Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer
Introduction to Car Accidents in Indianapolis
Car accidents are an unfortunate reality on Indianapolis roads, often leading to serious injuries, property damage, and overwhelming financial burdens for those involved. Whether it’s a minor fender-bender or a major collision, the aftermath of a car accident can be confusing and stressful.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Indianapolis car accident, it’s crucial to understand your rights and the steps you can take to protect your future. Consulting with an experienced Indianapolis car accident attorney or personal injury lawyer can make all the difference. These professionals have extensive experience handling car accident cases and can guide you through the legal process, helping you pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
With the right accident attorney by your side, you can focus on your recovery while your legal team works to secure the best possible outcome for your personal injury claim.
Immediate Help After an Indianapolis Car Crash
A car accident can turn your entire life upside down in seconds. If you’re reading this after a crash on an Indianapolis highway or city street, you need clear guidance—not legal jargon. Eskew Law’s Indianapolis car accident lawyers understand the urgency and can begin protecting your claim the same day you call, including evenings and weekends.
As an experienced accident law firm, Eskew Law guides victims through every stage of the legal process from the very beginning, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive the specialized legal expertise you need after an accident.
Here’s what you should do right now:
- Call 911 to report the accident and request police documentation from IMPD or Indiana State Police
- Get medical attention at an ER or urgent care in Marion County, even if injuries seem minor
- Preserve evidence by taking photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries
- Avoid recorded statements to any insurance company until you’ve spoken with an experienced car accident lawyer
Indiana law gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit (Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4), but don’t let that timeline lull you into waiting. Critical evidence like traffic camera footage at major intersections such as I-465 & I-70 can disappear within days or weeks. Witness memories fade. Vehicle data gets overwritten.
Contact Eskew Law today for a free consultation. Call or complete our online form for a confidential case evaluation with no obligation. The sooner you reach out, the stronger your case can be.
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Why Choose Eskew Law as Your Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer?
Eskew Law isn’t a high-volume settlement mill pushing cases through as quickly as possible. This Indianapolis personal injury lawyer takes a different approach—building individualized strategies for each client based on the specific facts of their crash and the full extent of their injuries.
Here’s what sets Eskew Law apart:
- Deep local experience representing injured Hoosiers in Marion County and central Indiana, including crashes on I-65, I-70, I-74, I-465, and surface streets like Meridian Street, Washington Street, and Keystone Avenue
- Personalized attention where clients communicate directly with the attorney handling their case, not just support staff
- A team of experienced accident lawyers dedicated to securing compensation for clients and providing expert guidance throughout the claims process
- Capped caseloads that allow for detailed investigation and preparation of each claim
- Local court knowledge, including familiarity with Marion County judges, procedures, and the insurance companies that regularly handle Indianapolis claims
- Contingency fee structure, meaning no hourly billing, no upfront retainer—attorney fees come only from money recovered for you
When you work with an experienced attorney at Eskew Law who knows the local legal landscape, you gain an advantage in negotiations and at trial.
Do You Have a Valid Indianapolis Car Accident Case?
Most Indianapolis car accident cases are built on the legal concept of negligence. In an auto accident case, establishing negligence is crucial for pursuing compensation, as it requires showing that another party’s careless actions led to your injuries. In plain terms, negligence means someone failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure caused your injuries.
To have a valid claim, you generally need to show:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care (all drivers owe this to others on the road)
- They breached that duty (ran a red light, texted while driving, etc.)
- The breach resulted in a car accident caused by their actions, leading to your injuries
- You suffered actual damages (injuries, medical bills, lost income)
Common Indianapolis scenarios that can create strong claims include:
- Rear-end collisions on I-465 during rush hour
- Red-light violations at busy intersections like 38th Street & Lafayette Road
- Distracted driving near school zones
- Drunk driving on weekend nights in Broad Ripple or downtown
- Speeding on U.S. 31 or U.S. 40
Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule. You can recover compensation as long as you are not 51% or more at fault for the accident. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of blame. Even if a police report appears to assign you some fault, Eskew Law can investigate further and often build a strong case that challenges those initial assessments.
If you’re unsure whether you have a case, contact Eskew Law for a free review. Early evaluation prevents mistakes that weaken claims down the road.
Types of Indianapolis Car Accident Cases Eskew Law Handles
Eskew Law represents accident victims across a wide range of crash scenarios throughout Marion County and surrounding areas. Auto accidents are unfortunately common in Indianapolis, with traffic crash statistics showing a high number of injuries and fatalities each year, making experienced legal help essential for those affected.
