After a car accident in Indianapolis, Indiana, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is whether to hire a car accident lawyer. Many accident victims wonder if they really need legal help or if they can negotiate with insurance companies on their own.
Knowing when to seek legal representation can protect your rights and financial future. Here are some scenarios where hiring a car accident lawyer might be wise:
You Suffered Serious or Permanent Injuries
If you suffered broken bones, head injuries, spinal damage, or any injury requiring surgery or hospitalization, you should talk to a lawyer right away. These injuries create substantial medical bills that can reach tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. They may also cause permanent disabilities that affect your ability to work and enjoy life.
Insurance companies are aware that serious injuries result in larger payouts. They’ll work hard to minimize what they pay you. A lawyer ensures you don’t settle for less than your injuries are worth, especially when considering future medical needs.
The Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
Insurance claim denials happen more often than most people realize. Companies deny claims for various reasons, some of which are legitimate and many of which are questionable. If your claim gets denied, hiring a lawyer becomes essential.
Common reasons insurance companies deny claims include:
- Fault disputes: Alleging that you were at fault for the accident
- Causation questions: Claiming your injuries weren’t caused by the accident
- Treatment delays: Stating that you didn’t seek medical treatment quickly enough
- Policy exclusions: Finding technical reasons in the policy language to deny coverage
- Incomplete documentation: Claiming you didn’t provide sufficient proof of damages
If any of these issues arise in your case, you need a lawyer to protect your interests.
Multiple Parties Were Involved
Car accidents with multiple vehicles or parties create complex liability situations. Determining who was at fault becomes more difficult when three or more cars are involved. Each driver’s insurance company will try to shift blame away from its insured and potentially even onto you.
Under Indiana’s comparative fault law, victims can typically still recover damages even if they share some fault, as long as they’re less than 51% responsible. Your compensation award will generally be reduced proportionately based on your percentage of fault. That usually means the other liable parties will try to shift as much blame as possible onto you to reduce what they owe.
While the insurance companies argue about fault, you’re left dealing with mounting medical bills and vehicle repairs. A lawyer can sort through the confusion, identify all potentially liable parties, and defend against any unfair allegations of blame.
You’re Being Pressured to Settle Quickly
Insurance adjusters often contact accident victims within days of a crash with settlement offers. These quick offers almost always fall far short of what your claim is actually worth. If you’re feeling pressured to accept a fast settlement, it’s time to call a lawyer.
Insurance companies rush to settle claims for a reason. They want to close your case before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and damages. Many injuries don’t show symptoms immediately, and long-term complications may not become apparent for weeks or months.
Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you can’t go back for more money later. A lawyer protects you from settling too early and losing out on compensation you deserve.
The At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance or Low Limits
Indiana requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, but not everyone complies with the law. According to the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 14% of drivers in Indiana are uninsured. Even those who have insurance often carry only minimum coverage that won’t cover serious injuries.
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, recovering compensation becomes more complicated. A lawyer can explore all possible sources of compensation and maximize your recovery.
Your Injuries Prevent You from Working
Missing work due to injuries adds financial stress on top of medical bills. If your injuries forced you to take time off work or left you unable to return to your job at all, legal representation becomes critical.
Recoverable work-related losses include:
- Past lost wages: Paychecks you missed while recovering from your injuries
- Future lost earnings: Reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to your previous job
- Lost benefits: Health insurance, retirement contributions, bonuses, and other employment benefits
- Career advancement: Missed promotions or opportunities due to your injuries
- Retraining costs: Expenses for learning new skills if you can’t do your old job
Lost wages aren’t limited to just the paychecks you missed while recovering. Calculating future lost earnings requires understanding complex economic factors. A lawyer ensures all your economic damages get included in your claim, not just your basic salary.
The Insurance Company Offers a Low Settlement
Initial settlement offers from insurance companies are almost always low. They hope accident victims are unaware of the true value of their claims and will accept whatever is offered. If the settlement offer seems unreasonably low, consult a lawyer before accepting.
Lawyers know how to value car accident claims properly. They consider all your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and future expenses. Having a lawyer levels the playing field with insurance companies.
Contact Our Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Deciding when to hire a car accident lawyer in Indianapolis depends on your specific situation. If you suffered serious injuries, face disputed liability, or feel overwhelmed by the insurance claim process, legal representation can make a significant difference.
Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers has helped countless Indianapolis residents navigate car accident claims and secure fair compensation. Reach out to our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers at (317) 920-6400 today for a free consultation to discuss your case.