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Car Crash Lawyer Indianapolis, IN
I’ve Been Hit By Someone Without Insurance – Now What?
One of the worst things you can hear when your vehicle is hit is that the driver has no insurance, as a car crash lawyer in Indianapolis knows all too well. The next worst thing is that they have insurance but it isn’t enough to cover your damages. Yet it’s estimated that as many as 13 percent of drivers are on the road without enough coverage should they cause an accident. Being hit by someone in this circumstance can seem like a nightmare. But there are remedies, chiefly underinsured motorist coverage. What is this coverage, how much does it cost and is it worth it? Keep reading to learn answers to this and other questions about protecting yourself from irresponsible drivers.
Understanding the Options
Ideally, anyone who is on the road has insurance with a minimum of $10,000 coverage should they cause an accident. Unfortunately that’s not the case, as a car crash lawyer in Indianapolis can attest. The good news is you have options to protect yourself should you be in a wreck with someone falling into this underinsured category. The two main remedies are:
- Underinsured motorist coverage
- Uninsured motorist coverage
Both of these are add-ons that you make to your own auto insurance policy for a fee. The cost varies based on the carrier. But in general expect to pay less than half the cost of your liability coverage for a benefit that can truly come in handy.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Let’s say you’re in a wreck that leaves your car with $10,000 in damages, but discover the other driver’s insurance only covers up to $5,000 in damage. Where are you supposed to get the difference? This is where underinsured motorist coverage comes in. Underinsured motorist coverage will cover the gap between what the other driver’s insurance pays and what you need, up to the limits that you choose, as a car crash lawyer in Indianapolis can explain.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Driving without insurance is prohibited in every state, and yet it’s estimated some 32 million drivers do it every day. If one of them hits you, you can be in for major expenses – unless you have uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage offers you protection when you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver and shouldn’t impact your premiums as long as you weren’t at fault.
It’s an unfortunate reality that for many reasons, there are uninsured drivers on the road. Get one of the policies listed above to protect yourself from them. And if you’ve already been hit, talk to a car crash lawyer in Indianapolis from Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers as soon as possible to explore other options for getting your bills paid.
Car Crash Lawyer Indianapolis
A car crash lawyer Indianapolis IN trusts from Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers should be one of the first calls you make in the days following a car accident. In many cases, a car accident can have a significant impact on car crash victims. If you believe you have been in a car accident that was the result of another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you are facing. Our attorneys can work with you to retain compensation for:
Medical Expenses
Property Damages
Lost Wages
Pain and Suffering
Don’t put yourself at risk of walking away from a car accident empty-handed, contact our lawyers today so that we may provide you with the guidance and help you require to maximize your car crash claim. Give yourself the recovery you deserve by taking advantage of our complementary consultation.
Having an Experienced Professional to Turn to
As common as car accidents may be, you will still need the services of an Indianapolis car crash lawyer to assist should you determine that legal action is in your best interest. While many may consider taking legal action, you may be unsure of the most appropriate way to move forward. Our trusted Indianapolis car crash lawyer at Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers can not only support you in taking the appropriate steps towards reaching a resolution, they can help you to:
- Review Your Case
- Assign Value to Your Claim
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies
- Prepare and Strategize Your Case
- Support You in Gathering Strong Evidence to Support Your Claim
Falling victim to a car accident can be full of unknowns. It can be incredibly challenging to know the best way to move forward following a car crash that has resulted in damages. If you were in a car crash that you believe was the fault of the other driver, contact our Indianapolis car crash lawyer today to get started. Our lawyers work tirelessly to ensure that you walk away with a resolution that you are satisfied with.
Maximize Your Car Crash Claim
As the victim of a car accident, you have the right to receive compensation for the damages you face. Not only may you be suffering physically, but lost wages and expensive medical bills may also leave you struggling financially as well. When you file a claim with an insurance company, you can expect an insurance adjuster to review your case and determine whether they will be providing you with a settlement. When engaging in this process, it’s important to keep in mind two things:
- The insurance company will look to pay out as little as possible;
- Defense attorneys may claim you do not have an insurance claim; and
- Your first offer is likely to be much lower than you had anticipated.
It’s important that you not panic. A lawyer can help you by reviewing settlement offers, advising you and negotiating a fair settlement. While some may be hesitant to contact an accident lawyer, by doing so you give yourself the best opportunity at a fair settlement offer.
Understanding When To File a Lawsuit
When you have a car accident, it can be hard to know if you need to protect yourself by filing a lawsuit. You may be in no condition during the crash or afterward to think about whether you need to sue the person who was in the other vehicle. The question then is: do I have a “deadline” or “right time” to file a lawsuit for a car accident? Yes, and no.
The First “Deadline” – Informing Authorities
If you are in an accident with injuries, you must obtain an accident report. There are three central contacts you should make.
Law enforcement
The best time to file this report is at the scene of the accident. If you don’t file this report, you can still file a lawsuit. However, you may face more difficulties. There will be no record of the event and what the damage was.
Insurance
If your state has an “at fault” policy, the other driver’s insurance may pay for the accident repairs and some medical bills.
Personal Injury Lawyers
Now is the best time to contact an attorney, if there has been damage to your vehicle and medical bills. They can tell you what your legal rights are and the next steps to take.
The Hard Deadline – Statute of Limitations
There is one real deadline in filing a lawsuit, the statute of limitations. It means you must file a lawsuit within a set amount of time or lose your right to sue. The clock on that limit started the day of your accident. When the clock ends depends on the state in which you reside. Check with your lawyer to learn the local statute of limitations. Most often than not, claims settle before the statute of limitation runs.
The Time In-Between
Between the accident and the statute of limitations is the time where most people resolve their potential lawsuit. Insurance companies don’t want to go to court. So, the best time to file a lawsuit is never – if possible. Informing the other party that you intend to file suit usually opens discussions about how to resolve the issue. Have your attorney negotiate your potential lawsuit with the insurance company, and they may be able to resolve your case through a settlement.
No one wants to be in a car accident. No one wants to go to court or sue someone. But if you have been in an accident and you think the insurance company is not operating in good faith, contact a car accident lawyer. They can help you get what you deserve.
Understanding When To File a Lawsuit
When you have a car accident, it can be hard to know if you need to protect yourself by filing a lawsuit. You may be in no condition during the crash or afterward to think about whether you need to sue the person who was in the other vehicle. The question then is: do I have a “deadline” or “right time” to file a lawsuit for a car accident? Yes, and no.
Give Yourself the Recovery You Deserve
As an accident victim who has suffered injuries, it’s only natural that you will need time to recover. While taking legal action may feel overwhelming, working with an experienced car crash lawyer can make all the difference. We can take the lead by managing your case, and negotiations with insurance companies so that you have the opportunity to properly recover from the accident.
If you have fallen victim to a car accident, time is of the essence. Do not delay in taking advantage of our risk-free complimentary consultation. Contact an experienced car crash lawyer in Indianapolis from Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers today!
Client Review
“Charlie and his team are great! I’ve worked with him a few times and every time I needed legal help Charlie was there. Charlie will keep in touch and to make sure everything is still going ok and will even follow up with you once your case is complete! Highly recommend this law office”
Britney R.
