An unexpected injury upends everything — your health, your income, and your family’s stability. When the accident was someone else’s fault, Indiana law gives you the right to seek compensation for the full impact of that harm. The Fort Wayne personal injury lawyers at Wagner Reese are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to review your situation and protect your right to file a claim.
Our office is on the corner of Stellhorn Road and St. Joe Road in Fort Wayne. We serve injured clients throughout Allen County and Northeast Indiana, and if you cannot travel, our attorneys will come to you — at home or at the hospital. Contact Wagner Reese today for a free case assessment.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — Indiana Law Limits Your Window to File
Injured in Fort Wayne? Indiana’s two-year statute of limitations starts from the date of your accident. Missing this deadline permanently ends your right to seek compensation.
28+ years serving Indiana injury victims. $300 million recovered for clients. No fees unless we win.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim in Indiana?
A personal injury claim is a legal action that allows an injured person to seek financial compensation when someone else’s negligence caused their harm. Negligence means a party failed to act with reasonable care — a distracted driver, a property owner who ignored a hazardous condition, a medical provider who departed from the accepted standard of care — and that failure directly caused your injury. Indiana law recognizes your right to recover for the full impact: medical treatment, lost income, physical pain, emotional suffering, and more.
Wagner Reese has pursued personal injury claims throughout Allen County and Northeast Indiana since 1997, representing clients in cases from car accidents on I-69 and Coliseum Boulevard to complex medical malpractice matters filed in Allen County Superior Court.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne is Indiana’s second-largest city, with more than 250,000 residents across Allen County. Traffic on Coliseum Boulevard, Lima Road, Clinton Street, Jefferson Boulevard, and I-69 means serious accidents happen here every day. Our attorneys handle the full range of personal injury cases, including:
Car Accidents
Rear-end, T-bone & intersection crashes
Rear-End Accidents
Fault, whiplash & spinal injuries
T-Bone & Side-Swipe
Intersection & side-impact collisions
Truck Accidents
Semi-truck & commercial vehicle crashes
Motorcycle Accidents
Road rash, TBI & serious injury claims
Bicycle Accidents
Vehicle collisions & dooring injuries
Bus Accidents
Citilink, school bus & transit incidents
Pedestrian Accidents
Crosswalk & sidewalk collision claims
Rideshare Accidents
Uber & Lyft collision claims in Fort Wayne
Birth Injuries
Delivery negligence & neonatal trauma
Medical Malpractice
Misdiagnosis, surgical & treatment errors
Premises Liability
Slip and fall & dangerous property conditions
Product Liability
Defective products & consumer injury claims
Nursing Home Negligence
Abuse, neglect & bedsore injury claims
Sexual Assault & Abuse
Civil claims for victims in Allen County
Workplace Injuries
On-the-job accidents & employer negligence
Wrongful Death
Fatal accident claims for surviving families
Not sure whether your situation qualifies? Contact us for a free review — we will tell you honestly whether you have a viable claim.
What to Do After an Injury Accident in Fort Wayne
The steps you take immediately after an injury can significantly affect your outcome:
Seek Medical Care Immediately
Adrenaline can mask serious injuries including concussions and internal bleeding. A prompt evaluation protects your health and documents your injury.
Document the Scene
Photograph the accident location, injuries, and vehicle damage. Collect contact information for any witnesses present.
Report the Accident
File a police report for vehicle crashes. Report workplace injuries to your employer. Notify the property owner for slip-and-fall incidents.
Track Every Expense
Save all medical bills, pharmacy receipts, insurance statements, and records of missed work to establish the financial impact of your injury.
Consult an Attorney First
Insurance adjusters work for the insurer, not for you. Early statements can reduce your claim’s value. Speak with Wagner Reese before responding to any insurer.
Who Can File a Personal Injury Claim in Indiana?
Any person who has suffered a physical or psychological injury due to another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct may have grounds to file a personal injury claim in Indiana. The injured person — or their legal representative if they are a minor or incapacitated — can pursue compensation directly.
When an injury results in death, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim under Indiana Code § 34-23-1-1, seeking compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of the deceased person’s companionship. If you have lost a family member due to negligence in Fort Wayne or Allen County, our Fort Wayne wrongful death attorneys can help you understand your options.
