Types of Legal Guardianship

Posted on April 8, 2015 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

In the case that an adult cannot make decisions for themselves, whether mentally or medically incapacitated, the state provides laws that allows an appointed individual to make decisions for them. These individuals are referred as guardians or conservators, and the people they are making important decisions for are referred to as wards. A person can be determined “incapacitated” when they lack the capacity to make responsible decisions regarding their life.

There are actually seven basic forms of legal guardianship, all of which we will define and discuss in this blog. Continue reading to learn more about the seven types of legal guardianship, and who to talk to for more information pertaining this topic and more.

Guardians and Conservators

In many states, these two terms are used interchangeably; however, in other states, the terms are used to describe a separate set of agendas. For example, a guardian has the power to make decisions for the ward, while a conservator is in charge of a ward’s property, assets, and finances. These roles are also referred to as “guardian of estate” or “guardian of person.”

Some wards require complete guardianship over all aspects of their lives, while others need less. Some wards are capable of managing themselves, but need help managing finances and property. Other wards require several types of guardianship, and retain it through a set of individuals, each responsible for a certain aspect of the ward’s life. Here are the seven most common types of conservatorship:

Limited Guardianship

In the case that a ward can make some, but not all, decisions for his or her life, they will be appointed a conservator with limited guardianship. This guardian has restricted control of a ward’s life.

Plenary Guardianship

Quite the opposite of limited guardianship, plenary conservatorship gives a person complete control of a ward’s life, property, and finances.

Short-Term Guardianship

If a legal guardian needs a person to stand-in for a short amount of time, they can appoint a “short-term” guardian without legal consent from court or judge. For example, if a guardian has to serve jury duty or be hospitalized, they can appoint a replacement guardian for a temporary amount of time.

Temporary Guardianship

In contrast to short-term conservators, temporary guardianship is used for cases of extreme and immediate emergencies. A person appointed as temporary guardian usually only retains the role for no more than 8 weeks; however this varies from state to state.

Testamentary Guardianship

A legal guardian can name another person in his or her will that will be their successor as legal guardian to a particular ward. This does require court approval.

Successor Guardianship

In the case that a legal conservator resigns, dies, or becomes incapable of fulfilling their role as guardian, a successor guardian is appointed. This person is either named in the original guardian’s will, or is appointed afterwards.

Standby Guardianship

When a new guardian has to be appointed, a standby guardian steps in for immediate backup. Until the legal documents and court approvals are complete, the standby guardian fills-in so there is no gap between conservators.

Craven Blazek Law

Personal Injury Lawyers Indianapolis, Indiana 317-881-2700

Call Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 for personal injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys, Daniel Craven, Keith Blazek, and Ralph Hoover retain extensive trial and litigation experience in accident law. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your case. Call 317-881-2700 to learn more about filing a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, IN today.

Is a Negligent Tattoo Parlor Liable in a Personal Injury Case?

Posted on March 24, 2015 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Getting a tattoo is a big decision; a decision that people usually put a lot of feeling and thought into before choosing one that feels right. For this reason, it is devastating to end up with a bad ink job, or worse, one that causes a person health complications and more. Many tattoo enthusiasts ask about tattoo shop’s liability in the case that a tattoo job goes wrong. Is a shop or artist legally accountable for a bad tattoo or injuries that result from it? The answer mainly depends on the question of negligence.

Was the tattoo parlor negligent in any way, and did that negligence cause a client personal injury or harm? This is the agenda that the law uses to identify whether or not a tattoo parlor is liable for a client’s damages.

Potential Risks and Complications

There are several risks that can arise from getting a tattoo, as there are with any type of process or procedure that involves bleeding or blood. If anything unsterilized gets into the blood stream, it can cause infections, disease, and more. If a needle is contaminated or unsterilized, it can be the means of infecting a person’s blood stream in this way. On top of disease and infection, other risks are possible as well.