Whether your collision happened during rush hour downtown, on an icy overpass, or in an I-69 construction zone, the firm has the experience to handle your case.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes are extremely common on I-465, I-65, and at Indianapolis stop-and-go intersections. These collisions typically result from distracted driving, tailgating, or sudden slowdowns in heavy traffic.
- Common injuries include whiplash, disc herniations, and concussions—symptoms that may not fully appear for 24–72 hours after the crash
- Eskew Law collects evidence such as dash-cam footage, traffic camera video, and cell phone records to prove negligence
- Indiana’s comparative fault rule can still apply in rear-end cases (sudden lane changes or brake-checking by the front driver), so careful legal analysis is essential
Even a seemingly minor rear-end collision can cause serious injuries that require ongoing medical treatment.
Intersection and T-Bone Accidents
Side-impact crashes often occur at busy Indianapolis intersections like 82nd Street & Allisonville Road or Keystone Avenue & 96th Street. These collisions happen when drivers run red lights, roll through stop signs, or fail to yield the right of way.
- T-bone accidents cause severe injuries to occupants on the struck side, including pelvic fractures, internal bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries
- Eskew Law analyzes skid marks, signal timing data, witness statements, and police diagrams to reconstruct who had the right of way
- Multiple parties may be involved (commercial drivers, rideshare drivers, government vehicles), affecting insurance coverage and claim deadlines
High-Speed, Drunk, and Distracted Driving Crashes
Some of the most devastating car crashes in Indianapolis involve high speeds, impaired drivers, or distracted motorists. These serious accident cases often result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.
Weekend OWI collisions leaving downtown bars or Broad Ripple are unfortunately common. Phone-related distraction on interstates—drivers checking GPS or social media at 70 mph—creates deadly situations daily.
Eskew Law uses multiple investigative tools to establish reckless conduct:
- Police reports and blood-alcohol test results
- Cell phone records showing texting or app usage
- Expert accident reconstruction testimony
- EDR (“black box”) vehicle data
Criminal charges against the at fault driver (like OWI) are separate from your civil injury claim. The civil case focuses on recovering financial compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and wrongful death damages if a family member was killed.
Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Rideshare Accidents
Pedestrians and cyclists face significant risks in downtown Indianapolis, near college campuses, and along multi-lane roads with limited crosswalks. When motor vehicle accidents involve vulnerable road users, injuries tend to be severe.
Uber, Lyft, and delivery vehicle crashes (Amazon, DoorDash) present unique challenges:
- Layered insurance policies create coverage disputes
- Determining whether a driver was “on app” at the time of collision affects which policy applies
- Rideshare companies often deny responsibility
Eskew Law carefully reviews all involved policies—personal auto, rideshare, and commercial—to identify every available source of compensation. These cases often involve long-term rehabilitation and complex liability questions, making early legal representation especially important.
What Compensation Can You Recover After an Indianapolis Car Accident?
The goal of any personal injury claim is to secure fair compensation for both your financial losses and the human impact of the crash. Indiana personal injury law recognizes multiple categories of damages that car accident victims may recover. In car accident injury cases, victims may be entitled to recover economic, non-economic, and even punitive damages, and strong evidence is essential to support these claims.
Proper documentation is critical. You’ll need medical records from local hospitals like IU Health Methodist, Eskenazi, Franciscan Health, or Community Hospital. Pay stubs prove lost wages. Repair estimates from Indianapolis body shops document property damage.
Eskew Law also considers future damages: ongoing physical therapy, lost earning capacity, future surgeries, and long-term mental health treatment resulting from your Indianapolis car accident.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the quantifiable financial losses directly caused by your car accident injury. These include:
- Emergency room bills from the day of the crash
- Hospitalization and surgery costs
- Medications and medical equipment
- Imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs) and diagnostic testing
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation sessions
- Follow-up medical visits
- Lost wages for time missed from work at Indianapolis employers
- Lost earning capacity if injuries limit your ability to work in the future
- Property damage, including vehicle repair or total loss, towing fees, and rental car costs
- Replacement of personal items damaged in the crash (phones, laptops, child car seats)
Eskew Law organizes all bills, statements, and employer records to present a clear, comprehensive demand to the insurance company that reflects your true economic losses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for losses that don’t appear on any bill—the human side of your suffering:
- Physical pain from injuries like chronic back problems that limit your ability to walk on the Cultural Trail
- Emotional distress, including anxiety or PTSD, when driving on I-70
- Sleep problems and depression
- Loss of enjoyment of hobbies and activities you loved before the crash
- Loss of consortium for spouses of seriously injured victims
These damages are harder to quantify than medical expenses, but they’re no less real. Eskew Law uses medical evidence, mental health records, client journals, and family testimony to demonstrate how the collision changed your life.
