Take Civil Action While You Can
It doesn’t seem fair to limit the amount of time in which you can act after a catastrophic injury. However, Indiana civil courts prefer to keep the cases that come before their judges up-to-date. It’s with that in mind that Indiana Code §34-11-2-4 places a two-year deadline on personal injury cases that accident survivors like you have the right to bring forward. If you don’t feel like you have the means, time, or capability to compile a civil complaint within two years of your accident, don’t panic, and don’t give up. Vaughan & Vaughan attorneys understand the limitations that a catastrophic injury can put on your daily load capacity. That’s why we can step in and complete a civil complaint on your behalf.Acting on Behalf of Another Party
If a loved one injured in a catastrophic injury accident is no longer able to represent themselves in court, or if that injured party passes before we can conclude legal action on their behalf, Vaughan & Vaughan will grieve with you. Moreover, a Whitestown catastrophic injury lawyer can give you the means to continue pursuing compensation on behalf of the departed. Indiana state law allows an injured party’s parents, children, and spouse to take legal action on their behalf should personal injuries or death prevent them from representing themselves. Loved ones can discuss their right to legal action in the face of a catastrophic injury and/or wrongful death with our team’s personal injury attorneys.Attorneys Can Help You Consider Your Post-Accident Legal Options
It is not impossible to recover from a catastrophic injury. With time, resources, and support, you can retake control over your life, even if your life never looks like it did prior to your accident. Where in that timeline, though, are you meant to include an investigation into your accident? This is where an attorney comes into play. Vaughan & Vaughan wants to give you every possible opportunity to focus on your post-accident recovery. As such, our catastrophic injury attorneys can begin an investigation into your accident without requiring you to revisit the scene. We can seek out bystanders, talk to the liable party, and even run interference with an insurer. We will require your input as we build your catastrophic injury case. However, you can establish your limitations during an initial case consultation. We can then revisit those limitations as you recover, particularly if you find yourself wanting more hands-on time with your case.Negligence Leads to Catastrophic Injuries
There are several forces that can contribute to a person’s catastrophic injury. While the average person can’t control the weather or road conditions, they can control how they behave around others. A person who refuses to behave reasonably in public endangers everyone around them. If you can document that negligence, however, you can pursue action against the person liable for an accident resulting from the documented misconduct. You must, in fact, present evidence that negligence contributed to a catastrophic injury accident if you want to demand damages. The claim you present to an Indiana judge needs to elaborate on: The identity of the person or party responsible for your accident. The negligence the named party allegedly engaged in that led to your catastrophic injury. Your complaint also needs to elaborate on the total value of your accident. Above all else, though, you need to bring forward evidence to prove each position you take in your complaint. This evidence can take a variety of forms, including:- Video or photo footage
- Bystander accounts
- Expert witness statements
- Physical debris from an accident
- Accident recreations
- Statements from police officers, insurance adjusters, and/or first responders
Your Right to Post-Catastrophic Accident Compensation
Calculating the value of a catastrophic accident can be a complex endeavor. If you’ve never had to contend with these circumstances before, you might not know which damages you qualify for, or even what damages you have the right to recover. Fortunately, our team prioritizes your right to the most possible compensation available in the face of your severe accident. It’s with that in mind that we can assess your accident and determine the sum total of the losses you can demand in damages from a liable party. Catastrophic injury damages can often include:- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost property
- At-home care
- Emotional distress
- PTSD and comparable mental conditions