How Fault Is Determined Under Indiana Law
Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system under Indiana Code § 34-51-2-6. You can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the accident — as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. If your fault is 51 percent or greater, you are barred from recovery entirely.
When you are less than 51 percent at fault, your compensation is reduced proportionally. If a jury values your damages at $200,000 but finds you 20 percent at fault, you recover $160,000. Insurance companies routinely attempt to overstate an injured person’s share of fault to limit their own exposure. An attorney can challenge those assessments with medical records, accident scene evidence, witness accounts, and expert analysis.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Fort Wayne Injury?
Indiana law allows injured persons to seek several categories of damages. The specific amount recoverable depends on the nature and severity of the injury, the extent of financial losses, and the long-term impact on the injured person’s life.
| Type of Compensation | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Past and future treatment, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and medications. |
| Lost Wages & Earning Capacity | Income missed during recovery and reduced ability to earn in the future. |
| Pain & Suffering | Compensation for physical pain and psychological impact. |
| Emotional Distress | Impact on mental health, relationships, and quality of life. |
| Future Care Costs | Ongoing treatment for serious or catastrophic injuries. |
| Wrongful Death Damages | Funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. |
| Property Damage | Repair or replacement costs for vehicles or personal property. |
Every case is evaluated on its own facts. The categories above describe what may be recoverable — not a promise of the compensation in your case.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take?
The timeline varies by case. Straightforward claims can resolve in several months. Complex matters involving catastrophic injuries, disputed fault, or multiple defendants may take one to three years or longer. Wagner Reese does not push clients toward early settlement before medical treatment is complete, because settling early often means accepting compensation that underestimates long-term needs.
Indiana’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
Under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, injured persons in Fort Wayne have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims follow the same two-year window measured from the date of death under Indiana Code § 34-23-1-1. These are hard deadlines — courts will generally refuse to hear a case filed after the window closes.
Limited exceptions apply. The deadline is tolled when the injured party is a minor (they have until age 20 to file) or is legally incapacitated. Claims against Indiana state agencies, cities, or counties carry shorter notice requirements under the Indiana Tort Claims Act — as few as 180 days for claims against a city or county. If a government entity may be responsible for your injury, contact an attorney immediately.
Do not wait. Evidence is perishable, witness recollections fade, and insurers begin building their defense immediately. Wagner Reese is available 24/7. Visit the Indiana General Assembly for the full text of IC § 34-11-2-4.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Fort Wayne
On the other side of your claim is an insurance company with experienced adjusters, in-house attorneys, and a financial incentive to pay you as little as possible. Without legal representation, you are negotiating without knowing the full value of your claim, without understanding Indiana’s comparative fault rules, and without the leverage that comes from being prepared to file a lawsuit. Wagner Reese has represented injury victims at every stage of this process, including trial, throughout 28+ years of practice across Indiana.
How Wagner Reese Handles Your Case
We structured our process around one reality: our clients are managing one of the most difficult periods of their lives. From the first call through final resolution, here is what to expect.
Free Case Assessment
We review your situation at no cost and no obligation, answer your questions, and tell you directly whether you have a viable claim.
Investigation & Evidence
We gather medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert analysis to build a thorough, well-documented case.
Filing & Negotiation
We file the claim and negotiate with insurance carriers to pursue full compensation. We do not settle before your treatment is complete.
Resolution
We pursue the strongest available outcome — settlement or verdict — and keep you informed at every stage of the process.
Why Fort Wayne Injury Victims Choose Wagner Reese
Wagner Reese has represented personal injury clients in Fort Wayne and across Indiana since 1997. Our founding partners, Stephen M. Wagner and Jason R. Reese, have been recognized by Super Lawyers® — Stephen with 22 selections and Jason with 16. The firm also holds recognition from the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, The National Trial Lawyers, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and The Best Lawyers in America©. 28+ years of experience. $300 million+ recovered. 250+ five-star client reviews. No fees unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the Fort Wayne Personal Injury Lawyers at Wagner Reese
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in Fort Wayne or anywhere in Allen County, Wagner Reese is ready to help. Our attorneys are available around the clock — at our Stellhorn Road office, at your home, or at the hospital.
There is no fee for the initial consultation and no attorney’s fee unless we win.
