Personal Injury FAQs

Our Lafayette injury lawyer answers your personal injury FAQs.

Clients don’t pay unless we win. Call for a free initial consultation today.

Frequently Asked Personal Injury Questions

How do I know if I need a personal injury lawyer?

As soon as you or a loved one is injured or killed in an automobile collision, fire, carbon monoxide incident, or other disaster it is a really good idea to retain an experienced Lafayette personal injury lawyer.

A personal injury lawyer can gather and properly preserve evidence before it disappears, advise you on whether or not to make a recorded statement, hire an investigator or expert when it is appropriate, determine what sources of insurance coverage may be available, and negotiate with insurance companies, including your own health insurance company, for you.

Even when you think it is crystal clear that an incident is someone’s fault it is wise to consult a personal injury lawyer because the other side will frequently still fight being held responsible, multiple people may be making claims against the defendant, and your health insurance company may try to take all of the compensation which should go to you.

Call us: (765) 742-2987

Why might I need a personal injury lawyer?

An experienced personal injury lawyer will know the law in several different areas that affect personal injury cases such as:

Deadlines for filing claims
Insurance law
The standard of care that was violated when someone negligently injured you or your family member
What evidence can be used to prove the defendant violated that standard of care
What the burden of proof is on a person who is making a personal injury or wrongful death claim
How to handle different kinds of health insurance claims and bills that are not covered by health insurance
Whether or not it is advisable to file suit promptly
The likelihood of being able to recover compensation for your injuries.

Your personal injury lawyer will also know the proper procedure and deadlines for establishing claims when a government person or agency has injured or killed a loved one.

Call us: (765) 742-2987

How do I choose a personal injury lawyer?

Your lawyer is important and here are a few things to think about:

Have they been practicing personal injury law in this state for at least 15 years
Have they handled cases involving broken bones, brain injuries, injuries from polluted air, and different kinds of wrongful death cases

Do they assume they know it all or do they make it a habit to keep up to date on the latest developments in the law and litigation techniques?
- The Indiana Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) has two-day legal seminars twice a year in Indianapolis and many online seminars throughout the year on specific personal injury subjects. When is the last time the lawyer attended the ITLA legal seminars which are exclusively devoted to personal injury and wrongful death law?
- How many personal injury seminars have they been to in the past year? Have they given lectures at personal injury legal seminars for lawyers?
Are they familiar with how to handle different types of medical subrogation claims (claims from companies wanting payment from a personal injury settlement or verdict) from:
- health insurance companies
- self-insured employers
- Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare providers?

Can the personal injury lawyer clearly explain the differences in the law and how it affects your case?
Does the personal injury lawyer listen to you and help you understand how the law applies to the specific facts of your case?
Is the personal injury lawyer able to explain the fee agreement clearly?
- Typically 1/3 of a settlement plus expenses, with it being more if your case goes to jury trial.
Is the personal injury lawyer staff courteous and respectful?

Call a Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer : (765) 742-2987

How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?

My clients do not pay me unless I obtain compensation for them. This makes it possible for the rich and the poor to have equal access to the courthouse. My personal injury lawyer fee is typically one-third of the money I obtain for my client plus I am reimbursed for the expenses:

obtaining medical records
paying court reporters for depositions
obtaining expert opinions and reports

The fee can vary according to what kind of case it is because different Indiana laws apply to different types of cases and the facts of a case can affect it.

Call us: (765) 742-2987