Can I Sue a Driver if They Hit My Dog?

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Admin

Losing a pet is an emotional time in a person’s life. As the pet owner, you may wonder if you are eligible for legal compensation if someone kills your dog by running them over. After all, you suffer emotional anguish and even loss of companionship. For those who have authorized help pets, such as guide dogs, service pets, or even emotional support animals, losing their pets can be even more damaging to their overall quality of life.

So, it is very common for pet owners to wonder if they can pursue legal action against someone who kills their pet by hitting them with their car. Although these types of civil cases are complex and often differ among local jurisdictions, there are a few general understandings surrounding such pet accidents that you should be aware of.

Continue reading to learn about your rights and liabilities as a pet owner in the case that they are hit by a car, and where you can get a free consultation to learn whether you can sue for emotional damage and mental anguish if this ever happens to you.

Civil Litigators Indianapolis Indiana 317-636-7497

Dogs and Leash Laws

In most counties, if an unleashed dog is hit by a vehicle in a public area, the owner may not be entitled to any compensation. In fact, in many jurisdictions, the pet owner may be liable for any damages done to the person’s vehicle because of the impact. Although this seems somewhat unfair, it is generally up to the pet owner to secure their dog in public places. In a court of law, the judgment would most likely not be in favor of the dog owner. If the dog was on a leash but escaped from the pet owner’s grasp, there may be a slight chance the pet owner can walk without being liable for any damages.

In the rare circumstance that a dog is killed by another person or vehicle while on a leash, there may be a chance for the pet owner to gain compensation for their loss. In court, a judge and jury would have to determine the degree of fault per party. That percentage will inevitably determine the amount of compensation the victim will receive.

Negligence

If the plaintiff’s legal party can prove that the driver was acting negligent or reckless, and that their carelessness directly caused the death of the pet, there may be a higher chance for them to be found liable for the dog’s demise. Negligence and recklessness would include driving under the influence, intoxication, using a cell phone while driving, speeding, ignoring traffic signs, driving off road, and similar distracting or illegal behaviors.

Intentional Torts or Recklessness

In the case that someone intentionally inflicts harm, abuses, or kills your dog, they can be held accountable in both criminal court and civil court. Dog owners who become victims of this kind of intentional act of malice or recklessness stand to incur all sorts of damages and losses aside from emotional and mental anguish, such as veterinary bills, prolonged treatment or therapy for your dog, lost wages from missing work to stay home and care for your dog, fuel costs traveling to and from vet appointments, and more.

Assistance Animals

If a person were to kill a registered guide dog, service pet, assistance animal, or emotional support pet, they could face civil and criminal penalties depending on whether the act was intentional or not and various other details of the case. In a criminal court, a guilty verdict would render a likely sentence of heavy fines, community service, restitution to the victim, and an order to pay the victim’s legal fees and attorney costs. In a civil court, the dog owner could be awarded damages for vet bills, lost wages, mental and emotional suffering, loss of companionship, and more.

Passenger Dogs Killed in Car Accidents

If you were in a serious car accident that was the fault of a negligent or careless driver, and your dog was inside the car and died because of the collision, you could possibly recover additional damages aside from the common types of damages awarded in personal injury lawsuits. Speak to an Indianapolis IN car accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn your rights to compensation.

The best way to avoid a tragic accident with your pet is to have it on a leash and always secured properly when in public areas. Prevention is possible with a little responsibility. If your dog has been hurt in a car accident, be sure to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Was your dog, cat, service animal, horse, or livestock recently injured or killed because of another’s negligence or intentional act? Contact Carl Brizzi LAW at 317-636-7497 to speak with an experienced civil litigator in Indianapolis, Indiana about your eligibility to pursue legal action against them and recover a settlement for your damages and losses. We serve clients throughout the state.

You Might Also Read:

Do I Have a Case?
Do I Need A Personal Injury Attorney?
What to Do After A Car Accident That Was Not Your Fault

Carl Brizzi Law Indianapolis Indiana 317-636-7497

Why Social Networking is Damaging to Personal Injury Claims

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Admin

Social media networking is a vastly popular societal and public outlet for people of all ages, all over the world. Networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr, WhatsApp, and Snapchat are all common examples of social media portals used by everyone from children to adults. Although highly interactive and incredibly convenient for communicating instantly with friends, coworkers, colleagues, and family, social networking can also jeopardize one’s privacy.