Tattoo Parlor Liability

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Before a person gets their tattoo, they are asked to sign a consent form notifying them of all the possible risks that could take place. Because of this form, tattoo parlors are not entirely responsible for infections and other health complications that arise following an ink job. But this doesn’t mean they can’t be held liable at all. If something goes wrong after giving a tattoo to a client, the parlor can be legally liable under certain circumstances. If the artist or shop was negligent in anyway, and this negligence led to a client’s injury, then there would be a valid claim against them.

Here are some examples of possible tattoo parlor negligence:

• Failing to Inquire about a Client’s Allergies or Medical History
• Not Using Sterile Needles
• Improper Care and Upkeep of Equipment and Tools
• Failing to Use Proper Protective Equipment
• Working Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol
• Failing to Give Proper After-Care Instructions
• And More

It is important to discuss tattoo parlor legal claims with a licensed personal injury attorney. Tattoo parlors that have been guilty of personal injuries to clients often combat accusations of negligence by blaming the client in any way. They will argue that the client was in some way negligent and did not follow after-care instructions properly. Although this is often true, there are cases where a client is innocent and the parlor is the negligent party. To make this distinction accurately, it is highly recommended to outsource professional legal counsel. Most personal injury lawyers will even listen to your case, free of charge, and determine whether or not you have a valid claim.

Craven Blazek Law

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 for information about tattoo shop lawsuits in Indianapolis, Indiana. Personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek retain extensive knowledge and experience in accident law, litigation, and trial. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to make an appointment with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, today.

Bicyclists and Drivers: Who’s At Fault in the Case of an Accident?

Posted on March 2, 2015 by admin

Bicycle Accident Claims 317-881-2700

Many bike lanes have been added to several busy streets and roadways throughout the state. While many drivers are not happy about it, avid cyclists are very pleased. It’s been a common debate/initiative between riders and the city to improve bike routes on major roads to support safer commutes. But did giving cyclists their bike lanes improve their security while riding on the road? Or did it just cause drivers more anxiety trying to safely navigate around them, especially during rush-hour times?

Regardless of the answers to these questions, there is a bigger question on our minds. That question asks about liability in the case that a driver hits a cyclist who is in a designated bike lane, and why. Continue reading to explore this topic, and learn what circumstances might hold both parties accountable for these kinds of accidents and injuries.

Bike Lane Accidents and Injuries

It is important to point out bikers’ rights on the road to get a foundation of understanding when comprehending liability in the case of an accident involving motor vehicles. First, all cyclists have legal rights on the road, so long as they are obeying all traffic signals and road rules. If there are designated bike lanes in which a biker is using responsibly, and a negligent driver hits them, the biker would have legal rights to pursue a lawsuit against the driver for their damages.

Bicycle Accident Claims 317-881-2700

In other cases, if a biker was the one who acted negligently by making themselves vulnerable to danger, or failing to obey traffic laws, they could be at-fault for any injuries sustained in a biker/car accident. For example, if a person on a bicycle is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and they swerve into the traffic lane outside of the bike lane, causing them to get hit, it would not be the driver’s fault because the driver was obeying the rules of the road and respected the boundaries of the bike lane. Because the biker was intoxicated, it would be found that they were negligent.

On the other hand, if a driver was behaving negligently behind the wheel, whether speeding, texting, eating, or under the influence, and a biker was responsibly navigating their own bike lane, the driver would be held accountable for any injuries sustained to the biker in the case of an accident.

There are several stipulations and exceptions to the rules of a personal injury claim. This is why it important to hire professional legal counsel for accurate information and assessments. They retain the proper resources and experience to litigate your case and recover full and fair compensation for your damages, whether in a settlement or
court case.

Craven Blazek Law

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a bicycle accident lawyer in Indianapolis about filing a personal injury claim against a negligent driver. Attorney Daniel Craven, has decades of litigation and trial experience, and will work fervently to recover the compensation you rightfully deserve. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your case, and we never charge lawyer fees unless we recover for you in a settlement. Call 317-881-2700 for information about bicycle accident lawsuits in Indianapolis, IN today.

Choose Craven Blazek Law for Indianapolis Personal Injury Representation You Can Trust!

