Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis

A hit and run accident in Indianapolis, Indiana can be an overwhelming and traumatic experience. You may have to deal with life-altering injuries and a mountain of unexpected bills, and wonder where you can turn for help. 

If the driver who hit you didn’t even remain on the scene of your collision to take responsibility, how can you recover compensation and find justice? It may take law enforcement some time before they can track down the perpetrator of your accident, and the driver’s insurer may try to block your claim.

However, in the aftermath of a hit and run, you don’t have to walk the road to justice alone. A Yosha Law hit and run accident lawyer in Indianapolis can explore the strengths and nuances of your case, gather important evidence, take on the insurance companies, and fight on your behalf.

Contact Yosha Law for an obligation-free case evaluation today.

What you should know about hit and run accidents in Indianapolis

As it’s a large metropolitan area, Indianapolis has many roads that can become congested with traffic, and hit and run accidents occur relatively frequently. Victims in these collisions can include other drivers and passengers, cyclists, and even pedestrians.

Here are some important statistics about hit and runs that you should consider when you’re on the road:

• In 2022, there were almost 4,000 hit and run accidents in Indianapolis, and 21 pedestrians were killed by hit and run drivers.
• Driver error causes the majority of hit and run accidents.
• In 2024, hit and runs caused 16 fatalities and 83 injuries in Indiana.
• 26% of U.S. hit and runs result in injury.
• More hit and runs occur in urban areas than in rural areas.

Who’s liable in an Indianapolis hit and run?

Even if a hit and run isn’t the fault of the driver who leaves the scene of the accident, this individual may be considered liable for any property damage and injuries that occur as a result of the collision.

However, if the driver cannot be located by law enforcement, you may have to file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance provider. This coverage might take care of your immediate bills, but could fail to incorporate future related costs. If the driver is located, they will face criminal charges along with any civil claim you might file.

What to expect during your hit and run accident claim

Although your insurance provider might cover your basic bills after a hit and run accident, insurers may be reluctant to cover immeasurable losses or bills that exceed your coverage. An Indianapolis hit and run accident lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you’re owed and can advise you on the specifics of your case.

Proving a driver who left the scene hit you is imperative to your case. You can also anticipate the following steps in your claim:

• Immediately file an initial claim with your insurance provider.
• Hire a hit and run accident attorney.
• If the hit and run driver is located, they will have 30 days to respond to any legal claim you file.
• Your civil case may not move forward until any criminal charges filed against the driver are resolved.
• Your lawyer might research the driver’s driving and criminal record to use as evidence in your case.
• Your lawyer will also interview any eyewitnesses to your accident, along with anyone who can testify to the impact of your collision on your daily life.
• Your lawyer may also call on law enforcement officers who responded to your accident or were part of the investigation that located the driver.
• An attorney may find forensic experts, such as crash reconstructionists, who can testify on your behalf.
• If you partner with Yosha Law to file a personal injury lawsuit, we’ll advocate for you and act as your representative in all legal meetings and negotiations.
• Should we fail to reach an appropriate settlement agreement, we’ll fight for you in court.
• A judge or jury will determine the amount of your compensation (if any), and if the hit and run driver is found to be grossly negligent, may add additional punitive damages to your monetary compensation.

Steps to take after a hit and run accident in Indiana

In the aftermath of your accident, it’s understandable that you might feel shock and want to take time to process through the trauma you’ve endured. Nevertheless, it’s important that you take steps to ensure your safety and to protect your road to justice.

Yosha Law suggests that you do the following after your intersection accident.

Safely Pull Over and Call 911

If you’re able to safely pull over to the right shoulder of the road without impeding traffic, do so and immediately call 911. Share any identifying details that you can remember about the hit and run driver with the dispatcher, and wait for law enforcement officers and first responders to arrive.

Document Your Accident

If your injuries don’t prevent you from being able to do so, once you’ve safely pulled over, take photo and video documentation of the scene of your accident, including the exterior and interior of your vehicle. 

Record as many details as possible while they’re still fresh in your mind. If any property inside of your vehicle was damaged, or if you have bloody clothing, ensure that you hang onto these items. 

File a Police Report

Indiana law requires you to file a police report if you suffer injuries and extensive property damage after your hit and run accident. The police officers who respond to your accident will fill out your report with vital details like the date and time of the accident, the findings of a preliminary investigation, any eyewitness statements, details of the vehicle that hit you, and more.

You can obtain copies of your police report in person or online, and will need this documentation for your insurance claim and any subsequent lawsuit.  

Avoid Sharing Details on Social Media

Although you may often turn to social media to document your life and to feel supported when you endure pain and suffering, it’s important that you do not post anything about your accident until you’ve received compensation.

Even if you delete your posts, Internet activity lives forever. Your posts can be used against you in a lawsuit, and insurance company attorneys will try to use your social media activity to poke holes in your claim.

Seek Medical Attention

The shock and adrenaline you can experience after a car accident can mask the severity of your injuries. If you wait to see a medical professional until days after your collision, you could put your health and safety in jeopardy. 

You’ll also need documentation of an official diagnosis, any treatment you’ve received, and all prescriptions related to the injuries you’ve suffered as a result of your accident. This information is vital to your insurance claim and to a personal injury lawsuit.

Consult a Lawyer

For over 60 years, Yosha Law has successfully handled car accident and personal injury cases, and we offer 24/7 help and a free initial consultation for prospective clients. A hit and run accident lawyer in Indianapolis understands the complexities of your case and how to help you receive a fair settlement from insurance giants.

We can advise you before the insurance claims process even begins and will help you through each step of the legal process. If a settlement agreement cannot be reached, we’ll fiercely battle for you in court.

