Fearless Representation for Injured Hoosiers Since 1913
If you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, we know you aren't just facing physical pain. You're likely facing an uphill battle against mounting medical bills, lost wages, and aggressive insurance companies. At Vaughan & Vaughan, we understand exactly what you’re going through because we have been standing by Indiana families during their darkest hours for over a century.
We are a legacy firm with a deep family tradition of legal excellence. When you choose us, you aren't just hiring a lawyer; you are hiring a team that has fought for Hoosiers through three generations. From our headquarters in Lafayette and our major offices in Indianapolis, Anderson, Muncie, Carmel, Kokomo, and Evansville, we provide the aggressive, fearless representation you need to move forward.
Why Choose Vaughan & Vaughan for Your Personal Injury Case?
For more than 100 years, the Vaughan family has defined what it means to be a dedicated advocate in Indiana. Our firm was founded in 1913, and that history of stability and success is something few firms in the country can match. We don’t just handle cases; we protect our community.
- Elite Board Certification: Attorney Charles V. Vaughan is board-certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy. This is a distinction held by fewer than 20 attorneys in the entire state of Indiana. We have the credentials to prove our high standing in the courtroom.
- The CDL Advantage: If you were injured in a truck accident, Attorney Charles J. Vaughan brings a unique weapon to your case—a Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL). He understands the technical regulations and maneuvers of the trucking industry from the inside, giving us a massive edge in proving driver or company negligence.
- 24/7 Availability: Accidents don’t wait for business hours. We are available to answer your call any time, day or night.
- Contingency Fee Promise: You have enough to worry about without adding legal fees to the pile. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
No two accidents are the same, and neither is the compensation required to move forward after a preventable incident. Our team looks at the total impact your injury has had on your life, and we have recovered substantial settlement and verdict amounts for our past clients.
In Indiana, you are entitled to pursue damages—the legal term for financial compensation—to cover both economic and non-economic losses. Depending on the facts of your situation, your personal injury settlement or verdict may include:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for current hospital stays and surgeries, as well as future physical therapy, medications, and medical equipment.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for the time you’ve already missed at work and loss of future earning capacity if you can no longer perform the same job.
- Pain and Suffering: Payment for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the trauma.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies or family activities you once loved.
Our goal is to maximize these figures by meticulously calculating your long-term needs and refusing to let insurance companies lowball your future.
Navigating Indiana Law: Statutes and Statistics
Indiana’s roads and workplaces can be dangerous. Recent Indiana data counts over 200,000 traffic collisions in our state annually. High-risk areas such as I-65, I-70, and notorious intersections like 38th & Guion Road or Keystone Avenue in Indianapolis see thousands of accidents every year.
To win your case, we must navigate specific Indiana statutes:
- Statute of Limitations: In most Indiana personal injury cases, you have only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to recover forever.
- Modified Comparative Fault: Indiana follows a 51% Rule. As long as you are less than 51% responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault, your award is reduced by 20%.
A Broad Scope of Personal Injury Expertise
While many firms focus solely on car accidents, we represent clients across the full spectrum of personal injury law. Whether you were hurt on a construction site, at a retail store, or in a specialized transport incident, we have the experience to fight for you.
[These topics can be in clickable boxes to link to each landing page]
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Including cars, motorcycles, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents across Indiana's highways and city streets.
- Commercial Trucking Accidents: Leveraging our internal CDL experience to hold trucking giants accountable.
- Construction & Workplace Accidents: Protecting Hoosier workers who are injured by faulty equipment or third-party negligence.
- Premises Liability (Slip and Fall): Holding property owners responsible for dangerous conditions that lead to fractures, spinal injuries, or other serious conditions.
- Catastrophic Injuries: Handling complex claims involving Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, and permanent disability.
- Wrongful Death: Helping families secure the legacy and support of a lost loved one after a fatal accident.
We Don’t Let Insurance Companies Protect Their Bottom Line Over Your Health
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They might call you shortly after your accident, sounding concerned, but their goal is to get you to settle for as little as possible before the full extent of your injuries is even known.
We serve as a shield between you and the insurance company. We handle all communications, investigate the evidence, and prepare every case as if it is going to trial. When the insurance company knows we are prepared to take them to court, they are more likely to offer a fair settlement.
What to Do After an Injury in Indiana
The actions you take in the days following an accident are critical to the success of your legal claim. Follow these steps to protect your rights:
- Seek Medical Care Immediately: Even if you feel fine, many injuries like TBIs or internal bleeding don't show symptoms for days. Your medical records are the backbone of your claim.
- Follow Your Doctor's Orders: Insurance companies will look for any reason to deny your claim, so be sure to follow your doctor's orders. If you skip physical therapy, they will use it against you.
- Preserve Evidence: Save your medical receipts, keep the clothing you were wearing, and start a recovery journal to document your pain levels and daily challenges.
- Contact Vaughan & Vaughan: Before providing a recorded statement or signing any documents for an insurer, bring your information to our firm for a complimentary review.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Indiana Personal Injury Claims
Can I post updates about my recovery or my accident on social media?
No. We strongly recommend that you refrain from posting anything on social media while your case is active. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys often monitor your public profiles to find evidence they can use to undermine your claim.
For example, a photo of you at a family gathering or a simple post about feeling better could be used to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. It is best to set your accounts to private and refrain from sharing any information about your health, your activities, or the legal process until your case is finalized.
What if I can’t afford to hire an attorney?
You can afford our services. At Vaughan & Vaughan, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay for any conferences, and we cover all costs associated with investigating and litigating your case. We are only paid a percentage of the final settlement or court award we recover for you. If we don’t win, you don't owe us anything.
Do I have to go to court for a personal injury claim?
Most cases are settled before they ever reach a courtroom. However, the best way to get a high settlement is to prove that you are prepared to go to trial. Because we have board-certified trial advocates on our team, insurance companies know that if they don't treat you fairly, we are ready to present your case to an Indiana jury.
How long will my personal injury case take?
The timeline depends on the complexity of the accident and the duration of your medical treatment. It is usually best to wait until you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement so we can accurately calculate the full cost of your injuries. We will do our best to resolve your claim quickly, but we will not sacrifice your future by settling for less than you deserve.
What is the difference between a personal injury claim and a lawsuit?
A personal injury claim is the initial demand for compensation made against the responsible party or their insurance company. Most often, the process begins and ends here.
A personal injury lawsuit is what we file with the court when the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, and litigation becomes necessary.
We prepare every claim as if we will take it to trial.
How does your contingency fee work, and what are the expenses?
We structure our fee as a percentage of the total recovery we secure for you. We cover all the up-front costs of litigation. These case expenses may include the cost of filing court documents, hiring investigators, paying for depositions, and bringing in skilled expert witnesses to support your claim. You pay these costs from your final settlement or verdict.
Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes. Indiana follows the rule of modified comparative fault, which allows you to recover compensation as long as your share of the fault is less than 51%. If you are 51% or more responsible for the accident, you recover nothing. If your fault is 50% or less, your award reduces by your percentage of fault.
Contact Vaughan & Vaughan Today for a Free Consultation
You shouldn’t have to fight for your recovery alone. Let a firm with over 100 years of fearless advocacy standing behind it protect your future. Whether you are in Lafayette, Indianapolis, or anywhere else in Indiana, our family is here to help yours.
Call us 24/7 at (765) 742-0056 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.