Merrillville, Indiana, What is the Car Accident Legal Process?

A fender bender may not appear to be serious on the outside, but what most drivers do not realize is that the internal mechanics of the vehicle may be damaged as well because of the collision. This means that a person may have to pay a lot more to have their vehicle fixed then what they originally speculated. Drivers should always make sure to go to an auto collision center and have their vehicle inspected after an accident to judge the true extent of the harm they faced.

In Indiana, drivers have to follow the legal protocol of calling the police and reporting an accidnet that resulted in more than $1000 of damage, injuries, or the loss of life of anyone. It is vital that a person does not skip this step as it will help them a lot when they decide to file a legal claim. If a person makes the mistake of leaving the scene of the accident without communicating with the other driver or contacting the police, they can face legal penalties and be charged for their crime. 

All drivers have a duty of care they must follow with each other and if they fail to carry it out, they can make their legal penalties a lot more serious then they have to be. If a person is not involved in the accident directly and they just witnessed it, they do not have to stop. If a person does stop to try and help, they should be extra careful as they may aggravate any injuries by trying to help. The good news is that if a person does end up making a mistake and aggravating injuries while trying to offer medical care, the law will likely prevent them from facing any lawsuits because of the good intention of their actions. 

Determining fault after a car accident in Merrillville, Indiana

The police report will show the initial perspective of who was at fault for the accident. However, the police report does not necessarily have to be correct and if the car accident turns into a lawsuit, then it is the jury who will decide who is at fault for the collision.

If a person gets a police report that is wrongfully against there favor, it can be very disheartening, but a person should not lose hope. A car accident lawyer can help them carry out a detailed investigation so they collect the details of their case and so they get the necessary evidence to prove the true cause of the collision. 

Get in touch with a car accident attorney at Marshall P. Whalley & Associates today to get help with the legal process that will follow a car accident.

Reach them at:

51 W 112th Ave

Crown Point, IN 46307

Phone: 855.442.7211 / 219.769.2900

Fax: 219.769.2995