Carmel Car Accident Lawyer
$5 million settlement
We recently won a $5 million settlement for a wrongful death & injury case to survivor due to car crash.
The number of traffic accidents and fatalities in Indiana has been on the rise in recent years, which means that more and more families are experiencing the trauma and aftermath of a loved one’s being injured in a vehicle collision. Car crashes can result in broken bones, burns, internal bleeding, organ damage, and all kinds of other harm that impacts a victim for a lifetime. Medical bills often total tens of thousands of dollars or more, leaving a family’s financial future in doubt.
While you recover from your injuries, let a Carmel car accident attorney at Stephenson Rife negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to secure the financial compensation you deserve. You should not have to bear the burden of another driver’s negligence.
Our Outstanding Legal Team in Carmel
A financial recovery cannot heal all wounds or make everything to normal again. But being awarded damages can make some things easier and provide for your family in the future. This compensation can ease the expensive burdens caused by large medical bills, loss of income, and even disability or death.
Attorney Mike Stephenson has 40 years of legal experience and has won many large personal injury claims totaling millions of dollars. He has served as lead trial counsel in more than 100 civil jury trials and has handled litigation in 18 states around the country. State and local polls by peers have listed Mike as one of Indiana’s top lawyers. Attorney Brady Rife, also highly experienced, prepares each case as though it may be tried in court. Our entire legal team treats every client with compassion, concern, and respect.
- We are not afraid to negotiate fiercely with insurance companies or take a case to trial, if necessary.
- We communicate openly and frequently with the clients we serve.
- We have a winning track record in personal injury cases.
- We are often consulted by other attorneys and judges for our legal expertise.
At Stephenson Rife, we understand that your family needs to be looked out for after a car accident in Carmel. Reach out to us if you need a comfort, understanding, and information. We will assess the facts in your case, explain your legal options, and discuss next steps.
The legal system in Indiana can cause stress, confusion, and feelings of powerlessness. You don’t have to navigate it alone. A Carmel car accident attorney at Stephenson Rife will walk beside you every step of the way.
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We take the hard cases – and win them! Free consultation, no obligation.
Compensation You Might Be Entitled To
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Carmel caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Compensation could include:
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses: All medical and hospital bills related to your injury, including emergency room visits, doctor’s appointments, surgeries, prescription drugs, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for lost wages from your job. This can include future lost income and any reduction in earnings capacity due to your injury.
- Property Damage: Compensation for damage to your property, such as your vehicle, personal belongings, and other items damaged in an accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Loss of Consortium: This legal action is typically filed by the spouse of an accident victim because the accident interrupted or ended marital interactions and/or intimacy.
Pain and Suffering: Victims are due compensation for the physical pain they endure for weeks, months, or years after a crash.
Emotional Distress: After a catastrophic event, victims can feel depressed, anxious, angry, isolated, and lacking in confidence. Mood swings are not uncommon. This can cause distress for both the injury victim and their family members.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Accident injury victims have reported feelings of listlessness, distraction, and loss of interest in the hobbies, activities, and events that once filled their lives. They can even lose interest in interpersonal relationships, which diminishes a victim’s enjoyment of life.
How We Prove Your Case
At Stephenson Rife, we collect all relevant evidence to build a powerful lawsuit against the negligent parties. Some of this includes:
- Driver statements at the scene: The other driver will sometimes admit fault for an accident by blurting out comments moments after the crash. A statement like this supports your assertion that they caused the crash.
- Witness statements: Your Carmel car accident lawyer can gather witness statements to prove your claim. This includes your own passengers and those of the at-fault driver.
- Police report: Your attorney will request the police report to use as evidence in court.
- Cell phone records: Your lawyer can subpoena the cell phone company to obtain the other driver’s texting and call records. Showing they were handling the phone before the wreck could provide evidence in your favor.
- Photos or videos: Dash cam and cell phone videos, surveillance cameras, and photos can show driver negligence. These can be used in court.
- Accident reconstruction reports: At Stephenson Rife, we maintain a network of experts who advise us in matters of injuries, auto damage, and accident reconstruction. We can also hire an independent investigator to recreate the activities leading up to vehicle impact. We are skilled at using digital and multimedia tools to demonstrate the other driver’s negligence.
The sooner you call us, the sooner we can get to work for you. Don’t delay. Our legal team is ready and waiting to help you.
Steps To Take After a Car Accident in Carmel
Getting injured in a car crash can be a traumatic experience. By taking certain steps to protect your health and legal rights, you will be ready to file a lawsuit later. Here are important things to remember:
Get Medical Attention: Prioritize your health and safety by seeking medical attention right away. Even minor injuries could hide much more serious medical problems that develop days, weeks, or months later. Timely medical attention ensures you receive the necessary treatment you need. It also establishes documentation vital for your legal claim.
