Recent Blog Posts
February 5, 2020 / Catastrophic Injuries
What’s the Average Payout for a Head Injury?
WHETHER IT’S A CONCUSSION, MEMORY LOSS, LOSS OF SIGHT AND SPEECH, OR A CATASTROPHIC BRAIN INJURY THAT LEAVES A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR, COURTS CAN AWARD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES FOR HEAD INJURIES. There’s nothing as frightening or devastating as a head injury caused by a car crash, work accident or other event that leaves a person unable to function in a career or even unable to walk. Because head injuries can be so severe and life altering, courts can be sympathetic toward personal injury cases brought by parties who have been damaged. Courts understand that not only has the plaintiff been incapacitated, but if they were the primary breadwinners, then their spouse and children are also faced with living in reduced circumstances. If[...]
January 2, 2020 / Wrongful Death
Who gets the money in a wrongful death settlement?
Many family members are grieving after the death of a loved one, and those feelings are heightened if the person was killed in a vehicle accident or other wrongful death event. After initial confusion and sadness subside, family members can begin to ask questions like “who gets the money in a wrongful death settlement?” The role of attorneys in the wrongful death settlement process is to help navigate the legal system to ensure that you receive the financial compensation you are entitled to. If you have been affected by the wrongful death of a loved one and want to learn more about your legal rights, contact the attorneys at Stephenson Rife in Indiana for a free consultation. We can answer your questions, explain the law and di[...]
July 12, 2019 / Truck Accidents
How Many Truck Accidents Happen Annually?
Big rigs are an essential component of the U.S. economy, transporting goods and parts that consumers need. The trucking industry is regulated by a government agency called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA), whose job it is to prevent injuries and accidents through safety regulations, technological advancements, and other measures. Carriers and individual drivers are required by law to adhere to FMSCA regulations. When they fail to do so, they put everyone on the road in danger and may be held legally responsible. How many truck accidents happen annually — including non-fatal crashes? About 500,000. If you or a family member has been hurt in a collision involving a commercial truck, call the Indianapolis truck a[...]
July 8, 2019 / Wrongful Death
What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
If you’ve lost a close family member unexpectedly, you may be in shock, overwhelmed with grief, and not thinking clearly. The last thing on your mind may be tracking down who is responsible and initiating a lawsuit. But when you are ready, it’s something you should consider. There is a whole slew of expenses that come along with a relative’s passing, and you should not — and may not even be able to — pay them if someone else is at fault. No payout is going to bring back the person you love or ease the sense of loss you feel. But it will reduce the financial burden of your loved one’s death and ensure the responsible parties pay, as they should. If you’ve decided to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit for additional compens[...]
July 1, 2019 / Wrongful Death
How Do You Prove Wrongful Death?
The unexpected death of someone you love turns your world upside down. The person who has always been there for you is gone, and the emotional and financial fallout is life-shattering. When your loss is something that could have been prevented — that’s due to the negligence or wrongful acts of another person or business — the toll may be even more difficult to bear. How do you prove wrongful death? If you’ve lost a spouse, child, or parent and someone else is at fault, the Indianapolis wrongful death lawyer at Stephenson Rife will work hard to uncover the evidence, build an airtight case, and win you the damages you deserve. No amount of money will bring your loved one back, but you can hold the responsible party accountable. Wh[...]
June 24, 2019 / Medical Malpractice
Medical Overbilling and Bad Faith
You go to the doctor, you whip out your insurance card, and you make the very reasonable assumption that your insurer will cover the majority of your treatment costs. Unfortunately, when hospitals and insurance companies are dishonest in their billing practices, patients can end up being stuck with exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses. If you ever receive an outrageous medical bill, being familiar with medical bad faith claims and your legal rights will go a long way in helping you resolve the situation quickly and with minimum panic. You should also schedule a consultation with a health insurance bad faith attorney. Overbilling and Balance Billing: A Serious Problem All too often, patients are caught off guard by large medical bills as a[...]
June 17, 2019 / Truck Accidents
How to File a Truck Accident Claim in Indiana
As the driver of a personal vehicle, you have little chance of escaping unscathed if you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck. These behemoths of the road, ubiquitous on the highways of Indiana and the nation, are tightly regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), but transgressions in the industry are rampant. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision with a tractor trailer, call the attorneys at Stephenson Rife to learn how to file a truck accident claim in Indiana. We have the experience, manpower, and tenacity to uncover violations, build your case, and win the damages you need to rebuild your life. Common Trucking Violations Trucking companies and drivers are required by law to[...]
June 10, 2019 / Truck Accidents
Can Driving Simulators Make Trucks Safer?
When a 5,000-pound car collides with an 80,000-pound eighteen-wheeler, the outcome is catastrophic for the passenger vehicle and its occupants. In 2017, according to data compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a total of 4,102 people in the United States died in accidents involving big rigs. That’s 30% higher than in 2009. Of the fatalities, just 17% were truckers, while 82% were occupants of another vehicle, pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists. As the industry faces a staffing crisis with an estimated shortage of over 50,000 drivers, the government is rolling out a plan to lower the age requirement for driving a commercial truck across state lines. Carriers are offering incentives like signing bonuses and higher s[...]
June 3, 2019 / Wrongful Death
Legal Options When Your Loved One Dies in a Car Accident
Most of us think nothing of hopping in the car to get from Point A to Point B, and we do it multiple times per day. It often doesn’t hit home how dangerous the roads are until the unthinkable happens, and yet the “unthinkable” happens surprisingly often. According to the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, 911 people died in a traffic accident in Indiana in 2017. While fatalities in the state reached an all-time low in 2014, they’ve ticked upward since then. Drivers who are impaired due to alcohol or drugs, distracted by their phones, or otherwise not paying attention are a huge problem in the state and nationally. The commute home from work, a trip to the gym, a milk run to the store -- any of these routine activities[...]
May 29, 2019 / Wrongful Death
Are You Eligible to File for a Wrongful Death Claim?
Losing a close family member under any circumstance is devastating and life-changing. When the death is unexpected, the mourning process is compounded by shock, uncertainty, and fear for the future. You may have been financially dependent on that person. At the very least, you will face funeral and burial costs and the monumental work of sorting out your loved one’s affairs for them. If your family member’s passing is the result of negligence or the actions of another party, it meets the definition of wrongful death. And you may be entitled to compensation. Mike Stephenson is an experienced and compassionate Indianapolis wrongful death lawyer who will fight to win the damages you deserve so you can focus on grieving and, eventually, [...]