A car accident in Anderson, Indiana, can change your life in less than a minute. In 2021, 14 people in the city lost their lives in car crashes. Other car accident victims, meanwhile, may find themselves facing costly medical bills, long-term injuries, and possibly extensive emotional problems, which is why they often need to hire an Anderson car accident lawyer.
Imagine you have just met some friends for pizza at Mancino’s of Anderson and then exiting the parking lot, pulling out onto S. Scatterfield road you get T-boned by a driver who was texting and driving. Or possibly getting sideswiped by a car merging on Indiana State Road 32 on their way to Spit Shine Car Wash and Detailing. Or what if you get hit by a truck which has lost control after its tire blew out on Interstate 69 just West of the Texas Roadhouse.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Anderson, you may be set back by medical bills, potentially lost wages, and other expenses. Often you can get compensation from your insurance company or the other party’s insurer if they are at fault. However, that doesn’t always work out the way it seems that it should.
Insurance companies often employ tactics to avoid paying victims of crashes, even if they know you rightfully deserve compensation for your injuries. This is why hiring an experienced car accident attorney in Anderson, Indiana, is crucial to help with your case.
Hundreds of Annual Car Crashes in Madison County
Anderson is a moderate-sized city in Madison County, Indiana, with a population of around 55,000. Located roughly 43 miles from Indianapolis and 83 miles from Fort Wayne, all of which are connected via I-69. This proximity to very large nearby cities as well as local traffic downtown, and on State Road 32 and State Road 9, means there are a lot of people on the road in and around Anderson.
The state of Indiana reported that 15 people died in car accidents in 2020 and 447 were injured in Madison County. The report also showed that it had 3,400 car accidents in 2020, the 12th highest of the 92 counties in the state.
You have to be prepared for the unfortunate possibility that you may be involved in a car accident while living in Anderson, Indiana. This is why having the contact information of an Anderson car accident lawyer at SLG Accident Attorneys is important.
How Do These Accidents Happen in Anderson, IN?
Many different factors can lead to car crashes in Anderson or anywhere else in the country. Some of the most common causes are listed below:
- People are distracted while driving. They may be distracted by turning on the radio, turning to say something to their children in the back seat, texting, or putting on makeup.
- They are driving too quickly. It is more difficult to control vehicles or stop quickly when you are driving fast. An estimated 29% of all fatal driving accidents in the United States are caused by speeding.
- Drunk driving is another leading cause of accidents. Around 31% of all traffic fatalities in the country are due to drunk driving.
- Teenagers are responsible for 14% of fatal traffic accidents in Indiana. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute reports that teens are twice as likely to be involved in fatal car accidents. According to the CDC, teens are more likely to cause traffic accidents due to lack of experience and risk-taking behavior.
- People are more likely to get into accidents in the evening. NHSTA reports that 49% of all traffic fatalities happen during the evening, even though only 25% of travel occurs during those hours.
‘Fault’ and Indiana Car Accident Laws
Indiana is a “fault” state when it comes to car accidents, which means that the driver who is at fault is responsible for the cost of all property damages and medical bills. Because of Indiana’s comparative fault laws, there are some instances when fault is shared between both parties. However, this does not mean liability is proportional to the degree of fault. In Indiana, you are only eligible to receive compensation from the other driver if your fault is less than 50%.
If a driver is found to be partially at fault, they will be entitled to less compensation. For example, if you are found to be 25% at fault for the accident, you will only receive 75% compensation for your medical bills and property damage.
Who Will Cover Damages and Accident Costs in Anderson?
In no-fault states, the injured party only files a lawsuit against the other driver rather than their insurance company after an accident. Since Indiana is a “fault” state, you must seek damages from both the other driver and their insurance company for compensation, provided the other party has insurance. If you have a favorable judgment in court or reach a settlement, you may receive compensation for property damages, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The insurance company will pay for the damages as long as they don’t exceed the policy’s limits.
If the other driver is uninsured, you or your car accident lawyer in Anderson can file a lawsuit against them personally for damages. However, filing an injury lawsuit against an uninsured driver may only be worthwhile if they have the financial means to pay.
How Should I Deal with Insurers After the Car Accident?
You will need to be on your toes when dealing with insurance companies. They often look for loopholes to avoid paying compensation. Here are some tips from the Anderson car accident lawyers at SLG Accident Attorneys to increase your odds of getting them to agree to pay the compensation you are seeking or winning a favorable judgment against them in court:
- Be diligent about collecting evidence. Insurance companies are more likely to pay if you have substantial evidence showing the other party was at fault. You must collect as much evidence as possible to make your case. You should interview witnesses, get police reports, show pictures of the crash site and vehicles involved, and share any recordings of the other party admitting fault.
