Car accidents are scary experiences that can become more frightening when you’re out of work and facing mounting medical bills. Whether a car crash is minor or major, it can leave you reeling and wondering what to do next. Injuries may crop up days after an accident, and it’s tough to know where to turn if you need to seek justice.
If you or a loved one were injured in a wreck in Lake County and you weren’t at fault, you have the right to seek compensation. A car accident lawyer in Lake County from Yosha Law Firm can guide you throughout this process.
Why You Need a Lake County Car Accident Lawyer
If you were injured and you need to file a claim after a Lake County car accident, a lawyer will make sure you get the fair compensation you’ll need to rebuild your life. Here are some reasons hiring an accident attorney will help you as you navigate the claims and settlements process:
Experience and Knowledge of Lake County Laws
Our car accident attorneys are knowledgeable about the laws in Indiana and our court system. In many cases we are familiar with local judges and opposing counsel, and they may already be aware of our reputation as fierce litigators.
Understanding of Insurance Company Tactics
The insurance companies are not in the business of looking out for claimants’ best interests. Their goal is to pay you the least amount of compensation possible so they can keep more of their profits for themselves – even if your injuries were devastating. They do this by blaming, denying, delaying, and trying to trick you into making statements that can lower your settlement.
Our car accident lawyers in Lake County are familiar with their tactics, and we will make sure they aren’t able to take advantage of you.
Ability to Maximize Your Compensation
Did you know studies have shown that plaintiffs who retain legal counsel typically end up with larger settlements than they would have if they’d represented themselves? We understand the true value of your claim, and we know how to prove your damages so you can get full compensation.
What to Do After a Car Wreck in Lake County, IN
After the standard exchange of insurance information, it’s vital you take steps to protect yourself. If you’re involved in a Lake County car accident, don’t panic. Remember to take the following steps:
Secure the scene
If you’re able, pull your car to the side of the road. Avoiding on-coming traffic is important for your safety. If the car damage is too great to move it, secure the accident scene. Your car’s flashers, along with flares and cones work well in this situation. If you’re too injured to escape your vehicle, call 911 immediately.
Call the police
After you’ve secured the accident scene, call 911. Any reporting police officer will help you fill out a report for insurance and further legal claims. If an ambulance is needed, attending officers will note this information in their Indiana crash report.
Take pictures and video evidence
If you have your smartphone with you, document the accident and any injuries via photos and video. If injuries grow in severity or don’t appear until the following days, ensure you document these as well. Your car accident attorney will use this evidence to strengthen your case and advocate for you.
Never take the blame
Any on-scene police officers will ask you to describe how the accident occurred. You’ll likely experience some level of shock, and will wonder about the occupants of the other vehicles. Never admit fault or apologize during your initial accident report. If you feel confused, admit to the police that you’re unclear of how your accident transpired.
Seek immediate medical attention
After a severe crash, attending police officers will call an ambulance for emergency medical attention or quick physical check-ups. Allow yourself to be attended to. Certain injuries such as whiplash may appear in the days following your accident – don’t ignore them.
See a doctor as soon as possible, and make sure your doctor knows you were in a car accident. Your lawyer will need the medical record your doctor will create to use as evidence to prove your claim.
The Most Common Causes of Indiana Car Accidents
According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (CJI), there were 17,821 collisions in Lake County in 2019. So, why do most accidents occur? Inclement weather and severe road conditions can cause car accidents. However, the most common accidents our injury lawyers represent stem from avoidable situations:
- Driving under the influence: In 2019 alone, alcohol-impaired drivers accounted for 308 accidents in Lake County.
- Distracted driving: In 2020, Indiana enacted “Hands free” driving laws–any driver on a handheld phone can be issued a ticket.
- Reckless driving: Speeding, ignoring traffic signals, quick lane changes, and tailgating cause horrific car accidents.Speeding is the most common cause of car accidents, and it led to 2,699 Lake County collisions in 2019.
- Vehicle failures: Vehicle malfunctions can occur suddenly. Often a driver has no control over a malfunctioning car part. Over the years, car manufacturers have issued major recalls for malfunctions.
