Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys Who Fight for You

As an Indianapolis-based personal injury law firm, we have devoted our entire practice to representing people who sustain significant harm due to the careless acts of others. At Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler, we make it our mission to ensure you get maximum compensation.

“Matt and his team were incredible to work with. They showed genuine concern during my recovery process, took extra time to explain all the steps, and fought for me behind the scenes. I was treated with heartfelt care and respect, as a member of the Ladendorf family. While I hope that I never have another need to hire them, I absolutely wouldn’t hesitate to do so.”

– Anna M.

Types Of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

The term “personal injury” can cover many situations, but the key factor is that someone has suffered physical harm, emotional harm, or both, due to the negligent conduct of another person.

At Ladendorf, Fregiato & Bigler, we represent clients throughout the Indianapolis metro area, including Broad Ripple, Fountain Square, Greenwood, Plainfield, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, and Westfield. Over nearly 100 combined years of practicing law in Indianapolis, we’ve represented clients through a variety of personal injury and accident claims. As a small, family-based firm, we approach every case with a passion for helping people and a personal touch. Learn more about what makes us different from national firms here.

We are well versed in the following types of personal injury cases:

• Car accidents: Car accidents are unfortunately common and can occur due to reckless or negligent behavior on the road.
• Truck accidents: Trucking accidents are almost always the result of negligence on the part of one or more parties.
• Motorcycle crashes: Motorcycle accidents can result in devastating injuries due to the lack of physical protection for riders.
• Dog bites: Animal attacks should not be taken lightly; these are serious incidents that can lead to medical bills, pain and suffering, scarring, and more.
• Medical malpractice & negligence: Medical malpractice happens when healthcare professionals fail to provide the standard of care, leading to patient harm.
• Nursing home abuse: Nursing home residents can suffer from abuse, neglect, poor supervision, or inadequate care.
• School negligence: Whether on the bus, in the classroom, or on the playground, schools have a responsibility to keep children safe.
• Child injury: From birth injuries to caregiver neglect and water accidents, injuries to children are particularly serious.
• Product liability: If negligence in production, design, or failure to provide adequate warnings leads to injury, affected consumers may claim compensation.
• Bicycling accidents: Indiana’s cyclist community continues to flourish with new bike lanes and trails, but with the increase in bicycle users comes an increase in bicycling accidents.
• Construction accidents: Construction sites present numerous hazards, and accidents can occur due to negligence, lack of safety measures, or equipment failures.
• Premises liability: Whether it’s pool accidents, fires, falling merchandise, or inadequate security, property owners have a responsibility to ensure their premises are safe.
• Slip-and-fall accidents: Slip and fall accidents fall under premises liability, occurring when property owners neglect to maintain a safe environment.
• Catastrophic injuries / wrongful death: Catastrophic injuries have life-altering implications and can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, serious burns, amputations, and paralysis.

An accident injury case can be complicated, with multiple types of personal injury at play. But no matter the circumstances, we have the legal prowess to argue your case correctly, protect your rights and help you get compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to talk through your case.

You’ve Been Injured…Now What?

After an injury, it’s crucial to follow a proper course of action to safeguard your rights and well-being.

1. First, prioritize your health by seeking medical attention. The most important thing is to get you on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.
2. Take photos of the accident scene and any damage.
3. Avoid speaking to insurance companies or agreeing to settlements before consulting a lawyer. Insurance companies want to settle for the lowest payout and likely will try to take advantage of an unrepresented individual.
4. Once stabilized, contact Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler to discuss your case—no injury is too small to explore your legal options.

“Dustin, Memorie, and the team were incredible to work with. They took time to answer all my questions and were transparent about the process and what to expect. They were open and honest about timelines and set honest expectations. I hope to never need an injury attorney again. But if I do, Ladendorf will be my first phone call.”

–Nicholas B.

Your Rights Under Indiana Personal Injury Laws

Indiana’s personal injury laws are designed to protect victims by allowing them to seek compensation for injuries caused by others. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Indiana is typically two years from the date of the accident, but can vary depending on specific circumstances. Victims can seek compensation for various damages, including medical bills, lost wages, physical injuries, mental anguish, emotional distress, and property damage. Understanding these rights ensures that victims can effectively pursue justice and receive the compensation they deserve.