File an Insurance Claim

Your insurance claim begins with your insurance provider. If your insurer cannot locate the hit and run driver and access their insurance information, they will remain your only contact for your claim.

If the hit and run driver is located, your insurance company will contact the driver’s insurer. You’ll be assigned a claims agent and a case number to refer to throughout the process. 

Whether your own company deals with the claim or the driver’s insurer takes over, they’ll use their lawyers to come up with a quick offer or will question your evidence to enable them to deny your claim.

A quick lump sum payment may cover your immediate bills and provide temporary relief. However, it’s important to remember that once you’ve accepted an offer,you won’t have recourse for further compensation.

An Indianapolis hit and run accident lawyer can advise you from the beginning of the claims process onward, help you to discern whether or not you should accept a settlement offer, and represent you in all negotiations with the insurance companies.

How Yosha Law can help

For over six decades, Yosha Law has battled on behalf of the underdog and won successful verdicts against insurance giants like Farmers, Geico, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, and many more. 

You’re not just another case number to our lawyers — you’re an extended part of our family. We care about you and your loved ones, and want the best possible outcome for you so that you can focus on your recovery. 

We offer an initial obligation-free consultation where we can answer any questions you may have and explore the merits of your case.

A Yosha Law hit and run accident lawyer will build the strongest case possible for your claim, obtain vital testimony, conduct necessary research and investigation, gather critical evidence, and fight the insurance companies on your behalf.

Most of our referrals come from our existing clients, and we hold a 98% success rate in beating an insurer’s final offer. Yosha Law can’t guarantee a successful outcome, but we’ve won significant, 6 and 7-figure verdicts for many satisfied clients. 

We’ve also helped to enact Indiana laws to help save lives and protect our roads. 

Compensatory damages in a hit and run accident

The compensation you receive in a successful insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit falls under categories known as damages. These categories help to classify the personal losses you’ve suffered and the measurable monetary losses you need covered.

A Yosha Law hit and run lawyer can help you to determine the damages you should claim and calculate a ballpark figure for compensation. discern what damages you should include in your claim and the amount of compensation you should seek. Here are examples for each category of damages. 

Economic Damages

Economic damages (also known as special damages) cover the concrete losses you’ve endured that have a set monetary value. For example, documented bills related to your hit and run accident are considered economic damages.

Economic damages include:

• Lost Wages (including bonuses, anticipated salary increases, and tips)
• Medical Expenses (doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, surgeries and treatment)
• Property Repair and Replacement Costs (vehicle repairs or replacement costs)

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages (also known as general damages) allow you to claim the immeasurable losses you’ve experienced as a result of your collision. No amount of money can heal or make up for these losses, but financial compensation may help to relieve your burdens.

Examples of non-economic damages include:

• Chronic Pain
• Disfigurement
• Emotional Trauma
• Loss of Quality of Life
• Paralysis
• Pain and Suffering
• Third-Degree Burns
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Wrongful Death

Punitive Damages 

Punitive damages are typically dictated by a judge or jury in addition to an initial verdict for compensation. This compensation is used to set an example and to punish a defendant.

However, a hit and run accident lawyer may advise you to seek punitive damages as the defendant in your case may have exhibited gross negligence and may be facing criminal charges.  

For example, if the driver who hit you has a history of criminal traffic violations, was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and failed to turn themselves into law enforcement, they may owe you punitive damages.

75% of punitive damages are allocated to the Indiana Violent Crimes Victim Compensation Fund and the plaintiff receives the remaining 25%.

Indiana Laws that could impact your claim

Hit and Run Laws

In Indiana, if a driver responsible for a hit and run accident flees the scene, they could face misdemeanor or even felony criminal charges. Indiana state law IC § 9-26-1-1.1 states that drivers must remain on the scene of their accident. 

Anyone involved in a hit and run accident still has ten days to report to authorities but this doesn’t absolve drivers who leave the scene from criminal or civil consequences. A driver who caused a hit and run accident in Indianapolis could face the following charges:

• Class A Misdemeanor: This charge stems from any minor injuries an accident victim suffers. If found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, a hit and run driver could face a $5,000 fine and/or up to one year in jail.

• Class B Misdemeanor: Class B misdemeanor charges could be filed if a hit and run accident did not injure anyone and could result in a $1,000 fine and 6 months in jail.

• Level 3 Felony: A hit and run driver who severely injures or kills someone, or, who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs may face Level 3 felony charges that could equal a $10,000 fine and a 3 to 16 year prison sentence.

• Level 4 Felony: A hit and run driver who causes death, disability, or permanent injury could face Level 4 Felony charges that may result in a $10,000 fine and/or 2 to 12 years in prison.

• Level 6 Felony: A hit and run driver with a criminal record and/or who causes moderate to severe injury could face anywhere from 1 to 6 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Statute of Limitations

Although you can’t file a personal injury lawsuit without a named defendant in your case, your time to file is still limited. Indiana law § 34-11-2-4 defines the statute of limitations to file a case as two years from the date of your accident. 

However, there may be exceptions granted by the court that extend this deadline. For example, if you were under the age of 18 or mentally incapacitated at the time of your accident, you may be allowed more time to file. 

Hit and Run Accident FAQ

How much will a hit and run lawyer cost me?

Yosha Law works on a contingency basis. This means that we don’t get paid unless there’s a successful outcome in your case. You won’t have to worry about expensive legal fees, and can concentrate on the progress of your claim while we work for your justice.

What evidence can be used to find a hit and run driver?

If anyone at the scene of the accident is able to remember a license plate number or detailed vehicle description, law enforcement might use this information to find a hit and run driver. The police might also look at video surveillance footage in the area, paint transfer, and vehicle debris to locate the driver.