A car crash in Indiana can turn your life upside down. From physical injuries and emotional distress to mounting medical bills and lost wages, the aftermath of an accident can feel overwhelming. As you try to recover, you’re also expected to navigate the complicated world of insurance claims—something most people have little to no experience with.
Unfortunately, insurance companies know this and are trained to take advantage of it. They’ve spent decades perfecting tactics to pay out as little as possible, and they count on you not knowing how to protect yourself. The good news? You can fight back.
In this blog, we’ll share 8 essential tips for handling your Indiana car crash claim, so you can avoid common mistakes, protect your rights, and secure the compensation you deserve.
1. Don’t Give a Recorded Statement Without Talking to an Attorney
One of the first things an insurance adjuster might do after your accident is call you to “check in.” They may sound friendly and concerned, saying things like, “We’re so sorry this happened to you. How are you feeling?” But don’t be fooled—this is part of their strategy.
Adjusters are trained to act like your friends so you let your guard down. Once you’re comfortable, they’ll ask you to provide a recorded statement about the accident. This is a trap.
Even if you don’t realize it, you might say something that could hurt your case. For example, you might casually mention that you were tired that day, that you didn’t see the other car coming, or that you’ve had back pain before. These statements can be twisted to make it seem like you were at fault or that your injuries aren’t related to the accident.
Insurance adjusters are not on your side—they work for the insurance company, and their goal is to save the company money. In fact, many adjusters earn bonuses based on how little they pay out on claims.
Before you agree to give a recorded statement, speak with an attorney. Most Indiana personal injury lawyers offer free consultations, so there’s no cost to get advice upfront. An attorney can guide you on how to handle these conversations—or even take over communication with the insurance company entirely.
2. Beware of Quick Settlement Offers
After your accident, the insurance company might offer you a quick settlement, especially if they know you’re struggling financially. They might say, “We’ll cut you a check for $2,000 or $5,000 today, and we’ll keep paying your medical bills until you’re fully recovered.”
This might sound appealing, especially if you’ve got bills piling up, but accepting an early settlement is often one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
Here’s why:
- You Don’t Know the Full Extent of Your Injuries: Some injuries, like soft tissue damage or traumatic brain injuries, don’t show up immediately. It could take weeks or months before you know how serious your injuries are—and by then, it’s too late to ask for more money.
- Your Pain and Suffering Is Undervalued: Insurance companies try to settle quickly because they know the full value of your claim could be much higher. By accepting a lowball offer, you forfeit your right to seek additional compensation for things like lost wages, future medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
If the insurance company is pressuring you to settle, take it as a red flag. Their goal is to minimize their exposure—not to take care of you. Be patient, consult with an attorney, and don’t settle until you’ve completed your medical treatment and know the true value of your claim.
3. Think Twice Before Signing Anything
After a car crash, you might receive various forms and documents from the insurance company. These could include:
- A release of liability (which could prevent you from pursuing additional compensation)
- A medical authorization form (allowing the insurer to access your private medical records)
- Settlement agreements
It’s critical to understand what you’re signing. For example, signing a release of liability means you’re agreeing to close your case—even if your injuries worsen or you discover new damages later.
Similarly, giving the insurance company broad access to your medical history could backfire. They might comb through your records to find unrelated conditions or prior injuries to argue that your current pain isn’t from the accident.
Before signing anything, have an attorney review the document. They’ll help you understand the implications and ensure you’re not giving up any rights unintentionally.
4. Don’t Accept “This Is Our Best Offer” at Face Value
Insurance adjusters love to say things like, “This is the most we can offer,” or “The computer algorithm won’t let me go any higher.” But here’s the truth: Their first offer is rarely their best offer.
Negotiating with insurance companies is part art and part science. To increase their offer, you’ll need to back up your demands with evidence. For example:
- Show how many days you missed work and the financial impact it had on your life.
- Provide copies of your medical bills and records to demonstrate the severity of your injuries.
- Document the pain and inconvenience you’ve endured.
When you give the adjuster reasons to increase their offer, they often have to escalate the claim to a supervisor, which can lead to a better settlement. But remember: This process requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to push back against lowball offers.
If negotiations stall, an attorney can step in and help. Insurance companies are far more likely to take your claim seriously when they know you’re represented by someone who knows how to fight for fair compensation.
5. Document Everything
Documentation is one of the most important aspects of any car accident claim. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be. Here’s what you should keep track of:
- Medical Records: Every doctor’s visit, diagnosis, and treatment should be documented. Keep copies of your bills, prescriptions, and test results.
- Lost Wages: If you’ve missed work due to your injuries, document the time off and calculate how much income you’ve lost. Even if you’re a salaried employee, your time has value.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Gas money, parking fees, rideshare costs to appointments, and over-the-counter medications are all expenses you should track.
- Photos and Videos: Take pictures of your injuries, damage to your vehicle, and the accident scene. Visual evidence can be powerful during negotiations or in court.
- Correspondence: Save any letters, emails, or voicemails from the insurance company or other parties involved.
Consider creating a folder (physical or digital) to organize everything. Having well-documented evidence will make it easier to negotiate a fair settlement—or take your case to court if necessary.
6. Be Honest About Your Injuries
It can be tempting to exaggerate your pain or limitations to strengthen your claim, but honesty is always the best policy. If the insurance company catches you stretching the truth, it can hurt your credibility and damage your case.
For example, if you tell the adjuster that you can’t walk or work, but they find photos of you out shopping or playing with your kids, they’ll use that to undermine your claim.
That doesn’t mean you should downplay your injuries either. Be clear and truthful about your pain, limitations, and how the accident has affected your daily life. The key is to strike a balance: don’t exaggerate, but don’t minimize the impact either.
7. Be Patient—But Don’t Wait Too Long to Take Action
Car accident claims don’t resolve overnight. Insurance companies often delay the process, hoping you’ll get frustrated and settle for less. This is why patience is critical.
However, patience doesn’t mean you should let your claim sit indefinitely. Indiana has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which is typically two years from the date of the accident. If your claim involves a government entity, you might have as little as six months to take action.
If you’re trying to handle your case on your own, pay close attention to these deadlines. And if progress stalls at any point—whether it’s eight months or a year into the process—consider hiring an attorney. They can step in, move things forward, and ensure you don’t miss critical deadlines.
8. Know When to Call an Attorney
Handling your own car crash claim might seem manageable at first, but the process often becomes more complicated than people expect. Insurance companies are experts at using delays, lowball offers, and confusing legal jargon to wear you down.
If you’re not making progress or you feel overwhelmed, it’s time to call an attorney. A personal injury attorney can help by:
- Taking over communication with the insurance company
- Collecting and organizing evidence
- Calculating the full value of your damages (including future expenses and pain and suffering)
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit if necessary
The best part? Most personal injury attorneys in Indiana work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything upfront. They only get paid if you win your case, so there’s no risk in reaching out for help.
Final Thoughts: Protect Yourself After an Indiana Car Crash
Being in a car crash is stressful enough without having to deal with tricky insurance adjusters and complicated legal processes. By following these tips—avoiding quick settlements, documenting everything, and knowing when to call an attorney—you can protect your rights and increase your chances of a successful outcome.
If you’re feeling frustrated or unsure about what to do next, the Marc Lopez Law Firm is here to help. We understand how overwhelming car accident cases can be, and we’re ready to guide you every step of the way.
Call us today at (463) 363-0588 for a free consultation. Let us take the burden off your shoulders and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
