After a serious car accident in Indiana, many people take comfort in the thought that they will at least find financial relief after filing a claim with the insurance company. They can run into challenges along the way, though, especially if they are unaware of how car insurance works in Indiana.
For example, they may believe there is no deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit against an at-fault driver. This, along with other myths, can harm their chances of recovering fair compensation. Take a look at the common myths about car insurance in Indiana.
Common Indiana Car Insurance Myths
There are several myths surrounding car insurance claims in Indiana, such as:
- You can take your time filing a car insurance claim
- The cost of hiring a car accident attorney is high
- The insurance company has your best interests in mind
- Insurance settlements fully cover damages
Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. is here to help you better prepare for the insurance claims process by dispelling common myths about car insurance in Indiana.
For a free legal consultation, call 317-636-7777
You Can Take Your Time Deciding Whether to Pursue Your Claim
One of the more common myths surrounding car insurance in Indiana is that you are not in a rush to decide whether to pursue your claim. Unfortunately, despite your injuries, you may still be under a deadline to get your insurance claims filed. Many people are quick to assume that they will have two years to file their claim.
Under IC 34-20-3, the Indiana statute of limitations allows for a maximum of two years for a civil lawsuit to be filed. But insurance claims are much different. Here, your specific policy may determine how long you have to get your claim filed. For example, some auto insurance companies may require that the accident be reported to the insurance company within thirty days.
If you attempt to file a claim with the insurance company after that time, then you may find the insurance company attempting to deny you the benefits that you deserve. For this reason, as soon as you are stable, be sure to get a car accident lawyer handling the legal details of your case. That way, these kinds of deadlines do not impact your ability to recover maximum compensation.
Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis Is Going to Cost You too Much Money
Many car accident victims do not contact an attorney because they believe that they can’t afford one. When you are already struggling to cope financially after your accident, the thought of hiring an attorney can seem impossible.
Fortunately, our car accident lawyers in Indianapolis can work with you on contingency. This means that your lawyer will cover all of the costs of building your case and handle all of the court fees up front on your behalf to help you recover what you deserve.
You will not have to worry about paying your attorney anything unless or until we obtain a recovery in your case. You can find out more about how contingency agreements work when we discuss your car accident claim in further detail.
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The Insurance Company Is on Your Side
Car accident victims across Indiana and the entire country are shocked to learn that the insurance company is not on their side. Insurance adjusters are going to be polite in an effort to get you talking and make statements that they can later attempt to use against you in order to deny your claim or reduce the amount of your payout.
Sadly, insurance companies often prioritize the company’s profits over the needs of their claimants. Under IN Code § 8-2.1-19.1-8, Indiana is a fault state for car accidents. This means you’ll be filing a claim with the liable party’s insurance company.
If you hope to avoid being taken advantage of during your greatest time of need, be sure to have your car accident attorney negotiate your injury settlement with the insurance adjuster.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Your Insurance Settlement Will Fairly Cover Your Damages
Another common myth surrounding car insurance claims in Indiana is that the insurance settlement you receive will be enough to fully cover your damages. Insurance companies are actually usually only obligated to pay out up to the limits of their policyholder’s claim. This means there are many situations in which your losses may exceed the insurance company‘s financial obligation. Let’s look at an example:
Jim was seriously injured in a car accident. He filed a claim with the insurance company To cover his $100,000 in medical expenses. The liable party only carried $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage. The insurance company was therefore only required to pay out up to $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage.
Insurance companies will also attempt to only provide compensation for certain economic losses such as your property damages and medical bills. This is despite the fact that your life may have been significantly impacted in many other ways.
Any remaining losses, and any others that may not be covered by the insurance company, will need to be sought after in a civil car accident claim against the at-fault party.
Work With an Indiana Car Accident Lawyer From Our Firm
Sadly, dealing with the insurance company is rarely an easy feat for car accident victims across Indiana. Show the insurance company that you mean business when you get Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. advocating for your right to a fair settlement.
Our firm is proud to offer free, no-obligation consultations to car accident survivors across Indianapolis and surrounding cities. We can also help if you lost a loved one in a car accident. Take advantage of this opportunity when you call our office at (317) 720-3229.
Call or text 317-636-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
