Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Clients Throughout Indiana
Cooke Law Firm in Lafayette has an established reputation for compassionate and vigorous representation of people injured by someone else’s negligence, carelessness or wrongful conduct. Since Jeffrey A. Cooke opened the firm in 1974, the firm has focused solely on personal injury cases, helping countless victims throughout the state get the compensation they deserve, whether it is damages awarded in court or a negotiated settlement.
Trusted In All Areas Of Personal Injury
We have dedicated ourselves to providing vigorous representation and personal service to clients in Indiana personal injury and wrongful death actions, including complex personal injury cases arising out of:
- Transportation accidents: Automobiles, trucks, airplanes, trains and water vehicles are all large machines capable of inflicting serious injury or death.
- Animal injury: While dog bites are most common, other animals can also bite, maim and cause severe injury.
- Medical malpractice: We rely on health care practitioners to provide safe, appropriate care. Mistakes made by physicians and other medical providers can be serious and sometimes deadly.
- Construction and workplace accidents: Every day, workers at construction sites and other employment settings face injury caused by negligent practices in the workplace.
- Premises liability: Pedestrians can trip on poorly maintained surfaces, customers can slip in grocery stores, and guests on private property can suffer injuries from negligent security measures – all with the potential for severe or fatal injury.
No Injury Case Is Too Complicated
Cooke Law Firm injury lawyers Jeffrey A. Cooke and J. Aaron Cooke are known for their integrity and skill in handling complex and catastrophic injury cases, including those involving brain and spinal cord injuries, paraplegia, quadriplegia, amputations and other permanent injuries that require long-term care and treatment. We have the experience to look at the big picture and negotiate structured settlements or help establish trusts to secure our client’s future needs.
What You Need To Know: Indiana Personal Injury FAQs
With nearly 50 years of experience helping Indiana residents, we understand that dealing with a personal injury case raises many questions. Our team believes in empowering our clients with knowledge. Thus, we compiled the most common questions asked about personal injury claims.
How long do you have to file a personal injury claim in Indiana?
In Indiana, you usually have two years to file a personal injury claim. This time limit is important, but it is not the same for everyone. For instance, cases involving minors or persons with disabilities may qualify for extended timeframes. It is crucial to understand the time limit that applies to your case. If you wait too long to file, the court may dismiss your case for good. This means you could lose your chance to seek compensation for your injuries.
What is your case worth?
The value of your claim depends on several factors unique to your situation. Medical bills form the foundation of most claims. These include what you have already paid for and the care you will need in the future. Your lost wages and reduced earning ability also significantly impact your case value, especially if you face long-term work limitations. We also need to factor in your pain and suffering. This refers to both the physical discomfort and emotional stress you have experienced due to your injury. Lastly, we assess any property damage and lasting disabilities.
Will your personal injury case go to court?
Many personal injury cases do not end up in court. In fact, most cases in Indiana settle before a lawsuit is even filed. As seasoned lawyers, we often resolve cases through negotiations with insurance companies, as these can be quicker and less stressful for our clients. However, we are ready to go to trial if needed. If the insurer in your case refuses to offer fair settlements, we will not hesitate to take your case before a judge and jury.
Should you accept the insurance company’s offer?
When it comes to insurance claims, it is vital to remember that adjusters work to save their companies money – not to fully compensate you for your injuries. Most offers fail to account for long-term medical needs, ongoing pain and suffering, and future lost wages. Some cases even involve injuries that do not worsen until weeks or months after an accident. When you reject their first offer, you gain important negotiation power. This simple act opens the door to potentially much higher compensation. We are here to help you with these negotiations. We can present your case effectively and advocate for the compensation you truly deserve.
Our Focus On Detail Is The Difference
Because of our attorneys’ depth of experience, focus and attention to detail, you can count on us to identify potential problems and protect your rights. We have the skill to investigate complex cases thoroughly, identify possible negligence and determine whether there was a duty of care. We also negotiate with insurance companies, claims adjustors and other at-fault parties. You can trust us to get the compensation you deserve.
We help clients pursue uninsured/underinsured motorist claims and bad faith failure to pay claims against insurance companies. We also assist in matters involving coordination of benefits and subrogation and help you understand how a settlement might affect other benefits, such as Medicare, Medicaid, workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability payments.
In addition to representing individuals, our attorneys serve as co-counsel and local counsel for groups of plaintiffs in class actions against manufacturers of dangerous products.
Knowledgeable And Accessible Personal Injury Lawyers
Find out how our experienced staff can help. Call 765-340-2776 or contact Cooke Law Firm online for a free initial consultation with a lawyer.
We represent accident and personal injury victims here in the Lafayette area and throughout Indiana.