Why Should Employees Injured in Work-Related Car Accidents Hire a Lawyer?

In last week’s blog, we discussed some of the most frequently asked questions about work-related car accidents, including various facts about workers’ compensation benefits, third-party claims, and hiring a car accident lawyer to represent injured people in such cases. In today’s blog, continue reading to learn how a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer can protect wrongfully injured car accident victims by recovering the full and fair compensation they deserve for their damages and losses.

Company Car Accident Lawyers Indianapolis 317-881-2700
Company Car Accident Lawyers Indianapolis 317-881-2700

Work-Related Car Accident Injuries and Claims

There are several reasons why an injured employee who is hurt and work-related car accident should hire personal injury lawyer. Here are some scenarios to demonstrate the importance of retaining proper legal representation after being injured in a car accident while performing work-related duties:

Employers or their insurance carriers may try to establish that an employee’s car accident wasn’t work-related and attempt to reject their workers’ compensation claim. If this were to happen, an employee would need a skilled litigator to fight for their rights to compensation by proving their case.

In the case that an employee’s workers’ compensation claim is approved, the employer’s insurance company may try to reduce the benefits of the claim or change the benefits in a way that negatively impacts the employee. For instance, the employer’s insurance company can have the worker compensation doctor the insurance carrier chose issue an opinion that an employee has reached maximum medical improvement and require them to return to work before they are actually capable; or the doctor chosen by the worker compensation carrier may issue a lower permanent partial impairment rating than should be issued.  It is very important to understand that in most work-related automobile collisions, it is the worker compensation carrier and not the patient who chooses who the treating doctor is.

Numerous work-related car accidents involve third parties who may also be held accountable for any damages and losses suffered by an injured employee. Third-party claims are not handled by an employee’s insurance company or employer. An employee would be responsible for hiring their own lawyer to pursue any third party claims and they absolutely should.

An experienced personal injury lawyer is an injured victim’s best chance at obtaining the most successful outcome possible in a car accident claim. Indiana civil litigators are well-versed in tort law and may be able to find other types of settlements to pursue outside of workers’ compensation.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer after being injured in a work-related car accident makes the entire legal process easier for victims. Lawyers will handle and navigate every element of your case so that you can focus solely on getting better.

Hire a Workers’ Compensation/Third-Party Liability Lawyer FAST

It is very common for injured workers to lose out on their possible benefits a because they do not hire an Indianapolis IN workers’ compensation lawyer fast enough. In order to have a successful recovery, employees who are injured in a work-related car accident must get their investigation started early; before evidence is lost that supports their claim. Not only can witnesses forget details and paperwork and get lost in the shuffle, but all states have a set period in which a wrongfully injured victim can pursue legal action against an at-fault party known as the statute of limitations.

Are you ready to speak with an expert workers’ compensation and third party liability lawyer who can begin investigating your claim right away? Contact the legal office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free consultation with a skilled Indiana workplace injury lawyer as soon as possible.  We represent injured victims throughout the state of Indiana and Indiana residents injured in other states.

You Might Also Read:

Statute of Limitations for Common Personal Injury Claims
FAQS About Having to Go Back to Work After a Workplace Injury
Standard Workers’ Compensation Benefits You Can Expect

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FAQS About Work Related Car Accidents

In today’s workforce, many employees are required to drive as a part of their job-related duties. When an employee is involved in a car accident, whether in their personal car or in a company car, so long as they were performing work-related duties, workers’ compensation usually pays for all of their medical expenses and the majority of their lost wages from missing work. But after being in a car accident, injured victims suffer more damages than just medical expenses and lost wages. In such cases, they may be eligible to pursue in accident claim against third parties responsible for any damages resulting from their car accident injuries.

There’s a lot to know about work-related car accidents, workers’ compensation benefits, and third-party claims, but fortunately you don’t have to bother with any of this. As soon as you are capable, speak with a licensed Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to learn the best course of action for your car or trucking accident claim in Indiana.

In the meantime, continue reading to review some frequently asked questions about work-related car and trucking accidents to get a better understanding of what type of legal process you may experience ahead of you.

Indianapolis Indiana Car Accident Lawyer 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Indiana Car Accident Lawyer 317-881-2700

What is Considered a Work-Related Car Accident?

