Indiana Car Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle collision, then the next phone call you make should be to a car accident lawyer in New Albany, IN

Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law offers trusted legal advice and experienced advocacy for car accident victims in Indiana and Kentucky. Our attorneys, licensed in both states and boasting over 50 years of combined experience, can be your legal representation in car accident injury claims. We take pride in achieving successful results for our valued clients, and you can rely on us to handle your case with the seriousness and expertise it deserves.

• Car Accident FAQ
• Common Injuries
• Top 4 Things to Do
• Wrongful Death

Client Testiimonials?

We help people within our community just like you.

“They made everything easy. No stress, very informative and, honest. I am so glad a friend referred me to them.”

Kim

“I really felt like they were invested in my case and I wasn’t just a dollar sign to them. I would recommend their services to anyone looking for help.”

Shea

“I’m very grateful for the support and expertise of all at the Firm. A solution for all our needs as a family, with care and discretion. Thank you on behalf of my family.”

Yvonne

Top 4 Things to Do If You’ve Been in a Vehicle Accident

1. Seek medical attention right away.

First and foremost, you must take care of yourself and immediately get the medical attention you need. Allow emergency response personnel to check your vital signs and continue on to the hospital emergency room, if needed.  Even if you think you don’t need it, get checked out by a doctor promptly, especially if you hit your head against something hard during impact.  You cannot be too careful.  Sometimes injuries from collisions can take hours, days or weeks to fully materialize.  Your health is not something you want to gamble with.

2. Say nothing, sign nothing.

If you are contacted by the other driver’s attorney or insurance representative, be polite but do not have any conversation with them, and do not sign any documents they may offer.  Their purpose is to limit the liability of their client and minimize any compensation you may be entitled to.  That’s their job.  You do not want something you said at the scene or on the telephone to hurt your case later.  Of course, always cooperate with police and other emergency personnel who respond to the crash scene.

3. Take Pictures, Get Witnesses’ Names and Contact Info If You Are Able

If you are able to immediately after the accident (severe injuries may prevent this), use your mobile phone to take pictures of the crash site, damage to your vehicle, skid marks on the pavement and the other person’s vehicle. Also, take pictures of your own injuries. If there are bystanders and witnesses, take down their names and phone numbers and provide these to your attorney. Witnesses and crash scene evidence can disperse quickly, so it is always best to gather this information immediately after the crash if at all possible.

4. Hire an experienced New Albany car accident lawyer.

Just as the other driver has professionals to represent him or her, you need an experienced vehicle accident attorney to look out for your best interests. Your attorney can guide you through the legal process, prevent the other driver’s representatives from contacting or harassing you, answer your questions, gather evidence and build a strong case on your behalf. There are so many moving parts in a legal case, and you don’t want to risk making a mistake or overlooking an opportunity to strengthen your case. An attorney will help guard against this. You have enough on your plate trying to get well without having to manage the legal process.  Talk to the car accident lawyers in New Albany at (812) 725-8224.

What Things Can I Be Financially Compensated For?

Current and Future Medical Costs

Medical bills are a very real concern for accident victims.  Doctors, X-rays, medical tests and home care are very expensive – not only now but in the future.  In a personal injury lawsuit, current and future medical costs can be one of the largest areas for financial awards.  Accident victims may need rehabilitation, ongoing medical care and home-based caretaking for many years to come or for the rest of their lives.  The court recognizes these costs when determining compensation for accidents caused by the negligence of others. It’s important as you go along that you keep copies of all your medical bills, pharmacy receipts and bills of sale for any crutches, walkers or durable medical equipment purchased. These are all reimbursable expenses and should be turned over to your car accident lawyer in New Albany, IN. If this feels overwhelming given your injuries, you might ask a family member to gather these receipts and keep them in a folder.

Lost Wages

Not only are you forgoing wages right now while receiving medical treatment, but some vehicle accidents cause permanent disabilities. It is not your fault that a reckless driver made bad decisions, and your financial well-being and that of your family should not be diminished as a result. The courts recognize that lost earnings now, and in the future, create undue hardship on your family and can jeopardize housing, car payments and future college plans for your children. You can be legally compensated for your loss of earning power. Gather copies of previous pay stubs, year-end bonuses, and overtime pay and provide these to your car accident attorney. These documents prove your employment compensation level and can be used to calculate the amount of financial compensation you should receive for lost wages. We know this is all very frustrating and it feels unfair that you should have to gather data and do all this paperwork when the other driver was at fault. We understand, and that’s why we aggressively pursue the greatest compensation possible for each of our clients.

Pain and Suffering

You can receive financial compensation for all the hurt and anguish caused to you and your family – everything from physical pain or paralysis to stress on a marriage, loss of dreams and depression. Even spouses can be compensated for the loss of intimacy and companionship they suffer and diminishment of the quality of their lives. This is not a time to keep a stiff upper lip and stay quiet, trying to bear your pain and discouragement silently. Speak up and let your attorney know all of the ways you are suffering, all of the life events you are missing out on, and all the discouragement and feelings of loss and grief caused by your accident injuries. These can be presented to the court as evidence of the way someone else’s negligence has diminished and compromised your life.

