After a car accident, you should follow all guidelines regarding auto insurance. You should then consult with a car accident lawyer in Indiana to learn about your legal rights.
In the state of Indiana, motor vehicle operators must have financial responsibility in effect. The required minimum coverage is $25,000 for the injury or death of one person, $50,000 for the injury or death of two or more individuals, and $25,000 for damage or destruction of property per accident. Many drivers elect not to carry the minimum coverage required by the state to the detriment of themselves and other drivers on the road.
The failure of vehicle owners to maintain minimum liability coverage on their vehicles can be devastating. According to NHTSA, the yearly cost of motor vehicle accidents is nearly $1 trillion. The most catastrophic crashes include loss of life, but even where there is no loss of life, the cost of damages is beyond what most people can afford. Suppose a person without the means cannot pay the damages and did not maintain the required minimum liability coverage required in Indiana. In that case, the likely result is a judgment that will eventually result in the garnishment of a person’s wages or other income. This kind of action can haunt a person for many years and make it difficult to provide for themselves or their family members.
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) requires drivers to submit proof of insurance after they are involved in a motor vehicle collision. Even where a ticket was issued and later dismissed by a court, the BMV can require evidence of financial responsibility. Where a court has issued a ticket for operating without proof of financial responsibility, an insurance agent may provide a client with proof of insurance which the client may take to the court to have the citation dismissed. However, where the citation has resulted in a driver’s license suspension, the BMV requires a court order to remove the suspension.
The BMV is required to verify drivers involved in accidents were, at the time, adhering to the minimum required liability limits set out in the Indiana statutes. Anytime a person is involved in a motor vehicle collision, the driver must submit proof of insurance to BMV. Typically, your insurance agent will provide proof of liability coverage to BMV upon your request. If you were driving another person’s vehicle at the time of a collision, the owner’s insurance policy would often cover you. However, coverage is subject to the terms of the owner’s insurance policy. If the policy does cover you as a driver, you should contact the owner of the vehicle involved in the collision so they may request verification be sent to BMV.
Car crashes are scary and can be traumatic. After the dust settles, the unknowns of your personal injury claim can be frustrating, confusing, and can have a profound impact on you and your family. Blackburn Romey has a team of car accident lawyers in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, South Bend, Lafayette, and Terre Haute ready to help you. To schedule a consultation, contact us online or call us today at (833) 264.0903, so we can help you navigate this challenging situation.
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.