A work-related car accident is when an employee who is performing work duties is involved in a car or trucking wreck or collision. The accident does not have to be with another vehicle; it can be just the employee. The most common types of work-related car accidents happen to those whose primary role is driving, such as delivery drivers, commercial truck drivers, bus drivers, and similar commuting-based vocations.

What are Some Other Types of Work-Related Car Accidents That May Be Covered Under Workers’ Compensation?

In addition to those whose primary role within the company is to drive, there are other types of work-related car accidents that can take place. Car accidents happen in an employer’s parking lot may be covered under workers compensation, as well as employees who are driving from one company location or job site to another for the purpose of a job shift change. Also, workers compensation may cover car accidents that occur to employees who are driving to or from a mandatory company meeting or event, such as a training program or conference.

What are Some Examples of Car Accidents That Would Not Be Considered Work-Related, and Therefore Not Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Not all car accidents are considered work-related even though they may appear to be. In such a case, employees would not be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. For instance, if an employee is involved in a car accident on their way to work or on their way home from work, their accident would not be considered work-related. Although every case is fact sensitive so it should be investigated.

Another example would be if an employee was in a car accident after a company social event, like a holiday party or charity fundraiser. Since the event is not mandatory, and employees are not compensated for their attendance, a car accident that takes place before or after the event might not be considered work-related.

What Should I Do if I Am injured in a Work-Related Car Accident?

As soon as you are involved in a car accident, whether it is work-related or not, your priority should be medical treatment. Contact the police and the paramedics to ensure that you and anyone else involved in the accident are seen by EMTs. Next, you want to start documenting the scene of the accident. So, be sure that you have the police there to file a police report, get a copy of the police report, and continue to document any other pieces of evidence via video or photos.

Take pictures and videos of the cars involved in the car accident, the nearby intersection, the streetlights, the surrounding environmental terrain, and anything else that could be used as evidence to support your car accident claim. It is helpful to also ask onlookers or witnesses for their contact information in the case that they can provide witness testimony later.

Stay tuned for next week’s blog in which we’ll discuss why injured employees need to hire a personal injury lawyer after being involved in a work-related car accident.

Are you looking for a skilled personal injury attorney who can help you with your car accident or workers compensation claim in Indiana? Contact the legal office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free personal injury case evaluation. We represent clients throughout the state of Indiana.

You Might Also Read:

What To Do If You are Injured at Work
Difference Between Third Party Lawsuits and Worker’s Compensation Claims
FAQS About Having to Go Back to Work After a Workplace Injury

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Injured from a Defective Surgically-Implanted Medical Device?

What You Need to Know if You Were Injured By a Defective Implant

Many patients are recipients of surgically implanted medical devices, such as hernia meshes, IVC filters, and artificial joints. But when these devices are defective and cause serious injuries to the patient, who is responsible for the damages? It is often assumed that a defective implant injury is a medical malpractice case, but really, it is usually more likely a product liability case.

Continue reading to learn the difference between product liability and medical malpractice liability, as well as the most common types of implant defects that can cause serious injuries to patients.

Product Liability Lawyers Indianapolis IN 317-881-2700
Defective Product Lawyers Indianapolis IN 317-881-2700

Product Liability and Medical Malpractice

When a surgically implanted medical device is inserted in a patient, so long as their medical teams and doctors were not negligent in the process, they are not liable for any defects that occur within or from the device. In such a case, it is most likely the manufacturer’s fault. If the health care provider was negligent or careless in some way, and their negligence was a responsible cause of a patient’s injuries, they too could bear responsibility for their negligence.

So long as the health care provider acted reasonably and in line with the medical standard of care, they would not be responsible for a defective medical implant.

If the medical device is defective or dangerous, and the patient is harmed as a result, the manufacturer would be liable, and a product liability case could be pursued.

Medical Implant Defects and Liability

There are several different types of liability when it comes to defective products and their manufacturers. As for surgically implanted medical devices that are dangerous and defective, there are 3 types of liability:  design defects, manufacturing defects, and marketing defects.

Design Defects – When a medical device is manufactured correctly, but the design of the device is intrinsically dangerous, it is considered a design defect. In the case of surgically implanted devices, design defects are not a common occurrence. Most often, medical devices are not accused of design defects but it can and does happen.

