Car accidents can often be life-altering events, especially if they leave long term consequences for the victim. Even a minor car accident can cause emotional distress for the injured party. On top of all the material damage and emotional stress, the burden of dealing with costs and bills is additionally overwhelming for the parties involved. It’s essential to be aware of how to deal with these situations and how to navigate the financial waters.
Car accidents are probably one of the most frequent types of road accidents and the city of Indianapolis is no exception to the rule. The bustling city is an urban environment with the majority of its residents commuting to work daily. And with such a high number of commuters, the chances of a car accident taking place rise exponentially. One simply needs to be informed how to deal with such unexpected situations, namely with the medical bills, lost wages, etc.
In the following lines, we’ll take a deeper look into how car accidents are handled in Indianapolis and what steps the injured party needs to take.
Most common causes of car accidents in Indianapolis
The first step to avoiding car accidents is understanding the most common causes and statistics behind them. Being aware of the reasons why car accidents take place helps raise awareness and spread the word about this important issue. Before we move further, let’s take a closer look into the most frequent causes of car accidents in the USA.
Distracted driving
The number one cause of car accidents is distracted driving. The fact that distracted driving was responsible for more that 3,000 deaths in 2020 in the USA speaks volumes. The situation grows even more serious once we take into consideration that 2020 was the year when COVID broke out and many people were quarantined.
Despite many people not being able to leave their homes and not being required to go to work, the number of deaths provoked by distracted driving is still disturbing.
What exactly do we mean by distracted driving? Well, it can range from smartphone use and talking on the phone to eating and using a navigation system while driving. Basically, anything that shifts your focus from the road ahead is a distraction.
Some may not take the issue of cell phone usage seriously, but once we take a look at the stats, the plot takes a gloomy turn. Almost 14% of fatal car crashes involve cell phones. That just goes to show how irresponsible smartphone handling can lead to serious consequences.
Drunk driving
An expert personal injury attorney from Indianapolis lists drunk driving as one of the main causes of car accidents. Alcohol-impaired driving remains a major cause of accidents as drunk driving not only impairs judgment but also reduces reaction time, significantly increasing the risk of accidents?.
In Indianapolis, drunk driving remains a significant concern. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 22% of fatal car crashes in Indiana involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration 0.08 or higher. This highlights the ongoing risk that impaired driving poses to road safety in the state.
Drowsy driving
Also known as fatigue driving, drowsy driving happens when a driver is operating a vehicle while sleepy or exhausted. Their focus is impaired and they have trouble keeping their eyes on the road. That means they can’t recognize potential risks on time and they’re more likely to cause accidents as well.
That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re always rested when driving, especially when going away on a longer trip. Also, taking regular breaks is necessary and strictly advised.
Understanding financial responsibilities
After a car accident takes place, it’s important to understand the responsibilities you have. However, if you’re the injured party, you should also be aware you have the right to fair compensation. Indiana is an at-fault state, meaning that whoever caused the accident is responsible for the damages.
Insurance claims
The first essential step is to check your insurance policy and notify the relevant parties about the accidents. It’s necessary to file a claim policy with all the details included. Insurance companies often offer a lower compensation than expected so it’s important to understand your coverage and make sure you don’t fall into the trap of settling for less than fair.
Legal assistance
If you’re having trouble understanding the legal lingo, it’s advisable to seek assistance as it’s often difficult to cope with the financial issues. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help navigate you through the tough times and explain all the ins-and-out of your insurance policy.
Additionally, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you only have to pay once and if the case is won. For low-income residents, they can turn to Indiana Legal Services(ILS) for free financial advice and assistance programs.
Medical bills
Medical bills are often the most significant financial burden after a car accident and can be quite overwhelming for the injured party. You need to understand your health insurance coverage and check what it can cover.
Should it happen that you have significant out-of-pocket expenses, negotiate a payment plan with healthcare providers. Many hospitals and clinics offer flexible payment options to accommodate patients' financial situations.
Financial support
In addition to managing insurance claims, legal issues, and medical bills, it's crucial to explore other financial support options available to you, especially if you fall victim to a more serious car accident.
For instance, you can consider taking out a personal loan to cover immediate expenses, as long as you have in mind the interest rates. Also, the city of Indianapolis is home to many different community resources and nonprofit organizations that offer financial assistance to those in need. Reach out to local churches, food banks, and charitable organizations for support.
The final word
As you can see, car accidents are a common problem, not only in Indianapolis, but across the entire USA. Even if you do everything properly, you can always fall victim to someone else’s reckless driving.
In those situations, you need to be aware of the financial help you’re entitled to. Hopefully, this blog post can help shed some light on the different resources available to you.
Luckily, Indianapolis offers a wide range of community resources where you can turn to advice in case of need.
