Indiana Auto Accident Lawyer

Auto accident representation guided by 50+ years of experience in Indianapolis and the surrounding area.

If you have been involved in an auto accident in Indianapolis, the costs begin accumulating almost immediately. Emergency treatment, diagnostic imaging, follow-up visits, and vehicle repairs generate expenses that most families are not prepared to handle on short notice. At the same time, the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier is already evaluating how to minimize its financial exposure on your claim.

Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers has represented auto accident victims across Indiana for more than three decades. Our Indianapolis, IN auto accident attorneys pursue full compensation for clients dealing with injuries caused by negligent drivers. Contact us for a free consultation.

Auto Accident Lawyer Indianapolis

When should you call an auto accident attorney after a crash?

An auto accident claim exists when a driver, passenger, or bystander is injured because another motorist acted carelessly or violated Indiana traffic law. That could be a driver who ran a red light at the intersection of Keystone Avenue and 38th Street, a trucker who ignored hours-of-service limits on I-65, or a motorist who was scrolling through a phone at highway speed. Indiana is a fault-based state, which means the negligent driver bears financial responsibility for the harm they cause.

An Indianapolis car accident lawyer handles the entire claims process from start to finish. We investigate the collision, collect and preserve evidence, calculate the full value of your losses, and negotiate directly with insurers. When an insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take the case to trial.

Types of Auto Accident Cases We Handle in Indianapolis

Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers takes on a wide range of motor vehicle collision cases across Indianapolis, IN, and Marion County. No two crashes are the same, but our commitment to thorough case preparation and aggressive advocacy applies in every situation.

• Rear-end collisions. These are among the most common crashes in Indianapolis, particularly on congested stretches of I-465, I-70, and US-31. According to NHTSA distracted driving data, distracted drivers caused over 3,200 deaths nationally in 2024. Rear-end crashes frequently produce whiplash, disc injuries, and concussions that require months of treatment.
  
• T-bone collisions. Side-impact crashes at intersections are particularly dangerous because vehicle doors offer limited protection against the force of a broadside hit. These collisions often involve a driver who failed to yield or run a traffic signal.
  
• Hit-and-run accidents. When the at-fault driver leaves the scene, injured victims may feel they have no recourse. Indiana’s uninsured motorist coverage provisions can still provide a path to compensation in many of these cases.
  
• Truck accidents. Indianapolis sits at the crossroads of several major interstates, making truck traffic a constant presence. Crashes involving semi-trucks and commercial vehicles typically produce severe injuries and involve multiple potentially liable parties.
  
• Uber accidents. Collisions involving Uber and Lyft drivers raise layered insurance questions. Coverage depends on whether the driver had a passenger, was en route to a pickup, or was between trips. We sort through those policy layers to identify every source of recovery.
  
• Rollover accidents. Rollovers account for a disproportionate share of fatal and catastrophic injury crashes. Contributing factors often include SUV or truck design, road conditions, tire failure, and excessive speed.
  
• DWI. Drunk and impaired driving crashes can give rise to both criminal charges against the at-fault driver and a civil claim by the injured party. In some cases, the establishment that served the intoxicated driver may also bear liability under Indiana’s dram shop law.
  
• Motorcycle accidents. When a car strikes a motorcyclist, the injuries are almost always severe. Broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage are common. We fight the bias that adjusters often bring to motorcycle accident claims.
  

Why Choose Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers for Auto Accident Cases in Indianapolis, IN?

Proven Results and Recognition in Motor Vehicle Cases

Charles P. Ward has represented auto accident victims in Indianapolis since 1989. He earned his law degree from Indiana University after graduating cum laude from Butler University, and he began his legal career clerking for Justice Richard M. Givan at the Indiana Supreme Court. Charles has been named a Top 25 Trial Lawyer by the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers continuously since 2005 and is listed among the Best Lawyers in America for personal injury litigation.