Posted on February 27, 2015 by admin

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Craven Blazek Law is a highly respected and seasoned personal injury law firm located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. We retain a team of skilled accident attorneys with extensive litigation and trial experience. When it comes to recovering full and fair compensation for damages following a serious injury, we are the law firm to choose. We offer free initial consultations so that clients are not subjected to out-of-pocket expenses on our first visit to assess our claim.

And Craven Blazek Law never collects any upfront lawyer fees, and only collects fees if we win your settlement. Call us at 317-881-2700 and speak with a friendly and knowledgeable company representative to learn more about our Indianapolis personal injury law firm, today.

We are the Personal Injury Lawyers that Will Recover the Full and Fair Compensation You Deserve Following a Serious Accident in Indianapolis, Indiana!

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

When you call Craven Blazek Law, you can expect a prompt and friendly greeting from a knowledgeable and caring company representative or administrator. You will then have an opportunity to ask any questions you like, set up a free initial consultation, or request to speak with a licensed accident attorney. Compassion is apparent when you come to Craven Blazek Law with your legal afflictions. We care about our clients and our clients’ families. Call us directly at 317-881-2700 to speak with a licensed personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, IN today.

Can I Sue a Person for Wrecking My Car and Injuring Me?

Posted on February 9, 2015 by admin

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

If you let a person drive your car, are you liable for any damages they might cause you and your vehicle? Or are they liable? Laws regarding vicarious liability in motor vehicle accidents vary from state to state, however, many are on the same page when it comes to a letting an individual operate your vehicle willingly. There are also different circumstances that change the liability boundaries among drivers and vehicle owners; such as employer and employee or parent and minor.

In this case, we will discuss the liability for a car accident and personal injury in a standard relationship scenario, like a friend, stranger, or relative. Continue reading to learn who would be at-fault for damages caused in a motor vehicle accident, in the case that someone else was driving the car other than the vehicle owner.

Negligent Entrustment

Negligent entrustment is a term that refers to the scenario of letting an unfit person drive your vehicle willingly. If you were to loan your car to someone that was not fit to operate a motor vehicle under law, then you would be responsible for any damages, injuries, and accidents they cause while driving it. An unfit person is anyone not legally permitted to operate a motor vehicle. This includes anyone who is underage, uninsured, unlicensed, under the influence of drugs or alcohol (including sleeping pills and pain medication), ill or sick, handicap or physically impaired, injured, a repeated reckless driving offender, or too elderly to drive.

Loaning Your Car

If you allow a “perfectly-fit” person to operate your vehicle, there are still liability set-backs in the case of an accident. If you loan your vehicle, or simply let someone drive with you as a passenger, and they cause an accident that results in vehicular damages and personal injuries, you would be responsible under law for these damages. However, there are exceptions to this situation, and it differs from state to state. But in most states, the car owner is the liable party in a case like this. In these states, as long as permission was given, the owner of the vehicle is accountable for any damages another person might cause.

Craven Blazek Law

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free initial consultation with a seasoned car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney, Daniel Craven, retains extensive trial and litigation experience, and is happy to answer your questions about filing a motor vehicle accident claim in Indianapolis. Call 317-881-2700 today to learn more about your rights following a serious car accident in Indiana.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

Posted on February 2, 2015 by admin

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Depending on the type of legal services and representation needed, legal fees and lawyer costs will vary. These kinds of costs also vary from law firm to law firm, and often times, depend on the complexity of a client’s case. Knowing the types of fees and prices for lawyers is an important part of choosing a legal team that fits your needs. It is encouraged to ask lawyers questions about their fee arrangements and billing practices ahead of time so that you are better-prepared when the final bill comes and you can fully-comprehend its charges. A lawyer should be open and more-than-willing to disclose payment and billing details to potential clients.

Keep in mind that cheaper is not better when it comes to your legal protection. Be prepared to spend a good hunk of money on effective and reputable legal services. A reputable law firm’s attorney prices should be high but reasonable. Continue reading to learn about common billing practices and rates used by attorneys and law firms in general, and then more specifically, personal injury lawyers.

