Westfield Car Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a car accident in Westfield, Indiana? If so, you may be going through a lot with injuries, an uncertain financial future, and mounting medical bills. You may be able to recover compensation for your accident-related losses, and a Westfield car accident lawyer can help. 

Fountain Law Firm, P.C.  provides dedicated and trusted legal representation to accident victims. We know firsthand how overwhelming a car accident can be and how stressful the following weeks and months can be when trying to deal with insurance companies. We work closely with accident victims to ensure we understand their situation and advocate for their needs. We also offer a free case consultation to discuss your legal rights and options in a comfortable and confidential setting. 

Contact us today for your free case review.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Westfield, IN? 

If you were involved in a car accident in Westfield, IN, there are steps you can take to protect your health and legal claim, including:

Get to Safety

The first thing you need to do is to pull over in a safe place. While it can be helpful for your vehicle to stay at the scene to better paint the picture of how the accident occurred, it might not be safe to do so. Other cars might not spot you and you could be harmed by subsequent accidents. Additionally, Indiana law generally requires drivers to move their vehicles out of the roadway and park as near as possible to protect other motorists.

Pull safely over to the closest safe spot. Turn on your hazard lights and place flares or traffic cones around your vehicle if you have them. 

Check for Injuries

Once you know you’re safe, you can check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If someone is injured, try to avoid moving them. Call 911 and ask for assistance and an ambulance if there are injuries. 

Report the Accident

Indiana law requires motor vehicle operators to report accidents at the scene of the accident. A law enforcement officer may respond to the accident scene and prepare a report, which can help you with your insurance claim later. This report might include information such as:

  • The date, time, and location of the accident
  • Road and weather conditions
  • Information about the other driver and any witnesses
  • Initial findings of fault or opinions on fault
  • A diagram of the accident scene
  • The other driver’s statements 

Ask the law enforcement officer how to get a copy of the report once it is finalized.

Exchange Information 

You have the right to ask the other driver for certain information after an accident, including their:

  • Name 
  • Address
  • Contact information 
  • Driver’s license number
  • Vehicle registration number
  • Insurance information 

Write down their license plate number and the make, model, and year of the vehicle. 

If the other driver is rude or aggressive you should wait for the police to obtain their information.

Document the Accident

Certain evidence of the accident will be quickly cleaned up so that it does not pose a hazard to other motorists, so you must do your part to document the accident scene if you are able. Use your cell phone to take pictures of the following:

  • Wide shots and closeups of the accident scene
  • Nearby street names, traffic devices, and street signs
  • Damage to all vehicles involved
  • Broken car parts, skid marks, or tire treads on the roadway
  • Your injuries immediately after the accident 

If any witnesses stopped at the scene, ask for their contact information. Your lawyer can follow up with them later to get their statement. 

Make a note of any nearby traffic cameras or surveillance cameras that may have recorded this information. 

If you have a dash cam, be sure you save the footage and provide it to your lawyer.

Don’t Admit Fault 

You mustn’t admit fault for the accident. You might be tempted to apologize or say “sorry” to be nice, but these statements can be used against you. You don’t know how the accident occurred or the factors that may have contributed to it. Let your car accident lawyer and the insurance company do their jobs of investigating the accident while preserving your rights to maximum compensation. 

When speaking with law enforcement, avoid speculating about how the accident occurred and just stick to the facts. 

While your case is pending, avoid speaking publicly or online about the accident. Insurance adjusters often try to infiltrate accident victims’ social media accounts 

Follow Up with Medical Treatment

It is important to follow up with your medical treatment. Keep all of your medical appointments and follow all of your doctor’s orders to avoid the insurance company trying to blame you for your injuries or losses. 

Keep all of your original medical records and provide them to your Westfield car accident lawyer. 

Prepare a Personal Statement  

As soon as possible, prepare a personal statement about every detail you remember about the accident while your memory is fresh. 

How a Westfield Car Accident Lawyer Can Help 

A Westfield car accident lawyer can be your trusted advocate during this difficult time. You might be trying to manage multiple medical appointments, staying in contact with your workplace to discuss your return to work, fielding phone calls from insurance adjusters, and trying to maintain all of your regular responsibilities. A car accident lawyer can help unburden you and help by:

  • Investigating your car accident, inspecting the accident scene, identifying all at-fault parties, and determining how the accident occurred
  • Gathering, preserving, and reviewing critical evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, photos and videos of the accident, and event data recorder logs
  • Handling communications with insurance companies, claim paperwork, and case deadlines 
  • Documenting all of your damages through medical records, employment records, repair estimates, receipts, and invoices
  • Negotiating aggressively for maximum compensation to cover your current and future losses
  • Advising you of your legal rights and options at each phase of your case

You can take advantage of a free case review to learn more about our legal services by calling us today. 

