Auto Accident Attorneys Who Fight For You
Last updated on July 2, 2025
At Ladendorf, Fregiato & Bigler, we’re a car accident law firm focused on getting maximum compensation for Indiana car accident victims.
Car accidents are frightening experiences. If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by the negligence of the other driver, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Proving liability, however, can become complicated, and dealing with insurance companies after an accident can be stressful.
The experienced Indiana car accident attorneys at Ladendorf, Fregiato & Bigler can assist you in filing your claim, will represent your best interests, and give you all of the invaluable legal advice you need. Call 317-842-5800 or send us a message to discuss your options, ask any questions you have, and learn how you can receive maximum compensation for your injury.
Immediately after a terrible accident I contacted Ladendorf Law. They were very thorough, swift and kept us well informed. My family appreciates everything that was done for us and we highly recommend them to others. If we were ever in this situation again (Lord Forbid) they would definitely be our first call.
– Tracey M.
Do I Have a Case? Some Common Causes Of Car Accidents
Talking to a lawyer about your specific situation is the only way to know if you have a case. When a negligent driver causes a car accident, that driver can be held liable for the damages they cause — but you need to be able to prove liability. Some common causes of car accidents are:
Failure to Obey Traffic Laws
Running stop signs or red lights, failing to yield, and speeding are all examples of noncompliance with traffic laws that can lead to an accident, whether it’s a rear-end collision (the most common type of accident) or t-bone collision at an intersection.
Distracted Driving
Driving while engaged in other activities such as talking on the phone, texting and adjusting the radio can take a driver’s eyes off the road long enough to lead to a collision. Accidents at high speed or head-on collisions can be particularly damaging.
Fatigue
Tired drivers can fall asleep at the wheel or have delayed reaction time, causing an accident that damages both life and property. Whether you’re on an Indiana country road or I-465, drivers have a responsibility to stay awake and aware while operating a vehicle.
Impaired Driving / Driving Under the Influence
An individual who drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol is more at risk of causing an accident than a non-impaired driver — and unfortunately, those who drink and drive often commit the act more than once. Your life can be permanently affected physically, mentally, and financially through the negligence of someone driving under the influence.
Our attorneys are experienced in a variety of automobile accident cases in Indiana, including trucking accidents, drunk driving accidents, motorcycle accidents, and construction zone crashes. If you want to know if you have a case, contact us today for a free consultation.
Common Car Accident Injuries
The type of injuries sustained in a car accident depend on the nature of the accident and the individuals involved.
Every accident, individual and injury is unique. For instance, high-speed, head-on collisions can lead to severe trauma or can even be fatal. Rear-end accidents can often lead to life-altering whiplash injuries. Other types of injuries that can occur in a car accident include:
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Brain injuries
- Cuts
- Burns
- Abrasions
- Broken bones and more
The victims of car accidents caused by negligence may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident, lost wages due to an inability to work, and any physical or emotional pain and suffering they have incurred.
What Can Ladendorf, Fregiato & Bigler Do For Me?
At Ladendorf, Fregiato & Bigler, we’re a dedicated, Indianapolis-based firm whose attorneys have a passion for helping people who have been injured through no fault of their own. When you work with us, you’re never just a “file” or a number in our system — our attorneys meet with you personally and will fight hard to advocate for your needs and rights.
Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?
Consulting a knowledgeable car accident attorney ensures your rights are protected and that you get the compensation you deserve. According to the Insurance Research Council, people represented by an attorney receive settlements 3.5 times higher than those without representation.
Car injury lawyers are not just experienced in the law, but they’re also experienced at negotiation, claim assessment, and evidence gathering. Our Indiana car accident lawyers will review police reports and other documentation relevant to your accident, interview any witnesses, research the law, and review footage from any traffic and/or security cameras — all in an attempt to determine what caused the accident and who may be liable for the accident.
Our firm also has the resources to work with expert accident reconstructionists to investigate the accident, perform situational analysis, measure skid marks and review damage to vehicles and any other objects at the scene that may offer insight as to what caused the accident and who can be held liable. When you have questions about your car accident, we can answer them in detail. Give us a call at 317-842-5800 or send us a message to discuss your case.
I was in a serious car accident two years ago that greatly affected my daily life and set me way back after someone ran a red light and hit me straight on. Taylor and Meghan did everything they could to help me get through after I had to deal with some pretty ruthless insurance agents who did not seem to care what had happened to me. They listened and were patient and got me through the process without me having to worry about anything. Thank you so much Ladendorf Law!! I felt relieved and righted in your hands.
– Annalise L.
What Can I Expect When Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit?
When clients first reach out to us, they often have two questions:
“How much is my car accident case worth?”
“How long will this take?
The answers to both of these questions depend on various factors:
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Is the liability in your accident clear or disputed?
If it’s disputed, resolution will take longer and/or the value of your settlement could be diminished because you’re only entitled to compensation for what is someone else’s fault.
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How much is the insurance coverage?
Cases with minimum coverage ($25k) could be resolved quickly but be effectively capped at that minimum level. Cases with high limit coverage could take a lot longer to resolve while we develop evidence to get the full value of a claim.
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How badly are you injured?
In the aftermath of a car accident, insurance companies will often contact you and make an offer. The offer will typically go something like this: “We’ll pay your medical bills up to $15,000 for the next three months and give you $7,500 cash to compensate you for your damages.” This may or may not be a good outcome for you — but, as the injured person, you have no way of knowing whether it’s a good result until after you’re better and know the full extent of your damages. Since making a claim is a one-shot process and you can’t go back later to change it, we often recommend that car accident victims focus first on getting better. Otherwise, you have no idea what the full extent of your damages are.
