If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Indianapolis, Indiana law gives you the right to seek compensation for your injuries and for other losses caused by a negligent driver. But knowing you have rights and figuring out how to protect them are two different things.
Insurance companies are businesses that must balance paying claims with making a profit. They have teams of adjusters and lawyers who begin evaluating your claim immediately. An experienced Indianapolis car accident lawyer ensures that your side of the story is told clearly and forcefully. It levels the playing field.
For decades, Yosha Law has focused on representing injured people across Indiana. We understand the law, the local court systems, and how to build a case that accurately reflects everything you’ve lost.
If you have questions about your accident, we’re here to provide clear, straightforward answers. Call us for a free, no-obligation consultation at (317) 648-7319.
Indianapolis Car Accident Guide
- Key Takeaways for Indianapolis Car Accident Claims
- Why Choose Yosha Law for Your Indianapolis Car Accident Claim?
- What Compensation Can You Pursue After a Car Accident?
- How Does Indiana’s Comparative Fault Rule Work?
- Common Injuries Reported in Indianapolis Car Accidents
- Where Do Most Accidents Happen in Indianapolis?
- What is the Process for a Car Accident Claim in Indiana?
- What If the At-Fault Driver Was Uninsured?
- What if a Loved One Died in the Accident?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Indianapolis Car Accident Claims
- Your Path to Recovery Starts Here
Key Takeaways for Indianapolis Car Accident Claims
- Indiana’s laws on fault directly impacts your compensation. The state uses a “modified comparative fault” rule, which means you can lose the right to recover any money if you are found to be 51% or more at fault for the crash.
- Strict deadlines apply to your claim. You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, a deadline known as the statute of limitations. For claims involving a government entity, the deadline can be as short as 180 days.
- What you do at home affects your case. Consistently following your doctor’s treatment plan, tracking your expenses, and avoiding social media posts are practical steps that help document the reality of your injuries and losses.
Why Choose Yosha Law for Your Indianapolis Car Accident Claim?
A Track Record of Winning Big for Indiana Injury Victims
Yosha Law has earned a reputation as one of the most successful personal injury law firms in Indiana. Our firm has secured more jury verdicts than any other personal injury firm in the state. We prepare every case for trial from the start, which often leads to larger settlement offers from insurance companies that want to avoid court.
Deep Local Roots and Over 60 Years of Experience
Founded in 1963, Yosha Law has represented injured people in Indianapolis and across Indiana for more than six decades. Our personal injury attorneys know how to present a compelling case under Indiana’s personal injury laws, and we are familiar with the local court system, judges, and insurance adjusters. When you hire Yosha Law, you’re getting legal advice from a team that knows what works—because we’ve done it, hundreds of times.
Recognized Legal Leaders in Personal Injury Law
The firm’s founder, Louis “Buddy” Yosha, helped shape personal injury law in Indiana. His legacy continues with Brandon Yosha, who has been featured in Forbes and named a Super Lawyers Rising Star. In one of the state’s largest verdicts, the firm secured $20 million for a client injured by a negligent utility company.
Personal, Responsive Support Day or Night
You’re not just another case number at Yosha Law. Their team is available 24/7 to answer your questions, explain your legal options, and walk you through the car accident claims process. Every client receives clear communication, honest advice, and legal support tailored to their situation.
No Upfront Fees & You Only Pay If We Win
Yosha Law works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you. From your free consultation to the final resolution of your claim, there are no hidden fees or surprise costs. Their goal is to maximize your compensation while minimizing your stress.
Visit Yosha Law’s Indianapolis Office
Their office is conveniently located at 9102 N. Meridian Street, Suite 535 near Broad Ripple Village.
What Compensation Can You Pursue After a Car Accident?
Our goal is to pursue the maximum compensation available under the law, ensuring that the story of your suffering is fully accounted for.
Economic Damages: The Tangible Costs
These are the direct, calculable expenses that piled up because of the crash. We work to make sure every single cost is documented and included.
- Medical Bills: This covers everything from the initial emergency room visit and ambulance ride to future surgeries, physical therapy, and any ongoing care you might need.
- Lost Wages: This is the income you lost because you were physically unable to work during your recovery.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If the injuries permanently affect your ability to do your job or earn the same level of income as before, this compensates for that future loss.
- Property Damage: This includes the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal items that were damaged in the collision.
Non-Economic Damages: The Human Toll
These damages are for the non-financial ways the accident has rewritten your life. They may be harder to put a number on, but they are just as real.
- Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain and emotional distress your injuries have caused after a car accident.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If you can no longer participate in hobbies, family activities, or daily routines that you once loved.
- Emotional Anguish: For the fear, anxiety, depression, and trauma that linger long after the crash itself.
How Does Indiana’s Comparative Fault Rule Work?
Indiana operates under a legal principle called “modified comparative fault.” Simply put, it means that any compensation you receive can be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident.
Under Indiana law, if you are found to be 51% or more responsible for the accident, you are barred from recovering any compensation at all. Insurance companies conduct thorough investigations and may look for any evidence to argue that you share the blame, which would reduce what they have to pay. Our role is to build a case based on the facts and ensure that no amount of blame is unfairly placed on you.
Common Injuries Reported in Indianapolis Car Accidents
The forces involved in a vehicle collision can cause a wide range of injuries, some of which may not show symptoms for days or even weeks.
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: This is a common injury, especially in rear-end collisions, caused by the rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. Symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A blow to the head can cause anything from a mild concussion to a severe TBI, with symptoms like confusion, memory problems, and loss of consciousness. Even “mild” TBIs may have long-lasting effects.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: The impact of a crash can lead to herniated discs or, in the most severe cases, damage to the spinal cord, which could result in paralysis.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: The force of a collision frequently breaks bones in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. These injuries are painful and may require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs is a serious risk in high-impact crashes and requires immediate medical attention.
