If you or a loved one has been hurt from an accident caused by others, you may want to take proactive steps toward protecting your legal rights. Not taking action can cause you to miss out on monetary compensation that can cover your accident-related expenses. Victims of personal injury accidents are often left in financial struggles because they have difficulty paying off their medical bills and other costs. If you speak to a lawyer right after experiencing an accident, you can improve your chances of success. Finding the right lawyer can be stressful and difficult. At Ward & Ward Law Firm, each Indianapolis, Indiana personal injury attorney can provide legal counsel for any of your personal injury needs. You may have some general questions regarding your legal rights and personal injury cases, we are here to help answer those questions.

Table of contents:

What are personal injury cases?

When mishaps occur, the person who sustained harm or injury from the accident could hold the other party legally accountable for that injury. The dispute can be handled by filing a formal lawsuit in Indianapolis, IN or having an informal settlement arranged. In both of these options, having a trustedIndianapolis, IN personal injury attorney from Ward & Ward Law Firm may help increase the value of your compensation.

A personal injury case is a type of case where a person has suffered bodily harm, such as an injury or illness, due to the actions of another person. In many cases, negligence is the cause of the injury. Victims have a right to pursue the person responsible for causing the accident that directly led to their injury or illness. A personal injury lawyer can help you through every stage of the process if you are wanting to file an accident claim, as there can be a number of complications. Understanding the law can be confusing as well, so leave the legal complexities to an experienced legal professional to handle. 

Personal injury cases can be settled in more than one way. There are several outcomes that can occur when you choose to file a personal injury claim:

• Formal Lawsuits: This occurs when the individual files a civil “complaint” against another business, corporation, person, or government agency because they acted carelessly or negligently and caused harm to the individual. If this is the path you want to pursue, then you will need to file a lawsuit. Having a personal injury attorney who understands the complexity of these legal matters could be an influential factor of the outcome of the lawsuit.

• Informal Settlement: This is the most common type of resolution used for personal injury cases. The settlement is typically among the personnel involved in the dispute, their insurance companies, and lawyers representing each side. During this type of resolvement, both sides negotiate an amount of money that the injured party will receive. After the amount of money is agreed upon, a written agreement is signed by both parties that would prohibit any further action, such as a lawsuit.

What Do I Need To Bring to My Initial Consultation?

The short answer is, everything. If it’s related to your injury, you should bring it to your initial consultation with your personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN, from Ward & Ward Law Firm. These documents should include:

• Paperwork documenting your diagnosis and prognosis
• Discharge paperwork
• Receipts from things you’ve paid out-of-pocket
• Bills you haven’t paid yet
• Medical records from anywhere you received treatment
• Any applicable police reports

What Should I Expect To Happen in My Initial Consultation?

First, your Ward & Ward Law Firm personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN, will ask you to tell her about your injury and how you sustained it. He’ll ask for details surrounding what you were doing before the injury occurred, while it was happening, and the aftermath it’s left in your life. He’ll also want to know about your medical care and how much future medical care you may need. He’ll ask about your work history and any lost wages from this injury.

Do I Really Need a Lawyer?

You absolutely need a personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN, to help guide you through your personal injury claim. Insurance companies are big bullies who want to keep all their money to themselves. Your lawyer will help you reach a fair settlement with the insurance company.

How Long Will My Case Take?

Every case is different, so how long a case takes will vary. It could be a matter of weeks or months. If it goes to trial, depending on how backed up the civil court in your jurisdiction is, it could even take a year or more to reach the conclusion of your lawsuit.

What Will I Be Asked in a Deposition?

A deposition is nothing more than a Q&A session between you and the insurance company’s lawyer. Your personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN from the Ward & Ward Law Firm will be there with you. Some of the questions you’ll be asked include:

• Background information such as your work history and family
• Details of the accident
• How your health was before the accident
• The medical treatment you’ve had
• How the injuries from the accident have impacted your life.

Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Offer?

If your only goal is to get things over with quickly, yes, you should accept the insurance company’s offer. On the other hand, if you want your medical bills, past and future, your lost wages, past and future and your pain and suffering compensated, then no, you absolutely should not accept the insurance company’s offer. The insurance company is a business that doesn’t like giving away money. Their initial offer to you will be extraordinarily low.

Basis for Personal Injury

Knowing if you have grounds to file a personal injury case can be disorientating, especially if your case is not straightforward. If there are multiple parties involved or if you had partial fault, it can be even more confusing. Talking to a lawyer and explaining the basics of your case can enable them to determine if you are able to file a valid claim. They will examine several factors to find out the basis for your case. 