Manufacturer Defects – When a medical device is designed properly, but the manufacturer does not adhere to the specifications of the design and/or manufacturers it incorrectly, it is deemed a manufacturing defect. In these cases, the incorrect manufacturing prevents the device to work as intended, thus causing serious harm to recipients of the device.

Marketing Defects – A marketing defect can occur when a medical device’s instructions or advertising campaigns are incorrect, thus posing dangers to patients. For instance, if a medical device manufacturer fails to warn recipients about possible side effects or any concealed dangers that can result from using the device, this could be deemed a marketing defect.

Do you believe you or someone you love is a wrongful victim of a defective product? Contact the legal office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to learn your eligibility for pursuing a product liability claim in Indianapolis, today. We represent clients all throughout the state of Indiana.

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Who is Responsible for a Defective Product that Causes Injury to a Consumer?
Product Recalls that Have Gone Down in History
Is Market Share Liability Still Used in Product Liability Cases?

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Where Do I File a Personal Injury Complaint?

After being injured in an accident that was caused by another person’s recklessness or negligence, it is likely that you are thinking about pursing a lawsuit. But where you ultimately file your personal injury complaint will depend on certain factors, including the extent of your injuries and the scope of your losses, as well as the person or party you are suing and where your accident took place.

Continue reading to learn the difference between filing an accident lawsuit in Small Claims Court and State Court, and who to trust for reputable Indiana personal injury representation.

Indianapolis Civil Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Civil Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Filings in Small Claims Court

Following an accident that left you with injuries, you would normally bring your personal injury claim against the at-fault party in Small Claims Court if the total amount of money you are asking as compensation for your damages and losses are on the lower side of the spectrum, or below the state’s s Small Claims Court maximum threshold. Small Claims Court limits are generally set by the state and differ among jurisdictions, but most states establish theirs between $3,000 and $15,000.

Here in Indiana, the limit for Small Claims Court lawsuits is generally $8,000.  Starting on July 31, 2021, the limit will be raised to $10,000.  If your personal injury damages are less than the state’s damage cap for Small Claims Court, you could file your personal injury complaint there, but with the help of your Indianapolis accident lawyer. You can expect Small Claims Court proceedings to turnover much faster, oftentimes being resolved after just one court hearing.

Filing a Personal Injury Complaint in State Court

Personal injury victim would file their complaint in a regular State Court if the amount of compensation they are asking for is above the state’s threshold for Small Claims Court; and you would do so in the designated branch of the state’s civil court system. In either case in filing a personal injury complaint, your first step is to contact a skilled and experienced Indiana personal injury lawyer who can navigate your accident claim every step of the way. With an injury attorney on your case, you don’t have to think about where or how to file a personal injury complaint in the first place.

Are you looking for a seasoned personal injury representation after being hurt in an accident that was not your fault? Contact the legal office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a friendly and experienced Indianapolis accident lawyer. We serve clients throughout the state of Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

Is it Better to Settle an Accident Claim Out of Court in Indiana?
Is There Still Time to File My Indiana Personal Injury Claim?
Am I at Risk of Any Consequences if I File a Personal Injury Claim?

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Facts About Premise Liability Policy For Small Business Owners

Slip and fall injuries can and do happen on the premises owned or controlled by business owners, small and big alike.  All businesses should have general liability insurance and premise liability insurance for a commercial property and their business in general.  Small and big employers and their employees are sometimes “negligent”, which basically means failing to use due care.  If a business is negligent, they can and should be held liable for resulting injuries and damages to their patrons.  If a business is found to be negligent by a judge or jury, their insurance carrier will pay for any verdict against the company.

Continue reading to learn about premise liability policy protection and who to call for pertinent advice and information about this topic and more.

Indianapolis IN Slip and Fall Lawyer 317-881-2700
Indianapolis IN Slip and Fall Lawyer 317-881-2700

General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses

Not only is it important to retain this kind of insurance, it is also important to obtain the right amount of coverage. Having enough coverage is necessary for proper protection for the business and to provide for full compensation for a patron injured as a result of negligence. An experienced insurance agent can provide accurate assessments for a business’s particular policy coverage needs although in general, the more coverage you have the better.

