Accidents and injuries happen every day. They cause people to have extensive medical bills, lose the ability to work, and sometimes result in death. If your injuries are from negligence, you may want to hire an Indiana personal injury attorney.
The attorneys at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, know what you are up against and they how to fight for compensation. Our team is interested in helping you seek financial justice, so let us help you with your Indiana accident.
What Is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
When a person is injured, they often seek compensation through insurance coverage. In some cases, the insurer will distribute a payment to cover medical expenses and costs directly related to the injury.
However, this is not always the case for accident victims. Insurance companies may fight to avoid paying claimants or offer less than what the client needs to cover their damages. The injured person can opt to file a lawsuit requesting payment when that happens.
A lawsuit is a civil court procedure that evaluates evidence provided by both the defendant and the plaintiff. Not every suit makes it to court. An informal agreement between the parties can settle the lawsuit out of court in some cases. Once all parties agree upon payment, the issue is considered resolved.
Do You Need an Attorney to Gile an Insurance Claim or Lawsuit?
Although you do not need a lawyer to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, a lawyer can represent you and your interests, so you do not have to do all the legwork. They can help you negotiate a settlement without ever going to court.
If your injuries are extensive, a personal injury attorney can help you evaluate the offer of a settlement before you agree to a payout.
In the event that the other party does not offer a fair settlement, our lawyers are ready pursue the matters in court. They can make sure you are within state deadlines for your lawsuit.
Should You Take a Settlement Offer?
If you receive a settlement, look at it closely. Due to the amount of time it takes to go through the entire court process with a lawsuit, sometimes a settlement is a viable option. Only you can make that decision.
Is the offer sufficient to cover your damages? Will it allow you to move forward from your injury? Does it include provisions for future medical procedures or potential complications from your injuries?
An Indiana personal injury attorney will help you navigate the settlement process. They may make recommendations about whether or not to accept a settlement.
What If You Reject a Settlement Offer?
If you receive an unsatisfactory settlement offer, you can continue by filing your lawsuit. The suit will pass into the discovery phase when both sides share their information about the case.
Following discovery, the defendant’s insurance company may make another settlement offer. If you decide to accept that offer, your case will end there. If their settlement offer is still not satisfactory, your lawsuit will continue to civil court. State laws can determine how many jurors are on a case and how the decision will be made.
How Attorney Costs Are Handled
Many people are unsure about hiring an attorney because of the expense. After an injury, you have medical bills, may be unable to work, the bills are piling up. How do you afford to pay an attorney to represent you?
The good news is that personal injury attorneys work on a contingent fee basis. Their services don’t cost anything unless they successfully negotiate a settlement agreement or win during a trial.
When do They Collect Their Fees?
Your first consultation is free. If you decide to hire an attorney to present your injury claim, they will explain all expected expenses and the percentage they will take from your final settlement amount.
They will represent you, assemble the necessary information to support your claim, and work toward a settlement or a lawsuit. They don’t get paid unless you win or sign a settlement agreement.
How Much Will You Get?
This question is difficult to answer with a firm number because every injury case is unique. The amount you receive comes from your actual expenses and losses, including future losses. These include medical costs, travel expenses, property damage, and lost wages. When possible, give your lawyer documentation of your injuries and other damages. This includes medical records, employment information to document lost work, and receipts for necessary expenditures due to your injury.
You may also receive damages for injuries that do not have a direct monetary value. They compensate the plaintiff for non-monetary items, such as physical pain, mental or emotional anguish, and pain and suffering, among other losses. Although rare, you may also qualify for punitive damages. Some damages for certain types of case may also have a cap as determined by Indiana law.
The best way to determine the potential amount you might receive from a personal injury claim is to see a personal injury attorney.
Finding an Indiana Personal Injury Attorney
If you decide to discuss your injury claim with an attorney, how do you find the right one? After you find a personal injury attorney, how do they build your claim? How long will the whole process take? How much will the attorney cost? We have answers to many of your questions.
Ask for Recommendations
Talk to family and friends. Ask them if they know of a personal injury attorney that might talk with you about your claim. Most attorneys offer a free initial consultation. They will discuss your injuries, the accident, and additional information during this meeting.
You can meet with more than one attorney before making your final decision. You might be working with this attorney for a long time, so you should feel comfortable with them. Look for an attorney with experience handling cases similar to yours. Our firm is proud to have helped clients pursue just compensation for a wide range of personal injury cases that include:
- Vehicle accidents
- Medical malpractice and birth injury
- Civil rights
- Negligent security
- Class action lawsuits
We handle more than just the cases above, so reach out today.
Your Indiana Personal Injury Attorney Is Ben Crump Law, PLLC
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, has experience with personal injury claims in Indiana. Contact us to schedule your complimentary consultation.
