Indiana Insurance Claims Lawyer
When you’re injured in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, your first inclination may be to file an insurance claim. Indeed, many accident victims who seek compensation begin the process of seeking compensation by filing an insurance claim. Working with an experienced Indianapolis insurance claims lawyer to seek a fair and reasonable settlement from the insurance company can help you maximize your recovery from the insurance company. And, if the insurance claim does not result in the full compensation you deserve, it may be time to seek financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
At Keffer Hirschauer LLP, we help clients fight for the compensation they deserve through all stages of their claim. Whether you’re filing an insurance claim with their own or another party’s carrier or they’re filing a personal injury or property damage lawsuit, an Indiana insurance claims lawyer from our firm will help you negotiate and, where necessary, fight for the compensation to help make you whole.
How an Indiana Insurance Claims Lawyer Helps
When it comes to motor vehicle collisions, Indiana is an at-fault or tort state. This means that an injured party has options in terms of filing an insurance claim. Insurance companies sometimes play hardball when dealing with a claimant not represented by an attorney. That’s why you should seek advice from an experienced personal injury attorney any time you are filing an insurance claim to seek compensation after an accident or injury.
When you work with an Indiana insurance claims lawyer from Keffer Hirschauer LLP, you know that you’re in the capable hands of an experienced litigator. With decades of collective experience under our belts, we help clients get the most of their insurance claim and any resulting litigation so they can move on with their lives.
Common Triggers for Indiana Insurance Claims
When someone is injured because of the action or lack of action of another, the injured person may have a claim for damages against the person at fault. Most claims involve a claim of negligence, which can occur in just about any scenario.
Many scenarios can result in an injury caused by negligence. The first step to recovering in such cases often involves filing an insurance claim. An Indiana insurance claims lawyer can walk you through what steps to take to file Indiana insurance claims after you have suffered injuries due to circumstances involving:
- An auto accident
- A motorcycle accident
- A truck accident
- An accident at work
- A dog bite
- A slip and fall injury
- An accident caused by the condition of another’s property
- A nursing home accident
- Defective product
Many other factual situations can also lead to injury and the need to file an insurance claim to compensate for that injury. Talk to your attorney if you wonder whether your particular situation is one that might result in working through the insurance claim process.
Types of Injuries and Claims
Regardless of the underlying reason for the injury, accidents commonly cause certain types of injuries. You might seek compensation for any of the following:
- Broken bones
- Injured or lost limbs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Muscle strains
- Whiplash injuries
As a result of your accident, you might experience both economic and non-economic damages. For insurance purposes, in addition to compensation for the injury itself, you might seek to recover compensation for related losses:
- Hospitalization costs
- Medical bills
- Unpaid time off work related to the injury
How an insurance carrier responds to a claim is governed by the language in the insurance contract. Unrepresented claimants sometimes get the runaround from insurers seeking compensation for one type of claim or another. An experienced insurance claims attorney can help you determine whether your injury is compensable under the relevant insurance policies.
Filing a First-Party or Third-Party Claim in Indianapolis
If you were injured in an accident and plan to file an insurance claim, you may need to decide between a first-party and a third-party insurance claim. For example, under Indiana law, a person who is injured in an auto collision caused by another party’s negligence may be able to file either a first-party claim through the injured party’s own insurance company or a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. There are benefits and limitations to both approaches.
Benefits and Limitations of a First-Party Claim
With a first-party claim, depending upon your injuries and losses, you may need to pay a deductible up front, but your payout will not be limited by insurance liability limits if multiple parties were injured in the crash.
Benefits and Limitations of a Third-Party Claim
With a third-party claim filed with an at-fault driver’s insurance policy, you will not be required to pay a deductible, but the claims process can take more time. Also, you could be denied full compensation if insurance liability limits come into play.
How Do Insurance Liability Limits Work?
Under Indiana Code § 9-25-4-5, resident auto owners must carry $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $50,000 total per accident. If a motorist carries only the minimum and causes a crash involving multiple vehicles with multiple personal injuries, $50,000 may be insufficient to cover all of the losses.
If you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage and the collision involves an uninsured motorist clause or underinsured motorist, you will likely seek compensation through your policy.
An insurance claim attorney at Keffer Hirschauer LLP can help take the mystery out of deciding which type of claim to pursue by explaining the benefits and limitations of each type of claim, whether there is a limit set based on the facts of your situation, and how to start the process.
Filing an Insurance Claim in Indiana
As you consider your options and whether to enlist the help of an Indiana insurance claims lawyer, gather the relevant documentation regarding your injury. Your attorney can help you obtain:
- Any photographs of the scene and any injuries
- Medical records
- Medical receipts for expenses
- Proof of lost wages
Insurance companies are naturally interested in paying out less, so it’s critical to have an Indianapolis injury lawyer on your side to assist you with negotiations and fight for the compensation you deserve regardless of the type of insurance claim you are filing after an injury. With the wisdom and experience of one of our Indiana insurance claims lawyers while you engage in seeking compensation, you will have full disclosure about your rights as an insurance claimant and your options for moving forward with a lawsuit if the insurance claim is denied.
Contact an Indiana Insurance Claims Lawyer Today
If you were injured and need assistance with an insurance claim, contact an Indianapolis insurance claims lawyer at Keffer Hirschauer LLP. We will explain your options and develop and implement strategies to maximize your compensation. Don’t delay or evidence could be lost. For a free consultation with an experienced Indiana insurance claims lawyer, call us at 317-455-4043 or complete our online contact form.