Car Accidents

How long do you have to report an accident in Indiana?

Find out how long you have to report a car accident in Indiana and how long it may take for an insurance claim to be paid.
R.T. Green

TGL Attorney

R.T. Green

how long do you have to report an accident in Indiana

How long do you have to report an accident in Indiana?

If you are involved in a car accident, you are required to report it to the police as soon as possible if there is injury, death, or entrapment. If you have any questions about reporting a car accident, or about the car accident laws in Indiana, call Team Green Law to speak with a car accident lawyer.

What happens if you don’t report an accident within 24 hours?

Indiana law requires that if a car accident results in injury, death, or entrapment you must give notice of the accident to local law enforcement or 911 as soon as possible. Failing to do so can have serious legal and financial consequences and you may face penalties, fines, or even criminal charges. If you have questions about reporting a car accident, give us a call at Team Green Law.

Not reporting a car accident can lead to delays or denials of insurance claims, leaving accident victims responsible for paying for their own medical bills and property damage. It can also make it difficult to prove fault in a personal injury lawsuit. Under the car accident laws in Indiana, accident victims can only recover damages if they are 50% or less at fault for the accident. Not reporting an accident can make it harder to prove fault, potentially reducing the accident victim’s chances of recovering maximum compensation for their injuries.

Do you need a police report to file an insurance claim in Indiana?

No, it’s not necessary. However, having a police report is very important if you want to pursue compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. You may wonder if an accident will go on your record if no police report is filed. In some cases, it’s true that the accident will not appear if no police report is filed. However, if you make a claim with your insurance company, they may be obligated to report the accident to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). If you have more questions about a minor accident with no police report, it is a good idea to speak with a car accident lawyer.

How long do you have to file a car insurance claim in Indiana?

This deadline is dependent on your auto insurance contract with your insurance company. However, you must remember that the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Indiana is 2 years and/or 180 days to give notice if the claim is against a government entity. It is very important that you report the accident to the police and your insurance company immediately, to help document your case and protect your ability to seek compensation for damages in the future. Contact us at Team Green Law to learn more.

How long does it take for a claim to be paid?

Each personal injury claim is different so the time it takes to be paid varies. Some claims can be settled in as little as 30 days if little to no injuries are sustained. However, some claims may take longer due to the complexity of the accident, the severity of the injuries, the time it takes to fully heal or reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), or if additional investigation is needed to determine the cause. If you have any concerns or questions, it is best to speak directly with a representative from your insurance provider for more specific information about when you might expect payment. If you have questions about the length of time to be paid for your personal injury claim, give us a call at Team Green Law.

Team Green is a different kind of law firm. We’re not going to make you promises we can’t deliver on. This is our promise to you: ​​we will guide you through the legal process, working with you through straight talk and personal attention, and we’ll work for you with smart, aggressive representation to get the settlement or judgment you deserve. Other lawyers show their case results on their websites, but not only does that imply results they can’t guarantee — it’s against the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct (Rule 7.1 [2] (2)).  But you should know that the results of one successful case does not tell us what will happen with you. We will work with you to set realistic expectations of the timeline and money that could be recovered for your unique case.