Importance of Medical Treatment After a Car Accident
After a car accident, your health should always be your top priority. Even if you feel fine or believe your injuries are minor, it’s essential to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as whiplash, internal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms right away but can become serious if left untreated.
Prompt medical attention not only ensures you receive the care you need but also creates a clear record of your injuries, which is vital for your car accident claim. An experienced car accident lawyer in Indianapolis understands the importance of thorough medical documentation and can help you coordinate with healthcare providers to support your case.
By prioritizing medical treatment, you protect both your health and your ability to seek compensation for your injuries. If you have questions about your medical care or how it affects your claim, an experienced car accident attorney can provide the guidance you need.
Wrongful Death and Accident Claims in Indianapolis
When a car accident results in the tragic loss of a loved one, families are left facing not only emotional devastation but also significant financial challenges. In these heartbreaking situations, Indiana law allows surviving family members to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
A wrongful death claim seeks to hold the at-fault driver accountable and recover compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, and the loss of companionship. Navigating a wrongful death claim can be complex, but an Indianapolis car accident attorney has the experience and compassion to guide families through every step of the process.
By working with a skilled accident attorney, you can pursue maximum compensation and ensure your family’s rights are protected during this difficult time. If you believe your loved one’s death was caused by another’s negligence in an Indianapolis car accident, don’t hesitate to seek legal advice about your options.
How an Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer at Eskew Law Helps Your Case
Insurance companies move quickly after a crash—but their goal is protecting their bottom line, not compensating you fairly. Having Eskew Law involved early helps level the playing field. Working with an Indiana auto accident lawyer ensures you have local expertise to navigate insurance claims and secure fair settlements under Indiana law.
An experienced personal injury attorney provides support through every phase:
- Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident occurred circumstances
- Preserving critical evidence before it disappears
- Managing all communication with insurance adjusters
- Accurately valuing your claim, including future damages
- Negotiating aggressively for maximum compensation
- Taking your case to trial if necessary
Eskew Law prepares every serious case with trial in mind, even when most settle. This trial-ready approach increases leverage in settlement negotiations because insurance companies know the firm won’t accept lowball offers.
The Car Accident Claim Process in Indiana
Understanding the legal process helps reduce anxiety and set realistic expectations. Here’s how a typical car accident claim progresses:
- Initial consultation: Eskew Law reviews crash facts, injuries, and insurance policies, then provides a candid assessment of your options during a free consultation
- Investigation: The firm collects the police crash report, photographs, surveillance footage, EDR vehicle data, and witness statements—especially critical for multi-vehicle wrecks common on I-465 and I-70
- Medical treatment monitoring: Clients should follow through with doctors’ recommendations and avoid gaps in care that insurers exploit; Eskew Law tracks medical progress and accumulates bills
- Demand package: Once treatment stabilizes, the firm compiles a detailed demand letter summarizing liability, injuries, economic losses, and non-economic harms with supporting documentation
- Negotiation: Many Indianapolis car accident claims settle during this phase, but the firm doesn’t accept unfair offers
Litigation: If a fair settlement isn’t offered, Eskew Law files suit in the appropriate Indiana court and proceeds through discovery, mandatory mediation, and trial if necessary
Indiana Car Accident Laws That Can Affect Your Indianapolis Case
Indiana law includes specific rules and deadlines that directly impact your car accident lawsuit. Indiana car accident lawyers play a crucial role in helping victims understand and navigate these laws, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their injuries and damages. Understanding these provisions helps you avoid costly mistakes.
Statute of Limitations and Key Deadlines
For most Indiana personal injury and wrongful death car accident cases, you have two years from the date of the crash (or date of death) to file a lawsuit.
- Missing this deadline usually means permanent loss of your right to seek compensation, regardless of how serious your injuries are
- Shorter deadlines apply when government vehicles are involved (IndyGo buses, city trucks, state vehicles)—a notice of tort claim may be required within as little as 180 days
- Critical evidence like vehicle data, camera footage, and witness availability often disappears after just a few months
Don’t wait until the final weeks before the statute expires. Contact an experienced accident lawyer as soon as possible after your Indianapolis car crash.