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle

At Fountain Law Firm, P.C. we help with all types of car accident claims, including:

  • Rear-end collisions, which are often caused by distracted driving or inattention
  • Head-on collisions tend to lead to serious injuries due to the force of a vehicle crashing head-on into you
  • Sideswipe accidents, which are often caused due to failing to check for blindspots, distractions, or inattention
  • Chain-reaction car accidents may involve complex legal issues because multiple accidents occur
  • Rollover crashes in which a vehicle flips onto its side or top often result in serious injuries
  • Hit and run accidents caused by drunk drivers, unlicensed drivers, or joyriding drivers
  • Intersection accidents involving a driver running a red light or stop sign
  • Rideshare accidents in which you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle or hit by a negligent rideshare driver
  • Passenger injury cases in which you were a passenger injured in the accident rather than a driver

Give us a call to learn how we can help in your particular situation. 

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Westfield, Indiana 

Car accidents are commonly caused by the negligence or carelessness of another motorist. Common causes of car accidents in Westfield, Indiana include:

  • Distractions
  • Impaired driving
  • Speeding
  • Following too closely 
  • Running a red light or stop sign
  • Failing to yield the right-of-way
  • Unsafe passing or lane changes

An experienced Westfield car accident lawyer can review your case and determine who is responsible for it. 

Who Is Responsible for a Car Accident in Westfield, Indiana 

Most car accidents are caused by the negligence of other motorists. Indiana is an at-fault state for car insurance, meaning that the party found at fault for the accident is responsible for financially compensating the victim for the harm they caused. 

However, there are some circumstances when another party might be at fault for the accident, such as a government agency that failed to properly maintain the roadway, the manufacturer of a defective auto part, the vehicle owner if different than the person who was driving, or an employer if a person was working at the time they caused the accident. An experienced car accident lawyer can review your case, determine who is responsible for your accident, and seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

What Compensation Can I Recover from a Car Accident?

Many people underestimate how much damage a single car accident can cause. Your life may be impacted for years to come. Our team will work to properly document and seek compensation for all of your damages, which might include:

  • Medical expenses for emergency treatment, hospital stays, follow-up visits, diagnostic testing, and medication 
  • Ongoing medical expenses for rehabilitation and therapy
  • Lost salary or wages
  • Lost overtime pay, tips, and commissions
  • Costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle 
  • Physical and emotional pain and suffering
  • The effect of the collision on your quality of life

Learn about how we secure fair compensation for our clients when you call for your free case review.

Why Choose Fountain Law Firm After a Westfield Car Accident

Merry Fountain established the Fountain Law Firm, P.C. after she was injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. She knows firsthand what you are going through and how a car accident can affect your life. She also understands the importance of advocating for her clients, so she aggressively represents her clients’ interests just as she would if she or a loved one had been injured in the accident. 

When you hire the Fountain Law Firm, P.C., you benefit from her more than 25 years of legal experience. She has the knowledge and skills to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. She is available day and night for her clients and supports them throughout the life of their claim and beyond. 

Car Accident FAQs

What Is My Accident Claim Worth?

Many accident victims are anxious to learn what they might be able to expect from their car accident claim. However, there is no set amount of compensation following an accident. Every claim is unique. The potential value of your claim can be affected by:

  • The damages you sustained
  • Determination of fault
  • The insurance coverage available

Only after carefully analyzing your case can a lawyer give you a better idea about the potential compensation you might be entitled to. 

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

Car accident victims are often worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer after they are already facing so many unexpected expenses like medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs. Fountain Law Firm, P.C. takes car accident cases on a contingency fee, meaning that you are not responsible for paying for any upfront attorney fees. Instead, your attorney is paid a portion of your award when you receive it. If your attorney is unable to secure compensation for your claim, you do not owe anything.

How Long Will My Car Accident Case Take?

Every car accident case is unique. Some cases can be resolved rather quickly while others may take more time to resolve satisfactorily. The time it takes to resolve your claim can depend on many factors, including:

  • The severity of your injuries and how long it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement
  • Whether liability is in dispute
  • The insurance company and adjuster assigned to your case
  • How responsive you and the insurance company are 
  • How much insurance coverage is available
  • Whether you decide to settle your case or have to file a lawsuit

In any event, hiring an experienced attorney who can focus on your case can help move the claim forward while also ensuring you do not settle your case for less than you deserve. 

Will I Have to Go to Court?

Car accident victims sometimes worry that they will have to go to court, publicly discuss their injuries, and deal with a contentious legal battle. Rest assured, this does not happen in most car accident cases. Most car accident claims are successfully resolved with a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance provider. 

What Is the Deadline to File My Case?

In Indiana, car accident victims generally have two years to file a personal injury case. If they do not file their case before this timeline runs out, they can lose their chance to seek compensation through the courts. This is one reason why it is so important to contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible so your right to financial recovery is preserved.

Contact Us for a Free Case Review Following a Car Wreck in Westfield, IN 

If you were hurt in a car accident in Westfield, IN that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you do not have to handle your personal injury claim alone. A Westfield car accident lawyer with Fountain Law Firm, P.C. can explain your legal rights and options, prepare your claim, and negotiate for maximum compensation. 

Contact us online today or call us at (317) 917-7873 for your free case consultation.