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Your Lawrence Personal Injury Attorney
The short answer. In Indiana most injury claims must be filed within two years (Ind. Code 34-11-2-4(a)). The trial court for Marion County sits in Indianapolis, at 675 Justice Way, Indianapolis, IN 46203. To talk it through, send the form on this page and we will work to connect you with an attorney in our network.
Nobody plans for the call that follows an accident. Whether you were hurt in a crash, a fall or something else in Lawrence, the weeks afterward bring decisions that feel bigger than they should. Here is what Indiana law says, in plain terms, so you can ask better questions.
We match people with attorneys; we do not advise on cases. Treat what follows as a plain language guide to Indiana law drawn from the statutes. When you want to talk to an attorney, the form at the top of this page is the way to start.
Before You Hire: Questions For A Lawrence Attorney
A short list of questions can sort out who is right for you:
- Your share of fault. Ask how a finding that you were partly responsible would change the numbers (Ind. Code 34-51-2-6(a)).
- The date. Ask for the specific last day to file in your case. The general rule is two years (Ind. Code 34-11-2-4(a)).
- Any ceiling. Ask whether any rule restricts the amount you could recover in Indiana.
- The money terms. Ask how fees are calculated and which costs come out of a recovery.
- The people. Ask who will be in touch with you and how quickly they return calls.
Common Kinds of Injury Claims
Vehicle crashes
After a crash, see a doctor even if you feel fine, since some injuries show up later. Take photographs of the cars, the road and any injuries, get the other driver’s insurance details, and save every repair estimate.
Pedestrian and bicycle injuries
Walkers and cyclists hurt by a vehicle should write down the location, the time of day, the lighting and the signals as soon as they can. Witnesses who stopped are valuable, so ask for their contact details before they leave.
Falls and unsafe property
Falls on someone else’s property usually depend on what the owner knew or should have known about the hazard. Photograph the spot before it changes, report the fall in writing, and keep the shoes you were wearing.
Wrongful death
If someone you love died because another person was careless or at fault, the law treats it separately. A wrongful death claim follows its own rules in Indiana; ask an attorney which date applies (Ind. Code 34-23-1-1). This is a hard moment to decide anything, and an attorney can walk you through the steps without hurrying you.
Injured in Lawrence? Get matched with an attorney now.
Sharing Blame And Your Claim
Shared blame matters in Indiana, because it can reduce an award or end it. The source is Ind. Code 34-51-2-6(a).
You can recover if your share of the fault is 50 percent or less, and your award is reduced by your share; above 50 percent the claim is barred (Ind. Code 34-51-2-6(a)). Insurers often press this point first, so keep notes about how the injury happened.
Is There A Ceiling On The Award
In an ordinary injury claim in Indiana, the amount depends on the facts of the claim. What you can recover turns on the bills, the missed work and the lasting effects.
Lasting effects and missed work are part of what is proved. Punitive damages are limited separately (Ind. Code 34-51-3-4).
Filing Deadlines For Injury Claims
Indiana allows two years to file most injury claims (Ind. Code 34-11-2-4(a)). Extra time can be available for a child and in some other limited situations (Ind. Code 34-11-6-1).
A claim against a government body usually has its own claim or notice steps that must be followed before you sue, so ask early (Ind. Code 34-13-3-8). If someone died, a separate set of rules can apply (Ind. Code 34-23-1-1). Write down the date of the injury now so the count is never in doubt.
What Auto Policies Must Cover
Indiana requires at least $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for injury to two or more people in one accident and $25,000 for property damage (Ind. Code 9-25-4-5).
Those figures are floors, and a serious injury can cost more than the other driver’s policy pays. They are minimums, not a measure of what your claim is worth.
The Court and Hospitals Behind a Lawrence Claim
Lawrence lies in Marion County, according to Census Bureau place and county names. Marion County’s superior court is listed in Indianapolis, at 675 Justice Way, Indianapolis, IN 46203. In Marion County, the state trauma list shows Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital in Indianapolis as a Level I trauma center. The state trauma list names Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, in Marion County as well, as a Level I trauma center. Another facility on the state trauma list, IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, is also in Marion County; it is listed as a Level I trauma center.
Keep copies of everything the hospital or clinic gives you, ask for an itemized bill, and note each appointment as it happens. If you moved between facilities, collect the records from each one.
Beginning Your Case Review In Lawrence
Start with the form at the top. It asks a few questions about the injury. NeedAnAttorney.net reviews your details and works to match you with an attorney in our network who may handle cases in Indiana. Using it is free, and it does not create an attorney client relationship.
Before the first call, collect the basics: the date, the place, names of witnesses, your medical visits and your missed work. A single folder for bills, letters and photographs saves time later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if a city, county or other government body caused my injury?
Possibly. Special claim or notice steps can apply (Ind. Code 34-13-3-8). The notice steps can differ from those for other claims. Write down the date and place of the injury.
How long does an injury settlement take?
It varies with the injury and the insurer. Waiting for treatment to finish helps everyone see the total cost. Cases that go to court take longer than ones that settle.
Is there a deadline for suing after an accident in Indiana?
Generally two years (Ind. Code 34-11-2-4(a)). A child may have more time, and a few other limited situations extend the period too (Ind. Code 34-11-6-1). A wrongful death claim follows its own rules (Ind. Code 34-23-1-1).
Does Indiana bar me from recovering if I share the blame?
The rule: you can recover if your share of the fault is 50 percent or less, and your award is reduced by your share; above 50 percent the claim is barred (Ind. Code 34-51-2-6(a)). How the facts are described matters from the start. Details from the day of the accident can matter.
Will a limit on damages reduce my claim?
Ask an attorney whether any rule limits the amount for your kind of claim; the facts and the records drive the number. Medical bills and lost income are handled separately from pain and suffering. An attorney can tell you which rules apply to your facts.
What are the minimum auto insurance limits in Indiana?
$25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage (Ind. Code 9-25-4-5). Several policies can apply to one crash. Before you accept a payment, check for every policy that may apply.
What should I gather before I call an attorney?
Gather treatment records and itemized bills first. Include any police or incident report number. Also save the report number if there is one, proof of lost work and all insurer letters.
Must I give a recorded statement to an insurer?
You may speak with them, but you do not have to give a recorded statement right away. You can ask for questions in writing. An attorney can speak to the insurer for you.
Serving Injured Clients Across Indiana
If your injury happened outside Lawrence, one of these pages may fit better.
