in Evansville, Indiana

Car accidents are not uncommon and range from serious and deadly to very minor and easy to recover from. Common types of Indiana car accidents include, but are not limited to:

  • Head-on collisions
  • Single-car accidents
  • Intersection crashes
  • Rear-end collisions
  • Side collisions
  • Accidents involving pedestrians and/or bicycles
  • Motorcycle-car accidents

Some types of car accidents are more likely to result in injuries than others.

Car Accident Causes

While Evansville auto accidents are often caused by human error, they can also be a result of outside factors. Some of the common car accident causes we see in Indiana are covered below.

  • Speeding: Going faster can make it more difficult to stop/control your vehicle
  • Distracted driving: Talking, texting, eating, and changing the radio are all examples of actions that can put you in danger while driving
  • Ignoring traffic signals: Red lights and stop signs are meant to keep drivers safe, ignoring them can result in crashes
  • Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Fatigue: Driving when tired or exhausted slows your reaction time and can be equally as dangerous as driving while impaired
  • Reckless/aggressive driving: Lane switching too quickly, not using your blinkers, and road rage all increase the chances of getting into an accident
  • Poor weather conditions: Rain, snow, wind, etc. can make it more difficult to control your vehicle

Assigning fault in a car accident can be relatively easy if one driver was being negligent—but it’s not always that simple. Oftentimes, both drivers are partially at fault, or there may be a third party that is partly to blame.

Indiana drivers abide by the modified comparative negligence law, meaning that compensation after a car accident is paid out based on the percentage each party is at fault. If you are 30% at fault for an accident, your awarded settlement will be reduced proportionally to that 30%. It is also important to mention that drivers who are found to be 51% or more responsible for the crash cannot receive compensation.

Car Accident Injuries

While some car accidents do not cause injury or harm to those involved, any accident has the potential to cause one or more of the following injuries:

  • Back injury
  • Internal bleeding
  • Broken bones
  • Head trauma
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

If you have been involved in a car accident and sustained injuries, it is important to contact an experienced Evansville car accident attorney who will be able to discuss fault, compensation, and next steps as you navigate the process of recovering from your injuries. The faster you contact a lawyer, the better you will remember key details, even if you are experiencing car accident memory loss.

Indiana Car Accident Laws: Who Is at Fault in a Car Accident?

When discussing insurance claims that are filed after an accident, many drivers have heard the terms ‘at-fault’ and ‘no-fault.’

In the case of a ‘no-fault’ state, drivers turn to their own insurance company in the hopes of receiving compensation for property damage, medical bills, and other losses following a crash. This compensation is usually provided up to a specific dollar amount; after this point, the driver must pursue a claim with the other party’s insurer.

Dealing with insurance companies after an accident can be complicated, but your accident lawyer can be a helpful ally, assisting with negotiation, settlements, and more.

In a comparative ‘at-fault’ state like Indiana, the role of each driver is considered, and they are assigned a percentage of blame for the collision. This is important when it comes to your lawsuit because the jury award—or even your settlement—is typically adjusted to account for this percentage of blame.

If you are found to be more than 50% at-fault for a car accident, meaning you hold a majority of the blame, then you are generally unable to receive compensation from the other side.

As a result, it’s very important that you have an attorney by your side, one who is very knowledgeable about the laws regarding car accidents. They can work to present evidence of your role in the crash, ensuring that you don’t get assigned more than your fair share of the blame.

Types of Car Accident Compensation for Victims

There are two types of compensation you may receive in a car accident settlement: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages include expenses like loss of earnings or future earnings, medical bills, cost of medical care, household expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship.

Punitive damages, which are more rare, are awarded to an injured party when the opposing party’s actions are deemed grossly negligent.

When filing a lawsuit for a car accident case, the auto accident attorneys at Tuley Law Office will begin by evaluating your case. During this evaluation, you’ll get a more solid idea of what type of compensation you may be eligible for. Some of the most commonly compensated losses include:

Medical Expenses

One of the broadest and most common forms of car accident compensation, medical expenses include scans, tests, treatments, transportation, hospital stays, and any other cost associated with sustained injuries.

Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

Any recovery treatment or steps that cost money can be covered by a car accident settlement.

Lost Wages

If you are injured in a car accident and cannot return to work, you are entitled to benefits for the income that you miss. This can also include future income if you will not be able to return to work for an extended period of time.

