If you’ve recently been in a car crash in Indiana, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. Between insurance calls, medical appointments, and time off work, it’s easy to feel lost. But knowing how the personal injury process works can make all the difference.
Here’s what you need to do after a crash to protect yourself, get your car fixed, and make sure you’re compensated fairly for your injuries.
Start by Opening a Claim
One of the first things that happens after a crash is that a claim is opened with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This can happen because either the other driver reports the crash or you (or your lawyer) report it.
To open a claim, the insurance company will need:
- The date of the crash
- The at-fault driver’s policy number
- A brief summary of what happened
- Details about the damage and any injuries
Why do they need all that? Because the type of adjuster they assign depends on how serious the situation is. More serious injuries and property damage usually mean the claim gets more attention and a more experienced adjuster.
Once the claim is open, you’ll get a claim number. That number tracks your case, but it does not mean you’re getting paid. It just means the file exists. You’re not out of the woods yet.
Make Sure There’s Actual Insurance Coverage
Just because someone handed over an insurance card doesn’t mean their policy is valid or that it covers your crash.
Coverage depends on:
- Whether the premium was paid
- Whether the driver is listed on the policy
- Whether there are any exclusions that apply (like driving for work without commercial coverage)
Until the insurance company confirms active, applicable coverage, your claim isn’t going anywhere. And if coverage is denied, you may need to turn to your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy, assuming you have one.
This is a critical moment. Don’t assume the claim is secure just because a card was exchanged at the scene.
Expect to Deal with Multiple Adjusters
If you were injured, expect at least two adjusters:
- A property damage adjuster will handle your vehicle and anything else that got damaged in the crash.
- A bodily injury adjuster will focus on your medical expenses, time off work, and pain and suffering.
Each of these adjusters has a job to do and neither one works for you. Their job is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line. That’s why it’s smart to have a legal advocate from the start.
Let the Insurance Company Investigate, But Don’t Let Them Control the Story
Once coverage is confirmed, the insurance company starts investigating two key issues:
- Who was at fault?
- How badly were you hurt?
To assess fault, they’ll review the police report, talk to witnesses, and look at the damage to both vehicles. To assess injuries, they’ll want to see your medical records and bills.
They may ask you for a recorded statement. You are almost never legally required to give one, especially not without a lawyer. And you should be skeptical of anyone who says, “We can’t move forward until we get your statement.” That’s usually not true.
Be Careful About What You Sign
Adjusters often ask you to sign a blank medical release. Signing gives them access to all of your medical history, not just records related to the crash.
This is almost never a good idea. Why? Because they’re not looking to understand your injuries. They’re looking for pre-existing conditions they can blame your current pain on.
Before signing anything, talk to your injury attorney. It’s your medical history, and you have the right to control who sees it.
Know That the Insurance Company Is Already Putting a Value on Your Claim
Even early in the process, insurance companies are assigning something called a settlement reserve to your claim. This is the amount they’re currently planning to pay out and their goal is to keep that number low.
They will never tell you what that number is. And they will not voluntarily raise it. Unless you make them.
You raise the reserve by giving them what they need to take your claim seriously:
- Clear medical records and bills
- Proof of missed work or lost income
- Evidence of how long and how seriously you were injured
It’s not just about numbers, it’s about building a case that can’t be ignored.
Understand How They Decide What to Offer (and Why It’s Probably Too Low)
Insurance adjusters work within a settlement range. That range is determined by their internal software and company policies and they’ll never be honest with you about it.
What you’re offered is rarely what your claim is worth. That’s because the entire process is set up to benefit the insurance company. The less they pay you, the more they save. It’s as simple as that.
In fact, many adjusters are evaluated based on how little they pay out. That means they’re not rewarded for being fair, they’re rewarded for settling cheap and fast.
Focus on Recovery, But Don’t Let the Clock Run Out
If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Indiana, getting better should be your top priority. Follow your doctor’s orders, attend your appointments, and don’t skip treatments just because you’re feeling better for a day or two. Gaps in care can hurt your claim and give the insurance company ammo to argue your injuries weren’t that bad.
At the same time, don’t lose track of deadlines. In Indiana, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the crash. That clock starts ticking the day of the crash, and it doesn’t stop just because you’re still healing.
Get Legal Help Before You Settle for Less
You don’t have to face the insurance company alone. In fact, you probably shouldn’t. Once you hire a lawyer, the insurance company knows you’re serious and that you’re not going to accept a lowball offer just to make the calls stop.
An experienced Indiana injury attorney can:
- Gather your medical records and evidence
- Deal directly with the adjusters so you don’t have to
- Negotiate for a fair settlement or prepare your case for trial if that’s what it takes
Make the Right Call
If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Indiana, don’t wait. The sooner you get legal help, the more power you have. At the Marc Lopez Law Firm, we help injury victims fight back and get the compensation they deserve.
Call us today at 463-278-7677 and let us turn your frustration into compensation.
