Accidents happen all the time, necessitating auto insurance coverage. While many people acquire insurance to protect themselves after an accident, policyholders are often confused after an incident.
Suppose you get into an accident the same day you purchased an insurance policy. In that case, you’re entitled to compensation and your insurance covers any accident that occurs after acquiring the insurance policy.
However, buying insurance after the crash doesn’t help since auto insurance covers incidents that occur after the policy becomes effective.
Consider speaking to a trusted South Bend, Indiana car accident attorney if you’ve sustained an injury in a car accident caused by someone else’s fault.
The time you file a claim affects the outcome of your pursuit of compensation. It is advisable to report an accident to your insurance immediately after an accident. Even so, most insurers have their independent timelines for policyholders to file a claim.
Similarly, each state has its statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit; for example, the Indiana statute of limitations for personal injury is two years from the date of the injury.
If an Indiana city or county entity is at fault for the car accident, you and your attorney have 180 days to submit your claim in writing.
If you’re involved in a car accident while uninsured, you could be personally liable for the accident-related losses. Further, you could face stiff penalties for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
If you are guilty for the first time of driving a motor vehicle without insurance, the State of Indiana could suspend your license for at least 90 days. You may also need to pay a $250.00 reinstatement fee and demonstrate proof of future financial responsibility.
The penalties and fees will continue to increase with a subsequent offense. More importantly, the Indiana No-Pay, No-Play law doesn’t allow uninsured drivers to obtain non-economic damages from the at-fault insurer. The statute applies to drivers who have previously received citations for driving without insurance.
After being involved in a car accident, the steps you take can help preserve your right to compensation.
Here are the crucial steps to take:
Whether an accident occurs the same day or weeks after buying an insurance policy, you, as an injured victim, retain the right to compensation. Therefore, you deserve representation from an experienced attorney to pursue a fair settlement value for your injury-related losses.
Blackburn Romey is a highly experienced personal injury firm with a strong reputation for representing injured victims. Contact us to request a free consultation.
Blackburn Romey founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors receiving a degree from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Initiating his legal career in 1977, he has been active in practicing law and currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association on the Ethics and Advertising Committees, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, as a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and as an appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Tom Blackburn, who has more than 47 years of legal experience, including over 39 years specializing as a personal injury attorney.
