Noblesville Car Accident Lawyer

According to the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, 964 traffic fatalities occurred and 45,920 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents in Indiana in 2022. These are both increases from the number of deaths and injuries that occurred the previous year. There were 7,683 traffic collisions in Hamilton County in 2022, including 16 fatal crashes. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Noblesville, IN, an experienced Noblesville car accident lawyer from Fountain Law Firm, P.C. can help hold the at-fault driver accountable for the harm you suffered.

Accident victims in Indiana have the right to seek compensation if they were harmed because of someone else’s negligence. At Fountain Law Firm, P.C., our legal team can provide compassionate and responsive assistance to help you seek full and fair compensation. Take advantage of our free case review to learn about your legal rights and options. 

How a Noblesville Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you have been injured in a car accident, you are likely dealing with a lot right now. You may be facing serious injuries and an uncertain future. Still, medical bills and other expenses are piling up while you are missing time from work. The stress can be unbearable. 

An experienced car accident lawyer can help alleviate your stress and handle all aspects of your legal claim while you focus on your recovery. We help by:

  • Investigating your case – We review the facts involved in your accident and determine all parties who might share fault for it. 
  • Gathering evidence – Our legal team knows how to identify and preserve crucial evidence in your case. 
  • Assess damages – We can compile documentation and other evidence to establish the short- and long-term consequences of your accident. We can gather medical records and bills, lost wage statements, and other evidence to support your compensation claim. 
  • Negotiate for fair compensation – We know how valuable car accident claims can be and can negotiate for a settlement that fairly reflects the seriousness of your injury. Many car accident victims forget that insurance adjusters are representing insurance companies and trying to protect their profit margins. We can help you obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve. 
  • Keep you updated. We can answer any questions you have and offer personalized advice based on your situation. 

Call us today to learn more about how we can help. The call is free, and you are under no obligation to take any further legal action. 

Common Causes of Noblesville Car Accidents 

Most car accidents in Noblesville are due to driver error or carelessness. Common reasons for Noblesville car accidents include:

  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
  • Following too closely
  • Failing to yield the right-of-way or obey other traffic signs
  • Running a red or yellow light
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Drowsy driving

An experienced car accident lawyer can review your case and determine the causes and parties who contributed to it.

Injuries Accident Victims Commonly Suffer in Car Accidents

Car accidents can involve considerable force, high speeds, and complex physics that affect the occupants of vehicles. Common injuries caused by car accidents include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
  • Paralysis and other spinal cord injuries
  • Internal organ damage and bleeding
  • Broken or dislocated bones
  • Scarring or disfiguring injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Burns

Our founding attorney, Merry Fountain, was injured in a car accident that changed her life and motivated her to attend law school and become a personal injury attorney. She knows firsthand what you are going through and will be there to gently guide you throughout the process. 

Insurance Indiana Drivers Must Maintain 

Many car accident claims are resolved through a settlement with the insurance company. The minimum liability insurance requirements in Indiana that all drivers must maintain to pay for damage they cause to others are: 

  • $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person
  • $50,000 for bodily injury or death to more than one person in an accident
  • $25,000 for property damage

These are just the minimum amounts. Consumers are free to and often advised to carry more insurance. 

However, some drivers choose to break the law and not maintain this insurance. According to the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 13.9% of Indiana drivers do not maintain the minimum insurance. In these cases, you may be entitled to compensation if you have purchased uninsured motorist coverage.

An experienced car accident lawyer can review all applicable insurance policies and help determine the best options available for your case. 

Types of Damages in Car Accident Cases 

Personal injury victims have the right to seek compensation for the various types of damages they suffered because of someone else’s carelessness. This includes economic losses, such as:

  • Medical expenses – This includes all costs for emergency care, ongoing, and future medical expenses for treatment and diagnostics related to the accident. You could recover compensation for your ambulance ride, surgical costs, emergency room treatment, diagnostic tests, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy.
  • Lost income – This aspect of your damages claim seeks compensation for income you lost while you were recovering from your injuries and attending medical appointments. This includes lost wages, salaries, tips, bonuses, commissions, and employment benefits. 
  • Reduced earning capacity – If the accident caused permanent disabilities or injuries that prevent you from performing the same work or any work, you could be owed compensation for your reduced earning capacity. 
  • Property damage – You can receive compensation for the costs of repairing your vehicle. If the repair costs exceed its value before the accident, you can receive compensation to replace the vehicle with a similar make, year, and model. 
  • Out-of-pocket expenses – You may incur various additional expenses throughout your claim for which you may be eligible for compensation. This might include rental car expenses, rideshare services, insurance co-pays, and over-the-counter supplies. 
  • Funeral and burial expenses – These damages are available in wrongful death cases when the accident caused the death of your loved one.

