Carmel Car Accident Attorneys

Decades of Experience in Auto Accident Cases

Car accidents are one of the most common kinds of accidents that cause injuries in the United States. More than 6 million car accidents occur in the U.S. every year. About 3 million people are injured with about 2 million people sustaining permanent injury. Most car accidents are caused by human error, which means that there is almost always a party responsible for an accident.

If you were harmed in a car collision caused by a negligent or reckless driver, you deserve to be compensated for what you have gone through. The Cline Law Firm can help you recover damages and hold guilty drivers responsible for their actions when you hire our Carmel car accident attorneys. Nationally recognized and awarded for our personal injury work, we can strengthen your claim and will not rest until we have achieved an optimal result for you.

Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today For Your Free Consultation

Indiana Car Accident Laws

Indiana follows a fault-based system for car accidents, meaning the party at fault for causing the accident is responsible for covering the damages. The at-fault driver's insurance typically pays for the other party's medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and other losses.

The state also follows a modified comparative fault rule. Under this rule, if a person is partially at fault for the accident, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. However, if a person is found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident, they may not be entitled to recover any damages.

Generally, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those arising from car accidents, is two years from the date of the accident. If the claim is not filed within this timeframe, the injured party may lose the right to seek compensation through a lawsuit.

Indiana law requires drivers to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) within ten days of the accident.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Many people are unsure about what to do immediately following a car accident. Victims are typically dazed, especially if they have been injured. It is important that you put your safety first. If you are injured, call 911 to get an ambulance and the police to the scene. Having a police officer on the scene is important because the police are required to create a crash report, which can be used as evidence in a car accident claim.

It is also crucial that you and the other drivers involved move to a safe area and that you exchange information, including driver’s license numbers and insurance information. You should also try to document as much of the damage as possible, including damage done to both your car and any other car or truck involved.

Promptly hiring a car accident lawyer can also help you. Our firm thoroughly investigates accidents and can obtain crash reports, medical records, and witness statements to support your claim. We also communicate with insurance companies so that you have one less thing to worry about. Insurance companies frequently use statements of injured victims against them in court to avoid liability. We understand how to handle communication in a way that protects you and your rights to compensation.

Can I File A Car Accident Claim After Insurance Pays?

Most settlement agreements require a claimant to agree that the amount disclosed in the settlement will be the only compensation they receive from that insurance company. This is why it is very important to speak to a Carmel car accident attorney before signing anything. If you have already signed an agreement, call The Cline Law Firm today to find out what options you may have and how we can help you.

If you have already signed an agreement, call The Cline Law Firm today to find out your options.

Common Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents can be caused by many different things that result in different kinds of crashes. Typically, car accidents are caused by negligent or reckless driving, distracted driving, fatigued driving, and intoxicated driving. Depending on the nature of the accident, injuries can be as minor as bruises or as serious as broken bones, burns, spinal cord and neck injuries, and head and brain injury.

Our lawyers have decades of experience handling many types of motor vehicle collisions, such as:

• T-bone accidents: This type of accident occurs when the front end of a vehicle comes into contact with the side of another vehicle. This type of car accident often occurs at intersections when one car attempts a left turn. Accidents often occur when drivers make turns despite not having the right of way to do so, or if they misjudge the distance or speed of oncoming traffic.
• Rear-end collisions: The most common kind of car accident, this can happen when cars are tailgating other cars or driving too fast or closely behind another car to be able to stop in time to avoid a collision. Rear-end collisions also occur when drivers are distracted and not paying attention to traffic that has slowed or stopped in front of them.
• Head-on collisions: Arguably the most dangerous kind of accident, head-on collisions often result in catastrophic injuries that cause permanent injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Head-on collisions typically occur when cars drive on the wrong side of the road, due to the inattention or intoxication of the drivers of those cars.
• Accidents while merging: Accidents are common if drivers behave negligently or recklessly and fail to check their blind spots or signal before they merge or change lanes.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents can occur due to various reasons, and they often result from a combination of factors. Some common causes of car accidents include:

• Distracted Driving: This is one of the leading causes of accidents. Distractions such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio, or even talking to passengers can divert a driver's attention from the road, leading to accidents.
• Speeding: Driving above the speed limit or too fast for road conditions reduces the driver's ability to react to unexpected situations, increases stopping distances, and makes accidents more severe.
• Drunk Driving: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making it dangerous to operate a vehicle. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly increases the risk of accidents.
• Reckless Driving: This includes aggressive behaviors such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and disregarding traffic signals and signs. Reckless driving endangers not only the driver but also other road users.
• Fatigue: Driving while tired or drowsy impairs reaction times and decision-making abilities, making it more likely for drivers to cause accidents, especially during long journeys or late at night.
• Failure to Obey Traffic Laws: Disregarding traffic signals, stop signs, yield signs, and other traffic laws increases the risk of accidents by creating confusion and increasing the likelihood of collisions at intersections and other critical points.
• Vehicle Defects: Malfunctions in a vehicle's brakes, tires, steering, or other critical components can lead to accidents. Poorly maintained vehicles are also more likely to experience mechanical failures that can result in crashes.
• Inexperienced Drivers: Lack of experience, particularly among young or newly licensed drivers, can contribute to accidents due to inadequate skills in hazard recognition, vehicle control, and decision-making.
• Road Rage: Aggressive or hostile behaviors exhibited by drivers in response to perceived slights or frustrations can escalate into dangerous situations, including accidents.

Common Injuries from Car Accidents:

Being in a car accident can be a traumatizing experience. Plus, there is the potential to suffer an injury or injuries to any part of your body. Knowing common injuries can help you keep an eye out for the symptoms of the injuries. Here are some of the most common injuries:

• Brain injuries
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
• Cuts
• Scrapes
• Burns
• Broken or fractured bones
• Internal organ damage
• Whiplash
• Neck injuries

Get Help With Your Car Accident Case Today

Our Carmel car accident attorney has handled many car accident claims successfully and have helped clients move on with their lives by obtaining a full recovery of damages. We give each client personalized care with the understanding that no two accidents are exactly the same. Our passion shines through when we are fighting for those who have been wronged by the negligent conduct of others.

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