Even if you’re the world’s most careful driver, there’s no guarantee that you will never get into a car accident. And if you are badly hurt in an accident someone else caused, you should not have to pay expensive medical bills, struggle with lost income, and endure excruciating mental and physical pain while the person responsible goes about their life as if nothing happened. The Shelbyville car accident lawyers at Stephenson Rife have been advocating for the rights of injured Indiana residents since 1976, and we might be able to help you, too.
Even seemingly “minor” car accidents can cause life-altering injuries. And because so many insurance companies try to minimize injury claims, you need an experienced, dedicated car accident attorney to stand up for your rights.
What Should You Do if You’re Involved in a Car Accident?
Preserve Your Chance to File a Claim
Many people don’t think through what to do after a car accident until they’ve just been in one. Your priority should, of course, be your own health and safety, but if you want to increase your odds of receiving compensation for your injuries, you should also be careful with what you do and say.
Get to Safety and Call 911
Before you do anything else, do your best to get yourself out of harm’s way. If you are able to, dial 911 to summon police and emergency services. It’s important to seek emergency medical treatment even if you don’t think you are hurt. The adrenaline rush of an accident can mask the pain of injuries, even serious ones.
Document the Scene
If you still have your phone and are able to do so, take photos and videos of the scene. Do your best to include the following:
- The accident scene as a whole
- Close-ups of damage to both vehicles
- License plates of involved vehicles
- The other driver’s license and insurance card
- Your injuries.
Later, it’s a good idea to back up these files and store them in more than one place to reduce your risk of losing or deleting them.
Obtain Contact Information
If you can, obtain contact information for first responders and potential witnesses. Witness statements are often a very important part of car accident injury claims, and our team can follow up with witnesses if we need to obtain their accounts of what happened.
Consult With a Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t make the mistake of thinking insurance companies are on your side. Insurers have one main objective — to avoid paying out claims as much as they can. These companies are notorious for twisting things you say after an accident to “prove” your injuries aren’t severe. Get in touch with us first — we can deal with the insurance companies for you.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Indiana?
Just like with most personal injury cases in Indiana, the statute of limitations to file a car accident claim is two years from the date of the accident. That might sound like you can afford to wait to get in touch with a Shelbyville car accident lawyer, but waiting is often a mistake. We don’t file your claim as soon as you consult with us; we first must investigate and compile evidence that clearly shows the severity of your injuries and proves the other driver was negligent. We always recommend that potential clients get in touch with us as soon as possible after an accident.
If you’re looking for a car crash attorney, get in touch with Stephenson Rife at (317) 680-2501 for a free consultation and case review.
FAQ
If you’re like many of our clients, you may not have had to deal with the legal system until now — and you might understandably have some questions. These are some of the questions our clients often ask us.
How do I know if I have a case?
Many different variables go into determining the value of a car accident injury case. The only way to know what your case may be worth is to consult with a car accident attorney in Shelbyville.
Is it expensive to work with you?
No. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay us only if we secure compensation for you. If we agree to take your case on, you agree to pay us a percentage of any compensation you may receive.
How long will it take to resolve my case?
That depends on the complexity of your case and whether it goes to trial. Straightforward cases that settle out of court might be resolved in a few months. However, if your case goes to trial, it might take years to receive compensation.
Can I receive compensation for pain and suffering?
Usually, yes. However, you generally must have a documented physical injury as well. In other words, we can seek compensation for pain and suffering along with compensation for your physical injury, but we generally do not seek compensation for pain and suffering alone.
It’s easy to feel confused and isolated in the aftermath of a serious car accident, but you are not alone. Get in touch with us to set up a free consultation or ask any other questions you may have.
Why Choose Us?
Let Us Put Our Experience to Work for You
We understand that if you’re looking for a car accident lawyer in Shelbyville, you have plenty of firms to choose from. You’re on the cusp of a critical decision, and selecting the right lawyer can mean the difference between recovering the compensation you deserve and walking away with nothing. At Stephenson Rife, we’re committed to the success and well-being of our clients, and we have the track record to prove it.
Have you been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault? Don’t wait — the sooner you get in touch with us, the faster we can start working on your case. Call Stephenson Rife today at (317) 680-2501 to schedule your free consultation and case review.