Pain and Suffering

Extra compensation can be determined and awarded based on the emotional distress caused by an accident; this can help you get back on your feet after the trauma of a car crash.

Disfigurement and Disability

Any long-term physical consequences, such as difficulty moving or noticeable scarring, may potentially be eligible for compensation.

Loss of Companionship

If a close companion is killed or injured in such a way that they can no longer provide the care and attention they used to, you may be able to recover damages for the lost connection.

Funeral and Burial Expenses

If the victim of a car accident dies, it becomes a wrongful death case. In a wrongful death case, the liable party can be held accountable for any costs or fees associated with the victim’s death, including burial and service arrangements.

Other Expenses

You can be compensated for any fees directly stemming from the accident and your accident-related injuries, such as the need to hire a personal care attendant because you’ve been paralyzed in a crash.

If your car accident case involves extreme carelessness or negligence—especially if this carelessness or negligence led to serious injuries or a fatality—you may also be awarded punitive damages.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded to penalize the party responsible for the accident. The hope is that this fine will deter the liable party from future similar behavior. Punitive damages are typically pursued against larger companies that can justify the cost of a lawsuit by ignoring certain regulations. Since most car accidents involve two individuals, it is less common to see punitive damages in an Evansville car accident.

Steps to Take After an Accident

Following an accident, it’s important to take certain steps to ensure your own safety and the safety of others.

  • Stay calm and check for possible injury—if you are injured, seek medical attention immediately
  • Call the police
  • Document the accident by taking photos and notes
  • Collect contact information from eyewitnesses and the other driver
  • Seek medical attention—even if you are not injured, it is still important to be checked for injuries you might not first notice
  • Inform your insurance company
  • Seek advice from an experienced Evansville attorney
  • If necessary, file your car accident claim with the other driver’s insurance company

While recording information might not seem too important at the time of the crash, as time goes on, the details may start to become hazy. Being able to look back on pictures, videos, and written statements can ensure that your memory does not fade, and thus result in the disappearance of crucial evidence.

Car Accident Lawsuit Process

The aftermath of a car accident can be extremely overwhelming. Medical bills may start piling up, you car may need repairs, you’ll likely be dealing with insurance companies, and recovering from any sustained injuries, all of which can be a lot to handle. Every case is different. The attorneys at Tuley Law Office can help you understand your rights within the context of a car accident lawsuit and evaluate your case to decide the best next steps.

Auto Accident Settlement Timeline

The timeline of the auto accident settlement process depends on the circumstances and individual details of the case. Once evidence is gathered and the case has been built, your attorney will begin negotiating with the insurance company.

During the negotiation process, each side will decide on the compensation to be awarded. The time period of negotiations can take days to months, and also depends on the details of your case.

Most auto accident settlements are completed within 12 to 24 months. This time can be much longer if a trial is necessary. It is important to work with an experienced Evansville attorney throughout this process.

Indiana Statute of Limitations for Auto Accidents

A statute of limitations is the law dictating when you can file a lawsuit for a particular accident. The Indiana statute of limitations for car accidents is two years from the date of the accident. If the victim of a car accident dies, the wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date they died.

Due to these strict deadlines, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident occurs. If you do not act quickly, you may not be able to recover full and fair compensation for your suffering.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

In many instances, legal fees are paid on a contingency basis. Under a contingency agreement, fees are deducted from the funds that are recovered in a lawsuit. Because it benefits both sides, this incentivizes our lawyers to work harder for you. For an exact cost determination, contact the attorneys at Tuley Law Office for a case evaluation.

Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer

Hiring an attorney following an accident is an important decision. Your attorney can assist you throughout the legal processes that you may not otherwise understand. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer dramatically increases your chances of receiving fair, timely compensation for your losses.

When choosing a car accident lawyer, look for a qualified, experienced, and honest attorney. Open communication throughout the entire process is essential to your overall satisfaction. Contact Tuley Law Office today to speak to a member of our team.

Real Car Accident Clients

Contact Tuley Law Office Today

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, your top priority should be recovering. Whether that be emotionally, physically, or financially, you need an experienced Evansville car accident attorney by your side. We will help you prepare an investigation, protect you from insurance companies, and, if necessary, represent you in court.

Our legal team at Tuley Law Office possesses decades of combined experience to offer you the legal advice you deserve. Contact our team today to get started on your car accident claim.

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