Where Do Most Accidents Happen in Indianapolis?
While a crash can occur on any street, some roads and intersections in Indianapolis are known for a higher frequency of collisions.
Indianapolis’s High-Risk Intersections and Roads
- Keystone Avenue & 86th Street: The mix of heavy commuter traffic and shoppers heading to the nearby commercial centers makes this a well-known trouble spot.
- 38th Street & Keystone Avenue: This intersection saw a high number of crashes in recent years, with multiple lanes of traffic creating a challenging environment for drivers.
- Allisonville Road near 82nd and 86th Streets: With on-ramps for I-465 and numerous businesses, this stretch of road is often congested and confusing for drivers.
- I-465 & I-65/I-70 Interchanges: The major interstate connections around the city are common locations for high-speed collisions, particularly during peak traffic hours.
What Are the Common Causes of These Crashes?
- Distracted Driving: Since Indiana’s hands-free law went into effect, it is illegal for drivers to hold a mobile device while driving. Yet, distracted driving from texting, GPS, or other diversions remains a leading cause of preventable accidents.
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Drivers who exceed the speed limit, tailgate, or weave through traffic create dangerous conditions for everyone on the road.
- Driving Under the Influence: Impaired driving continues to be a cause of serious and fatal crashes in Marion County, despite strict laws and public awareness campaigns.
- Weather Conditions: Indiana’s unpredictable weather can make roads slick with rain, snow, or ice. All drivers have a duty to slow down and adjust to these conditions, but not everyone does.
What is the Process for a Car Accident Claim in Indiana?
After an accident, you will most likely have to interact with an insurance adjuster. It helps to understand their role and the process you’re about to enter.
Keep These Points in Mind:
- They May Ask for a Recorded Statement: The other driver’s insurance adjuster might ask you to provide a recorded statement detailing what happened. You are not legally obligated to provide one. These statements are often used to find inconsistencies or admissions that could be used to assign you partial fault. It is always best to consult with an attorney before agreeing to a recorded statement.
- An Early Settlement Offer Might Be Too Low: It’s not uncommon for an insurance company to make a quick settlement offer, sometimes before you even know the full extent of your injuries. While getting money quickly as medical bills are piling up might seem appealing, accepting an early offer closes your claim for good. You give up the right to seek more compensation if your injuries require more treatment than you initially expected.
- The Claims Process Takes Its Time: Filing an insurance claim involves a great deal of paperwork and documentation. The process is methodical and can feel slow, especially when you are anxious about your finances. This frustration can lead some people to accept a lower offer just to get it over with. Our team handles all communications and paperwork with the insurance companies, allowing you to focus on getting better.
What If the At-Fault Driver Was Uninsured?
It’s a frustrating scenario: the driver who caused the crash doesn’t have insurance, or not enough to cover your bills. This is where your own insurance policy can help, specifically through Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
In Indiana, insurance companies are required to offer you this coverage, and you must reject it in writing if you don’t want it. If you have it, your own insurance company steps in to cover the losses that the at-fault driver’s policy should have paid for. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, up to the limits of your UM/UIM policy.
What if a Loved One Died in the Accident?
If a car accident results in a fatality, the family of the person who died may be able to file a wrongful death claim. This type of legal action seeks to hold the negligent party accountable and recover damages for the losses the family has suffered.
Under Indiana’s wrongful death statutes, a personal representative of the deceased’s estate must file the claim. The family may be able to seek compensation for:
- Medical, hospital, funeral, and burial expenses.
- Lost earnings the deceased would have provided.
- Loss of love and companionship.
Like personal injury claims, wrongful death lawsuits in Indiana generally must be filed within two years of the date of death.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indianapolis Car Accident Claims
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Indiana?
In most cases, Indiana gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is set by a law called the statute of limitations. If you miss it, you almost certainly lose your right to seek compensation. The main exception is for claims against a government entity (like a city bus or state-owned vehicle), where you must file a formal notice in as little as 180 days.
What is MedPay, and should I use it?
Medical Payments Coverage, or MedPay, is optional, no-fault insurance coverage you can add to your own auto policy. It covers a set amount of your medical bills immediately after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. Using MedPay can be a good idea because it provides quick access to funds for co-pays and deductibles while the larger claim is being sorted out.
Your health insurance may seek reimbursement from a final settlement, but MedPay typically does not, which can leave more of the settlement money for you.
Do I have to go to court to get compensation?
The majority of car accident cases are resolved through a settlement agreement without ever going to trial. However, we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury. This thorough preparation sends a clear message to the insurance company that we are ready to go to court if they do not make a fair car accident settlement offer.
The police report says I was partially at fault. Does that mean I can’t file a claim?
Not at all. A police report is just one piece of evidence, and it represents the officer’s opinion based on what they saw at the scene. It is not the final word on who is legally responsible. We conduct our own independent investigation to gather all available evidence.
As mentioned earlier, under Indiana’s comparative fault rule, you can still recover compensation as long as you are not found to be 51% or more at fault.
Your Path to Recovery Starts Here
You did not choose for this to happen, but you choose how you move forward. You do not have to face the legal process and insurance companies alone. At Yosha Law, we are here to provide guidance and clarity. The sooner we begin investigating your case, the better we can protect your rights.
Contact us today for a free, confidential case review at (317) 648-7319.
Get a Free Consultation With an Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer from Yosha Law
To get your free consultation with an Indianapolis car accident lawyer, reach out to us online or call 317-334-9200. We are available 24/7 to take your call, and we are ready to help you move forward after a wreck.