Lawyer Rates

There are several different types of fee arrangements and rates attorneys charge for their services. Some law firms will use just one type of billing method, while another might use multiple in combination. The most common are hourly rates, flat rate fees, retainers, and contingent fees. Here is a basic description of each:

Retainers

A legal retainer is an upfront payment, given in advance, to a lawyer for their services. Retainers are usually accompanied with hourly billing. Paid retainers are generally placed in a special trust account, and then debited as legal fees accrue. It is important to monitor legal retainers and billing statements as representation continues to ensure proper invoicing. Keep in mind that retainers are not refundable, with very few exceptions.

Hourly Fees

Charging by the hour is the most common billing practice used by attorneys and law firms. A lawyer can choose to charge clients by the hour, based on all the hours they put into a client’s case. The hourly-rate is either pre-set or agreed upon between clients and lawyers. Hourly rates will depend on a lawyer’s experience, location, overheads, and more. It is important to retain the legal services of an experienced attorney.

Contingent Fees

Contingent fees are the most common form of billing practice used by personal injury law firms and attorneys. This payment arrangement works by not charging clients any retainers or upfront fees, but collecting up a percentage of whatever monetary settlement they recover for them. Personal injury claims are complex and vary from case to case, so the percentage collected upon judgment will vary among lawsuits.

Craven Blazek Law

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call 317-881-2700 today and speak with licensed personal injury attorney, Daniel Craven, about filing an accident claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 for questions about personal injury lawsuits or to schedule a consultation with a seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyer you can trust.

Safety Tips Following Airbag Deployment in a Motor Vehicle Accident

Posted on January 12, 2015 by admin

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Modern vehicles have an airbag system meant to protect drivers and passengers from sudden impact or ejection. In older model cars and trucks, there is typically only one airbag, and it’s located in the steering wheel or driver’s side dash. Newer model vehicles are more likely to come equipped with driver-side and passenger-side airbags; and others even come with side-cabin airbags, headrest airbags, rear-seat airbags, and more.

There are several crash sensors located all throughout a vehicle that relay instantaneous messages to the airbag control unit when they sense the car’s physical well-being has been damaged. The airbag control unit then responds by initiating airbag deployment. From the moment a vehicle’s crash sensors detect a collision, to the moment the airbags deploy, only a fraction of a second passes by. This entire process from start to finish happens faster than a person can blink an eye.

Airbags are enormously advantageous and revolutionary assets to our society. This is because they provide a soft cushion in the case of a sudden impact or collision, preventing serious head and chest injuries, brain injuries, orthopedic injuries, ejection from vehicles, and more. Although airbags are meant to, and do, save lives, they can also cause minor to moderate injuries; especially if seat belts are not worn.

Airbags are designed to work in conjunction with a vehicle’s safety restraints. Failure to properly restrain oneself in a vehicle can result in more severe airbag injuries or more serious injuries. After being involved in a motor vehicle accident that causes your airbags to deploy, it is best to know what to do next for the safety of yourself and your passengers. Continue reading to learn the proper steps to take after an airbag system deploys in a vehicle.

Airbag Injuries

It is very common for a person to experience an airbag deployment at least once in their lives. For this reason, it is helpful to know how to handle this type of situation in order to reduce anxiety, stress, and shock if it does ever happen. Keep in mind that airbags don’t just deploy in serious car accidents, they can also deploy from minor ones as well. For example, in some vehicles, if the crash sensors detect abrupt and forceful braking, the airbags might deploy. In any case that airbags deploys, here are the steps to take to ensure your safety and security:

Assess Your Health

Car Accident Injury Claims 317-881-2700

Immediately after the airbags deploy and your vehicle has come to a complete stop, the first thing to do is assess your health and the health of any passengers that might be with you. Are you and your passengers conscious? Take a look at all extremities and skin, checking for burns, abrasions, or possible broken bones. Consider the head, neck, back, and spine; how do they feel and do you believe they’re injured? Can you walk? Can you talk? Can you see? Do you feel nauseous?

