Car Accident Attorneys in Carmel, IN 

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Carmel, IN

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. A serious accident can occur if a driver makes even one wrong move on the road, producing devastating injuries and physical damages. 

Some accident causes are more common than others, including the following:

• Distracted driving: When drivers take their focus off the road for even a few seconds, they can make serious mistakes that lead to catastrophic accidents. 
• Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous and is one of the leading causes of car accident fatalities.  
• Failure to yield: Whether when merging onto the highway, proceeding through a four-way stop, or approaching a crosswalk, failure to yield is another major cause of accidents. 
• Drowsy driving: Driving while fatigued is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It impairs one’s ability to react quickly and make sound decisions. 
• Speeding: Speed limits are set for a reason: they indicate the fastest speed drivers can safely maintain in that area. Speeding can leave drivers without enough time to slow or stop when necessary, striking other vehicles. 

Whether your accident happened for one of these reasons or a completely different cause, we can help you seek compensation from the at-fault driver. 

Establishing Liability in a Car Accident Case

If another party was responsible for the car accident that caused your injuries, you shouldn’t need to pay for your medical bills and property damages out of pocket. Instead, the liable party is responsible for these expenses. 

But how do you establish liability in a car accident? First, understand the four elements of liability that pertain to any personal injury case:

• Another party owed you a duty of care
• The party breached that duty of care
• An accident resulted from the breach of duty
• You suffered injuries or other damages from the accident

The first tenet is almost always automatically true in a car accident case. Drivers who share the road with you owe you and all other drivers a duty of care to prevent accidents. 

When a driver does something directly or indirectly to cause an accident, they breach their duty of care to you. This could be breaking a traffic law, striking your vehicle, or any other action leading to the accident. But you’ll need plenty of evidence showing that the driver’s actions led to the accident, such as:

• Photos of the accident scene
• Videos or dash cam footage
• Witness testimonies
• Crash damage analyses
• Accident reconstructionist testimonies

Proving the third tenet — that an accident occurred — is relatively easy. A police officer likely created a report at the accident scene, and you can use this document as proof. However, you’ll need extensive evidence to support the fourth element: that you suffered damages from the accident. 

You’ll need medical documentation that directly ties your injuries to the accident. You’ll also need reports from a collision center detailing the damage to your vehicle. 

Proving negligence in a car accident can be complicated, but our car accident attorneys in Carmel, IN, are here to assist. We’ll secure evidence from all available sources to show that the other driver caused the accident and owes you financial compensation. 

Seeking Compensation: Insurance Claim vs. Lawsuit

Once you have established that another party was negligent in your accident, you may proceed with an insurance claim or lawsuit to seek compensation from that party. 

The first step is to file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance provider. Liability insurance is mandatory for all drivers in Indiana.

The insurer will ask you about the details of the accident and invite you to submit receipts and medical bills showing the expenses you incurred from the accident. Then, they will present you with a compensation amount. 

If the driver only carried the minimum amount of liability insurance — $50,000 per accident — their policy limits may not be high enough to cover all your expenses. There’s also a chance the insurance company will deny your claim or present an offer that isn’t sufficient.

In this case, your attorney may advise you to take legal action against the at-fault driver or their insurance company. Rest assured that your car accident attorneys in Carmel, IN, will guide you through every step of the legal process to improve your chances of success. 

What Damages Can You Seek After a Car Accident? 

Through an insurance claim, you may seek compensation for the direct economic expenses you incurred from the accident. These include:

• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Time off work
• Loss of earning capacity
• Future medical treatments
• Medical equipment 

Some insurance policies will also allow you to claim non-economic expenses from the accident; other times, you must claim these through a lawsuit. Non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship (in wrongful death cases)
• Emotional distress

If the at-fault driver was acting recklessly when they caused the accident, you may qualify for punitive damages as well. These damages would come from the driver’s bank account to punish them for their wrongful behavior. They’re common in accident claims involving drunk driving. 

Indiana’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Cases

Indiana has a statute of limitations of two years for car accident cases. This means you have two years from the accident date to take legal action. Missing this deadline may lead the judge to dismiss your case, thwarting your opportunities for further compensation. 

While two years may seem like a long time, it can pass quickly, especially when focused on recovery. Some accident victims miss the statute of limitations because they only intend to seek compensation through an insurance claim, yet decide to take legal action at the last second. 

If you’re nearing the two-year deadline, now is the time to contact car accident attorneys in Carmel, IN. 

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Assist You? 

You may be wondering: Do you really need a car accident attorney, or can you handle your claim yourself? 

Car accident attorneys are extremely helpful in complicated, expensive car accident cases. You may benefit from an attorney if any of the following are true:

• You experienced severe injuries from the accident.
• The at-fault party refuses to cooperate.
• The insurance company has lowballed you or denied your claim.
• You seek legal action to increase your payout. 
• You need help navigating your case. 

Your car accident attorney is your personal, experienced guide through your car accident case. They have extensive experience navigating similar cases for Carmel, IN, accident victims and will use their knowledge to improve your case outcomes. 

These are just a few of the services a car accident law firm can help you with:

• Gathering evidence to support your case
• Communicating with all parties on your behalf
• Helping you file all relevant documentation with your claim or lawsuit
• Filing a lawsuit with the local civil court
• Representing you in court

Learn more about our team and how we can assist your case. 

Stewart & Stewart Attorneys: Your Experienced Car Accident Attorneys in Carmel, IN 

Car accident cases can be overwhelming, but the Stewart & Stewart Attorneys team is here to give you peace of mind. Our car accident attorneys in Carmel, IN, are dedicated to seeking the maximum compensation on your behalf. Fill out our online form or call (866) 925-3011 for your free consultation.