Taking Aggressive Legal Action When a Driver Flees the Scene
A car accident is traumatic enough on its own, but when the other driver speeds away without checking on your well-being or providing their information, the sense of betrayal and injustice can be infuriating. In the legal world, a hit and run is more than just an accident—it is a crime.
Whether you were struck by a fleeing vehicle on the I-465 loop, left on the side of the road near Eagle Creek Park, or hit in a parking lot downtown near Lucas Oil Stadium, you are likely facing a mountain of questions about who will pay for your medical bills and car repairs. Our Indianapolis hit and run lawyers can help you sort through the facts, search for the responsible party, and pursue compensation for your losses in a variety of ways.
At Vaughan & Vaughan, we believe that those who flee the scene should be held fully accountable for their cowardice and negligence. Our firm has been a cornerstone of the Indianapolis legal community since 1913, providing fearless representation to Hoosiers who have been injured and wronged for over 110 years.
The three generations of lawyers in the Vaughan family, along with our skilled legal team, have provided the resources, the tenacity, and the investigative experience necessary to help you recover even when the at-fault party is trying to avoid responsibility for their negligent acts.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
Why You Can Trust Vaughan & Vaughan After an Indianapolis Hit and Run Accident
Investigating a hit and run incident requires more than just filling out paperwork; it requires a proactive, aggressive pursuit of evidence. You need a team that understands Indiana laws, how the local authorities operate, and how to leverage every available resource to protect your future.
When you partner with the Vaughan & Vaughan team, you’ll receive these additional benefits:
- Board-Certified Trial Excellence: Attorney Charles V. Vaughan is board-certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This is a distinction held by fewer than 20 attorneys in the state of Indiana. This elite credential signals to insurance companies that we are ready and capable of winning in front of a Marion County jury if the insurer refuses to treat you fairly.
- The CDL Investigation Advantage: Many hit and run incidents in high-traffic logistics hubs like Indianapolis involve commercial trucks or delivery vans that leave the scene after a sideswipe or other collision. Unlike most other personal injury lawyers, attorney Charles J. Vaughan holds a Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL). This firsthand technical knowledge enables us to identify vehicle markings, trailer numbers, and fleet patterns that other lawyers might overlook, significantly increasing the likelihood of identifying the fleeing driver.
- A Century of Fearless Advocacy: We have been fighting for the people of Indiana for over 110 years. Our firm’s long history includes involvement in high-profile cases that have shaped Indiana law. We don’t back down from difficult investigations or complex insurance disputes.
- 24/7 Availability: Hit and run accidents often occur in the middle of the night or during low-visibility hours. Our team is available 24/7 to answer your call and begin the process of securing evidence before it disappears.
- The No-Fee Unless We Win Guarantee: We represent all injury victims on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front and we advance all the costs associated with your investigation and litigation. You only pay attorney’s fees if we successfully recover money for you.
There is no fee
unless you win
Understanding Your Rights Under Indiana Hit and Run Laws
In Indiana, the Indiana Driver’s Manual and state statutes strictly require any driver involved in an accident to stop, provide information, and render reasonable assistance if there is an injury. When a driver ignores this duty, they face serious criminal penalties.
However, a criminal conviction doesn’t necessarily pay your medical bills. You must take civil legal action to secure compensation.
How We Help Identify Fleeing Drivers
We don’t wait for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) to finish its investigation. We launch our own, using every modern tool at our disposal:
- Surveillance and Doorbell Footage: We canvass local businesses and the neighborhood where your accident happened, such as areas like Broad Ripple, Fountain Square, or Carmel, to find Ring camera or security footage that might have captured a partial license plate or vehicle description.
- Witness Interviews: We identify and interview individuals who may have witnessed the collision or the direction of travel of the vehicle.
- Body Shops and Repair Facilities: Fleeing vehicles often have significant damage. We alert local repair shops to be on the lookout for vehicles matching the description of the one that hit you.
- Electronic Debris Analysis: Even a small piece of a broken headlight or a paint chip found at the scene can be used by automotive experts to identify the specific make, model, and year of the vehicle that caused the incident.
Can I Pursue Damages Even if the Driver Isn’t Found?
One of the biggest concerns for victims of hit and run accidents is: “What if the driver is never identified?”
In Indiana, you still have options for financial recovery. This typically involves filing an Uninsured Motorist (UM) claim. In a legal context, “damages” is the financial compensation that is intended to cover your losses. Under your own insurance policy, uninsured coverage essentially treats the unknown fleeing driver as an uninsured party, allowing you to collect the money you need for expenses, including:
- Medical Treatment: Emergency care at hospitals such as IU Health Methodist or Ascension St. Vincent, surgical costs, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
- Lost Wages: Income you have missed while recovering and the loss of future earning capacity if your injuries are permanent.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and psychological trauma (such as PTSD) caused by being struck and abandoned after an accident.
