Suffering serious injuries or losing a loved one in a car accident is never easy to cope with. This is especially true if the accident was avoidable. Unfortunately, many South Bend car accidents happen as a result of driver carelessness, recklessness, and negligence.
Injuries that a car accident victim suffers can cause serious limitations. Some accidents even lead to permanent injuries, and the accident victim may be in pain for the remainder of their life.
If you have suffered injuries in a South Bend car crash that resulted from another driver or someone else’s negligence, you have legal options open to you. The experienced and compassionate South Bend, IN car accident lawyers at Blackburn Romey are here to assist you at every stage of your case. We can help you file a personal injury claim, negotiate a settlement with the insurance company, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit in the court system on your behalf.
For more information about how we could assist you, please call us right away.
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The amount you can recover for your losses depends on several factors. Minor injuries may result in a few thousand dollars, while severe or catastrophic injuries can lead to claims in the millions. The more serious your injuries, the higher the potential compensation.
Your settlement primarily hinges on injury severity. Insurance companies, juries, and attorneys will first assess the extent of your injuries and related medical bills. They will also consider lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and, when applicable, compensation for pain and suffering.
Indiana operates under a tort system, meaning victims can seek compensation from the at-fault driver rather than relying solely on their own insurance. This applies to cases involving mild, moderate, or severe injuries. Factors influencing your settlement include multiple claimants, shared fault, policy limits, commercial policies, uninsured motorist coverage, and potential punitive damages.
Working with an Indiana car accident attorney is crucial to understanding what impacts your case and calculating its worth.
Under state law, if you didn’t cause your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm you may have suffered.
In Indiana, injured parties must prove negligence by the at-fault party in order to recover damages. Blackburn Romey is here to help you deal with the aftermath of a car accident.
Let’s discuss what you might be entitled to in your potential case. You can spend time focusing on what’s most important: recovery. We deal with insurance companies, so you don’t have to worry about them.
To recover monetary damages in a South Bend, IN car accident claim, you will need to establish the legal elements of your claim.
The knowledgeable South Bend, IN car accident attorneys at Blackburn Romey will help you pursue the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve to recover for the injuries you sustained.
The injuries that a car crash victim suffers depend upon various factors, including the type of collision and the force of the impact. Some collisions are so forceful that the impact causes a part of the accident victim’s body to strike something in their vehicle, like the front dashboard, window, headrest, door, or steering wheel, resulting in a serious injury. At other times, the impact force might cause the accident victim’s body to move around inside the vehicle – or actually eject the accident victim from their vehicle.
Common injuries that car crash victims sustain include:
South Bend sees various types of car accidents influenced by traffic density, weather, and road conditions. Here are the most common types and relevant statistics:
Each accident type presents unique legal challenges, underscoring the need to consult experienced South Bend car accident lawyers, like Blackburn Romey, for guidance.
No, Indiana is not a no-fault state for car accidents. In Indiana, if you’re injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you would file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company rather than relying on your own insurance through personal injury protection (PIP), which is common in no-fault states.
In most cases, settlements are reached without the need for litigation. A settlement that meets the needs of all parties is in everyone’s best interest. Nonetheless, some cases require a trial. Our South Bend car accident lawyers will vigorously defend your rights regardless of the circumstances.
We’ve been standing up for the rights of injury victims in Indiana for decades. Our team has the expertise and resources to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.❞ Call Blackburn Romey today before the evidence is gone. We will work for you.
Chad Romey
Although every case is different, it’s crucial to realize that negotiations can take time and that you may need to continue receiving medical treatment while you await a verdict. However, we understand that you need the money you’re owed to help you through the current situation. In every case we handle, we strive for a quick settlement without jeopardizing the settlement amount.
In many instances, car collisions happen because of driver negligence. Driver negligence can take many different forms.
Not all motor vehicle crashes in South Bend result from distracted driving, though. In some instances, crashes happen because of defective repair work on the vehicle, while other crashes happen when vehicle parts malfunction when a driver is out and about. If the accident victim can trace the source of their collision to negligent repair work or defective vehicle parts, they could file a claim or lawsuit against the appropriate at-fault parties.
A knowledgeable South Bend, IN car accident lawyer at Blackburn Romey can review the circumstances of your accident and file a claim or lawsuit against all potentially responsible parties. We can then help you pursue the damages you deserve for your injuries.
Gathering evidence is crucial for strengthening your car accident claim in this city. Proper evidence can demonstrate fault, support your injury claims, and maximize your potential compensation. Here’s how to effectively collect and preserve evidence after an accident:
According to Enjuris, preserving evidence is essential to proving liability and establishing the extent of damages in a personal injury claim. The more thorough your evidence collection, the stronger your case will be if you pursue compensation.
