Depending on the circumstances of your car accident, it may be in your best interest to contact an Indiana auto accident attorney. Most of the time with significant injuries, the case does not settle until after a law suit is filed, so it actually saves time and money to just file the suit instead of negotiating with the insurance carrier.

A skilled Indianapolis auto accident lawyer looks at all of the sources of recovery, which may not be typically those one thinks about. For instance, there is sometimes accidental injury or death coverage provided with a rental car or charge card. This is the complex inquiry your attorney will make on your behalf to maximize your recovery.

Knowing what an auto accident attorney Indianapolis does for you, there are a number of questions you can ask yourself to determine if you need an Indianapolis auto accident lawyer. First, have you have sustained serious injuries that have long-term repercussions as a result of your car accident? Would you be able to explain this to an insurance adjuster, judge or jury? A lawyer can.

Second, was the other driver uninsured or underinsured? If so, do you have uninsured or under-insured coverage? Do you know?

Third, are you and the other driver in a dispute over who was at fault? If so, are there witnesses who can be interviewed, traffic camera footage, et cetera? Do you know how long this video is maintained and how to obtain it in admissible format?

Fourth, is your claims adjuster pressuring you to agree to a quick settlement? Why?

Fifth, do you feel that you are being fully compensated for your current and future medical expenses, which are a result of injuries sustained in your car accident? Do you know if your injuries will continue into the future?

Finally, are you worried that you have run out of time to challenge the settlement claim?

Without sound answers to these questions, you should consider consulting and/or retaining an attorney. If not, you may seriously impair your case in terms of lower recovery or no recovery.

This may leave you asking, how to pay for counsel. According to the American Bar Association (ABA) most personal injury/auto accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means that you will pay your attorney a certain percentage (contingency) of the final settlement. Depending on the case and your attorney, some contingency fees are 40%.

It is important at the onset of your case to establish your lawyer’s contingency rate and that you reduce the agreement with your attorney to writing (a contract). Sometimes, personal injury attorneys do not pay court fees and filing costs or expenses, meaning that you are responsible for these expenses.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident, an Indiana auto accident lawyer will work to ensure that you are compensated for the damages caused to you, including present and future medical expenses, lost wages from work that you missed as a result of the accident, or if you are permanently disabled.

Additionally, remember you may be entitled to recover damages from pain and suffering (“noneconomic” damages). An attorney will identify all of the applicable damages and give you an estimate of how much compensation you will be able to recover.

Obtaining this compensation, however, is not a simple matter. Insurance companies employ adjusters and lawyers to protect their interests and minimize payouts on claims. It is important to be represented by experienced counsel to level the playing field and similarly ensure that your rights are also protected so that you receive full compensation for your injuries and losses.

Your choice of an auto accident attorney Indianapolis plays a significant role in the negotiation and settlement process and trial. Are you confident? Ciyou & Dixon, P.C. handles personal injury cases it accepts on a contingency fee throughout Indiana.