For such insurance policies, a business pays a monthly or quarterly premium for their insurance coverage. This premium promises an insurance defense attorney to fight their case, as well as a money reserve to cover any court-ordered retributions or remunerations awarded against them by a verdict or for funds to use to obtain a settlement.  This is another reason supporting the importance of having enough liability coverage.

Premise Care and Maintenance

Businesses have a legal obligation to provide a safe premise for anyone invited or welcomed onto their property. It is important to properly inspect, maintain and care for their property, inside and out, so people are not injured. This means proper inspections, floor cleaning, repair, and maintenance, as well as routine snow shoveling and salting, pathway clearing, concrete repair, and much more. It would also includes reviewing and ensuring that the property meets all safety rules, codes and ordinances.

It is also their duty and legal obligation to supervise employees and staff within their business as businesses can only act through their owners, officers, agents and employees. If any of these persons were negligent and contributed to causing a person’s injuries, the business itself is held responsible under Indiana law.  Thus, it is important to make sure all employees are fully aware of the importance of premises safety for any business.

Hire an Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer if You are Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident

If you were recently injured in a slip and fall accident, contact a licensed Indianapolis slip and fall lawyer for professional legal advice and information. You may be entitled to legal compensation for your damages and losses.

Were you seriously injured in a slip and fall accident in Indiana? Contact the accident attorneys at Craven Blazek Law to schedule a free consultation with an Indianapolis Indiana slip and fall lawyer, today at 317-881-2700. We are happy to discuss your case over the phone, via Zoom, at your home or in person at our office.  We have also successfully represented premises liability cases for big box stores like Walmart, Lowes, and Menards. We represent injured victims throughout the state of Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

 Important Injury Lawsuit Information for Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
What Causes the Most Slip and Fall Accidents?
What Physical Evidence Should I Keep for a Slip and Fall Claim?

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
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Can I Recover a Settlement for Getting Beat Up?

Assault Lawyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700
Assault Lawyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

When a person threatens violence towards another person, it is considered assault. If a person carries out acts of violence to intentionally hurt and injure another person, it is considered battery. Assault and battery cases are generally handled in criminal court, in which the guilty face penalties including trials, hearings, probation, fines, jail time, and more. But what about the victim?

Although criminal law effectively serves to partially punish the accused in such cases, it doesn’t necessarily address the needs of the victim. Therefore, many victims of assault are asking about their legal rights to compensation for losses they incurred because of their injuries. If you have been beat up or assaulted unfairly, you can bring a lawsuit. The real question is if it’s worth your time. Talk to a personal injury attorney to determine your eligibility for compensation as soon as possible before the statutes of limitations runs out.

How to Bring a Personal Injury Claim for Assault

If you are assaulted, the first step is to call the police. It is important to do this as soon as possible, whether from the scene of the accident, the hospital, or as soon as you get to a safe place. The police will bring along medical technicians and ambulances to ensure your health and injuries are properly managed. But if you are badly injured, call 911 first, and then the police.

Make a detailed police report and take several pictures of your injuries and the scene of the crime. If the attacker fled the scene, give law enforcement as much information about them as you can remember, including clothing, height, gender, hair color, car, and more. If you know who they are, give police everything you know about them, including contact information, residence, vehicle, employment information, and more. This will allow them to track down the accused quicker and bring them in to face charges.

The police report and medical record will be evidence towards your case against the accused. These files, coupled with the images of your injuries, records of doctor appointments and medical treatment, and eyewitness statements, will document a strong case against the guilty. Your next step is to contact a personal injury lawyer. They will assess the details of your accident and determine the best legal course to take. They work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning if they do not collect compensation for you, you do not pay at all. So, you do not have to worry if you can afford representation since there are no upfront fees.

Is it Worth It to Sue for Assault in Indiana?

As mentioned before, the real question about suing for assault is whether it’s worth it or not. For example, if your injuries are not very extensive, a judge/jury may hesitate to award you significant compensatory damages unless your accident and injuries directly caused you to incur medical costs and lose wages. A judge may, however, decide to award nominal damages to acknowledge that your rights were violated. In some cases, a judge/jury can decide to award punitive damages. It is important to discuss your rights with an experienced personal injury attorney to successfully pursue a lawsuit against a person that attacked you.