These are all important considerations for drivers and passengers after an airbag deploys. If you conclude that you are in good health, begin to offer help to other passengers, as well as, any other individuals that were involved in the accident.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Even if you and your passengers feel as though everything is fine, sometimes adrenaline or shock can null pain and injury. Also, concussions and head traumas can lie dormant for days before becoming evident. This is why seeking immediate medical care is vital. In almost all cases, an emergency vehicle or EMT crew will arrive minutes after a car accident to do just this. They can offer medical care at the scene, or provide transportation to the hospital for more serious injuries.

For accidents that do not involve injury

Once the airbag deploys, and you are sure you are not injured, the first thing to do is turn the vehicle’s engine off and get out of the vehicle. Most of the time this happens automatically when airbags are deployed; but if for some reason the vehicle does not turn off, be sure to do it yourself. This prevents explosions or fires in the case of fuel leaks. So as soon as you are stable, turn the ignition off and give yourself some distance from the vehicle.

If you were recently involved in a motor vehicle accident in which you believe the airbag malfunctioned, or you were injured as a result of another driver’s negligence, contact a personal injury law firm right away. They have the proper knowledge and resources to recover compensation for victims of negligent car accidents and injuries.

Craven Blazek Law

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 and speak with licensed accident lawyer, Daniel Craven, about motor vehicle accident claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our personal injury law firm offers free initial consultations and never collects legal fees unless we earn your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 and schedule an appointment with a seasoned car accident attorney in Indianapolis, IN to learn your rights, today.

Personal Injury Guide and References

Posted on December 12, 2014 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

A personal injury can happen to anyone, children and adults alike. When someone is injured in an accident that was caused by another entity’s negligence (a person, company, organization, product, etc.), they are considered victims of tort. Tort is a civil wrong that can serve as grounds for a lawsuit in order to recover compensation for related damages. There are three different kinds of tort; intentional torts, negligent torts, and strict liability.

Examples of intentional torts can include cases of assault, harassment, trespassing, or emotional distress. Negligent torts can include cases like fraternity hazing gone bad, wrongful death, and motor vehicle accidents. Cases of strict liability can include slip and fall accidents, defective products, and more. There are several other areas of tort as well, not included in the above categories; such as defamation, harassment, nuisance tort, and more.

An example of a common tort would be if a drunk driver hits you and causes you serious injury. In this case, they have committed a negligent tort, and you have grounds to pursue lawsuit to obtain recompense for vehicular damages, personal injuries, trauma, lost wages, and much more. Assault is another example of tort that can lead to a personal injury lawsuit. Some forms of tort, mostly intentional ones, are not only grounds for a personal injury lawsuit, they are also punishable by imprisonment. Other forms of personal injury include wrongful death. Property damage, however, does not fall under personal injury law.

Personal Injury Terms

We have covered what tort is, and what a personal injury is, but there are other related terms that might be helpful to know before pursuing your own personal injury lawsuit. There are nine principle participants in a general personal injury claim. The first is the victim, or person filing for the victim. This is called the claimant. The rest are listed and defined below. Continue reading for more helpful legal terms related to personal injury lawsuits.

Claimant – This is the person that files the claim with an insurance company, or the person that actually suffered the personal injury. In the case of a wrongful death, the claimant would usually be a relative or spouse.

Party – A participant in a lawsuit.

Plaintiff – Also called the “claimant”, or the person that files the lawsuit.

Defendant – This is the opposing party (either a company or individual), or the party being sued.

Lawyer – This is the licensed legal party (usually one person, or sometimes a small team) that represents the claimant in a personal injury lawsuit.

Adjuster – This is the individual appointed by an insurance company to settle a claim. Their purpose is to coordinate a settlement that doesn’t require the insurance company to pay out, or pay-out as little as possible.

First Party Insurance – This is the insurance company of the victim, or person filing the claim.

Third Party Insurance – This is the opposing party’s insurance, or the party being sued.

You can speak with a licensed Indianapolis accident attorney about your personal injury questions and concerns by simply scheduling a free initial consultation. They can listen to your story and assess whether or not you were an actual victim of tort. If they find that you or your loved one was wrongfully injured or killed as a result of another entity’s negligence, they will represent your claim. Many law firms do not collect upfront lawyer fees, and only do so if they recover full and fair compensation for their clients.

