If you’ve been involved in a car crash in Indiana that wasn’t your fault, you’re likely dealing with more than just vehicle damage. Hospital visits. Missed work. Pain. Bills. All while trying to keep your life on track.
Insurance companies know this. And they’re counting on it.
They know you’re overwhelmed, vulnerable, and eager to move on. So they make quick offers, act friendly, and try to wrap things up before you know what your claim is truly worth.
But here’s the thing: Your settlement is your one shot to be made whole. You don’t get a do-over. If the settlement is too low, you’re stuck with it.
Let’s talk about the biggest mistakes people make after an Indiana car crash — and how to avoid getting shortchanged by the insurance company.
What You Need to Know After a Car Crash in Indiana
Car crashes are disruptive. Suddenly, you’re juggling doctor’s appointments, phone calls, insurance paperwork — all while trying to get your car repaired and your body healed.
That’s when the insurance company strikes.
They’ll act helpful. They’ll try to earn your trust. But the truth is, they’re not on your side.
Here’s how it usually plays out:
- They fix your car fast to build goodwill.
- They call to “check in” and sound supportive.
- They offer quick cash, hoping you’ll settle before the full impact of your injuries is clear.
It feels like they’re helping. But it’s a trap.
Common Insurance Company Tactics Designed to Cost You Money
Insurance adjusters are trained to settle claims fast and for as little money as possible. They use a handful of predictable tricks to make this happen:
1. Pretending to Be Your Friend
They’re friendly at first — calling to “see how you’re doing,” showing concern, and promising to take care of everything.
They might fix your car quickly. And that’s good. But here’s the catch: your property damage claim and your injury claim are separate. Taking care of your car doesn’t mean they’ll take care of your medical bills, pain, or lost wages.
Don’t let their kindness fool you. It’s strategy, not sincerity.
2. Offering a Quick Settlement
Here’s a common scenario: you get a call just days after the crash. The insurance company offers you $5,000 to settle everything.
You’re stressed, and $5,000 sounds pretty good right now.
But weeks later, your injuries worsen. Maybe you need surgery. Maybe you’re still out of work. And then you realize: that $5,000 didn’t even scratch the surface.
If you’ve already signed a release, it’s too late.
That’s why you should never accept an early offer without knowing the full extent of your injuries. It’s almost always too low.
3. Getting You to Admit Fault
Indiana follows a comparative fault system. That means if you’re partially at fault for the crash, your settlement gets reduced by your percentage of fault. And if you’re 51% or more at fault, you get nothing.
So what do insurance companies do?
They ask leading questions:
- “Do you think you could’ve been paying more attention?”
- “Were you maybe going a little fast?”
- “Could you have done anything differently?”
They want you to accept even a tiny bit of blame — because it saves them money.
Be careful what you say. Even casual comments can come back to haunt you.
4. Blaming Your Injuries on Something Else
One of their favorite tricks? Claiming your injuries weren’t caused by the crash.
Maybe you had back pain five years ago. Now they’ll say your current pain isn’t new — it’s just a continuation of an old issue.
But you know you were fine before the crash. Don’t let them rewrite your medical history.
What a Fair Settlement Looks Like in Indiana
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for a personal injury settlement. Each case is different. But a fair settlement typically includes compensation for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses (like prescriptions or transportation)
- Missed promotions or used vacation time
The more serious and long-lasting your injuries, the higher the potential value. Juries (and therefore insurance companies) tend to award more money when:
- The injury significantly impacted your life
- You made a sincere effort to recover (i.e., attended appointments, tried returning to work)
- You have documented losses (medical records, missed work, therapy, etc.)
Trying matters. Indiana juries reward people who try to move forward — even if it’s hard.
Why You Should Consider an Attorney — Especially If Medical Bills Exceed $5,000
If your medical bills are piling up and your crash wasn’t your fault, now’s the time to consider calling an attorney.
Here’s why:
1. You Only Get One Shot
Once you accept a settlement, that’s it. You can’t go back. No matter what complications arise later. That $5,000 check? It’s not a down payment — it’s the whole deal.
2. There Might Be Liens on Your Settlement
If your health insurance, car insurance (through MedPay), or even a hospital helped cover your treatment, they might want reimbursement from your settlement.
These are called liens, and they can eat into your settlement fast. A $15,000 settlement could turn into $5,000 in your pocket if you’re not careful.
An attorney can:
- Identify and verify these liens
- Negotiate to reduce them
- Make sure they’re properly resolved
If you ignore them, they don’t go away — and years later, you could still be on the hook for thousands.
3. Attorneys Know What Your Case Is Worth
Experienced attorneys track settlement trends across Indiana and even specific counties. That helps create accurate demands based on real-world verdicts — not just guesswork.
Plus, we gather everything:
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Photos of the scene and damage
- Expert opinions, if necessary
When we present a demand package to the insurance company, it’s backed by real evidence. That gives you a much stronger position during negotiations.
4. We Handle the Hassle
Let’s be honest: dealing with adjusters is a full-time job.
When you’re recovering from an injury, you shouldn’t have to:
- Keep track of every bill and record
- Take or return multiple calls and emails a week
- Remember what each adjuster told you
Your focus should be on healing. Let an attorney handle the rest.
What Happens If You Already Settled?
Unfortunately, if you signed a release, there’s often nothing we can do.
We get heartbreaking calls every week:
“I settled for $5,000, but it is months later and I am still in pain. Can you help?”
If the paperwork is signed, the answer is almost always no.
That’s why it’s so important to understand what you’re signing — and what you’re giving up.
Timing Is Everything: Get Help Early
The sooner you involve an attorney, the more options you have. A good attorney can help:
- Prevent costly mistakes
- Organize and protect important evidence
- Respond to insurance calls the right way
- Fight for the full compensation you deserve
Whether you’re in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, or anywhere in Indiana — getting legal guidance early can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Insurance Games Cost You Your Future
Being in a car crash is stressful enough. Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of that stress to get away with a lowball offer.
If you’ve been hurt in an Indiana car crash, and you’re unsure what your case is worth, don’t settle without talking to someone first.
At the Marc Lopez Law Firm, we help good people through tough situations. We’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions, and make sure you understand your rights before making any decisions.
Ready to Take Control of Your Car Crash Claim?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about what to do next, we’re here to help.
Call the Marc Lopez Law Firm at 463-946-0521 and speak with an attorney who understands what you’re going through — and knows how to help.
Don’t let frustration steal your future. Let us turn that frustration into compensation.