Comparative Fault in Indiana
Indiana uses a modified comparative fault system with a 51% bar:
- If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of blame
- If you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing
Example: A jury awards $200,000 but finds you 20% at fault. Your net recovery is $160,000 ($200,000 minus 20%).
Insurance companies routinely try to inflate a victim’s share of fault to reduce payouts. They scrutinize lane changes, left turns, and unclear intersection scenarios looking for any excuse to assign blame.
Eskew Law challenges unfair fault allocations using physical evidence from the accident scene, expert opinions, and thorough collision reconstruction. The firm works to prove negligence rested primarily with the responsible party.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Indianapolis
It’s hard to think clearly after a crash. Following a simple checklist protects both your health and your legal rights.
At the scene (if safe to do so):
- Move out of traffic if possible to avoid secondary collisions
- Call 911 and request police documentation
- Exchange information with other drivers: names, contact details, insurance information, license plate numbers
- Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and visible injuries
- Get contact information from any witnesses
- Do not admit fault or speculate about cause
In the hours and days after:
- Seek medical evaluation at a nearby hospital even if injuries seem minor—some car accident injury symptoms take days to appear
- Keep copies of all medical records and bills
- Do not give recorded statements to any insurance adjuster before speaking with a lawyer
- Contact an Indianapolis car accident lawyer today to discuss your case
Your own insurance company is not necessarily on your side. Before accepting any settlement or signing any documents, get legal advice.
Indianapolis Car and Accident Resources
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Indianapolis, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. There are several resources available to help you understand your rights, get support, and move forward:
- Indianapolis car accident attorneys: Experienced car accident attorneys can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
- Personal injury lawyers: These injury lawyers specialize in representing individuals hurt in car crashes and other accidents, guiding you through the personal injury claim process.
- Indiana car accident laws: Familiarize yourself with Indiana’s personal injury laws, including rules on negligence, liability, and compensation, to better understand your rights after an accident.
- Car accident support groups: Local organizations and online communities offer emotional support, resources, and practical advice for accident victims and their families coping with the aftermath of car crashes.
Taking advantage of these resources can help you make informed decisions and access the support you need during your recovery.
Testimonial: “AWESOME JOB!!”
“Chris and his staff were by far some of the best!! I have used other lawyers for other services and none of them have kept me informed the way that this firm did!! We could not have asked for a better lawyer to handle our case!!
We got the best possible result we could have, and if he were not involved it would not have happened!! Thanks again!!”
-Val & Hil
Frequently Asked Questions About Indianapolis Car Accident Claims
How do contingency fees work?
You pay nothing upfront and no hourly fees. Eskew Law only gets paid if you recover compensation. Attorney fees come as a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
Will my case go to trial?
Most personal injury cases settle before trial. However, Eskew Law prepares every case as if it will go to court, which often leads to better settlement offers.
How long will my claim take?
Straightforward Indiana car accident cases may resolve within several months. Serious injury claims or cases with disputed liability can take a year or longer to reach fair resolution.
Do I have to talk to the insurance company?
No. Once you hire an accident attorney, all communication goes through your lawyer. This protects you from making statements that could hurt your insurance claim.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
You may still recover compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or other available policies. Eskew Law investigates all potential sources of recovery for car accident victims.
What about spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries?
These catastrophic injuries require specialized medical evidence and life-care planning. Eskew Law works with medical experts to document the full scope of severe injuries and their long-term impact.
What are the benefits of hiring an Indiana personal injury lawyer for my car accident claim?
An Indiana personal injury lawyer has specialized knowledge of local laws, court procedures, and insurance policies that apply to car accident and personal injury claims in Indiana. Their expertise helps ensure your rights are protected, your claim is handled efficiently, and you receive the maximum compensation available under Indiana law.
Let Eskew Law Help Protect Your Rights
A car accident can change your life in an instant, leaving you to deal with physical pain, emotional distress, and financial uncertainty. Navigating the legal process and seeking fair compensation can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone.
By working with an experienced car accident lawyer at Eskew Law, you gain a dedicated advocate who will protect your rights, handle the legal complexities, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Remember to prioritize your medical treatment, seek legal representation as soon as possible, and utilize available resources to support your recovery.
Taking these steps after a car accident can help you move forward with confidence and ensure your interests are protected every step of the way.