How Much Do Most Personal Injury Cases Settle For in Indianapolis?

When clients first approach Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler, they often want the answers to two questions: “How much can I expect?” and “How long will this take?”

The answers are highly dependent on the situation, the extent of your injuries, any insurance coverage, and whether or not we can establish clear liability in the accident. Resolution could be a matter of months or a matter of years, and the amount you’re entitled to needs to take all harm into account.

Our best advice when you’ve been injured in an accident is for you to focus on getting better and let us focus on building your case. Only after you are at a medical plateau can we fully understand the extent of damages. It’s also important to talk to a lawyer first before talking to insurance companies, so that you ensure your rights are protected at every step.

Damages In Your Personal Injury Case

Personal injury claims are very complex, and each is unique. Regardless of the underlying reason for the injury, personal injury victims are entitled to damages if the third party can be proven to be at fault.

As advocates for you, we thoroughly assess each case and determine the best approach for presenting it to the jury or the insurance company so that our clients are awarded the maximum possible compensation.

The common types of damages one can claim in a personal injury case are:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future Pain and suffering
• Loss of past and future income
• Loss of earning capacity
• Effect on daily living
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Disability and disfigurement
• Emotional damages

FAQs about Indiana Personal Injury Law

Here are a few commonly asked questions about personal injury and accident cases.

What’s The Statute Of Limitations In Indiana For A Civil Case?

Generally speaking, most personal injury (or “tort”) cases will have a two-year statute of limitations.  Which means that if the case is not resolved within two years of the date of the incident and a lawsuit has not been filed by that time, then the injured party will lose the right to sue and recover damages

Are There Other Time Limit Statutes?

Aside from the general statute of limitations, there are also deadlines in place for tort claims against the government.  Even though a case against the government still has the regular statute of limitations, there are also deadlines to file a “Tort Claim Notice” to the proper governmental entities, 180 days if the target is a local entity, 270 days if the target is the State of Indiana.  Under the federal tort claims act, you have two years to file the federal tort claim notice, and 180 days after denial of the claim to file a lawsuit.

Can Anything Delay The Statute Of Limitations?

The most common way a statute of limitations can be delayed is because of the injured person’s incapacity.  For example, if a person is in a coma, their clock may not start running until they are no longer incapacitated.  More commonly, a minor is legally incompetent until they are 18, so for a regular tort, the statute of limitations for a minor is their 20th birthday.  An exception to this rule is for medical malpractice claims where it is a hard two year statute of limitations unless the minor is less than 6 years old, in which case the statute of limitations is their 8th birthday.

Are There Any Other Statutes Of Limitations Depending On The Action?

Yes! Products liability and asbestos actions, for example, have nuanced statutes of limitations that makes it worth consulting with an attorney to see if your claim has been affected.

What is a “Good” Settlement Offer in a Personal Injury Case?

An appropriate compensation amount is one that fully covers the financial burden of your accident and takes both physical and emotional damages into account. You also want to consider both immediate costs and future costs you might incur because of someone else’s negligence. At Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler, we’re experienced in ensuring our clients get the compensation they deserve — contact us today to discuss your specific case.

Should You Accept the First Compensation Offer?

In most cases, no. Early offers often do not take all the evidence into account, and you may not know the extent of your injuries until some time has passed. That’s why we recommend you focus first on your recovery.

Is it Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Yes! Accident attorneys are experienced in investigating, negotiating, and navigating the bureaucratic process of a personal injury lawsuit. And research shows that injury victims represented by a lawyer receive nearly 3x higher settlements than those who do not.

Get an Indianapolis Accident Lawyer on Your Side. Contact Us for a Free Consultation.

Understanding personal injury law in Indiana is essential for anyone navigating the aftermath of an accident. From car and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, product liability, and beyond, these situations are intricate and demand skilled interpretation. At Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler, we’re committed to guiding our clients through each step, ensuring their rights are safeguarded and their voices amplified.

If you have sustained personal injuries that you think might have been caused by the negligence of another party, contact us today and talk to one of our Indiana personal injury lawyers: 317-842-5800.