Craven Blazek Law

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to speak with a licensed Indianapolis personal injury attorney regarding a recent tort or accident. Seasoned lawyer, Daniel Craven, and the panel of personal injury attorneys alongside him, are eager and waiting to recover the full and fair compensation you rightfully deserve after being negligently injured in an accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we settle your claim. Call 317-881-2700 for more information about filing a personal injury lawsuit in Indianapolis, Indiana, today.

Defensive Driving Tips to Avoid Aggressive or Careless Drivers and Traffic Accidents

Posted on November 18, 2014 by admin

Car Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Motor vehicle accidents are terrible occurrences; whether they are a simple fender-bender, or a serious traffic collision. They disrupt our daily lives, cause emotionally stress, put a heavy load of financial obligations on our shoulders, re-arrange our planned agendas, and in worse-case-scenarios, cause serious physical and mental injuries, trauma, and fatalities.

The best way to avoid being a victim of a traffic accident or car wreck, is to learn how to drive defensively and safely at all times. You cannot control what others do, or the decisions they make behind the wheel of a car, but you can control your own behaviors and habits while on the road. Practicing defensive and alert driving can better prepare you for negligent and reckless drivers around you.

Continue reading to learn how to navigate safely on the road with other vehicles, and what to do in the case of a serious motor vehicle accident.

Driving Safety

Of course, the most important reminders for safe driving is always wear your seat-belt and obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws. Making sure you and your passengers are legally and securely strapped in their seat is the most important rule to driving. Without proper safety harnesses and belts, passengers and drivers can be ejected from their vehicles in a serious motor vehicle accident. This usually causes immediate fatalities. Wearing a seat-belt can prevent serious complications from whiplash, prevent injuries to the head, and much more.

Always wear your seat-belt no matter how good of a driver you claim to be. It is not always yourself that can cause an accident, it is others on the road. This is why defensive driving practice is so important. Of course you can trust your own decisions, but you cannot control how others drive around you. What you can control is how you react to reckless or careless drivers. Here are some safety tips and reminders for safer driving, and navigating around other seemingly negligent drivers on the road:

Concentrate and Focus

Always remain alert behind the wheel of your vehicle and constantly scan the road for reckless or aggressive drivers. Staying focused allows you to stay on track with road signs, signals, construction zones, and more. It will also allow you to see other drivers making reckless decisions before you approach their vicinity, and react ahead of time; which then allows you to better navigate around them and avoid a traffic accident. When you are in your car and driving, this shouldn’t just be your top priority, it should be your only priority. This means no multi-tasking behind the wheel.

Distracted driving is one of the top causes of fatal car crashes each year. Texting, phone calls, applying makeup, handing items to children in the back, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and more are all common reasons why drivers wreck their vehicles, and kill either themselves, their passengers, or other innocent bystanders and drivers. Stop this behavior if you are guilty! You do not have the right to put other innocent people in jeopardy because you believe you can multi-task behind the wheel of a car.

Never Tailgate

Road rage is quite common among people with anger control issues, or those who are consistently in a hurry to get from point A to point B, without regard for other drivers. And sometimes, people just like to drive fast and erratically. You cannot always predict what the driver in front of you is going to do, and you cannot always see what’s in front of the driver in front of you. For this reason, it is important to never tailgate or drive closely to someone’s tail-end. If they suddenly brake for a flock of geese crossing the road, you might not have enough time to react and stop; subsequently slamming into the person’s bumper. This can cause several injuries to the passengers and drivers in both vehicle, and result in costly insurance claims and automotive repairs.

Obey Speed Limits

This is a no-brainer. Speeding causes accidents that could have otherwise been avoided. Speed limits are set for a reason, and should always be obeyed no matter what. When a driver is speeding, they are putting themselves and others in a dangerous situation. High speeds reduces a driver’s ability to control the vehicle, and the slightest over-correction or move can send a speeding vehicle out of control. Speeding is almost always a variable in a motor vehicle accident or collision. It might not always be the cause of an accident, but it most certainly plays a part in many cases.