In the case of a personal injury victim pursuing legal action against a negligent party who caused them to be harmed in an accident, social networking is not something that is conducive to a successful personal injury settlement.

Continue reading to learn why personal injury victims should halt all social networking until there accident claim is settled.

Indianapolis Indiana Accident Lawyers 317-636-7497

Social Media Mistakes for Personal Injury Survivors

As a personal injury victim and accident survivor, whether yourself or as a dependent of a wrongfully injured person or wrongful death, it can be very tempting to turn to your social media networks for support and inspiration during a challenging time in your life. However, it is vital to understand that social media can be damaging to the outcome of personal injury lawsuit. In fact, experienced and skilled Indiana personal injury lawyers will immediately advise their clients to stop all social media networking, and even temporarily close their accounts, until the case is completed, and they have received a settlement or Social Security verdict.

Why is Social Networking Bad for Accident Claims?

The answer is interpretive evidence. Anything you post on social media, whether it be a picture or comment, can be used against you by the opposing defense and insurance company to reduce the value of your lawsuit, or dismiss it altogether. For instance, if you are pursuing a personal injury claim for a broken leg injury after being hit by a drunk driver, but then post picture of you standing in front of the fireplace with your grandmother, the opposing defense or insurance company can use this evidence against you by implying that your leg injury is not as severe as you claim it to be since you are standing up on your own, and therefore do not require the compensation or settlement demanded.

You may have just stood up for a second to snap that photo and was able to do so without the aid of crutches or a walker, or even a foot boot; but because defense attorneys and insurance companies are so fervent in reducing the value of personal injury lawsuits, they will twist and turn a simple picture with your grandmother into a ludicrous accusation to be used against you. Keep in mind, it is possible these days for defense attorneys to request password and login information to investigate claimant’s social media accounts. So, if you post it, they likely can find.

How to Protect Your Personal Injury Settlement

As soon as you are injured in an accident that was not your fault, it is important to stay off all social media networking accounts until you have spoken to a lawyer about the possibility of pursuing legal action against the at-fault party. Do not even post that you were injured in an accident at all. Immediately make a police report, seek medical care, and then contact a trusted Indianapolis Indiana personal injury lawyer who can help you get started on your claim.

They have the knowledge and skills to protect you through the entire personal injury claim process and can guide you in the right direction toward a successful case outcome. With the help of a seasoned accident lawyer in your side, you can obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve for all your damages and losses, including hospital bills, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and much more.

Are you ready to get started on your personal injury claim after being injured in an accident that was not your fault? Contact Carl Brizzi LAW at 317-636-7497 and schedule a free case evaluation with a skilled Indianapolis Indiana accident attorney you can trust. Our law firm serves clients all throughout the state of Indiana.

YOU MIGHT ALSO READ:

Expected Fees and Costs in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Do I Have a Case?
Do I Need A Personal Injury Attorney?

Advice For Indianapolis Car Accident Victims

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Admin

Indianapolis is a busy city filled with all sorts of road systems and commuting traffic, and no one is a perfect driver. With these two factors combined, car accidents are bound to happen. Most of us have witnessed or experienced a minor car accident at least once in our lives. In fact, a fender bender or taillight clip has become somewhat of a normal sighting in the life of a regular commuter.

But it is important to remember that no matter how familiar, car accidents are serious at any scope. Vehicles are essentially 5,000-pound deadly weapons when they are moving, especially at higher speeds. So, when they collide into something or someone else, serious damages are imminent. After you have been injured in an auto accident, there is simply no room for compromise. You should not be held financially responsible for your damages because of another’s negligence.

As a recent car accident injured victim, it is important for you to get the right advice about pursing a car accident injury claim in Indianapolis. Continue reading to learn why you should choose Carl Brizzi LAW as your Indiana personal injury law firm, as well as how to get started on your claim for free.