- Obstacles on the road: A truck loses its cargo, construction areas aren’t properly marked, a deer races into traffic–all present road obstacles and can lead to sudden car accidents.
Yosha Law Firm can represent you after a car accident
At Yosha Law Firm, our legal team empathizes with victims of car accidents. After your car crash, you may find yourself overwhelmed by insurance documents, injury care, and car repairs. It’s important that you minimize your stress levels so you can focus on healing and recovering from such a traumatic event.
What your car accident lawyer will do during the claims process
When you hire an attorney for car accidents in Lake County, we will be in your corner, and we can advocate for you. If you retain our legal services, your car accident lawyer in Lake County, IN, will:
- Advise you on the merits of your case in a transparent, honest, and clear manner
- Determine appropriate compensation you may be owed
- Gather evidence to strengthen your case
- Retain forensic experts or witnesses
- Manage your insurance claims–You won’t have to deal with the headache of a claim, and we’ll fight for the fair amount you are due.
- Advocate for you in any legal proceedings or meetings with other party representation.
Our lawyers will always seek resolutions that have your best interests in mind, and fight for the compensation you need to move on with your life. Our personal injury lawyers invest in each client, and we never settle for less than what we know you deserve.
Our lawyers have decades of experience in car accident claims
Our wealth of experience and legal expertise allows us to take up your fight against insensitive, corporate insurance companies who will do whatever they can to minimize their payout to you.
Decades of courtroom experience enables our legal teams to expertly try your case. Firm co-founder Louis Buddy Yosha has won more jury verdicts (nearly 100) than any other attorney in Indiana state history. Some of our clients have won verdicts with large settlements, including:
- $5 million awarded to a passenger who tragically suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of a car accident.
- $3.2 million for a child passenger who suffered a mild TBI as a result of a car accident.
Compensation You May Get in a Car Accident Claim
Every car accident occurs under different circumstances. The aftermath of personal injury victims’ varies from case to case. Thus, the total compensation pursued will depend on your unique circumstances.
Compensation is never a promised outcome in any personal injury case. Nonetheless, at Yosha Law Firm we will let you know if you have a legitimate case, and will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Some areas of potential compensation may include:
- Medical costs: Any medical prescriptions, treatments, procedures, therapies, appointments, and hospital bills fall under medical costs compensation. Permanent scarring and loss of mobility fall under medical costs too.
- Loss of salary and future income: Loss of current and future income as a result of a car accident could also serve as grounds for compensation.
- Pain and suffering: The aftermath of a car accident could leave you with permanent physical and/or emotional pain and suffering. You shouldn’t have to experience this trauma alone, and may be entitled to a settlement.
If you’ve lost a loved one as a result of a car accident, you may still fight for compensatory damages. You may file a claim based on lack of consortium (the loss of the benefits of a loved one’s life), burial and funeral expenses, loss of benefits and income, pain and suffering, and more.
The Statute of Limitations to File a Car Accident Lawsuit
Unfortunately, Indiana state regulations do place a time limit on filing civil lawsuits after a car accident. According to Indiana state law titled IC 34-11-2-4, a civil personal injury suit must be filed within two years of the accident.
However, a few exceptions to the time limit stand. These exceptions include a victim under 18 years old, or a victim who had a mental disability on the date of the accident.
If you think you may have a personal injury case, it’s important to quickly seek legal consultation from a car accident lawyer in Lake County, Indiana, who has experience with car accident claims. Even if your legal claims are valid, the state may deny your case once the time limit has elapsed.
Contact a Lake County Car Accident Attorney
At Yosha Law Firm, we never settle for less than what you deserve. We care about the outcome of your case and do our best to help you through the process with the least amount of stress as possible.We will fight for compensation and justice on your behalf.
Our contingency fee system means you pay us only after we win your Indiana car accident case. Our legal experts can help you find justice and compensation for your personal injury claims.
We employ a proven team of Lake County car accident attorneys, and we stand ready to help you. Let us fight for your rights so you can focus on what matters most – taking care of yourself and your loved ones as you recover from the accident.
Call Yosha Law Firm at 317-334-9200 or reach out to us online for a free evaluation of your case.
