Fort Wayne Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents are a serious issue in Fort Wayne, Indiana, causing devastating injuries, emotional trauma, and financial losses to countless victims each year. Whether due to distracted drivers, speeding, drunk driving, or other forms of negligence, these accidents can have life-altering consequences.

At Wagner Reese, LLP, we’re dedicated to advocating for car accident victims in Fort Wayne. The attorneys at our Fort Wayne injury law firm have been honored by Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars—awards conferred upon only a small percentage of practicing lawyers nationwide. Our Fort Wayne personal injury lawyers have been named among The Best Lawyers in America© by Best Lawyers®. With a commitment to responsive and energetic representation, we’re here to fight for you.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Fort Wayne

At Wagner Reese, we handle all types of car accident cases caused by negligent driving behaviors. Our experienced Fort Wayne auto accident attorneys diligently investigate these crashes, gathering evidence to prove liability and help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to. Leading causes of car accidents include:

• Failure to Yield the Right of Way: Many accidents occur when drivers fail to yield at intersections or during lane changes.
• Failure to Take Evasive Action: Drivers who fail to reasonably avoid hazards or collisions can be held liable.
• Distracted Driving: Texting, eating, or other distractions divert attention from the road, causing accidents.
• Speeding: Driving above the speed limit or too fast for conditions is a leading cause of accidents.
• Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and reaction times, leading to devastating crashes.
• Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, road rage, and other aggressive behaviors put everyone on the road at risk.
• Failure to Keep a Proper Lookout: Drivers who aren’t vigilant for other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists can cause accidents.
• Failure to Apply Brakes: Inattention or negligence in maintaining or using brakes may lead to rear-end collisions.
• Failure to Maintain Lane: Drifting between lanes or improper lane changes often result in sideswipe or head-on collisions.
• Running a Stop Sign or Red Light: Ignoring traffic signals is a common cause of intersection accidents.
• Blocking a Roadway: Stopping or parking in the middle of the road creates significant hazards for other drivers.
• Street Racing: Reckless, high-speed racing on public roads endangers everyone nearby.
• On-the-Clock Employee Accidents: Employers can be held liable for accidents caused by employees driving for work purposes.
• Negligent Entrustment of a Motor Vehicle: Allowing an unfit or inexperienced driver to use a vehicle may result in liability for the vehicle’s owner.

Types of Fort Wayne Car Accidents We Handle

Every collision raises different questions about fault, insurance, and injuries. Our team handles a wide range of crashes, including the types below.

Not sure which category fits your crash? Contact us for a free review, and we will tell you honestly whether you may have a claim.

How Our Fort Wayne Car Accident Attorneys Prove Liability

At Wagner Reese, LLP, our Fort Wayne car accident lawyers move fast to collect all possible evidence that establishes the liability of the negligent driver: 

• Accident Scene Photos: Images of skid marks, vehicle damage, and road conditions can illustrate how the crash occurred.
• Police Reports: We obtain official accident reports, which document key details like traffic violations, fault assessments, and witness statements.
• Eyewitness Testimony: Statements from witnesses at the scene help corroborate your version of events and strengthen your case.
• Surveillance Footage: Our team secures video evidence from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or dash cams to provide a visual account of the crash.
• Black Box Data: If available, we analyze vehicle event data recorders (black boxes) to uncover critical details like speed, braking, and driver actions before the collision.
• Accident Reconstructionist Reports: Accident reconstruction professionals and engineers provide insights to determine how the accident occurred.
• Medical Records: We compile detailed medical documentation to connect your injuries to the accident and establish the severity of damages.

Common Injuries After a Fort Wayne Car Crash

Car crashes can cause harm that is not always obvious at the scene. Whiplash and soft tissue injuries are common, as are fractures, internal injuries, and concussions. More severe collisions may cause a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury, which can require lifelong care. Because adrenaline can mask pain, symptoms sometimes appear days after the crash, so prompt medical attention matters for both your health and your claim.

Steps Our Fort Wayne Car Accident Lawyers Take to Maximize Your Compensation

If you have been injured in a car accident, the insurance company of the at-fault driver will do everything possible to minimize your claim. That’s where we come in. At Wagner Reese, we know that insurance carriers only pay when they’re afraid a jury will make them pay even more.

Our attorneys treat every car accident claim with the seriousness and urgency of a trial case. This approach shows insurers that we’re prepared to take the legal battle to court if necessary—making your claim more valuable and maximizing your recovery. Insurance companies are aware that we prepare every case for trial, which helps us during negotiations as we pursue a fair settlement for you. 

Our legal team will handle every aspect of your case, including:

• Investigating the accident scene
• Obtaining critical evidence, such as surveillance footage, witness statements, and police reports
• Collaborating with accident reconstruction professionals and other qualified witnesses to establish liability and the full extent of your damages
• Negotiating firmly with insurance adjusters to pursue a fair settlement
• Litigating your case in court if the insurer refuses to settle fairly

We understand the stakes are high, and we work diligently to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Compensation After a Fort Wayne Car Accident

Indiana law allows injured people to seek several kinds of damages. The amount depends on the severity of your injuries, your financial losses, and how the crash affects your daily life.

Every case is evaluated on its own facts. The categories above describe what may be recoverable and are not a promise of the compensation in your case.

If the other driver is uninsured or carries too little coverage, you may still have options. Indiana’s minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage, and newly written auto policies must include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage unless it is rejected in writing. See the Indiana Department of Insurance for details.

How Indiana’s Comparative Fault Rule Affects Your Claim

Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system under IC § 34-51-2-6. You can still recover compensation if you share some of the blame for a crash, as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. If your share is 51 percent or greater, you are barred from recovering damages.

When you are 50 percent or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury values your damages at $200,000 and assigns you 20 percent of the fault, you could recover $160,000. Insurance adjusters may try to overstate the share of fault placed on an injured driver, which is one reason to speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement.

Statute of Limitations for Fort Wayne Car Accident Cases

Under IC § 34-11-2-4, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Indiana. If a crash causes a death, a wrongful death claim under IC § 34-23-1-1 must generally be filed within two years of the date of death, not the date of the crash.

Claims against a city, county, or state agency follow shorter notice rules under the Indiana Tort Claims Act, in some cases as few as 180 days. Courts generally will not hear a case filed after the deadline, and a missed deadline cannot be undone. Evidence also fades quickly, so contact Wagner Reese as soon as you can after a crash.

What to Do After a Fort Wayne Car Accident

The steps you take in the first hours and days can affect both your health and your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Wayne Car Accidents

Get Dedicated Help From a Fort Wayne Car Accident Law Firm Today

At Wagner Reese, LLP, we’re proud of the difference we make in our clients’ lives through dedicated representation. We have the resources, skills, and determination to take on even the most complex car accident cases. You don’t pay unless we win your case. We also offer legal services in Spanish for our clients who need them. If you or a family member has been injured in a car accident in Fort Wayne, reach out to us today and let us fight for the justice and compensation you’re owed. To schedule your free consultation, call us at (888) 204-8440 or contact us online.