- Property Damage: Repairs to your vehicle or compensation for its total value if it was destroyed.
Indianapolis Accident Statistics and High-Risk Roadways
Indianapolis’ status as a transportation hub leads to high traffic volumes and, unfortunately, high rates of hit and run incidents. According to data from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, hit and run accidents have seen a troubling increase in urban areas.
Our team can handle cases originating on some of Indy’s most dangerous stretches, including:
- The North Split (I-65/I-70): Where heavy congestion and high speeds can lead to “lane-swipe” hit and runs.
- 38th Street Intersections: Particularly near Keystone Avenue and High School Road, where pedestrian-involved hit and runs are tragically common.
- High-Volume Commercial Routes: Like US-31 and Rockville Road, where drivers often flee after hitting vehicles in stop-and-go traffic.
Let Us Deal with Insurance Carriers For Your Hit and Run Claim
Even though you are dealing with your own insurance company in a UM claim, do not assume they are on your side. In a hit-and-run case, the insurer may try to claim that you were actually the one at fault or express skepticism that another car was involved at all—making it wise to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer who can protect your interests.
At Vaughan & Vaughan, we are fearless in the face of these insurance tactics. Additionally, because Attorney Charles V. Vaughan is board-certified, insurance companies are aware that we are capable of presenting the facts effectively in a courtroom. Trust us to handle all communications and negotiations to help ensure your own policy provides the protection you have paid for.
Actions We Can Take While You Are Recovering from a Hit and Run Injury
If you have been injured, your priority must be your health. Once you are settled in the hospital or back at home in Indianapolis, take these steps to support your future claim:
- Contact the team at Vaughan & Vaughan: The sooner we start, the more likely we are to find the driver or secure the evidence needed to file a successful UM claim.
- Obtain the Official Police Report: We can request your report on your behalf to verify that the responding officer documented the incident specifically as a “hit and run” or “failure to stop.”
- Inventory All Medical Bills: Keep a folder of every bill received from providers such as Eskenazi Health or Community Health Network. These are the hard expense numbers that build the economic portion of your damages claim.
- Photograph the Physical Aftermath: If you have bruises, scars, or your vehicle is sitting in an impound lot, we can help you take clear photos. These visual markers of the impact’s force are difficult for insurance adjusters to ignore.
- Review Your Insurance Policy: We’ll find the Declarations Page of your insurance policy to see what your Uninsured Motorist (UM) limits are. To help understand these numbers, we can review them with you during your free consultation.
- Establish a Social Media Dark Period: Do not post anything about the accident, your recovery, or your feelings online. Insurance companies actively monitor social media to find reasons to minimize your compensation.
FAQs About Indianapolis Hit and Run Accident Claims
What if I was a pedestrian or on a bicycle when I was hit?
Hit-and-run laws apply to all road users. If you were walking near the Monon Trail or cycling through downtown and were struck by a driver who fled, you are still entitled to compensation. Speaking with a pedestrian accident lawyer can help you understand how Uninsured Motorist coverage may apply even when you aren’t in your car, or what other options exist if you do not have insurance.
Are there “punitive damages” in a hit and run case?
Under Indiana law, punitive damages are intended to punish especially egregious behavior rather than just compensate the victim for losses. While rarely awarded, a driver who intentionally flees the scene after causing serious injury might be subject to punitive damages if they are identified. Our team thoroughly evaluates the facts of every case to determine if this type of additional compensation is warranted.
How long do I have to file a claim if the police haven’t caught the driver yet?
The civil and criminal clocks are separate. In Indiana, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of the accident. You should not wait for a criminal arrest to start your civil claim. If you wait more than two years to file a civil claim because you are waiting for the police to find the driver, you may lose your right to recover forever, even if they catch the driver eventually.
Can I file a claim if there was no “physical contact” with the other car?
In Indiana, some insurance policies require contact between vehicles to file a hit and run claim to prevent fraudulent “phantom car” reports. However, if there were witnesses or electronic evidence showing that another vehicle’s reckless actions forced you off the road or into an object (even without direct contact), we can often still pursue a claim. These cases are complex and require the high-level legal skills that our firm provides.
What happens if I identify the driver later on social media?
If you think you have found the person who hit you—perhaps through a “neighborhood watch” post or a dashcam clip uploaded to a local forum—do not confront them yourself. Contact us immediately. We can work with investigators and the court to subpoena records and legally confirm their identity to ensure the evidence is admissible in your claim.
Contact Our Tenacious Indianapolis Hit and Run Lawyers to Learn More Today
A driver who leaves you injured on an Indianapolis road has committed a grave injustice. You shouldn’t have to face the medical and financial fallout on your own. Let a firm with over 110 years of legacy, elite board certification, and a fearless reputation for fighting for our clients protect your future.
Call Vaughan & Vaughan 24/7 at (765) 742-0056 or complete our online contact form for a 100% free consultation. Let our family help yours move forward and seek justice.