As you can see, the true value of a case and how long it will take is case-specific. While an attorney can often give you a general idea what your case is worth, the above factors and any liability defense the other side makes impact the final result.
Indiana Car Accident Settlements
Here are a few examples of our work representing car accident victims in Indiana. Every case is different — to ask questions about your case and what kind of settlement you might pursue, contact us for a free consultation.
- Motor vehicle crash case in which an insurance adjuster said they wouldn’t pay anywhere near $100,000 to settle the client’s case. After filing suit, we settled less than 7 months later in excess of $230,000.
- Case involving an EMT t-boned by a semi-truck: $750,000
- Case in which the crash report listed the client at fault: $950,000
- A rear end car crash: $400,000
- Case involving a truck driver who was rear-ended in Indianapolis on I-70 by a sleeping driver: $800,000.00
- A t-bone accident in Lafayette, Indiana, in which grandparents were driving their grandson to breakfast on a Saturday morning: $509,000+
- A car accident in which a vehicle failed to yield to through-traffic, causing our college-aged client to suffer fractured vertebrae: $135,000
- A case in which an uninsured drunk driver ran a red light, causing our client serious neck injury. This claim was pursued as a “dram shop” case against the bar that overserved him: $235,000
Understanding Auto Insurance Coverage In Indiana
If you’ve ever felt confused when reviewing auto insurance plans and overwhelmed trying to understand the nuances of what coverages your policy provides, you’re not alone. We have prepared this comprehensive guide to auto insurance coverage in Indiana that may answer many of your insurance-related questions.
Insurance plays a significant role in Indiana car accidents, with drivers required to carry liability insurance with $25,000 minimum coverage set for both bodily injury and property damage. Unfortunately, 1 out of 7 drivers is uninsured, which is important to consider in your own coverage. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage and Uninsured/Underinsured Property Damage Coverage can help cover these gaps.
If you’re in a car accident, Indiana allows you to file personal injury claims against negligent parties, including negligent drivers and their insurance companies, and you can seek recovery for damages beyond just medical expenses, including pain and suffering, property loss, and emotional distress. However, Indiana law prescribes a two-year statute of limitations for filing car accident claims, starting from the date of the collision.
After a car accident, it’s important to talk to a lawyer before speaking with insurance companies in order to protect your rights and avoid settling for less than you deserve.
Responding To Your Car Accident Questions
If you or a loved one went through a serious car accident, you will encounter many challenges when it comes to filing an insurance claim or pursuing a lawsuit. You will also have many questions.
To help you and other accident survivors, we have this page to responding to a few of the questions we often hear.
- How is fault determined after a car accident?
- What is my case worth?
- What should I do after a car accident?
- Can I sue for getting hit by a semi truck?
- What are the benefits of working with a personal injury attorney?
- Is it worth getting an attorney for a car accident?
- What should I say to my insurance company?
How is fault determined after a car accident?
Many crashes involve partial liability, which is when both parties’ actions contributed to a car crash, but one party may share more fault than the other. Indiana employs a modified comparative fault system, also known as comparative negligence, to assess personal injury cases resulting from car accidents. In Indiana, as long as you receive no more than 50% of comparative fault for an accident, you may receive compensation for your damages.
What is my case worth?
Reading an FAQ on the internet cannot help you determine the value of your case. Speaking to a lawyer, however, can. One of our attorneys can sit down with you to learn about your situation and give you a better idea of how much you might recover.
What should I do after a car accident?
Try to follow these steps after a crash:
- Seek medical attention.
- Call the police to file a report.
- Get the contact information of the other driver.
- Get the contact information of any witnesses.
- Take photographs of the scene.
- Contact a personal injury attorney.
Every accident is different. However, if you follow these steps, you may have a much stronger claim.
Can I sue for getting hit by a semi truck?
Every truck crash varies, but if a semi truck hit your vehicle, you may have an actionable case on your hands. Many accidents involving semi trucks have issues of third-party liability. This is when a party other than the truck driver or trucking company may share liability for the crash. You may need to file a lawsuit against more than one party; for example, the cargo loader, the truck manufacturer or the maintenance company.
What are the benefits of working with a personal injury attorney?
A lawyer can help you navigate the complex systems of insurance claims and injury lawsuits. Attorneys understand which paperwork is necessary, which steps to follow and how to recover the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible. Not to mention that insurance companies, car manufacturers, and, in cases of trucking accidents, trucking companies all have powerful lawyers on their side. Having your own attorney will level the playing field.
Is it worth getting an attorney for a car accident?
Yes. Without a lawyer, you face numerous complex hurdles in the bureaucratic process. Handling your case on your own can end up costing you more money than it would to hire an attorney in the first place — plus, studies show that car accident victims represented by an attorney receive higher settlements (nearly 3x higher) than those who do not.
What should I say to my insurance company?
Do not communicate with your insurance company without an attorney present. Insurance representatives have methods to get you to admit fault, even if you had no part in the accident. They want to make the lowest settlement possible instead of paying the amount you deserve. With a lawyer on your side, you have a much better chance at recovering fair and just compensation.
Reach Out for a Free Consultation
Having handled several thousand car accident cases in Indiana, we have the answers to all your questions, no matter how complex.
Contact our office in Indianapolis to speak with one of our team members and learn more about your options after a crash. We offer free, no-risk, no-obligation consultations. Give us a call now at 317-842-5800 or send us an email.