TrueCase Injury Network

Do you have a true case?

Hurt in an auto crash and not sure what to do next? We’re a free educational resource that helps you understand your situation — and connects you with a personal-injury attorney in your state when you’re ready.

Educational information only — not legal advice.

A personal-injury attorney seated at her desk in a warm professional office

What makes a claim a true case?

A claim is just paperwork. A true case has the substance to pursue.

Use this quick framework to see where your situation lands — on your own, in a few seconds.

  • Someone else was clearly at fault for what happened.

    Partial fault may still allow recovery in many states — but most contingency-fee attorneys will only take cases where fault is clear. Partial-fault matters often need an attorney willing to work on retainer (a different financial arrangement most people don’t expect). If you were partly at fault, an honest conversation with an attorney about your state’s rule is the right first step.

  • The injury required real medical care — not just bumps and bruises.
  • You’re within your state’s time limit to take action.
  • There’s insurance or assets to actually recover from.
  • The economics make it worth your time — and the attorney’s.

If most of those feel true for you, keep reading. The rest of this page walks through the world you’re in, the process you’re going through, and the public data on cases like yours. The determination is yours to make — and an attorney’s to confirm.

Here’s the world you’re in

Most people try to handle an auto-injury claim alone.

Here’s what you’re up against.

  • You — recovering, working full-time (or trying to), no claims expertise.
  • The at-fault driver — already off your radar. Their insurer is your real counter-party now.
  • Their adjuster — handles claims daily. Paid to settle low and fast.
  • Your own insurance — may cover medical via PIP or MedPay; may pursue subrogation later.
  • Doctors + providers — treat your injury, then bill insurance or hold a lien on any settlement.
  • A PI attorney (if you get one) — levels the playing field. Usually paid on contingency: no upfront cost, a percentage of any recovery.

The next sections walk through how this plays out.

What happens next

The few things that matter early.

  1. 1

    Get checked, even if fine

    • Adrenaline hides soft-tissue and concussion symptoms
    • Gap-in-care is the #1 insurer counter-argument
    • Your health first — record builds itself
  2. 2

    Two claims, not one

    • Vehicle damage and injury are separate claims
    • Settling property side doesn't close injury side
    • How exactly varies by state
  3. 3

    Expect the adjuster fast

    • Their job is resolving for the insurer
    • Recorded statement usually optional — get advice first
    • Friendly tone is part of the role
  4. 4

    First number is opening

    • Early offers come before recovery total is known
    • Ongoing care + lost time hard to project
    • An offer with a release closes everything
  5. 5

    Deadlines vary by state

    • Lawsuit deadline is the big one
    • Insurer-notice deadlines can be much shorter
    • Don't assume — fast question for an attorney
  6. 6

    Talk to a lawyer anytime

    • Consults are typically free, no obligation
    • Most work on contingency — paid only if recover
    • About half of BI claimants involve an attorney

The honest asymmetry

You vs their adjuster.

You

  • 🤕 Trying to recover physically
  • 💼 Working full-time alongside this
  • 🧑‍⚖️ No claims expertise
  • 📞 Doing this once, for the first time
  • Pressure to be done with it

Their adjuster

  • 📚 Handles claims daily, every day
  • 🗣️ Trained on scripts to minimize payouts
  • 📊 Measured on cost-per-claim
  • ⚙️ Has documented playbooks for every scenario
  • 🛑 No personal cost to wait you out

Auto Crash Data Explorer

Build your scenario from public US crash & claims data — see how your circumstances fit. Takes about a minute.

You are not alone in this

What other people in crashes feel.

  • "Their adjuster seems nice — but I feel like they're trying to screw me."

  • "I felt fine at the scene. Now my back and neck hurt. Did I mess up?"

  • "They offered money fast. If I sign, I can't ask for more."

  • "My medical bills are piling up and I don't know who pays what."

  • "They're saying I was partly at fault — when I was just sitting at a red light."

  • "I'm not a sue-happy person. I just want this handled fairly."

    Up to 50% of MVA survivors report PTSD-like symptoms at 6 months (JAMA Intern Med, 2021).

  • "Will my insurance go up if I file a claim?"

  • "What about the rental — am I paying for that?"

  • "Do I even need a lawyer for something this small?"

Why our goals match yours

Aligned incentives. Better outcomes.

We’re a free educational resource for people hurt in auto crashes. When you’re ready to talk to a personal-injury attorney, we connect you with one licensed in your state.

Here’s how the money flows: attorneys pay us a referral fee when they accept your case. You pay nothing — not before, not after.

That alignment is the design:

  • A bad-fit referral doesn’t work for any of us. So we don’t push you toward an attorney you don’t need.
  • The better-informed you are when you call, the better the match — and the better the outcome.
  • Your time is important. So is the attorney’s. This site exists so the call is a good one when you make it.

The data above is free to explore for as long as you want. We’re here when you’re ready.

When you're ready

Find out if you have a true case.

Two-minute quiz. We match you with a personal-injury attorney licensed in your state.

Take the quiz →

TrueCase Injury Network receives compensation when matched attorneys take a referred case.

Common questions

Straight, short answers.

Do I have to give a recorded statement?
Generally no — many people decline until they've talked to an attorney. More →
I feel okay — is there anything here?
Symptoms often surface later. Get checked; ask an attorney before deciding. More →
They offered me money — should I take it?
Get advice first. Releases close the claim — no second chances. More →
They're saying I was partly at fault.
Most states still allow recovery with shared fault. Rules vary. More →
Is it too late?
Maybe not. Deadlines vary by state; some are short. More →
What does a lawyer cost?
Consults typically free. Most work on contingency — paid only if you recover. More →