Indianapolis Auto Accident Lawyers 317-636-7497

Board Certified Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers Who Can Help

Carl Brizzi Law knows how insurance companies work and have perfected our strategies to combat all their tactics. We will not let them abate liability for your Indianapolis auto accident claim. Most often, our Indianapolis car accident attorneys settle claims without going to court. But if we must, we will take your case to trial, and we will win because we are fully prepared to do so. If you were injured under egregious or malicious circumstances, we may recover punitive damages as well.

Auto Accident Attorneys Serving All of Indiana

Whether you were injured in a truck accident, motorcycle accident, pedestrian accident, or some other type of auto accident, we are the board-certified personal injury lawyers who know exactly how to recover the maximum settlement or Social Security benefits you deserve. You see, Indianapolis car accident claims are much more complex than people think, so it can be a major risk handling your claim alone.

Although the insurance company might seem to care about your best interests, they are corporately trained to do as little as possible for clients’ claims. Their main objective is to payout as little as possible for your car accident claim, no matter how severe or lasting your injuries are. There are laws in place that protect car accident victims against unethical insurance companies. Let our Indianapolis personal injury attorneys apply them on your behalf.

Were you seriously injured in an Indiana auto accident this year? Contact Carl Brizzi LAW at 317-636-7497 to learn your rights to pursing legal action against the at-fault party through a car accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You Might Also Like:

Which Driver is to Blame in a T-Bone Car Accident?
Dude, You Hit My Car!
Five Things to Keep in Mind After a Motor Vehicle Accident

How Carl Brizzi LAW Can Help TBI Victims Claim Payments in Indiana

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Admin

Traumatic brain injuries are very serious medical conditions that can turn a family’s life upside down overnight. It is important for TBI victims and their dependents to learn their legal rights to compensation after suffering the countless damages and losses suffered by traumatic brain injury survivors. If you or your loved one were recently injured in an accident that was not your fault, and as a result experienced a severe brain injury, it is vital to seek legal guidance from an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Continue reading to learn how Carl Brizzi LAW can help TBI victims claim payments in Indiana for hospital bills, medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and all resulting future damages and losses.

TBI Lawyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-636-7497

Why Choose Carl Brizzi LAW for Your TBI Accident Claim?

As long-standing members of several legal associations, and recipients of many professional accolades, you can trust Carl Brizzi LAW to be successful with your Indiana brain injury claim. We retain the proper professional resources and expertise to protect your rights to recompense for hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, disability, pain, suffering, and much more. One of our best assets is our ability to triumph over insurance adjuster tactics, who are notorious for making the claim and recovery process difficult for accident victims.

Our board-certified Indianapolis IN TBI attorneys know exactly how to combat the unethical methodologies of insurance companies and refuse to stand down to corporate powers. Under no circumstances do we accept a small check, like most other personal injury law firms do. Carl Brizzi Law will continue to work around the clock to fight the insurance company and will not stop until we recover the highest settlement or Social Security disability benefits for you and your family’s financial needs.

How to Get Started on Your Traumatic Brain Injury Claim in Indiana

Carl Brizzi entered this industry for the sole purpose of getting justice for innocent accident victims who have been negligently hurt by another. Trust our Indiana civil litigators and legal teams to rightfully claim payments for your damages. Getting started is simple. Just schedule a free case evaluation, which can be held over the phone, via online video conference, or in person at our Indianapolis personal injury law office.

Take back control of your life by recovering the full and fair compensation you deserve after suffering a traumatic brain injury. Carl Brizzi LAW has the acumen, resources, and passion to obtain the maximum settlement or verdict for your case. Best of all, we work on contingency; so, if you do not receive a settlement or verdict, you do not pay us anything at all. Just be sure to get started on your Indiana TBI claim soon, before all evidence is lost and the statute of limitations runs out.

Are you ready to schedule a free initial consultation with an esteemed personal injury lawyer? Contact us at 317-636-7497 to get trusted legal advice and representation from a skilled accident attorney who is well-versed and experienced in cases involving traumatic brain injuries in Indianapolis, Indiana. We also do hospital and home visits for consultations.