Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer

Were you injured in an accident in Indianapolis, IN?

At Pavlack Law, LLC, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer trusted by clients since 2011.

If you have been injured in an Indianapolis accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, an attorney can hold that party accountable and pursue payment for your medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering. Insurance companies often begin evaluating a claim within days. Early legal involvement protects the evidence your case will rely on.

When you hire an Indianapolis, IN personal injury lawyer at Pavlack Law, LLC, you gain attorneys with more than 50 years of combined litigation experience. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation.

Personal Injury Lawyer Indianapolis, IN

A personal injury lawyer represents people harmed by another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct. The work includes investigating how the injury occurred, identifying every person or company that shares responsibility, calculating present and future losses, and negotiating with insurance carriers. When a fair settlement is not offered, the lawyer files suit and prepares the case for trial.

Indianapolis roadways averaged one fatal or severe-injury crash every five hours between 2019 and 2023, according to data compiled for the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan. Collisions are only part of the picture. Injury claims in Marion County also arise from falls on neglected property, hazards at construction sites, and preventable medical errors.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Indianapolis

As personal injury attorneys, our firm represents injured people and families throughout Indianapolis in claims involving vehicles, property, workplaces, and medical care. Each type of case raises its own evidence and insurance issues. For that reason, every representation begins with a careful look at how the injury happened.

• Car accidents. Rear-end, intersection, and hit-and-run collisions happen every day on Indianapolis streets and interstates. We obtain crash reports, vehicle data, and witness accounts to establish fault and pursue the full value of the claim.
• Truck accidents. A collision with a semi can involve the driver, the motor carrier, a cargo loader, and a maintenance company. We identify each party that contributed and work to preserve logbooks, inspection records, and electronic data before they disappear.
• Motorcycle accidents. Riders often suffer far more serious injuries than the drivers who hit them, and some adjusters are quick to blame the rider. We rebuild the sequence of the crash so the evidence answers that assumption.
• Pedestrian accidents. People on foot have no protection in a collision. We examine sight lines, signal timing, and driver conduct to show how the crash occurred and who caused it.
• Bicycle accidents. Cyclists are frequently struck by drivers who fail to yield, turn across their path, or open a door without looking. We pursue compensation for medical treatment, lost work, and damaged equipment.
• Slip and fall accidents. Property owners must address hazards they know about or should have discovered through reasonable inspection. We gather maintenance logs, incident reports, and surveillance footage to show how long the condition existed.
• Brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury can affect memory, concentration, and mood long after visible wounds heal. We work with treating physicians to document how the injury changes work and daily life.
• Burn injuries. Fires, explosions, defective products, and chemical exposure can cause burns that require grafting and months of rehabilitation. We trace the source of the fire or defect to the party responsible for it.
• Construction site injuries. Falls, equipment failures, and struck-by incidents injure construction workers across the city. Beyond workers’ compensation, we look for third-party claims against contractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers.
• Wrongful death. When negligence costs a life, surviving family members may seek damages for lost financial support, companionship, and funeral expenses. We handle these claims with patience and close attention to the family’s needs.

Why Choose Pavlack Law, LLC as My Personal Injury Lawyer in Indianapolis, IN?

Litigation Experience Built in Indianapolis Courts

Eric S. Pavlack founded Pavlack Law, LLC in 2011 after more than a decade of litigating large class actions at a prominent downtown Indianapolis firm. Those cases involved consumer fraud, bad faith insurance practices, and defective drugs and medical devices. He opened his own practice so that ordinary people facing serious injuries could have the kind of representation usually available only to the wealthy and well connected.

Eric earned his J.D. from Indiana University’s McKinney School of Law in 1999. He has been selected to Super Lawyers every year from 2015 through 2025 and received an AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. That background in demanding, document-heavy litigation is what an injured person should expect from a personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, IN.

Results for Injured Clients and Grieving Families

Our clients’ cases have produced millions of dollars recovered through settlements with insurers, corporations, and property owners. Representative results include:

• $4,000,000 for a woman paralyzed from the waist down in a car collision
• $1,250,000 for the family of a young man killed in a collision with a negligently operated semi
• $750,000 for a woman injured at work when she slipped on untreated ice
• $595,000 for a woman hurt by a poorly maintained and malfunctioning rental scooter
• $450,000 for a man who tripped on uneven pavement in a convenience store parking lot

We handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis, so there is no fee unless we make a recovery.

What Is Important to Understand About a Personal Injury Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Personal Injury Cases

Liability in most Indiana injury cases rests on negligence. The injured person must show that the other party owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused harm that produced real losses. Our attorneys prove negligence with records, testimony, and physical evidence.

Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system under Ind. Code § 34-51-2. Compensation is reduced by the injured person’s percentage of fault. Recovery is barred entirely when that person’s fault is greater than the combined fault of everyone else involved. The Comparative Fault Act does not govern claims against government entities or medical malpractice claims, which follow separate rules.