Be Well-Mannered

Being a courteous driver means you are not being an aggressive one. When another vehicle signals that they need into your lane, just let them in. Don’t be stingy about letting cars in front of you, or giving other vehicles a chance to pull out. And if another driver doesn’t let you in for some reason, let it go and move on. Failing to remain well-mannered on the road can cause other drivers to become aggressive and hostile.

Avoid Aggressive Drivers

Being cut off on the way home from a long day at work, or on your way to pick up an ill child from daycare, is quite frustrating, understandably. But these aggressive drivers should not be allowed to influence your mood for the rest of the day! When you see drivers navigating aggressively through traffic, or are noticeably in a hurry, keep your distance. Drivers like these are more likely to cause or be involved in an accident. Steering clear of dangerous drivers can reduce your chances of experiencing an auto accident.

If you or a loved one has been recently injured or killed as a result of a negligent driver or motor vehicle accident, contact an Indianapolis car accident attorney right away. Learn your rights after being injured in a motor vehicle accident, and have a professional assess your case to determine if you have a valid claim. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages.

Craven Blazek Law

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call 317-881-2700 to speak with a seasoned car accident attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can schedule a free initial consultation with licensed personal injury lawyer, Daniel Craven, to review your case and determine your eligibility for compensation. We never collect lawyer fees unless we win your case! Call Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 for information about car accident injury claims in Indianapolis, IN today.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Lawsuits

Posted on October 8, 2014 by admin

Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Thousands of people each year suffer spinal cord injuries that result in life-changing damages, like chronic pain, paralysis, and even death. One of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries in the United States is motor vehicle accidents and collisions. In many cases, these types of accidents are caused by negligent or careless driving.

If you or a loved one was recently injured in a car wreck that occurred as a result of another driver’s negligence, you may be legally entitled to compensation for your damages.

Continue reading to learn more about spinal cord injuries, as well as, the recommended steps to take following a serious personal injury.

Back, Neck, and Spinal Cord Injuries

As mentioned, car wrecks and motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries, as well as, neck, back, and additional orthopedic injuries. These kinds of injuries are often serious and life-changing. Many even result in immediate or eventual death. The spinal cord is one of the most delicate and complex components in our bodies. It, essentially, is a bundle of nerves that starts at the stem of the brain and runs down the back, all the way to the tailbone. Even if implicated in the slightest bit, a person can suffer life-long consequences, like loss of sensation and movement.

Common Spinal Cord Injuries Include:

Paraplegia – Paralyzed from the waist down.

Quadriplegia – All four limbs are paralyzed.

Central Cord Syndrome – Damage to nerve fibers that carry information from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord.

Brown-Sequard Syndrome – A puncture wound to the neck or back, on one side of the spinal cord.

Anterior Spinal Cord Syndrome (ASCS) – Compression of the main artery, called the anterior spinal artery, which runs down the front of the spinal cord.

Spinal Shock – Temporary loss of neurological activity below the level of injury. This includes loss of sensation, reflexes, and motor functioning, with a gradual recovery following a spinal cord injury.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Assault, Battery, and Violence
• Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
• Sports or Recreational Accidents
• Horse-Related Accidents
• Alcohol Related Incidents

Spinal cord injuries are serious in all cases. If you or a loved one suffers a spinal cord, neck, or back injury as a result of another’s negligence, consider filing a personal injury claim to collect compensation for your own, or your family’s damages. It is strongly encouraged to consult a licensed Indianapolis catastrophic injury lawyer for advice and information regarding orthopedic injury lawsuits and more. They can professionally assess whether or not you have a valid case, and assertively take the lead on your accident claim. You can recover compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, prolonged rehabilitation, mental anguish, and much more.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The legal office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our licensed Indianapolis personal injury lawyers, regarding a recent catastrophic injury or accident. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are highly accomplished and compassionate accident lawyers with many years of litigation and trial experience. We offer free initial consultations to assess your claim without any payment obligation from you! And we never collect attorney fees unless we recover full and fair compensation for your damages. Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a knowledgeable and friendly legal representative about scheduling an appointment with a licensed personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN, today.