Common Injuries in a Vehicle Accident

Spine, Neck and Head Injuries

Because of the sudden and violent jerking of a car upon impact, passengers are often thrown about like rag dolls inside the vehicle.  Even with seat belts, passengers can slam their heads into windows, dashboards and steering wheels; and a side impact can crumple doors and pin passengers to the floor.  It is very easy to sustain a neck or spine injury due to whiplash, and a traumatic head injury is also possible. All of these are serious, because they affect the spinal cord and brain. If you received whiplash or a head injury in a car crash, you should be under observation by medical professionals for several days after the collision to make sure you do not experience brain swelling or other complications. These are very serious injuries and follow-up medical care should be mandatory. Never take chances with your health.

Broken Bones

It is not uncommon for accident victims to sustain broken legs, arms, knees and pelvic bones. When steel comes into contact with flesh, steel wins. This is especially so if it is a head-on collision. Flying glass can also cause cuts and gouges.  Significant bruising and bleeding are very common in vehicle accidents.  Not only do broken bones take time to heal and lead to significant medical bills, but they can also result in infection or future crippling. You could be laid up in bed for weeks or months in a cast or in traction while broken bones mend, which means missed work and extra responsibility for family members.

Injury to Internal Organs

While not visible from the outside, internal organs, like lungs, kidney, liver and intestines, can be bruised or ruptured by a violent impact. Sometimes the pain from these does not show up for a few hours or days, and that’s why it’s important to be checked out by a doctor immediately after a crash.

Hospital personnel have the medical equipment to diagnose unseen but serious internal injuries. If you feel any pain that you cannot explain after an accident, go to the emergency room or you family doctor promptly.

Trauma

Whether head trauma or emotional trauma, the trauma from a dangerous crash is very real.  Sometimes accident victims experience headaches, blurry vision, loss of balance or concussions.  Just as harmful is the emotional trauma caused by a violent or near-death experience.  It can be excruciating and severely limit a person’s ability to participate in life. Chronic anxiety, worry and fear of physical safety can be an after-effect of a scary car crash. Depression and uncertainty can also be side effects of a crash, which may require counseling by a medical professional. This only adds to the medical bills you’ve already incurred. Courts recognize that there can also be mental health consequences after a crash, causing despondency, depression and loss of hope. That’s why courts are willing to include these expenses when calculating your financial compensation.

Injuries Caused by Safety Equipment

Sometimes seatbelts and airbags can save your life but cause you injuries at the same time. Yes, you’re alive but you may have cuts, facial injuries, torn ligaments, a broken nose or other wounds caused by rigidly locking seatbelts or rapidly inflating airbags. Also, if “jaws of life” equipment was used to extract you from your crumpled vehicle, there can sometimes be cuts and muscle strains that result from being pulled from the car while trapped. These may be primary or secondary injuries, but one thing is sure – they were caused by a vehicle accident that may have been caused by someone else’s negligence.

I’m Concerned About My Family, My Job and the Legal Process

Who Will Be There for My Family?

We will.  Our car accident attorneys know that a crash affects the whole family, not just the parties who are injured.  There is a lot of fear, uncertainty and worry among other family members as they interact with doctors, provide caretaking at home, and watch the medical bills pile up. They are afraid for your wellbeing and scared about the future. We understand this, and we have a lot of compassion for the families we serve. The New Albany vehicle accident lawyers at Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law focus on the whole family and provide compassionate and caring guidance for everyone. We are here to answer all your questions, big and small. We will listen. We can connect you to resources and information that will assist your family in moving through this very difficult time. We have a lot of experience with these kinds of cases, so we are gentle with families and try to allay their fears. That’s why we’re committed to exceptional performance.

Do I Have to Testify in Court?

Every case is different, and your New Albany car accident attorneys will guide you as they build your case and file legal documents.  In reality, most cases are settled long before they go to trial, so it is unlikely that you would have to testify in court.  Most insurance companies would rather provide a financial settlement than spend the time and money to go to trial.  In the end, it is your lawsuit and you will make all of the important decisions.  Your car accident attorney is there to walk beside you all the way.

What If My Injury Prevents Me from Going to My Job?

This happens quite often.  Whether you are laid up in the hospital or are under a doctor’s care at home, accident victims, many times, are not able to return to work right away.  Sometimes if their injuries are quite severe, they are never able to return to employment.  Bosses and employers can be sympathetic or they can be difficult.  Each case is unique.  Regardless of what you are facing with your employer, the important thing is to get comprehensive medical care, including any tests, X-rays and other procedures you may need.  Follow your doctor’s instructions precisely.  Feel free to talk to your car accident lawyer about any fears or concerns you may have about your job. We know you are likely frustrated, scared and feeling powerless at times. That is very normal. Try not to give in to fears and instead focus on your recovery.

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How Can a Car Accident Lawyer in New Albany, IN Help Me?