The damages available in Indiana generally fall into these categories:

• Medical expenses. Past and future treatment, surgery, therapy, and medication.
• Lost income. Wages missed during recovery and reduced earning capacity when an injury limits future work.
• Pain and suffering. Physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Property damage. Repair or replacement of a vehicle or other damaged property.
• Punitive damages. Awarded only in rare cases involving particularly egregious conduct.

Future costs carry great weight in cases involving spinal cord injuries and other permanent harm.

What Are Important Aspects of a Personal Injury Case?

Several factors shape how a claim develops, starting in the first week after an injury. These deserve early attention:

• Consistent medical care. Gaps in treatment give insurers a reason to argue the injury was minor or caused by something else.
• Evidence preservation. Surveillance video, vehicle data, and physical evidence can be overwritten or discarded within weeks.
• Insurance coverage. Available policy limits often determine how a claim is structured and whether additional coverage applies.
• Filing deadlines. Most Indiana injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury.

What Is The Personal Injury Case Timeline?

The length of a claim depends on the severity of the injury and the insurer’s willingness to negotiate. Most cases move through the following stages:

1. Investigation and treatment. We gather evidence while you focus on medical care.
2. Demand. Once your condition stabilizes, we present a documented demand to the insurer.
3. Negotiation. The insurer responds, and offers are exchanged.
4. Litigation. If talks stall, we file suit and begin discovery, including written questions and depositions.
5. Resolution. The case settles, often through mediation, or proceeds to trial.

What Should You Bring to Your Personal Injury Consultation?

Having the following materials available allows our attorneys to evaluate your claim more accurately during the first meeting:

• The crash report or incident report
• Medical records, bills, and discharge paperwork
• Photos of your injuries, vehicle, or the scene
• Insurance letters and claim numbers
• Pay stubs or other proof of missed work

The consultation is free. An Indianapolis personal injury lawyer will review what happened, explain your options, and answer your questions about the process.

Most Dangerous Locations for Personal Injury in Indianapolis

The corridors below combine high traffic volumes, frequent turning movements, and heavy truck or pedestrian activity.

Dangerous streets:

• East Raymond Street. A half-mile stretch between Shelby Street and State Avenue has been identified in the city’s Vision Zero planning as one of its deadliest roadways, as Mirror Indy reported.
• 38th Street. A long east-west arterial with heavy turning, transit, and pedestrian traffic across the north side.
• Washington Street. A major east-west corridor lined with driveways, bus stops, and commercial entrances.
• Michigan Road. A northwest-side commercial route where pedestrian crossings and turning vehicles mix.

Dangerous highways:

• I-465. The interstate loop around Indianapolis carries heavy commuter and commercial truck traffic.
• I-65 and I-70 through downtown. Merging lanes and closely spaced exits create frequent lane-change conflicts.
• I-69 on the northeast side. Congestion near the I-465 interchange produces stop-and-go conditions during rush hour.

Reach Out to Pavlack Law, LLC to Schedule a Consultation

If an injury has disrupted your health, work, or family life, our attorneys can review your options at no cost. We take personal injury cases on a contingency basis, which means no fee unless we make a recovery. Our office is available 24/7 to receive new inquiries. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury attorney.

Personal Injury Statistics in Indianapolis

Statewide crash data shows how often an ordinary trip ends in serious harm. The Indiana Crash Facts report, prepared by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, tracks every officer-reported collision in the state.

Local planning points to the same problem. The city’s Vision Zero dashboard maps a High Risk Network of street segments where serious pedestrian and bicycle crashes are more likely. Where a collision happened can matter as much as how it happened.

• Indiana recorded 200,035 traffic crashes in 2024, resulting in 872 deaths and 44,033 non-fatal injuries.
• Rear-end collisions accounted for 23% of all Indiana crashes in 2024, more than any other manner of collision.
• Hit-and-run crashes made up 13.4% of Indiana collisions that year.
• Driver-related factors were the primary cause of 84% of all Indiana crashes and 95% of fatal crashes in 2024.
• Indiana recorded 135 fatal workplace injuries in 2024, and 55 of them involved transportation incidents, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Mistakes That Can Damage Your Personal Injury Claim

Many claims lose value because of decisions made in the first few weeks, often before the injured person has spoken with a personal injury attorney. The following mistakes come up often.

1. Delaying medical treatment. Getting medical care right away creates a record that links your injuries to the accident. A delay of even a few days gives the insurer room to argue that something else caused your symptoms.
2. Giving a recorded statement to the other side’s insurer. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that narrow your claim. A casual remark that you “feel fine” can be quoted back to you months later.
3. Accepting the first offer. Early offers often arrive before the full extent of an injury is known. Accepting the first settlement offer usually requires signing a release that ends the claim for good.
4. Posting about the accident online. Photos and comments on social media are routinely reviewed by insurance companies. A picture from a family event can be used to suggest you were not really hurt.
5. Stopping treatment early. Missing physical therapy sessions or skipping follow-up visits suggests the injury has resolved. Follow your doctor’s plan and keep your appointments.
6. Losing track of expenses. Receipts for prescriptions, mileage to appointments, and hours of missed work add up. Without records, those losses are difficult to recover.
7. Waiting too long to act. Indiana’s two-year filing deadline passes quickly when treatment and recovery take months. Witnesses move, and video footage is deleted.
8. Signing broad medical authorizations. Some insurers request access to your entire medical history. Review any authorization with an attorney before signing it.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis?

