If you suffered injuries in a crash, you probably have many questions about how to deal with a car accident settlement. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there about personal injury settlements. Below, the legal team at Hall-Justice Law Firm answers some of the most common questions about Indiana car accident settlements. Keep reading to learn more.
How Does a Car Accident Settlement Work in Indiana?
When you settle a car accident claim, you give up your right to file a lawsuit or demand additional compensation from the negligent driver and their insurance company. Instead, you typically get a lump sum payment.
People agree to a car accident settlement for many reasons. Sometimes, it’s in their financial best interests. Other times, the victim simply wants closure and would rather avoid a lengthy wait for a personal injury trial. No matter your motivation, you need to be particularly cautious about settlement. Once you sign settlement paperwork, you typically can’t change your mind.
How Much Can I Collect in Damages?
Every injury claim is unique and many factors can impact the value of your car accident settlement. The size of your settlement might depend on:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your need for ongoing medical care and other assistance
- Your ability to return to work
- How much insurance coverage the negligent party had
- Whether you have uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist insurance and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage
- How many people were involved in the wreck
- Your work history, vocational skills, and education
- Whether there are legal or factual issues with your case
At Hall-Justice Law Firm, we carefully evaluate our clients’ claims, looking for information that strengthens their claims and demonstrates their value. If you’d like a personalized, no-risk assessment of your claim’s car accident settlement value, contact us today.
Negotiating With the Insurance Company
At some point, most Indiana crash victims consider settlement. Typically, the insurance company or its lawyer will approach you and ask for a settlement demand. Other times, the insurance company will issue a small, initial settlement offer. It’s important to understand that an initial settlement offer is a starting point and your lawyer will need to negotiate back and forth before you agree on a final car accident settlement value.
If you recently received a car accident settlement offer or the insurance company wants a demand, contact an experienced Indiana injury lawyer immediately. Negotiating a car accident settlement is an art. At Hall-Justice Law Firm, we have a reputation for aggressive, fact-based settlement negotiations. To learn more about our approach and information about our car accident success stories, contact our office today.
When Should I Settle?
There’s not a single, perfect time to settle your accident claim. Instead, you’ll have to weigh your options, the settlement value, and the potential risks associated with settlement. We sometimes encourage our clients to wait until their injuries are medically stable before settling. For example, suppose you agree to a car accident settlement immediately after a serious surgery. If your recovery is delayed by infection or unexpected complications, you’ll be unable to demand additional compensation later on.
However, there is one firm deadline in an Indiana injury claim — the statute of limitations. Once this deadline expires, you will not receive compensation for your injuries. In most (but not all) cases, the car accident statute of limitations is two years. In other words, you must file your claim and lawsuit within two years of the crash. The court will automatically deny claims that are filed after this two-year period. The statute of limitations may be as short as 180 days in some situations so it is important to consult an experienced personal injury attorney immediately about your case.
Why Should I Consult With an Indiana Car Accident Settlement Lawyer?
Calculating a car accident settlement is a nuanced proposition. At Hall-Justice Law Firm, we don’t use the inaccurate online settlement calculators or other tools that you might find on the Internet. Instead, when you work with one of our knowledgeable attorneys, you have the benefit of years of litigation experience and get personalized advice that focuses on your unique needs and situation.
Additionally, you don’t take on a lot of risk when you talk to a car accident settlement lawyer. We won’t charge you a fee unless we help you make a recovery (such as a settlement or a jury’s conclusion on just compensation).
Talk to an Experienced Injury Lawyer About Your Car Accident Settlement
If you’re ready to take the next step and explore a car accident settlement, contact the Hall-Justice Law Firm. We serve car crash victims in Indiana and our office is conveniently located in Lafayette. We’ve built a reputation as one of the area’s premier injury law firms and we’d love to hear more about your situation. To request a no-risk, free consultation, contact us today.