Are you ready to get started on your personal injury assault or battery claim in Indiana? Contact the legal office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 and schedule a free case evaluation with a skilled Indianapolis Indiana accident attorney you can trust. Our law firm serves clients all throughout the state of Indiana.

You Might Also Read:

The Most Common Types of Damages Awarded in Personal Injury Lawsuits
What to Bring to a Personal Injury Consultation
Is My Personal Injury Case Criminal or Civil?

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Deponent Tips for Personal Injury Depositions

As a personal injury victim or survivor, it is likely that you may be subjected to a personal injury deposition, therefore making you a deponent. A personal injury deposition is intended to provide a platform for attorneys to ask questions, seek answers, and document the case.

All parties deposed are done so under oath, which means there can be legal repercussions for deponents who are dishonest during their deposition session. If you have just received a Notice of Deposition, or already aware that you will soon be deposed, it is important to educate yourself on what to expect and how to conduct yourself.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about preparing for your personal injury deposition, including some important tips that will help you be as successful as possible.

Personal Injury Lawyer Indianapolis IN 317-881-2700
Personal Injury Lawyer Indianapolis IN 317-881-2700

How to Prepare For Your Personal Injury Deposition

The first thing you should do is meet with your attorney a few days prior to your deposition so you can review relevant documents in an attempt to help jog your memory to events that took place usually quite some time ago.

During your personal injury deposition, a court reporter will be recording the entire session. For this reason, it is important to focus closely on what you are going to say, and how you are going to approach every question. Anything you say at your deposition can be used later to challenge any inconsistencies in your testimony at trial.

Whether a plaintiff or defendant, a deponent can expect to be asked some basic questions. Such questions will likely be about their past medical history and personal injuries, their current employment, the specific event that gave rise to the lawsuit, who they’ve talked to about the case so far, there criminal history, their driving record, current physical status, and similar basic data that would be relevant to the case.

You can expect your deposition to take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes, but in larger cases, it may take longer to reach completion. Arrive sometime before your session so that you may meet with your personal injury lawyer and discuss some important objectives before getting started. Be sure to dress in business casual attire, as if you are interviewing for a job or going to church.

Personal Injury Deposition Advice

MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
As mentioned, it is important to dress accordingly for your personal injury deposition. Choose business casual attire, like something you would wear to a job interview or to your place of worship; and be well groomed.

BE ARTICULATE
During your deposition session, it is important that you speak up, speak clearly, and enunciate your words well. Avoid using any slang or shortcut language, and oppositely, avoid using vocabulary that is too sophisticated or confusing. Be confident with your speech.

CONDUCT YOURSELF AS A PROFESSIONAL
Just like planning your attire, it is important that you conduct yourself with the highest level of professionalism, as if you are at a job interview. Remember that a deposition is not a casual conversation, it is a question answer format. Keep your answers precise and efficient, and do not volunteer information that is not been asked of you. If the deposing attorney wants to know more on a topic, they will ask follow-up questions.

DO NOT RUSH
Although it is important for you to be professional and speak up during your deposition session, it is equally important that you do not rush through it all. Be patient as you wait for the attorney to ask the question entirely, and then take your time thinking about what you want to say before you offer your answers.

BE RESPECTFUL AND COURTEOUS
During your deposition, you will feel threatened or wrongly accused by the opposing attorney’s questions. No matter how you feel, maintain your composure and be as polite and respectful as possible. Avoid arguing with the attorney or using any sarcasm. This is very important during a personal injury deposition.

DO NOT GUESS
You never want to play the guessing game in a personal injury deposition. If you don’t know the answer to something or cannot remember a certain detail, just say I do not recall.  Your attorney does not want you guessing at your deposition because people get things wrong when they are guessing.  As mentioned earlier, anything you say during your recorded session can be used later at your trial to challenge any inconsistencies the opposing attorney may have found.  If the opposing attorney can get you to start guessing at answers to questions in a deposition, there will inevitably be inconsistencies because you are guessing.

Are you looking for personal injury help after being recently injured in an accident that was not your fault? Contact the legal office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to meet with a seasoned Indianapolis Indiana accident attorney you can trust to recover the settlement you deserve. We represent victims all throughout the state of Indiana and Indiana residents injured in other states.

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How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Accident Lawyer?
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Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
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How to Obtain the Best Possible Outcome for Your Indiana Personal Injury Lawsuit

The Seasoned Litigators With Craven, Hoover, Blazek P.C. Will Recover the Maximum Settlement for You

If you or your loved one was recently involved in an accident here in Indiana, and as a result, has suffered serious injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your past, current, and future damages. In order to obtain the best possible outcome for your case, it is vital that you choose a skilled and qualified Indiana personal injury law firm to recover the maximum settlement or verdict for you.

Who can you trust to obtain a successful ending to your Indiana accident claim? Like thousands of accident survivors before you, trust none other than the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, Blazek P.C. in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers  317-881-2700
Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Our Indiana Accident Lawyers Don’t Back Down to Insurance Companies

Let the expert Indianapolis personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, Blazek P.C. represent your accident claim after being seriously injured in an accident that was not your fault. Our experienced and knowledgeable accident lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies. In fact, our Indiana personal injury firm has a solid reputation for standing up to insurance companies, as well as various other opposing counsels, in order to recover the compensation our clients justly deserve.

We make sure that responsible parties are held accountable for our negligence and honor our responsibilities to our clients. Our legal teams work around the clock to secure all relevant documentation and records, such as police reports, medical charts, medical records, witness statements, and all existing evidence. We also secure expert testimonies and evaluations to back our case up with facts and more evidence. We will use every resource in our power to prove that you are owed compensation for medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and much more. 

We Will Get You and Your Family the Compensation You Rightfully Deserve

As proud members of The Trial Lawyers of America, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and several other notable administrations, you can trust that you are in the hands of top-choice professionals with a passion for helping victims of negligent accidents. Since the start of our practice in 1995, we have earned a strong reputation for providing aggressive, comprehensive, and quality legal advocacy for our clients.

At our firm, our legal teams will work hard to build a strong case based on the facts that substantiate your injuries and damages so that you and your family receive the maximum compensation deserved. If a settlement is not agreed upon, we will take the case to court and present it to a jury and judge. We believe that fair compensation should reflect the full extent of a client’s economic and personal loss. We will ensure your case is successful.

Ready to learn your eligibility for pursing legal action to recover compensation? Contact us directly at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed Indianapolis Indiana personal injury lawyer, today. We represent injured victims all throughout the state of Indiana.

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Can I Be Sued for Someone Else’s Reckless Driving?

If you let someone else drive your car, whether it be your teenager, your boyfriend, or your best friend, there is a change you could be held liable in the case that their negligent or careless driving causes someone else harm. Continue below to learn more about this type of liability, and what you can do if you were injured as a result of another’s driving negligence.

Indianapolis IN Auto Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700
Indianapolis IN Auto Accident Attorneys 317-881-2700

Vicarious Liability and Car Accidents

When it comes to liability and personal injury compensation, the primary element of every case is to determine who is at fault for the car accident. In doing so, it is possible for more than one person to be responsible, such as the case of letting someone else drive your legally-owned and registered vehicle. Even if you are not in the car nor at the scene of the accident, you could be held legally responsible for all damages incurred by the car accident victims if someone wrecks your car while driving it with your permission.

The relationship between you and the driver must be a certain type, however, in order for you to be liable as the vehicle owner. Such relationships include parent and child, employer and employee, and similar types of connections. This is known as vicarious liability, which is also referred to as imputed negligence. There is another area of law that applies in the case of loaning your vehicle to someone who you know is incompetent, called negligent entrustment.

For example, let’s say you loan your car to your best friend because hers is in the shop for the week. She goes on to drive your car intoxicated and causes a serious car accident, injuring other drivers and their passengers. Because you are the car owner, and you allowed them to operate your vehicle, it could be you that winds up a defendant in court, and accused of being liable for all damages and losses of the victims.

Parents and Teens

There are few relevant laws for parents who let their teenagers drive their vehicles. Negligent entrustment is a legal theory and applied law that holds parents or guardians responsible for all damages caused by their child’s negligent driving. This is often used in cases in which teens are unlicensed or inexperienced. Then, there is the Family Purpose Doctrine, which holds you, the car owner, liable for any damages caused to other drivers if a family member drives your car. This liability applies whether you give your relative permission or not.

Employers and Staff

In the case of driving a company car, the employer is legally responsible for their employee’s driving while they are performing work-related duties. If the employee drives negligently and causes a car accident, the employer will be the one who is liable for all damages incurred by the car accident victims, including property and personal injury damages.

Negligent Entrustment

If you were to loan your vehicle to someone who you know is irresponsible, negligent, reckless, unlicensed, intoxicated, a substance abuser, too elderly, ill, or otherwise unfit to drive a car, you would be legally responsible for any damages they cause while driving your car under negligent entrustment laws. This applies to both family members and non-relatives.

Are you an Indiana car accident survivor looking to be compensated for your damages and suffering? Contact the legal office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Indianapolis car accident lawyer. We represent clients throughout the State of Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

What to Do if You are in a Company Car Accident
Facts About Vicarious Liability Lawsuits
Can I Sue Lyft or Uber for Getting into a Car Accident?

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
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Can I Sue an Airline if I Am Injured on the Plane?

It is a well-known fact that traveling via airplane is statistically safer compared to traveling via car, bus, train, or any other kind of grounded motorized vehicle; however, accidents and injuries on airplanes still happen. Aside from an airplane crash, which often results in a significant number of fatalities, other types of accidents can happen on an airplane. If you are injured on an airplane, do you have the right to sue the airline in order to recover compensation for your damages and losses, such as hospital bills, medical expenses and pain and suffering?

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about common carrier lawsuits, specifically your rights to sue and airline after being injured on the plane.

Airplane Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700
Airplane Injury Lawyers Indiana 317-881-2700

Common Carrier Airplane Accidents

An airplane is a common carrier. The term “common carrier” refers to any entity that provides transportation services for the public. In the case of an accident, common carriers are held to a more stringent duty of care in comparison to private carriers. So, when common carrier accidents do occur, such cases are usually taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly.

There are many ways a person can be injured in an airplane. Sprained ankles, broken bones, slip and falls, head injuries, and even assault are common injuries that result from accidents that occur on an airplane.

Common Carrier Liability

Regulatory bodies that set standards for safety and other types of concerns are the authorities that govern common carriers. For example, the governing regulatory body for commercial airlines is the Federal Aviation Administration (FFA). In terms of safety, these standards obligate common carriers to utilize the highest degree of diligence and care for the sake of their passengers and cargoes. And when common carriers fail to adhere to such regulations, they can be held legally responsible for any damages and losses suffered by those affected by their negligence. 

What does all this mean? Well, an airline has a duty of care to ensure that the passengers are safe from all foreseeable hazards. For instance, an airline must ensure that their pilots are fully trained and knowledgeable of all instruments and procedures on the particular planes will be operating, the airline staff has a duty of care to ensure that there is a clear and safe path way from their seats to the bathroom, that overhead bins are not overloaded with luggage that can fall on top of passengers and cause head injuries, and that all weather reports have been extensively scrutinized in order to ensure safe journey to the ultimate destination.

In the cases of what the law calls “acts of God”, like natural disasters and unforeseeable types of turbulence, it is quite difficult to recover settlement and accident case. In such cases, airlines are usually protected against being sued, but every case is fact dependent.

Other Possible Liable Parties

Aside from the actual airline, there are other possible responsible parties in an on-flight airplane accident. Such parties depend on the cause of the accident. For instance, the aircraft repair company can be held responsible for negligently maintaining or repairing the aircraft, while also manufacturers and sellers of aircraft parts can be held responsible if some sort of negligence occurred on their behalf. Even passengers can be held responsible for an on-flight airplane accident, such as in the case of assault.

What You Need to Do as a Victim of an Airplane Accident or Injury

If you are injured on an airplane, it is important that you learn your rights to pursuing legal action against the airline or other possible parties so that you may obtain the monetary relief you deserve to cover all of your pain and suffering, lost wages, and all medical bills resulting from your injuries. As an airline accident victim, the best way to learn your rights after an on- flight airplane accident is to consult with a seasoned Indianapolis Indiana personal injury attorney. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to determine the strength of your case and to properly document and prove your damages and losses.

Are you ready to learn more about your rights after being injured on an airplane? Contact the legal office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to speak with a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis Indiana. We can conduct consultations for free, over the phone, via video conference, or in person at our office.  We represent injured persons and dependents following the wrongful death of a loved one throughout the state of Indiana and for Indiana residents injured throughout the world.

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