Pavlack Law, LLC represents injury clients on a contingency basis. You pay no attorney fees up front, and there is no fee unless we make a recovery. The fee comes from the settlement or verdict rather than from your own pocket. Your first consultation is also free, so you can learn about your options before making any commitment.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Indiana?

Most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of injury under Indiana’s statute of limitations. Certain claims, including those involving minors or medical care, can follow different timing rules. Because missing the deadline usually ends the claim, an early review of your situation is the safest approach.

What happens if I was partly at fault for the accident?

You may still recover compensation. Indiana reduces your damages by your share of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, your recovery would be $80,000. If your fault is greater than the combined fault of all other parties, however, you cannot recover.

Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?

You generally have no obligation to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer. Adjusters work for the company paying the claim, and their questions are designed to limit what it owes. Report the accident to your own insurer as your policy requires, and let your attorney handle communications with the other side.

What is my personal injury case worth?

Value depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of past and future treatment, lost income, the effect on your daily life, and the available insurance coverage. Fault allocation also matters. No honest personal injury attorney can give an exact figure at the first meeting, but we can explain which factors will drive the value of your claim.

Will my personal injury case go to trial?

Many injury claims resolve through negotiation or mediation. Some cases go to trial when the insurer disputes fault or undervalues a serious injury. We prepare each case as if a jury will hear it, because that preparation often produces better settlement offers.

Do I need a police report for my claim?

A police report is one of the most useful documents in a crash claim. It records the parties, vehicles, insurance information, and the officer’s observations. Indiana crash reports can be purchased through the Indiana State Police. If no report was made, other evidence such as photos and witness statements becomes even more important.

What if the driver who hit me has no insurance?

Your own auto policy may include coverage for uninsured motorist claims or for drivers whose limits are too low. These claims are made against your own insurer, which often takes a firm position on value. We review your policy and pursue every source of coverage available.

Does Pavlack Law, LLC handle cases outside Indianapolis?

Yes. In addition to Indianapolis, our firm serves clients in Carmel, Fishers, Decatur Township, Center Township, Washington Township, Lawrence Township, and surrounding communities. Many of our clients live in one county and were injured in another. We can review where a claim should be filed during your consultation.

How soon should I contact a personal injury lawyer after being injured?

As soon as you are able. Early involvement allows your personal injury attorney to request video footage, photograph the scene, and contact witnesses while memories are fresh. It also keeps you from making statements to insurers that could hurt your claim later. Our office is available 24/7 to take your call.

Important Resources for Indianapolis Personal Injury Cases

What Are Important Indiana Legal Resources for Personal Injury Cases?

The resources below explain where Indiana’s injury laws are published and how the court system operates. They are a starting point for research, not a substitute for legal advice.

• Indiana Code Title 34 contains the civil statutes that govern injury claims.
• The general two-year statute of limitations for personal injury appears in Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4.
• The Comparative Fault Act, which explains how fault is shared, appears in Ind. Code § 34-51-2.
• The Self-Service Legal Center explains court procedures and common legal terms.
• The Indiana courts and clerks directory lists contact information for every county court.

What Are Important Local Resources for Indianapolis Personal Injury Cases?

After an injury in Indianapolis, these agencies and hospitals can help with emergency care, reports, and follow-up treatment.

• Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department: Non-emergency line (317) 327-3811
• Eskenazi Health Smith Level I Shock Trauma Center: (317) 880-0000
• IU Health Methodist Hospital: (317) 962-2000

Pavlack Law, LLC does not endorse and is not affiliated with any organization listed above. These resources are provided for informational purposes only.

About Pavlack Law, LLC

Pavlack Law, LLC represents injured people and families from our Indianapolis law office, and our results include a $6,000,000 settlement for the widow and surviving children of a man who died because of negligence. Founder Eric Pavlack is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indianapolis Bar Association, and the American Association for Justice.

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★

“Like many of you reading this, we got in a car wreck we didn’t cause. Like many of you, we were overwhelmed by how many lawyers there are in this city, and didn’t know what to do, and we figured the best approach was to reach out over email and phone to a few of the big name personal injury firms looking for advice and see what they all said.”

Greg Magnusson

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Additional Resources for Indianapolis Personal Injury Cases

• Understanding Your Legal Rights After an Injury
• Mistakes That Hurt Your Accident Claim
• How Fault Is Determined in Indianapolis Car Accidents
• 7 Tips for Managing Expectations During Your Case
• Taking Charge of Your Injury Claim

Contact Pavlack Law, LLC

A serious injury affects more than your health. It can interrupt your income, strain your family, and leave you facing insurers who have handled thousands of claims. Pavlack Law, LLC gives injured people in Indianapolis attorneys who investigate thoroughly and prepare every case for trial. We charge no fee unless we make a recovery, and your first consultation is free. We will review what happened, explain the options available to you, and outline the next steps. Contact us today to speak with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer.