May 14, 2024
How long do you have to report a car accident to your insurance company? You must promptly report the crash and initiate insurance claims to secure the compensation rightfully owed for your injuries and losses. These deadlines are pivotal, ensuring you receive the full amount you deserve. Missing them could jeopardize your ability to collect what you are entitled to for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Protect your legal rights by understanding and complying with Indiana’s accident reporting requirements and insurance claim filing timelines.
Reporting Requirements in Indiana
How long do you have to report a car accident to your insurance company in Indiana? Indiana law requires that any operator of a vehicle involved accident resulting in injury or death to the authorities as quickly as possible. Your auto insurance policy also obligates you to report any accident promptly. Most insurers require you to notify them within a “reasonable time,” usually within 24-72 hours of the crash. However, if injuries prevent you from reporting that quickly, you must inform your insurer as soon as possible. Call your insurance agent or the claims number on your insurance ID card to start the process. Provide them with the basic facts of what happened.
What are some legal requirements for accident reporting? Stick to the critical details about the accident when speaking to insurers. Describe when and where it occurred, the vehicles involved, and any apparent injuries. Avoid admitting fault, speculating about what happened, or saying you feel fine. Apologizing or downplaying your injuries could hurt your claim later. State the facts and say you are still getting medical evaluations. Let doctors determine the extent of your injuries.
The other driver’s insurer may also contact you after the accident through mediation. You have no obligation to speak to them. Politely decline to discuss the accident and refer them to your insurer. The other insurer wants to find ways to avoid liability. Do not let them take your recorded statement without first consulting your lawyer.
Beware of insurers who try to rush you into settling your injury claim. Once you accept an accident settlement, you release the insurer from any future liability. If your injuries are worse than you thought, you cannot ask for more money later. Have an experienced car accident attorney review any offers before you sign.
Understanding Reporting Timelines
Although you must promptly report the accident, you have more time to file formal insurance claims and lawsuits. What is the deadline for filing accident reports? Indiana’s statute of limitations gives you two years after the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, the court will dismiss your case if you miss this deadline. No matter how badly the accident injured you, you will lose your right to compensation after two years.
Some circumstances could shorten or extend Indiana’s standard two-year statute of limitations:
- Injured minors can wait until two years after their 18th birthday to file accident lawsuits.
- If the accident injured your spine, brain, or reproductive system, you could qualify for more time under Indiana’s “discovery rule.” This rule gives you an extra two years from the date you discovered those injuries to file suit.
- Claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines. You must file a formal notice of tort claim within 180-270 days of the accident, depending on the government unit involved.
- If the at-fault driver faces criminal charges from the accident, the statute of limitations pauses until the criminal case concludes. You will have five years from that point to file your lawsuit.
Besides meeting claim and lawsuit filing deadlines, you must also comply with your doctor’s treatment plans. Insurers will closely watch to see if you attend all medical appointments and therapy sessions. They will use any gaps in treatment to argue your injuries are not that serious. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and make sure to attend appointments.
Navigating all these deadlines and insurance company tactics on your own can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to recover from painful accident injuries. Consider hiring an experienced Indiana car accident lawyer to handle the details.
Contact an Experienced Attorney for Help
Still unsure how long do you have to report a car accident to your insurance company? The legal team at Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers dedicates themselves to helping injured Hoosiers like you get back on their feet after an accident. We know the tricks insurance companies use to minimize payouts. Our attorneys aggressively advocate to get you the maximum available compensation.
Contact Custy Law Firm | Accident & Injury Lawyers today for a complimentary consultation. Dial (219) 286-7361 to engage in a discussion about your case with a proficient Valparaiso car accident lawyer who genuinely cares. Rest assured, our firm operates on a contingency basis, meaning you incur no fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
