What To Do After a Car Accident in Indiana

Author

Vicky Nunn

Attorney Vicky Nunn joined our office in 2004 and is admitted to practice before the Indiana Supreme Court and all Circuit and Superior Courts in the State of Indiana. She is also a member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.

March 16, 2026

The Short Answer

If you have just been in a car accident in Indiana, here is what matters most: call 911, stay at the scene, exchange information with the other driver, document everything you can, and see a doctor as soon as possible. Don’t apologize, don’t post about it on social media, and don’t accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. The steps you take in the hours and days after a crash directly affect your health and your ability to recover fair compensation.

Key Takeaways

• Call 911—a police report is important evidence for your claim.
• Seek medical attention right away, even without obvious symptoms; some injuries take time to appear.
• Document the scene with photos, witness information, and your own written notes.
• Never apologize at the scene or admit fault because it can be used against you.
• Don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before consulting an attorney.
• Don’t accept a quick settlement offer; it’s almost always less than what your case is worth.
• Indiana’s modified comparative fault rule means you can still recover damages even if you were partially liable, as long as you were 50% or less at fault.
• You generally have 2 years from the date of the accident to pursue a personal injury claim in Indiana.
• An experienced Indiana car accident attorney can deal with the insurance companies and fight for the full compensation you may deserve.

Quick Reference: Steps To Take After a Car Accident in Indiana

1. Stay calm and turn on your hazard lights
2. Call 911 and stay at the scene
3. Check on others and move to safety if possible
4. Exchange driver and insurance information
5. Document the scene with photos, notes, and witness information
6. Seek medical attention at an ER or urgent care as soon as possible
7. Report the accident to your insurance company
8. Begin a recovery journal and save all receipts
9. Avoid posting on social media or giving recorded statements
10. Consult an Indiana car accident attorney

Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

The first thing to do if you are involved in a collision is take a breath and try to stay calm. Panic leads to mistakes, and mistakes at the scene of an accident can cost you later. Before you do anything else:

• Check yourself for injuries. You may be running on adrenaline and not feel pain right away.
• Stay at the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident in Indiana is illegal and can result in criminal charges for a hit-and-run.
• Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers.

Step 2: Call 911, Even if the Accident Seems Minor

Indiana law requires you to report any accident involving injury, death, or significant property damage. Even if you are unsure whether anyone is hurt, call 911 right away. There are two important reasons for this:

1. Your safety comes first—emergency responders can assess injuries that you might not be aware of, including internal trauma, concussions, and soft-tissue damage that may not be obvious at first.
2. A police report is key evidence—the officer will document the scene, gather statements, and create an official record of the accident. This report can be one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in your insurance claim or personal injury case.

Don’t skip this step, even for a minor fender-bender. What seems small can turn into a significant injury or dispute later.

Step 3: Check on Everyone and Move to Safety

Once you have called 911, check on the other people involved in the accident. If vehicles can be safely moved out of traffic, do so. If not, guide anyone who can move to a safe location away from the roadway. The goal is to prevent additional injuries or secondary accidents while you wait for help to arrive.

Step 4: Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Approach the other driver calmly and exchange the following information:

• Full name and contact information
• Driver’s license number
• License plate number
• Insurance company name and policy number
• Vehicle make, model, and year

It’s fine to ask if the other driver is okay, but don’t apologize, even if you think you may have been partially at fault. An apology can be interpreted as an admission of liability and used against you by the other driver’s insurance company. Keep the conversation factual and brief.

Step 5: Document the Scene Thoroughly

Evidence from the accident scene can make or break your claim. While you wait for the police to arrive, gather as much as possible:

Memories fade quickly after a traumatic event. The more you document at the scene, the stronger your claim will be.

Step 6: Seek Medical Attention

Getting a medical evaluation after a car accident is one of the most important steps you can take, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask pain, and many serious injuries, including whiplash, soft tissue damage, concussions, and internal bleeding, don’t present symptoms right away.

Should You Go to Urgent Care or the ER After a Car Accident?

The answer depends on the severity of your symptoms:

• Go to the emergency room (ER) if you lost consciousness, are experiencing severe pain, have difficulty breathing, notice numbness or weakness, or if there is any possibility of a head, neck, spine, or internal injury. The ER is also appropriate if you arrive by ambulance from the scene.
• Urgent care may be appropriate for injuries that still require same-day attention but are not life-threatening, such as minor cuts, bruises, and mild to moderate pain, or if you have no symptoms but want to be evaluated to create a medical record.

When in doubt, go to the ER. It’s better to be cautious after an accident. Getting medical care earlier can also create evidence that can strengthen your claim.

