South Bend Car Accident Lawyers

A car accident can be over in a matter of seconds, but its impact can be felt for months or even years down the line. Sadly, these tragic events happen far too often in South Bend, where 24 motorists were killed in 2021 alone. Even non-fatal collisions can inflict punishing injuries that could stretch a family’s finances past the breaking point.

While compensation may be available if you have been hurt by the negligent actions of another driver, a favorable outcome is never guaranteed, especially when squaring off against obstinate insurance companies looking to minimize their exposure. To increase your chances of success, consider turning to the South Bend car accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group, who are committed to getting justice for the everyday people of Indiana.

You can schedule a free case review with a South Bend car accident lawyer by calling or texting us at (317) 472-3333, chatting with us online, or filling out our contact form today.

Common Types of South Bend Car Accidents

Common types of South Bend car accidents include:

· Rear-end collisions – These are the most frequently occurring car accidents, representing nearly a quarter of all crashes in Indiana in 2022. Rear-end collisions are generally caused by the trailing driver following too closely (“tailgating”) or not paying attention. Though the majority of rear-end crashes happen at low speeds, collisions from the rear may involve higher velocities on major highways like Route 20, sometimes generating enough momentum to cause a chain reaction with three or more vehicles.

· Head-on crashes – If rear-end collisions are the most frequently occurring car accidents, head-on crashes are the most destructive. The combined force of two vehicles speeding directly into each other can be disproportionately lethal, accounting for about 10 percent of total automotive deaths nationwide despite making up only 2 percent of total collisions. The survivors of head-on accidents may require disproportionately prolonged treatment as well, which could be difficult to cover without the assistance of a skilled South Bend car accident attorney.

· High-speed accidents – Drivers who speed have less time to stop, increasing both the probability and the severity of a crash. Perhaps understandably, travelling too fast is the top factor in Indiana traffic car accidents, leading to more than 15,000 collisions in the state annually.

· Distraction-based crashes – Distraction is the second largest contributor to motor vehicle accidents, killing an average of nine Americans per day. Even though Indiana is one of many states who have made it illegal to hold mobile devices while driving, improper cellphone use remains an especially dangerous source of distraction, playing a role in 12 percent of all crashes.

· Drunk driving accidents – Though the rate of intoxication behind the wheel has plummeted in recent decades, drunk driving continues to be a serious problem, including in Indiana, where law enforcement officers make a DUI arrest every 11.98 hours.

· T-bone collisions – Approximately 8,500 to 10,000 lives across the country are taken each year because of T-bone collisions. Unfortunately, car accidents of this nature are more likely to occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way or disregard traffic control signals, which could make assigning blame more challenging.

· Rollovers – Among the deadliest kinds of crashes are rollovers, which were involved in almost a third of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in 2020. SUVs and other vehicles with higher centers of gravity are most at risk of a rollover, though all South Bend drivers and passengers should fasten their seatbelts securely to minimize the harm of this sort of accident.

No matter which type of car accident you have suffered, Hensley’s South Bend car accident lawyers are ready to advise you of the best course of action.

What to Do After a South Bend Car Accident

It can be difficult to think clearly in the immediate aftermath of a South Bend car accident, but there are a variety of steps you should take to better protect yourself and any case you might have. Once you have moved to safety, remember to:

· Notify the authorities – Dial 911 so that police and emergency personnel will be present to document the incident and attend to the injured. Since an inaccurate police report could be detrimental to your case, be sure to give the responding officer a thorough version of events.

· Seek treatment – Your health is always the most important thing, so seek treatment as soon as you can. Any delays in receiving medical care could hinder your recovery and allow doubt to be cast on the causal relationship between the South Bend car accident and your personal injuries.

· Take pictures and videos – Once it is safe to do so, use your phone to take pictures and videos of your surroundings, since they could be invaluable in establishing liability and cataloging your damages.

· Get driver and witness information – Exchange pertinent information with every driver involved in the car accident, including:

o Name

o Address

o Phone number

o Email

o Driver’s license

o Insurance company and policy number

o Vehicle year, make, and model

o License plate

Eyewitnesses could provide independent confirmation of what transpired, so try to take down the names and numbers of anyone else who saw the collision as well.

· Notify your insurance company – Get in touch with your auto insurance company promptly so that you can remain in compliance with the terms of your policy and take advantages of any benefits that it might offer, such as reimbursement for doctor bills, repairs, towing, and car rentals.

· Avoid the other insurance companies – The insurance carriers for the other parties may similarly want to get in touch with you, though anything you say could be used to undermine your case, so it may be best to avoid them, at least until you…

· Talk to an attorney – A knowledgeable South Bend car accident lawyer can educate you about your rights and explain what you should expect if you are contemplating a case.

How a South Bend Car Accident Attorney Can Make a Difference

A car accident can turn your world upside down, overwhelming you with astronomical medical bills while curbing your ability to go to work. Very quickly, it could become hard simply making ends meet, much less obtaining the resources necessary to satisfy the new demands on your wallet.

You need attorneys with the compassion to support you through your troubles and the wisdom to overcome them. You need the South Bend car accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group, who have been staunchly advocating for the wrongfully injured since 1998.

If you decide to hire Hensley, we will launch a comprehensive investigation into the causes of your South Bend car accident and everyone responsible for it within the time allotted by law, working tirelessly to amass the evidence to build your claim, including:

· Police reports

· Traffic citations and dispositions

· Traffic light, dash cam, and surveillance footage

· Black box data

· Eyewitness accounts

· Phone records

· Driver histories

· Maintenance logs

· Forensic analysis and accident reconstruction

After putting together a rock-solid case against every defendant, our South Bend car accident lawyers will endeavor to negotiate a settlement that reflects the full spectrum of your losses, including:

· Medical expenses

· Lost wages

· Pain and suffering

· Mental and emotional anguish

· Permanent impairment

· Diminished quality of living

· Loss of consortium

· Punitive and wrongful death damages (if applicable)

And unlike many of our competitors, who rarely, if ever, see the inside of a courtroom, we are not afraid to go to trial if we do not receive an offer that is worthy of your claim.

You might be concerned about spending more money when you can least afford it, but you should know that our firm works on a contingency basis. This means that you will never have to pay us anything until our South Bend car accident attorneys win your case.

When you got into your car on that fateful day, you had no idea of the rocky road that lay ahead of you, but you can trust Hensley to steer you back onto a steady path.

Reach Out to Our South Bend Car Accident Lawyers Now

Hensley Legal Group has been fighting for hardworking Hoosiers for over 25 years. Reach out to our South Bend car accident lawyers now to explore the remedies available to you.

Please call or text us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form to arrange a no-cost consultation with a dedicated South Bend car accident attorney.