Donald W. Ward has practiced law in Indiana since 1954. A former Deputy Trial Prosecutor for Marion County, Don served as President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and has been a member of the American Association for Justice for over six decades. He received the Hoosier Freedom Award in 2005 and is a Fellow of the Indiana College of Trial Lawyers.

Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered millions of dollars for auto accident victims across Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. As a personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, IN, we represent injured individuals only. We do not work for insurance companies.

Auto Accident Case Overview

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Auto Accident Cases

Indiana law entitles auto accident victims to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Understanding the categories of damages available is critical to building a strong case.

Economic damages include medical bills, rehabilitation costs, prescription expenses, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. These are calculated based on documented financial losses, both past and projected. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Indiana does not cap compensatory damages in most auto accident cases.

Liability in auto accident cases turns on proving that the other driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule under IC 34-51-2. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault for the collision, you are barred from recovering any damages. A clear understanding of how fault is determined can significantly affect the outcome of your case.

Important Aspects in Your Auto Accident Case

Certain steps taken early in your case can make a substantial difference in the compensation you ultimately recover.

• See a doctor immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries, including concussions and soft tissue damage, do not present symptoms for hours or even days after a collision. Gaps in medical treatment give adjusters ammunition to dispute your claim.
• Document the accident scene if you are able. Photographs of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and your visible injuries all serve as evidence.
• Do not provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without first speaking to an attorney. Anything you say can be used to minimize or deny your claim.
• Keep a file of every medical bill, repair estimate, tow receipt, and pay stub that reflects missed work.

Auto Accident Case Timeline

The length of an auto accident case depends on several factors, including the severity of injuries, the number of parties involved, and whether the insurance company negotiates in good faith. Here is a general overview of how cases typically progress.

• Medical treatment. The priority is always your health. No case should settle before you have reached maximum medical improvement, or your doctors can project future treatment needs with reasonable certainty.
• Investigation. We collect police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, electronic data from vehicle systems, and any other evidence relevant to fault and damages.
• Demand and negotiation. After treatment concludes or stabilizes, we calculate the full value of your claim, send a demand to the insurer, and negotiate toward a fair resolution.
• Litigation. If the insurer refuses to offer a reasonable amount, we file a lawsuit. Indiana’s statute of limitations requires that you file within two years of the accident under IC 34-11-2-4.
• Discovery, mediation, and trial. Most auto accident cases resolve before trial, but we prepare every case with the assumption that it will go before a jury.

The process from the accident to resolution can range from a few months to well over two years.

What to Bring to Your Auto Accident Consultation

Coming prepared for your first meeting with an Indianapolis auto accident attorney helps us evaluate your claim quickly and accurately.

• The police accident report
• Medical records, bills, and imaging results from your treatment
• Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries
• Insurance information for all involved parties
• Documentation of lost wages or missed work
• Names and contact information for any witnesses

We will review the facts, assess liability, and give you a direct, honest evaluation of your case. There is no charge for this consultation.

Indiana Legal Resources for Auto Accidents

Indiana’s auto accident laws are primarily governed by statutes found in Title 34 of the Indiana Code. The following resources can help you research the legal framework that applies to your case.

• The Indiana General Assembly publishes Title 34, covering civil law and procedure, including statutes of limitations and comparative fault provisions.
• The Indiana BMV outlines the state’s minimum auto insurance requirements: $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25).
• The Indiana Department of Insurance provides consumer guidance on purchasing auto insurance and understanding your coverage options.
• The Indiana Judicial Branch website provides court procedures, filing information, and local rules for Marion County and other jurisdictions.
• IC 34-11-2-4 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from auto accidents. IC 34-51-2 governs Indiana’s comparative fault system, barring recovery when a claimant is more than 50 percent at fault.

Reach Out to Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Consultation

If you or someone in your family has been injured in a car accident in Indianapolis, IN, Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers can help you understand your rights and your options. We offer free consultations to auto accident victims and handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. You owe nothing unless we secure a recovery on your behalf. Contact our Indianapolis auto accident law firm today.