If you were injured it could have been due to another person’s negligence. Negligence is an important concept in personal injury cases. This is the failure to use reasonable care, resulting in damage or injury to another. Negligence can cover a wide spread of personal injury cases, however, there are other grounds for filing a personal injury case.

• Strict Liability: This holds manufacturers and designers accountable and strictly liable for injuries that occur due to defective or faulty products. They are responsible for putting their products through rigorous testing to ensure that they are safe to use and are free of defects. If a product is put on the market and subsequently inflicts harm on a consumer who uses it, the manufacturer or designer will be held liable. This is true regardless of the defendant’s actions to prevent a defect from occurring. Sellers are also responsible if they knowingly sell damaged products. In this situation, it must be shown that the product was manufactured in a way that made it unreasonably dangerous when used for its intended purpose.

• Intentional Wrongs: Personal injury cases do not just cover cases that involve negligence. Deliberate acts that result in harm to a victim can also serve as the basis of personal injury cases. These types of situations typically encompass assault and battery. This is when an individual deliberately harms you. They may have further criminal charges, but they can also be held financially liable for your injuries in a civil court in Indianapolis, IN.

Statute of Limitations

The injured party has a limited time to file a lawsuit. This is called a statute of limitations. This time period begins when the individual was injured or discovers their injury. The statute of limitations can vary by state and by the type of injury. If you intend to file a personal injury claim, be sure to know  the statute of limitations in your state so you can submit a claim in time. If you need assistance with understanding the statute of limitations, reach out to a lawyer promptly. Our attorneys are well-versed in the statute of limitations for different situations and may help you understand which deadlines apply to your case.

Contact Ward & Ward Law Firm Today

If you have been the victim of a personal injury, you deserve fair compensation for your medical bills, personal damage, and lost wages. No victim should have to shoulder the expenses of an accident that they did not cause. There are legal resources available if you act quickly after experiencing an accident. You can rely on a top legal team to get you the help you need and recover much need and deserve compensation. Obtaining financial compensation can greatly ease your recovery and reduce the burden on you. A personal injury attorney Indianapolis, IN residents trust may fight aggressively on your behalf, whether you are filing for a lawsuit or wanting to obtain a settlement. Allow us to handle the legal stresses while you take the necessary time to get healthy once again.

The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

If you have suffered a serious injury, the first thing you should do is seek medical care. Then, after you have talked to a doctor, make sure you reach out to a personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN, such as an attorney from the Ward & Ward Law Firm. What are some of the biggest benefits of contacting a personal injury lawyer who can help you? You do not have to face this situation on your own. A lawyer can protect your rights. 

You Can Save Time

One of the first benefits of working with a personal injury attorney is that you can save a significant amount of time. You have a lot to do following an accident. You may need to talk to the police, talk to the insurance company, and try to reach a fair and just settlement. You also need to focus on your medical recovery. A personal injury attorney can take many of these tasks off your hands.

You Can Focus on Your Medical Recovery 

When a personal injury attorney handles the paperwork for you, you can focus all of your attention on your medical recovery. This can do wonders for not only your physical health but also your mental health. After an accident, your top priority should be getting better. A personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN to make sure that happens for you. 

You Can Receive Compensation for Your Medical Bills and Property Damage

One of the biggest benefits of working with a personal injury attorney is that you can receive compensation for your medical bills. Even if you have health insurance, you may still have a lot of out-of-pocket expenses. You might be responsible for a copay, coinsurance, and a deductible. This can add up quickly, particularly if you are not able to return to work after the accident. A personal injury attorney can help you seek compensation that can cover not only your property damage but also your medical expenses. 

Rely on a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Serious Accident

No matter how small the accident might seem, you always need to talk to a doctor. That way, none of your injuries are overlooked. Then, do not forget to contact a personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN, such as a lawyer from the Ward & Ward Law Firm. A trained personal injury attorney can make sure your side of the story is heard. 

Personal Injury Law and You

If you were injured due to someone else’s actions, then you’re most likely interested in how personal injury law can help you. For many people, various areas of the law – such as personal injury, aren’t too important until it’s applicable to them. That’s okay – nobody needs to be the expert at everything, that’s what our personal injury attorneys are for.

If you’re looking for answers to your questions regarding your accident, then the best possible resource is a personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN from Ward & Ward Law Firm. Here is some introductory information to get you started.

Do I have a personal injury case?