Accident victims can also seek compensation for their non-economic damages, which are difficult to quantify but just as real as economic losses. Common types of non-economic damages requested in Indiana car accident cases include: 

  • Pain and suffering – Your injuries may be incredibly painful, as can the medical treatment necessary for your healing. You can seek money to properly compensate you for the harm you have suffered. 
  • Disability – In addition to recovering compensation for the loss of your earning potential, you can also recover compensation for the practical effects of having a disability on your life and your relationships with loved ones if there is sufficient insurance coverage.. 
  • Disfigurement and scarring – Some injuries can cause scarring or other forms of disfigurement for which you can seek compensation. 
  • Loss of quality of life – You may be able to seek compensation for other ways the accident has affected you, such as no longer being able to enjoy certain hobbies or pastimes. 

Our law firm will thoroughly review the facts of your case to determine all the damages you are owed and fight to recover them on your behalf. 

Who Is Responsible for My Damages in a Noblesville Car Accident? 

Indiana uses a fault-based system for car accidents. The party responsible for the majority of fault for the collission is financially responsible for compensating the victim for the harm they caused. 

Indiana also uses a comparative negligence system. If an accident victim is partially at fault for the accident, they can generally file a claim and seek compensation for their damages as long as they are not more responsible for the accident than the other party. However, their damages are reduced by their degree of fault.

An experienced car accident lawyer can investigate your case and determine all available legal options for recovering fair compensation following an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.  

Evidence to Prove the Elements of Your Legal Claim

The various legal elements you must be able to prove to secure compensation for your car accident and the evidence that can help establish them include:

  • Legal duty – You must be able to show the other driver owed you a duty of care. This is usually shown through Indiana traffic laws and rules of the road.
  • Breach of duty – You must show the other driver violated their duty to drive safely. Examples of evidence that can help establish this legal element are accident reports, witness statements, cell phone records, video footage, and the location of damage to the vehicles. 
  • Causation – You must also be able to show that the other driver’s breach of duty caused the accident. Similar evidence as the breach of duty may be used to establish this element. 
  • Damages – You must show that the accident caused you to suffer damages. You can prove this with documentation such as medical bills, wage loss statements, pay stubs, car repair estimates, receipts, and invoices.

FAQs

Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

There is nothing in Indiana law that says you have to hire a car accident lawyer after an accident. However, many car accident victims are glad they did after they realize everything involved in a car accident claim. A car accident lawyer can investigate the case, identify at-fault parties, gather evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company. They can also protect you from being taken advantage of by the insurance company or being wrongly blamed for the accident. 

How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?

Every car accident case is different and can be affected by various factors, such as:

  • The amount of insurance the at-fault driver had
  • The nature and severity of your injuries
  • The duration of your medical treatment and recovery
  • The number and identity of at-fault parties
  • Whether you contributed to the accident

Your car accident lawyer’s job is to try to secure the most compensation available for your claim. 

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost? 

Many car accident victims are concerned about being able to afford to hire a lawyer when they have already suffered so many unexpected expenses. That’s why the Fountain Law Firm, P.C. takes cases on a contingency-fee basis. We do not charge for our services unless and until we recover compensation for our client. This arrangement lets you hire us now but pay us when you can afford to.  If we represent you for your injuries, we will also advise you regarding your legal rights to recover for your vehicle at no fee.

Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partially to Blame for the Accident?

Under Indiana’s modified comparative fault system, you can still seek compensation for a car accident if you are not 51% or more at fault for the accident. However, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. Therefore, if you are found to be 10% at fault and suffered $100,000 in damages, you would forfeit $10,000 of your recovery because you were responsible for that portion of your damages. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Indiana? 

Indiana’s statute of limitations gives most car accident victims two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for the accident. While most car accident cases are resolved through an insurance claim, it’s important to keep this deadline in mind so you do not unintentionally give up your right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. You can take the first step toward protecting your rights by contacting an experienced car accident lawyer today.

Contact Fountain Law Firm, P.C. for Your Free Case Review 

Were you or a loved one injured in an accident in Noblesville, Indiana? If so, an experienced Noblesville car accident lawyer at Fountain Law Firm, P.C. can help. We pride ourselves in our compassionate approach and the considerable results we have secured on behalf of deserving clients like you. Learn more about your legal options when you contact us for a free case review. Call us at (866) 989-3439 to begin the recovery process.