South Bend Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents can be life-altering experiences, especially when you suffer injuries due to someone else’s reckless actions. After a car accident, you need the experience and dedication of the South Bend car accident lawyers at Wilson & Kinsman, LLC in your corner to hold the responsible driver accountable.

What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in South Bend?

Some of the most dangerous roads in South Bend and the surrounding areas are considered dangerous for high speeds, heavy tractor-trailer traffic, road work, frequent congestion, and increased accidents and fatalities. The most dangerous roads in South Bend and the surrounding areas include:

• Interstate 80/90 (Indiana Toll Road): Running east to west, I-80/90 is heavily trafficked by a high volume of tractor-trailers, making it one of the most dangerous routes in the region.
• S. Route 31: Connecting South Bend to Indianapolis, U.S. 31 experiences heavy commuter and truck traffic, which contributes to high accident rates.
• S. Route 20: As a major highway in Northern Indiana, U.S. 20 is often congested and has a high accident rate, especially near construction zones.
• State Road 2: This route connects South Bend to nearby communities but is prone to accidents due to narrow lanes and frequent sharp turns.
• Interstate 94: Although only a small portion of I-94 passes through Indiana, it is a busy route near Lake Michigan with high volumes of traffic accident risks.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents?

Numerous factors, including reckless driving behaviors, human error, and heavy traffic cause car accidents. Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:

• Aggressive Driving: Behaviors such as excessive lane changes, cutting off others, and ignoring traffic laws are considered aggressive or reckless driving.
• Distracted Driving: Engaging in activities that divert attention from driving, such as texting, eating, or adjusting controls.
• Drunk Driving: Alcohol reduces reaction time, limits focus, blurs vision, and causes blackouts.
• Drowsy Driving: Sleep deprivation can cause the same neurological impairments as alcohol or drugs.
• Speeding: Driving over the posted limit reduces stopping distance and the ability to avoid sudden obstacles or changes in traffic.
• Tailgating: Following too closely behind other vehicles reduces stopping distance and is a factor in nearly all rear-end collisions.
• Weather: Rain, snow, ice, and fog can limit visibility and create slick road surfaces, which can impact tire traction and driver control.

What Are Common Types of Car Accident Injuries?

Car accidents can result in minor to severe injuries, even minor and slow-speed accidents. Some of the most common injuries include whiplash, back and spinal cord injuries, broken bones, cuts and lacerations, traumatic brain injuries, nerve and organ damage, paralysis, and emotional distress.

What Compensation Can I Seek for My Car Accident Injuries?

If you are injured in a car accident, you may be eligible to seek a combination of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refers to your direct financial losses due to the accident and injuries, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and repairs. Non-economic damages refers to your intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability.

When injured in a car accident, it is crucial to engage an experienced South Bend car accident lawyer to assess and determine the full range of your damages.

Indiana is a modified comparative negligence state, which affects the total compensation you can recover. Under the rule, both drivers are assigned a percentage of fault in the accident, and you are only entitled to seek compensation if you are less than 51 percent responsible. That percentage will reduce your total compensation.

You also have limited time to file a claim for damages. Indiana’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident or death.

What if the Responsible Driver Is Uninsured?

Seeking compensation can be more complicated if the other driver is uninsured, but you still have options. Indiana law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in auto insurance policies, which automatically covers you unless you opt-out.

With UM coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurance company to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. If you do not have UM coverage, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the other driver to recover damages.

Should I Accept an Early Settlement Offer?

It is common practice for insurance companies to make early settlement offers in car accident claims. Before signing, we strongly encourage you to have an experienced car accident lawyer review the offer. Insurance companies want to mitigate their losses as much as possible.

Early offers are notoriously low and rarely cover the full extent of damages, which often still need determining in the early days following an accident. Keep in mind that accepting an early settlement offer is final, and you cannot seek any further compensation for future damages once you accept.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in South Bend?

Gathering evidence after a car accident can benefit your claim significantly. If you are able, you should take the following steps:

• Call the police and report the accident and any injuries.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
• Minimize conversation to avoid any accidental statements being used against you later.
• Photograph everything at the scene relevant to the accident.
• Gather contact information and statements from witnesses.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible to rule out any life-threatening internal injuries with delayed symptoms and obtain a doctor’s report for your claim.
• Maintain all documents and records related to the accident and injuries.
• Consult an experienced South Bend car accident lawyer with a successful record of negotiating with insurance companies and securing maximum compensation for clients.

How Can Wilson & Kinsman, LLC Help Me After a Car Accident in South Bend?

If you are severely injured in a car accident, you will typically incur medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more. After an injury, you should focus on your recovery, not pursuing your claim.

When you hire Wilson & Kinsman, LLC, our South Bend car accident lawyers can work on your behalf to investigate the accident scene, review police reports, establish your ongoing medical care, estimate your damages, interview witnesses, hire experts, negotiate a settlement, and represent you in court, if settlement negotiations fail.

The South Bend Car Accident Lawyers at Wilson & Kinsman, LLC Help Injured Clients Fight for Justice and Seek Compensation

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, the skilled South Bend car accident lawyers at Wilson & Kinsman, LLC can help you hold the driver accountable and seek the compensation you deserve. Call today at 574-522-1900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, we serve clients throughout Goshen, Mishawaka, Granger, Osceola, Bristol, and La Porte.