If you’ve sustained any injury or harm as a result of someone else’s decisions or actions, then you potentially have a personal injury case. Personal injury involves numerous types of accidents and injuries including auto accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, and birth injury, to name a few. Even if your accident doesn’t seem like it would fall into the category of personal injury, you should still consult with an Indianapolis, IN personal injury attorney. They’ll be able to outline the most beneficial avenues for you to take during your case. In general terms, there are three types of personal injury claims you can file.

Three types of Personal Injury Claims

• Negligence: If your injury was a direct result of someone else’s negligent behavior, then you would file this type of personal injury claim. Negligence is defined as the failure to take proper care in a certain action, and traverses many accident types. Medical malpractice, distracted drivers, or asbestos exposure through work can all be forms of negligence that result in injury. The extent of your injuries and the level of negligence displayed by the defendant are both factors that will determine the significance of your case, which in turn affects the total payout you could potentially receive.

• Intentional Torts: When someone purposefully does something that results in you getting injured, it is considered an intentional tort. A tort is essentially the act of infringing on someone’s rights and in the case of personal injury, an intentional tort is both a tort as well as a crime. That means you can still file a civil suit against the defendant even if they are acquitted of their criminal charges.

• Strict Liability: When a product has a defect that results in your injury, then you can potentially claim strict liability. Under strict liability, you don’t have to prove the defendant’s actions were negligent or purposeful but only that those actions created a defect product that caused you injury. To win these cases, you need to prove that there was a defect of some variation that went without correction throughout the manufacturing/distribution process, the defect caused the product to be dangerous (sticking your finger in a rotating fan wouldn’t be considered strict liability, because the product was established as being dangerous before it got to you), and finally that your injuries were a direct result of said defect.

If you have been injured due to the actions of another party, you may have many more questions that what our firm has covered here. To learn more, contact an Indianapolis, IN personal injury attorney from our firm so they can evaluate your case personally. Remember to give your personal injury attorney as much detail as possible about the case, as well as any evidence such as witness statements, photos, and your own first-hand account of the incident.

If you haven’t called to schedule your free consultation, don’t wait until it’s too late. Call Ward & Ward Law Firm today to meet with a personal injury attorney Indianapolis, IN clients recommend.

How Common Is Wrongful Death Due to Medical Errors?

If you were asked to guess what preventable reality kills an average of 250,000 Americans each year, what would your answer be? Car crashes? Smoking? Obesity? According to researchers at Johns Hopkins, a minimum of 250,000 Americans die as a result of preventable medical errors on an annual basis. It is worth noting that other studies place this number as high as 440,000 deaths per year due to preventable medical errors.

If you have recently lost a loved one and suspect that a medical error may have contributed to your loss, please consider connecting with an experienced Indianapolis, Indiana personal injury attorney now. You may not be able to tell at first glance whether your loved one died as a result of preventable behavior, but an experienced Indianapolis, IN personal injury attorney will be able to help you discover the truth. If it turns out that a medical error did play a role in your loved one’s death, you may be entitled to seek justice and financial compensation through civil action.

Deaths Due to Medical Negligence – The Basics

At present, medical errors are the third-leading cause of death among American adults behind heart disease and cancer. This reality is staggering. However, it is important to understand that not every medical error serves as grounds for legal action. Only when a medical professional/facility breaches its legal duty to a patient by behaving negligently, recklessly or intentionally can the loved ones of a deceased patient take legal action. Unfortunately, such negligence and recklessness occurs all too often.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to compensation. You need to hire a personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN, before filing a lawsuit. Here are the do’s and don’ts of filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Do See a Doctor

Most people pursue personal injury lawsuits because they need help with the medical expenses they incurred as a result of the accident. You should see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident to ensure that all of your injuries are properly documented for the lawsuit.

Do Seek Legal Guidance

The legal system is always difficult to navigate. To ensure that you do not get confused by the nuances of the legal field, it is best to contact a personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN, immediately after the accident to discuss your case.

Do Document the Scene of the Accident

When a personal injury lawsuit, you have to prove that the accident was caused by the negligence of another person. This is most easily accomplished by documenting the scene of the accident when it happened. Make sure you take photos of any potential hazards in the area.

Don’t Lie

It can sometimes be tempting to exaggerate the details of your claim so that you can receive more money in a settlement, but this is never a good idea. If any part of your claim is just proven, you are likely to lose the lawsuit. Always be straightforward about what happened during the accident.

