Some car accident claims are straightforward and settle quickly. If you suffered minor injuries and some property damage in a crash that was determined to be 100 percent the fault of the other driver, his insurance company will likely settle your claim to your satisfaction within a few weeks. However, if there are any complicating factors, you will want to consider hiring an attorney to represent you.
Factors That Complicate a Car Accident Settlement
While many claims are settled easily without the need for a lawyer, you could greatly benefit from hiring a car accident attorney in certain situations. If any of the following circumstances exist, you will want to call a lawyer:
- Dispute over fault. If you are certain you played no part in the cause of the accident, but the other party is claiming you did, an attorney can help you make your case. Under Indiana’s comparative fault law, if you are determined to share in the fault, you will lose damages proportionate to your degree of fault. If you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you cannot claim any damages from the other party. An attorney can gather the evidence needed to support your claim.
- Serious injury. If you suffered a catastrophic injury in a car accident, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, or multiple broken bones, you need an attorney who is skilled at calculating the ongoing and future costs of your care.
- Semi-truck involvement. When your crash involves a commercial truck, such as a semi-truck, legal issues become much more complicated. There could be multiple liable parties and the potential settlement could be over $1 million. An experienced truck accident attorney will know how to handle such a case.
- Fatality. If an occupant of your car was killed in a crash, you should call an attorney immediately. A fatality complicates a claim in many ways and you want to leave the negotiations up to a legal professional. Likewise, if you lost a loved one in a car accident in which you were not involved, an attorney can help you sort through the legal process.
When to Call Keller & Keller's Car Accident Attorneys
The sooner you call an experienced Indianapolis car accident lawyer after your crash, the better. A lawyer will make sure all evidence is preserved and that you do not agree to an offer that is less than what you deserve. Keller & Keller does not charge a fee until we win your case, so you have nothing to lose. Call us today to discuss your recent car accident.
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