Auto Accident Injury in Fort Wayne, IN
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Fort Wayne? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful.
You need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Fort Wayne, IN that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics In Fort Wayne, Indiana
In 2023, Fort Wayne, Indiana, saw a notable number of auto accidents, consistent with broader statewide trends. Indiana continues to face challenges related to distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving. Statewide, speeding-related fatalities account for a substantial percentage of traffic deaths. Many incidents involve drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Fort Wayne, as part of Allen County, experiences frequent vehicle crashes, especially on major highways like I-69.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.
Receive Immediate Medical Attention
The most crucial step after an auto accident is to seek immediate and proper medical treatment. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, getting evaluated ensures that no internal injuries go undetected and helps safeguard your health while documenting the incident for any potential claims.
File a Police Report
Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also, ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.
According to Indiana Crash Statistics, any crash that results in death, injury, or damage greater than $1,000 is required to be reported by the authorities to a state-run system. This is called the Automated Reporting Information Exchange System.
Gather the Appropriate Documentation
While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:
- Full name, address, phone number, and email address
- Driver’s license state and number
- Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number
Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.
Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury
After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.
Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:
- Burn injuries
- Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Brain and head injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
The Center for Disease Control states that traffic accident costs exceed $1.2 billion in the state of Indiana each year. This is largely attributed to the inexperience and distracted driving of young adults aged between 20-34, who account for 41% of the total costs.
Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Laws In Indiana
Liability Laws for Fort Wayne
When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.
Being an “at-fault” state, the laws of Indiana allow the injured party to file a claim with the insurance company of the drivers who caused the accident or with their own insurance company. They can also pursue a route through the courts to seek damages for the accident.
Statute of Limitations In Fort Wayne
Each state has its tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. Indiana has a strict 2-year statute of limitations surrounding auto accidents. However, if the claim you are filing is against a government entity such as a city or a county, this time frame shortens. In Fort Wayne, you have 180 days to file against a city or county and 270 days to file against the state.
This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.
Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Fort Wayne, IN
After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Indiana!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations
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