- Only communicate the facts about your accident. You need to be cautious about sharing any opinions with the insurance company. You certainly don’t want to say anything suggesting you are at fault. The insurer will happily use such information to argue that you don’t deserve compensation or reduce it considerably. Your communications should be limited to details that are pertinent to your case and prove the other party is at fault.
- Be careful about signing any documents. Insurers will often ask you to sign a number of documents after you file a claim. You will want to review these documents carefully. They may limit your rights or reduce the compensation that you are entitled to. A car accident attorney in Anderson can help guide you through these documents if you need clarification.
You Deserve Full Compensation for Your Car Accident Injuries
When you are injured in a car accident, you have a right to get full compensation for your injuries, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The bad news is that it is often difficult to do so.
Insurance companies will often try to pay as little as possible, they may even attempt to get away with paying nothing, even for accidents clearly with serious injuries and extensive property damage. Tactics they may use could include arguing that you were at fault, or claiming the damages are lower than you claim.
Therefore, you should always speak with a seasoned Anderson car accident lawyer familiar with Indiana laws and who understands how to handle insurance companies who often do not have your best interest in mind.
How Are Damages Calculated and How Much Is My Claim Worth?
Insurance adjusters consider a variety of factors when determining the value of your claim. The most common factors are the following:
- Property damages – The insurer should cover the cost of the parts and labor to repair any damage. Unfortunately, they will not usually pay enough to purchase a new vehicle if it is totaled.
- Medical bills – The insurer should pay enough to cover any medical bills related to the accident. These bills can include emergency room visits, CT scans, physical therapy, and wheelchair rentals. You may face long-term medical problems, so the compensation should be enough to cover any medical bills that arise down the road.
- Lost wages – In Indiana, you can get compensation for lost wages caused by the accident.
- Non-economic damages – Indiana also allows car accident victims to get coverage for pain and suffering and other non-economic losses. These losses may be between 150% and 500% of the other losses.
The insurance adjuster will want to argue that the losses from each of these causes will be as low as possible. Therefore, it is important to show proof of these damages.
Do I Need to Contact the Anderson Police If the Accident Was Minor?
You should always contact the police after any accident, even if it seems minor. First of all, the accident may be more serious than it first appears. Some injuries aren’t noticeable for days or even weeks after the accident. You may also have vehicle damage that you didn’t notice during the accident. You will want a police report to use as evidence if the accident turns out to be worse than you initially thought. Other reasons to contact the police even if the car accident was minor include:
- The other party may make false accusations to suggest you are at fault.
- The other party may initially admit fault but change their minds when working with the insurance company.
- State law requires drivers to report most accidents to the police. The police must be called if anyone is killed or injured. Failure to call the police in these cases is a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the severity of the accident.
Regardless of the severity of the accident, it is always a good idea to contact the police.
Anderson, Indiana
Anderson, IN, is the county seat of Madison County. The suburban city borders the White River and is the epicenter of an agricultural community. It is known for its cozy, quaint way of life.
While there are a relatively large number of accidents in Anderson each year, there are also a lot of great resources for people who have been involved in them.
Almack’s Auto Repair has offered exceptional auto repair services to the residents of Anderson since 2005. The business has earned a 4.8-star rating on Google Reviews for its impeccable service.
Mitch Smith Auto Service is another renowned auto service center. Located on West State Rd., This company has been in business since 1991 and guarantees all work they provide.
Nick’s Auto Service has been providing top-tier auto repair services to Madison County residents since 1958. The company has received the Half Century Award in Business award from former Governor Daniels due to its longstanding commitment to quality service.
Anderson Auto & Used Tire Center is a great place for customers to get affordable, quality tires for their vehicles. This can be a great resource if your tire has been damaged in an auto accident.
Experienced Madison County Car Accident Attorney
At SLG Accident Attorneys we treat our clients like family and always go the extra mile to ensure they get the compensation they deserve. Our Anderson car accident lawyers are highly knowledgeable about the nuances of injury and accident cases and will not rest until we get the best possible outcome for your case.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us at (317) 762-4186 if you have been involved in a car accident in Anderson. We look forward to serving you!
In addition to Anderson, some of the locations our legal team serves include Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Avon, Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Greenwood, Munster, Hammond, Gary, East Chicago, Highland, Portage, Lawrence, Crown Point, Hobart, Merrillville, and more.
ADDITIONAL CAR ACCIDENT RESOURCES
What Does A Car Accident Lawyer Do?
How Much Is a Car Accident Settlement Worth?
Liability in a Single Vehicle Accident