Why Medical Documentation Matters for Your Claim

Prompt treatment not only addresses your injuries but also creates evidence that can help show they resulted from the accident. Insurance companies will look for gaps in medical treatment to argue that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else. The longer you wait to seek care, the easier it is for them to make that argument.

Follow all medical advice, and attend every follow-up appointment. Keep records of every visit, prescription, and treatment. This evidence will form the backbone of your case for compensation.

Step 7: Keep a Detailed Recovery Journal

Starting the day of the accident, keep a written journal documenting your recovery. This is especially important because car accident lawsuits can take months, or even more than a year, to resolve. Your journal gives your attorney concrete, detailed information to build your case.

In your journal, record:

• A description of your injuries, with photos taken regularly.
• Your daily pain levels on a scale of 1 to 10.
• How your injuries are affecting your daily life, work, and relationships.
• Activities you are unable to perform because of your injuries.
• Notes from conversations with doctors, insurance adjusters, or witnesses.
• All out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, including transportation to medical appointments, prescription costs, and any household help you needed to hire.

Save every receipt. Even small expenses add up, and you may be entitled to reimbursement for all of them. An Indiana car accident lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case and determine the maximum amount of compensation you could be entitled to.

Step 8: Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

Notify your insurance company about the accident within 24–72 hours. Most policies require you to report accidents in a timely manner. When you do:

• Stick to the facts. Don’t speculate about fault or the extent of your injuries.
• Don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before consulting an attorney.
• Don’t accept any settlement offers before understanding the full extent of your injuries and damages.

Step 9: Protect Yourself: What NOT To Do After a Car Accident

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing the right steps to take. Common mistakes that can hurt your claim include:

• Posting about the accident on social media—anything you post can be used against you by the opposing insurance company.
• Giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before speaking to an attorney.
• Accepting a quick settlement offer—insurance companies often make early offers that are far below what your case is actually worth.
• Missing medical appointments or ignoring treatment instructions.
• Signing any documents from the insurance company without a review from a lawyer.

What To Do After a Car Accident That Is Not Your Fault

If the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for your damages through that driver’s liability insurance. Even so, the steps above still apply. Even in a clear-cut case, the other driver’s insurance company will look for any reason to reduce or deny your claim.

Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means that if you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, which is why it’s important to document everything thoroughly and work with an attorney who can protect your interests.

The types of compensation you may be entitled to after an accident that was not your fault include:

• Past, present, and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Travel and other out-of-pocket expenses

Legal Reporting Requirements for Car Accidents in Indiana

Indiana law requires drivers involved in an accident to report the crash to local law enforcement if the accident results in injury, death, or property damage over a certain threshold. In most cases, calling 911 at the scene satisfies this requirement. If police were not called to the scene for any reason, you may still be required to file a report directly with law enforcement.

If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, notify your own insurance company and review your policy for uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, which is required to be offered on all Indiana auto policies.

When Should You Hire an Indiana Car Accident Attorney?

You should seriously consider hiring a car accident attorney if:

• You or a passenger suffered any injuries.
• There is any dispute about who was at fault.
• The other driver was uninsured or underinsured.
• The insurance company is delaying, lowballing, or denying your claim.
• Your injuries required ongoing medical treatment or caused you to miss work.
• You are unsure of the true value of your case.

At the Ken Nunn Law Office, our Indiana car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. An experienced attorney can investigate the accident, gather evidence, deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, and fight to help ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Don’t wait too long. Indiana’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally 2 years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline can permanently stop you from recovering compensation.

What To Expect From the Settlement Process

If your case settles outside of court, the process generally follows these stages:

1. You reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)—the point at which your condition has stabilized and your doctors can project your future care needs.
2. Your attorney compiles all medical records, bills, lost wage documentation, and evidence of your damages.
3. A demand letter is sent to the insurance company outlining your claim and the compensation sought.
4. Negotiations take place between your attorney and the insurance adjuster.
5. A settlement agreement is reached and you sign a release of liability in exchange for payment.

You should not settle your case before reaching MMI or consulting a lawyer. Settling too early means your compensation may not account for future medical costs, long-term disability, or ongoing lost income, nor can you seek that compensation after you settle. Once you sign a release, you cannot go back for more.

Injured in an Indiana Car Accident? Talk to an Attorney Today

If you have been injured in a car accident in Indiana, you don’t have to navigate the insurance and legal process alone. One of our Indiana car accident attorneys at the Ken Nunn Law Office can protect your rights, deal with the insurance companies, and fight for the full compensation you may deserve.

Contact our office today for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 and charge no fees unless we win your case.