Aggressive Legal Help for Accidents

You never want to face the legal system alone. Laws are complicated and ever-changing, there’s a lot of legal paperwork to be filed, and the opposing insurance company will have skilled attorneys trying to defeat your claim. That’s why you need an aggressive car accident lawyer in New Albany, IN on your side. At Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law, we’ve handled hundreds of these cases and have successfully won financial compensation for our clients. We have the legal knowledge and financial resources to investigate a crash, gather evidence, craft a powerful legal claim and even hire expert witnesses, if needed. A car accident lawyer in New Albany, IN can help you by lifting the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on recovering from injuries and restoring your health.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today

The sooner you reach out to a car accident lawyer in Floyd County, IN the better. Before paperwork gets lost and eyewitnesses disappear, secure a skilled lawyer who can begin gathering evidence to build a strong case on your behalf. Car accident attorneys at Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law are standing by to take your call. The initial consultation is free, so call us today at (812) 725-8224.

Are All Car Accident Lawyers in Floyd County, IN the Same?

Not by a long shot! You can tell a lot about a law firm by the care and quality they put into their website and marketing communications. Take some time to peruse the information on Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law’s website. Read our attorney bios at here, review the dollar amounts we’ve won on behalf of clients, and read testimonialsfrom previous clients who are pleased with our service. We understand that there are a lot of attorneys out there, but all attorneys are not created equal. We hand-select the lawyers that we invite to join our firm because of their skill, integrity and authority. Our attorneys are the best and the brightest in the region. Feel free to call us for a get-to-know conversation.

I’m injured, stressed and need help… where do I turn?

You Need a New Albany Car Accident Lawyer

We know it’s a very scary time and you’ve likely had a lot of sleepless nights. You’re in pain and facing a lot of uncertainty. Your family routine has been disrupted, and children in the home pick up on the stress and chaos you’re experiencing, too. You have your hands full, and that’s why you need a car accident lawyer in New Albany, IN to carry the legal load for you. Lawyers specialize in a wide variety of areas, much like doctors do.  Just like spine surgeons are skilled at different tasks than allergy doctors, personal injury attorneys possess legal skills that are different from those of tax lawyers.  You want to make sure you choose the right attorney for the right task.  A  car accident lawyer is highly experienced at gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, researching police reports and articulating the rules of the road that were violated by the negligent driver.  This kind of experience is valuable in court.

Hiring a Car Accident Attorney Costs Nothing

Vehicle accident attorneys work on “contingency,” which means they don’t get paid until you get paid. It’s that simple. We don’t want you to worry about money and where you’ll get the funds to hire a lawyer. There are no upfront costs for you.  Any attorney’s fees are collected out of the financial settlement or jury award you ultimately receive.  If for any reason the case is not successful, then we waive our fees and you owe nothing.  You already have your hands full, dealing with doctors, hospitals and trying to heal, so let us shoulder the legal burden. We have the skill, experience and know-how to win financial compensation for our clients, and we make sure the negligent driver’s insurance company pays our legal bill.

Get Outside Counseling if Needed

Sometimes these experiences are so stressful and discouraging that it may be useful to see an outside counselor to talk about your frustrations. It’s okay to seek out a healthcare professional and talk about your fears and uncertainties. Such conversations are confidential and your privacy is protected. There is no weakness in asking for help. Additionally, the cost of counseling by a medical professional can be included in compensation costs in your lawsuit.

How Do I Choose the Best Lawyer for Me?

That’s a great question.  The best thing to do is to spend some time on a law firm’s website and research attorneys’ bios, read about cases they’ve handled, and find out what their other clients are saying about them.  Are there a lot of 5-star reviews?  Do clients seem satisfied and happy with the firm?  Or did they feel like they were just a name on a file folder?  Choosing the right New Albany car accident lawyer could be one of the most important decisions you make in your life, so do your homework and take the time to find the best.  We would be glad to answer any questions you may have.  Call us at (812) 725-8224.

Wrongful Death

serving all of Kentuckiana

In the very worst vehicle accidents, a driver or passengers can be killed.  The legal term for this is “wrongful death.”  Such deaths are tragic and haunting because they could have been prevented if the other driver had taken responsibility for driving safely.   Courts recognize that such deaths are not only devastating to families, but they also represent the loss of the person’s companionship and earning potential.  A car accident lawyer can further explain the legal consequences in wrongful death cases.

Attorney Steve Langdon

Licensed to practice in both Indiana and Kentucky, Steve Langdon is an experienced elder law and trial attorney. In addition to his litigation and trial work, Steve’s practice includes wills, trusts, probate, Medicaid planning, guardianship, powers of attorney, and advanced directive planning, including living wills and health care surrogate designations. [ Attorney Bio ]

Attorney Gary Banet

Gary is licensed to practice law in both Indiana and Kentucky. He concentrates his practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration, estate and trust litigation, guardianships, elder law and special-needs planning. Gary earned his J.D. from the University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, and formerly practiced law at Bingham Greenebaum Doll and Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs. [ Attorney Bio ]