Don’t Discuss Details of the Case

Never post details about an ongoing case on any social media platform. The details of your lawsuit should be kept confidential until the issue has been resolved. Always speak with your lawyer before disclosing any detail about the accident to another person.

Don’t Sign Anything Without Your Lawyer Present

unless you are a lawyer, you probably do not understand all of the legal jargon that is included in court documentation. You never want to sign something that will negatively impact your case, so make it a habit to never sign anything unless your lawyer is present.

Personal injury lawsuits can be complicated. For this reason, it is best to contact a personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana, before you even begin the process of filing the lawsuit. Follow these do’s and don’ts to make the process easier for you.

Legal Guidance Is Available

If you believe that a loved one may have passed away due (either in-part or completely) as a result of a medical error or medical negligence, please consider scheduling a consultation with an experienced Indianapolis, IN personal injury attorney immediately. It is often very difficult for loved ones to determine whether an individual’s doctor and/or care team may have contributed to that individual’s death. As a result, it is generally a good idea to speak with an Indianapolis, IN personal injury attorney about your loved one’s situation, even if you cannot yet prove whether you have grounds to file legal action. An attorney experienced in this area of law will know how to get you answers to the questions you seek – as far as doing so is possible. Once you have a better understanding of what occurred, you will be able to determine how to proceed given the legal options available to you. If medical negligence did indeed contribute to the death of your loved one, your family may be entitled to significant financial compensation.

Even if you are unsure of whether your loved one passed away due (in part or in full) to a medical error, please consider scheduling a confidential, risk-free consultation with a member of the legal team at Ward & Ward Law Firm today. We are passionate about helping loved ones seek answers and then assisting them with making informed decisions about their legal options. We would be happy to learn more about your situation and to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to taking your call. 

Personal Injury Claims Attorney Indianapolis Indiana

Working with a personal injury claims attorney Indianapolis, Indiana victims recommend is your best bet to ensure that you receive the best possible representation for your case. Ward & Ward Law Firm has been providing clients with legal services since 1994. What does that equate to? Experienced lawyers who are skilled in the practice of personal injury law. 

Accidents that require the victim to file a personal injury claim are more common than you may think and can range in severity. Our Indianapolis Indiana personal injury claims attorney wants to help you collect strong evidence in support of your case. We are committed to providing our clients with services that far exceed their expectations. We provide our clients with services that are easily accessible by providing prospective clients with complimentary consultations to get started in addition to working on a contingency fee basis should we proceed.

Want to learn more? Call our personal injury claims attorney representing Indianapolis Indiana today. 

Personal Injury Claims Attorney Indianapolis Indiana

Accidents are incredibly common. In the blink of an eye, an accident victim may be left to contend with serious injuries. Many do not realize that personal injury claims are some of the most common types of civil cases seen in courtrooms across the country. Common types of cases that our Indianapolis Indiana personal injury claims attorney at Ward & Ward Law Firm can help with include:

• Slip and Fall Cases
• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Product Liability
• Dog Bite Cases
• Construction Accidents
• +More

While some cases may only result in minor injuries, some injuries may be extensive, even resulting in lifelong disabilities. The life you knew may change forever, which is why you need a personal injury attorney serving Indianapolis, IN, who can keep your interests at the forefront of your case. 

Collecting Strong Evidence in Support of Your Case

When you bring forth a personal injury case, you will be charged with producing crucial evidence that proves the responsible party is liable. Gathering evidence right from the start is critical to obtaining a favorable outcome for your accident claim. Our personal injury claims attorney in Indianapolis Indiana will likely recommend that you gather the following:

• Your Account
• Medical Bills
• Medical Documentation
• Police or Accident Reports
• Eyewitness Statements
• Photographs or Videos

Suffering losses can be incredibly impactful to a victim and their families. You could be left to face extensive injuries, medical expenses, and even lost wages from missed time away from work. To ensure that you receive fair compensation for the losses you are facing, gathering as much evidence as possible is essential. 

Meet with Ward & Ward Law Firm

Our personal injury claims attorney in Indianapolis Indiana aims to make services as accessible as possible to clients in their time of need. In the wake of an accident, you could be facing a substantial financial impact. Because of this, many may hesitate to contact a lawyer to get started. This is why we provide complimentary services to prospective clients. This gives our team the ability to review your case while also allowing you the opportunity to meet with us and determine if we are a good fit for you. If we choose to move forward, we provide services on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless you do.  

For more information about how Ward & Ward Law Firm can assist you, contact our Indianapolis Indiana personal injury claims attorney now!