When you’re hurt in a car crash, the last thing you need is uncertainty.

Indiana injury victims often try to handle the insurance claim on their own, hoping the process will be simple or that the insurance company will “do the right thing.” Unfortunately, it rarely works that way.

Our firm talks to people every day who ask the same question:
“Do I really need an attorney for my car crash?”

If we are only talking about property damage, you can likely handle that on your own.
But when an injury is involved, the situation changes fast. What looks simple at first often becomes confusing, stressful and expensive.

Here are the five red flags that tell you it is time to talk to an Indiana personal injury attorney.

1. You Were Actually Injured

Minor soreness that goes away in a few hours is one thing. But if you needed medical treatment or if the pain stuck around for more than a day, you need to speak with a lawyer.

This includes situations where:

• You went to the emergency room
  
• You visited urgent care
• Your pain keeps getting worse
• You lost consciousness
• EMS had to take you to the hospital
• You suffered a broken bone or other visible trauma

When real injuries happen, the legal side gets messy. Even smart, capable people get tripped up by the rules. I have seen so many attorneys make mistakes handling their own claims. Injury law is full of traps, deadlines and technical requirements. There is no shame in asking for help.

If your body took a hit, you owe it to yourself to at least call and learn your options.

2. The Insurance Company Is Blaming You

Once an insurer starts pointing fingers, you can be sure they are preparing to underpay your claim.

Some common lines injured people hear:

• You were mostly responsible.
• Yes, our driver caused it, but you share the blame.
• We do not think you’re injured the way you say.

If an insurance company is saying anything along these lines, the goal is simple:
Pay you as little as possible.

When fault is disputed, the entire value of your case is at risk. At my office, we review police reports, talk to witnesses and gather facts. In many cases we can figure out quickly whether the insurer is trying to avoid paying a legitimate claim.

If you are injured and they are disputing fault, do not wait. Talk to a lawyer right away.

3. You Have Significant Medical Bills or Lost Wages

When the financial stakes go up, insurance companies get more aggressive.

High medical bills complicate everything:

• Your health insurance will want to be reimbursed from your settlement.
• Your car insurance may ask to be paid back for medical payments coverage.
• Hospitals can file liens and take a large portion of your settlement unless negotiated.

Most people do not expect this. Many are shocked when their own insurance company demands repayment.

I talk to people all the time who settled for ten, twenty or thirty thousand dollars only to learn their insurer demands  fifteen or twenty thousand back.  At that point, there is very little anyone can do to undo the mistake.

Lost wages create similar problems. If your job requires physical effort, time away from work can add up fast. Insurance companies hate paying wage loss. They challenge every hour.

• Are you sure you would have worked overtime?
• Can you prove your schedule?
• How do we know you missed as much as you say?

The bigger the money at stake, the harder they push back.
This is exactly when you need someone standing up for you.

4. The Insurance Company Is Pressuring You

If you feel rushed, cornered or pushed into a decision, you are not imagining it.
Insurance companies pressure injured people because it works.

Be careful if you are:

• Getting repeated calls
• Being offered quick low-ball settlements
• Being asked for recorded statements
• Being told you need to sign something right away

Early offers are almost always low. The insurer wants to settle before you understand the full extent of your injuries. I hear from people every week who accepted a five or ten thousand dollar settlement only to regret it later. Once you sign, the case is closed. There is very little an attorney can do after the fact.

Never give a recorded statement without talking to a lawyer.
Never accept early money without understanding your rights.

If something feels off, trust that instinct and make the call.

5. The Crash Involved Multiple Injured People or a Commercial Vehicle

Multi-party crashes and commercial vehicle collisions are some of the most complicated injury cases in Indiana.

Multiple injured people

When several people are hurt, everyone is fighting over the same policy limits. If five people are injured and the at-fault driver only has the Indiana minimum coverage of twenty-five thousand dollars, there simply is not enough money to go around. Even a person with a serious injury may walk away with far less than they deserve.

Without representation, you are at the mercy of the insurer dividing up the pot.

Commercial vehicles

Crashes involving rideshare drivers, delivery vans or company trucks involve commercial insurance policies. These companies hire defense attorneys immediately. They fight harder and longer because they have more to lose.

If you are dealing with a rideshare claim on your own and think you are getting a good offer, I promise you are not seeing the whole picture. Commercial insurers do not hand out fair settlements to unrepresented people.

These cases require legal firepower to level the playing field.

Why These Red Flags Matter

Insurance companies employ teams of adjusters and attorneys who do this every day. Their job is not to be your friend. Their job is to protect the company’s bottom line.

Hiring an Indiana injury attorney simply balances the scales.
You have someone in your corner.
You have someone watching out for your rights.
You have someone making sure you do not get taken advantage of.

And most importantly, you pay nothing upfront. The Marc Lopez Law Firm only gets paid if we recover money for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Injury Claims

Do I always need a lawyer after a car crash?

Not always. If you are only dealing with property damage, you can usually handle it yourself. If you were hurt, even slightly, talking to an attorney is always a smart move.

What if I’m not sure whether I’m injured?

Pain that starts a day or two later is common. If symptoms linger, get medical care and then call a lawyer to understand your options.

Can I get in trouble for waiting too long?

Injury cases have deadlines. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget details. Calling early protects your claim and preserves your rights.

Will talking to a lawyer cost me money?

No. Consultations at the Marc Lopez Law Firm are free. We only get paid if we win for you.

Make the Right Call

If you were injured in an Indiana car crash and any of these red flags sound familiar, reach out before the insurance company gains the upper hand.

Let the Marc Lopez Law Firm turn your frustration into compensation.
Call 463-282-3514 today.