Taking the right steps from the beginning will increase your chances of receiving full compensation for your injuries.
Make sure your head is clear first. By doing this, you will avoid making critical mistakes. If you are injured, call the first responders so that you can get medical attention and file a police report.
Last but not least, contact Blackburn Romey for experienced car accident attorneys. Our team will be there to support you from the very beginning as we fight for your rights.
In Indiana, there is a statute of limitations on all personal injury cases, including car accidents. A lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of the accident or two years from the date of death in wrongful death cases. There can, however, be complications depending on the specific circumstances of your accident.
We arrange depositions, mediations, and trials against two of the nation’s largest insurance carriers every day: Geico and State Farm. The big, bad insurance industry is not a problem for our firm.
The car accident lawyers at our firm are ready to take the lead on your case and fight for you immediately. Our local personal injury attorneys will begin working immediately by investigating the incident, explaining your legal rights, measuring your losses, and requesting appropriate compensation.
Our team has combined decades of experience handling all types of injury cases, both with insurance companies and in civil court. We bring all that we know about injury law to the table in each and every case.
We have many satisfied clients who were able to move forward with their lives in a better financial position following a serious accident and injuries. We can discuss our past results with you during your free consultation.
We are dedicated to our clients and communities in Indiana. Our goal is to provide comprehensive and compassionate legal services to injured and grieving individuals. We work hard to obtain the money you need so you can focus on recovery instead of worrying about medical bills, insurance claims, or lawsuits. Learn more on our Mission and Values page.
If you have suffered injuries in a recent car accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical treatment for those injuries. Next, you should call our South Bend Personal Injury Lawyers at Blackburn Romey to represent you in your personal injury case. Our experienced, results-driven lawyers can help you file your claim or lawsuit against the necessary at-fault parties and pursue the monetary damages you need.
Our legal team is ready to help. For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a skilled South Bend, IN car accident attorney, please call us at 574-277-7711 or contact us online today.
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What Our Clients Are Saying About Us in South Bend, IN
I had a good experience with Blackburn & Romey. I feel Attorney Wolferd did wonderfully on my case, and Amanda, his paralegal, is amazing. Both were very patient and attentive to my concerns and questions.
We had a wonderful experience at the Granger office! Ryan and his assistant Kristi are a true blessing. They provided us with step-by-step guidance through my wife’s claim. They were excellent at communication and fought for my wife to get the compensation she deserved.
The people at Blackburn and Romey (Sarah and Frank) were very helpful to me while representing me in my accident case. Not only did they represent me well, they always gave me peace of mind as the process unfolded and showed me compassion and professionalism.
In most cases, Indiana law allows you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If this deadline is missed, your case may be dismissed. However, certain exceptions can extend this period, such as if the injured party is a minor, has a disability, or if other specific circumstances like incapacity apply. These factors may allow for additional time beyond the standard two-year limit.
Car accident victims may be eligible for various types of compensation, including coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and possibly punitive damages if the other party acted recklessly. The amount and types of compensation depend on injury severity and the specifics of the accident.
Determining fault in a South Bend car accident involves gathering evidence like police reports, photographs, and witness statements. Indiana follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning fault can be shared between drivers. The percentage of fault assigned to each party will directly impact the compensation you can receive.
Settling a car accident claim in South Bend can take from a few months to over a year, depending on case complexity, injury severity, insurance negotiations, and whether the case requires litigation. Each claim is unique, and timelines can vary significantly.
Indiana car accident claims are subject to specific laws, including a statute of limitations, which generally allows two years from the accident date to file a claim. Additionally, Indiana operates under a modified comparative negligence system, where you can recover damages if you are less than 51% at fault. Familiarity with these laws is vital for managing the claims process effectively.
According to the South Bend Police Department, you can request a copy of your accident report by providing specific details, including the report number, report date, and either the driver’s last name or the vehicle owner’s last name. Accident reports are available for purchase online or in person at the SBPD Records Bureau, located at 701 W. Sample St., South Bend, IN 46601. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday-Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There may be a fee associated with obtaining the report, and in some cases, a Public Access Request may be required if the case is under review. For more information, contact the Records Bureau at (574) 235-9201.
In addition to strengthening your claim, a police report will demonstrate that your collision warranted a call for assistance. The report will also serve as a neutral third-party account of the accident. This information will greatly aid our settlement negotiations.
Blackburn Romey founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors receiving a degree from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Initiating his legal career in 1977, he has been active in practicing law and currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association on the Ethics and Advertising Committees, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, as a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and as an appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Tom Blackburn, who has more than 47 years of legal experience, including over 39 years specializing as a personal injury attorney.
