Accidents that occur on the highway are often catastrophic. Many of these crashes occur at high speeds, leading to more significant wrecks. If you were injured in a highway accident caused by another party’s negligence, you could be entitled to pursue compensation to cover the damages you incurred.
At the law offices of Vaughan & Vaughan, we know how difficult it can be to put things back together after a highway accident. Our Indianapolis car accident lawyers have been around for over 100 years and has helped countless accident victims recover the money they need. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with one of our Indianapolis highway accident attorneys.
Damages You Can Pursue Following a Highway Accident
Following an accident on the highway caused by the actions of another party, there are several types of damages you will likely be able to recover. To collect the full value of your claim, you will need to ensure that you identify all of the damages you are eligible to pursue. While this can be challenging on your own, an experienced Indianapolis highway accident lawyer can help.
All of the damages you may be able to claim are divided into three primary categories.
Economic Damages
All the financial losses caused by your highway accident fall into this category. Since these damages are all monetary in nature, calculating the worth of economic damages is pretty straightforward. Among the most commonly available economic damages in a highway accident case are:
- Property damage
- Money used to accomplish daily tasks that your injuries prevent you from completing
- Lost income
- Decreased earning ability
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Every other loss resulting from your accident belongs in the broad category of non-economic damages. These damages are far more difficult to calculate since they tend to be personal losses rather than financial ones. Among the most commonly available non-economic damages in highway accident cases are:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Diminished quality of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are unlike economic and non-economic damages. Rather than serving as a replacement for the losses suffered by an accident victim, these damages are used to punish the liable party for their role in the accident.
The court reserves punitive damages for extreme situations. You will only be able to recover these damages if the at-fault party acted in a criminally negligent manner or behaved with the intention of causing harm to others.
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File Your Lawsuit Before the Statute of Limitations Deadline
You need to be aware of the applicable statute of limitations when filing a highway accident lawsuit. For victims in Indiana, the deadline set forth by the personal injury statute of limitations is typically two years. If you miss this deadline, it will likely mean the loss of your right to recover damages from the liable party.
Although this deadline is usually quite strict, there are situations in which the time you have to file can be extended. Depending on the particular circumstances of your case, you may be eligible to submit your lawsuit even if the usual two-year cutoff has long passed.
Of course, details of your case can also result in a significantly shortened window for taking action. Rather than having two years to file a lawsuit, you could be restricted to a matter of months. The best way to avoid being stung by an unexpected deadline is by hiring an experienced attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
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Establishing Liability for a Highway Accident
Before you can begin the process of recovering compensation for a highway accident, you must first establish who is at fault for the damages you incurred. Even in cases where liability seems clear-cut, proving fault tends to be challenging.
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about determining who is responsible for your damages on your own. An experienced Indianapolis highway accident attorney will know exactly what to look for when attempting to prove liability.
What a Highway Accident Attorney Will Do on Your Behalf
After hiring an Indianapolis, Indiana, highway accident attorney to represent you in your case, there are many actions they will take on your behalf. The first thing your lawyer will likely do is investigate your accident. This investigation will focus on proving fault and collecting evidence that supports your claim.
The next step will be for your attorney to determine all the damages you are eligible to claim and calculate the value of your case. The next action will depend on the path you are pursuing to recover damages. Your attorney will likely either file an insurance claim with the liable party’s provider or submit the paperwork for a personal injury lawsuit to the court.
If attempting to recover damages through a lawsuit, your lawyer will then go through the stages of the pretrial process. Finally, they will argue your case at trial if necessary. However, the majority of cases never make it to court. That is due to the fact that your attorney will also be in contact with the opposition throughout the process, attempting to negotiate a settlement deal.
Contact a Highway Accident Attorney in Indianapolis to Schedule a Free Case Review
To give yourself the best odds of recovering the money you need after an accident, it is essential that you hire an experienced attorney. At Vaughan & Vaughan, our highway accident lawyers in Indianapolis, IN, have a long history of winning big for our clients.
Reach out to us today through our website or by phone to schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our team. We are ready and waiting to fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