Report the Accident: In cases where the car accident occurs in heavy traffic, move to the side of the road to ensure your safety. Call 911 and report the crash to the police, giving them your location and asking for emergency personnel to respond to the scene.
Preserve Evidence: Protect any physical evidence related to the accident, such as vehicle parts, road debris, or evidence that the other driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Retain documents associated with your injury, including doctor’s reports, medical bills, and communications with insurance companies.
Document the Scene: If possible, take photographs or videos of visible injuries, property damage, hazardous conditions, or contributing factors like weather conditions or road hazards. Obtain contact information from witnesses who saw the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company: In cases involving Carmel car accidents, promptly inform your insurance company. Provide factual details about the accident but do not admit fault or make any speculations about what happened.
Finally,
Consult with a Car Accident Lawyer in Carmel: Hiring a car accident attorney will ensure that your legal rights are protected. Your lawyer can also advise you about what compensation you might be entitled to.
Indiana Negligence Laws and Statute of Limitations
Indiana applies the legal theory of modified comparative negligence when determining fault in a car accident case, also known as the “51% fault” rule. You must be less than 51% at fault for a car crash to file an injury claim. If you are awarded damages for your injuries, the court will reduce your recovery by the percentage of fault that is yours.
For example, if it is determined that you are 10% at fault for a collision and the other party is 90% at fault and the total award is $400,000, then you will receive $360,000 (the total less 10%). The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Indiana is two years. (Indiana Code Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure § 34-11-2-4). The clock starts ticking on the date of your car accident, so don’t delay. If the statute of limitations lapses, you could be barred from recovering any financial damages. If your loved one died in a car accident, we can file a wrongful death claim on your behalf.
Don’t delay in filing your Carmel, IN, car accident lawsuit. The statute of limitations is two years, which goes quickly in the confusion and chaos after a crash. Call Stephenson Rife today at (317) 785-7715.
Why Choose Stephenson Rife as Your Carmel, IN, Car Accident Attorney?
Dealing with the aftermath of a serious car accident can feel scary. At Stephenson Rife, our attorneys have a proud record of success. Here are several reasons why we believe we are your best choice when choosing a lawyer to represent you:
- Skilled Negotiators: Dealing directly with insurance companies and engaging in effective negotiations are integral to our legal services. We spare you from these complexities.
- Leaders in Our Field: Serving the Indianapolis region since 1976, we bring extensive experience to the table. Recognized for our expertise, we are the go-to law firm for consultations with other legal practices.
- Recognized Excellence: Attorneys Mike Stephenson and Brady Rife have earned distinctions as Indiana Super Lawyers and received prestigious legal awards, attesting to our firm’s elevated standing and proficiency in the field.
- Cost-Effective Legal Services: We prioritize cost-effectiveness, ensuring our legal services remain accessible to clients. You only pay us if we secure a victory for you, ensuring a fair and risk-free arrangement.
- Comprehensive Legal Support: We handle all legal documentation, court appearances, and filings as Indiana law mandates, reducing the burden on our clients.
When seeking representation for your car accident claim, choose a law firm that is trustworthy and authoritative. At Stephenson Rife, our Carmel car accident lawyers are prepared to answer all your questions before you make a decision about who to hire.
Stephenson Rife: A Big Firm Without the Baggage
High hourly rates are common at large law firms, but not at ours. We provide cost-effective legal representation. We don’t have to pay rent in a downtown office building, and we don’t have a bureaucracy made up of layers of partners and associates.
We keep things simple. We take your Carmel car accident case, put a team of experienced lawyers on it and take care of it. No excess. No fluff. Just results.
Our outstanding client testimonials and the significant cases we’ve won speak volumes about our skill, experience, and dedication. We also offer an attractive attorney referral program to lawyers who are seeking co-counsel or lead litigation counsel. At Stephenson Rife, we treat clients like family. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Carmel car accident, we can help. Call Stephenson Rife today at (317) 785-7715 to schedule a free consultation. Our legal team is compassionate, caring, efficient, and skilled.
M. Michael Stephenson
Founding Partner
Attorney Mike Stephenson has 40 years of experience and is a trusted advisor to many individuals and companies. His current practice is dominated by civil litigation in state and federal courts. He focuses much of his time on handling catastrophic injuries caused by all types of accidents, including car wrecks, semi, industrial, product liability, and fire, just to name a few. He also works extensively in construction-related matters.
Brady J. Rife
Founding Partner
Brady Rife has developed a diverse civil litigation practice for plaintiffs throughout Indiana. Brady is heavily involved in serious personal injury matters, complex business and commercial disputes, and insurance litigation in state and federal courts. Brady has successfully tried several jury trials and bench trials as lead counsel and has also briefed multiple cases before the Indiana Court of Appeals.