Fearless Advocacy for Marion County Since 1913
Experiencing an accident in a city as fast-moving as Indianapolis can leave you feeling like just another number in a police report. Whether you were rear-ended on the I-465 loop, injured by a negligent driver near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, or suffered serious head trauma or broken bones after a fall at the Fashion Mall at Keystone, the physical and financial fallout can be devastating.
In a single second, you are forced to pivot from your daily routine to managing emergency room visits at IU Health Methodist, negotiating with insurance adjusters, and wondering how you’ll pay your mortgage while you’re out of work. While you cope with the pain and recovery from the injuries caused, we can handle the legal aspects of bringing a lawsuit against those who were responsible.
At Vaughan & Vaughan, we believe Indianapolis residents deserve more than just a lawyer—they deserve a legacy of fearless advocacy. Our firm was founded in 1913, and for over a century, the Vaughan family and our team of legal professionals have fought for the rights of injured Hoosiers.
We are a multi-generational team with a deep-rooted commitment to our community. When you partner with us, you aren’t just getting legal advice; you are putting 110 years of trial experience and courtroom reputation in your corner.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
Why Choose Vaughan & Vaughan for Your Indianapolis Injury Claim?
While many big city firms focus on quick personal injury settlements and high volume, Vaughan & Vaughan focuses on high-stakes results and personalized care. Indianapolis is the heart of Indiana’s legal system, and we navigate it with precision that comes from over a century of experience and skill.
Here is what sets us apart from other Indianapolis law firms:
- Elite Board-Certified Representation: Attorney Charles V. Vaughan is Board-Certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This distinction is held by fewer than 20 attorneys in the entire state of Indiana. This isn’t just a title—it is proof that we have the courtroom expertise required to handle the most complex litigation in Indianapolis.
- The CDL Difference: Indianapolis is a major logistics hub, teeming with commercial trucks on I-65 and I-74. Attorney Charles J. Vaughan holds a Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL), giving our firm an insider’s understanding of the trucking industry. We know how to identify safety violations and mechanical failures that other lawyers might miss.
- A Family Tradition of Winning: Since 1913, the Vaughan family has expanded from our roots in Lafayette to serve the entire state, with a major presence right here in Indianapolis. We have successfully stood up to global insurance giants and fought for landmark justice, ensuring our name is respected in the Marion County Superior Courts.
- 24/7 Availability: Accidents don’t clock out at 5:00 PM. We are available day and night to take your call and start the process of protecting your claim.
There is no fee
unless you win
Critical Deadlines to Know: The Indiana Statute of Limitations
In Indianapolis, time is rarely on the side of the injured. Indiana law dictates strict timelines, known as the Statute of Limitations, that bar you from seeking compensation if you wait too long.
The General Two-Year Rule
For the vast majority of personal injury cases in Indiana—including car crashes, slip-and-fall accidents, and catastrophic injury claims—you have two years from the date of the accident to file a formal lawsuit. If you miss this window, even by one day, the Indianapolis courts will likely dismiss your case, resulting in no financial recovery.
The Notice Deadlines (Government Entities)
If your injury involved a city bus (IndyGo), a government-owned vehicle, or occurred on municipal property like Monument Circle or a city park, you face much shorter deadlines. Under the Indiana Tort Claims Act, you must file a Tort Claims Notice within:
- 180 Days for claims against the City of Indianapolis or Marion County.
- 270 Days for claims against the State of Indiana.
Failure to provide this formal written notice within months of your injury can result in the permanent loss of your right to sue, even if the government was 100% at fault.
Exceptions for Minors and Incapacity
There are narrow exceptions. For instance, if a child is injured, the two-year clock generally doesn’t start until they turn 18. If someone is legally incapable of bringing a lawsuit, the filing deadline may be paused until that incapacity is lifted. Because these rules are complex and exceptions are rare, you should never wait to consult one of our attorneys to learn which deadlines apply to your claim.
Understanding Modified Comparative Fault (The 51% Rule)
One of the most common tactics used by insurance companies in Indianapolis is to blame the victim. They do this because of Indiana’s Modified Comparative Fault rule, which addresses situations where more than one person may bear some responsibility for the accident.
Under this law, a judge or jury assigns a percentage of fault to every party involved in an accident. Your ability to recover money depends entirely on that percentage:
- The 51% Bar: If you are found to be 51% or more responsible for the accident, the law prohibits you from recovering any compensation at all.
- Proportional Recovery: If you are found to be 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Our role is to be your fearless advocate, gathering evidence to minimize your percentage of fault as much as possible, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation allowed by law.
We Offer Comprehensive Personal Injury Services
While we are known as skilled Indianapolis car accident lawyers, our legacy encompasses the full spectrum of personal injury law, including:
- Commercial Truck Accidents: Utilizing our technical CDL background to battle large trucking corporations.
- Catastrophic Injury Claims: Fighting for those who have suffered Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, or permanent paralysis.
- Premises Liability (Slip and Fall): Holding Indianapolis property owners accountable for dangerous conditions at hotels, apartment complexes, or retail stores.
- Workplace Injuries: Assisting victims of construction site negligence or industrial accidents across Central Indiana.
- Wrongful Death: Helping grieving families secure the financial future their loved one would have provided.
Indianapolis Accident Statistics and Dangerous Roadways
Indianapolis is a hub of travel, which unfortunately makes it a hub for collisions. Data from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) shows that urban areas like Indianapolis account for 44% of all fatal crashes and 68% of all non-fatal accidents in the state.
Local commuters know that certain areas pose a higher risk than others. Our firm handles cases occurring at Indy’s most dangerous intersections and roadways, such as:
- East 38th Street and North Keystone Avenue: Consistently ranked as one of the highest-volume accident sites in Marion County.
- West 38th Street and North High School Road: A high-traffic area near shopping and major arteries prone to T-bone and pedestrian accidents.
- The I-465 Loop: Notorious for high-speed semi-truck collisions and multi-vehicle pileups.
- North Shadeland Avenue (Intersections at 10th and 21st St): Frequent sites for commercial vehicle accidents and aggressive driving incidents.
Whether your accident happened near Lucas Oil Stadium or on a quiet residential street in Broad Ripple, we treat every case with the aggressive urgency it deserves.
How We Calculate Your Damages
In the Indianapolis legal system, your damages refer to the total sum of your losses. We don’t just look at the bills on your desk today; we look at the costs you’ll face five, ten, or thirty years from now. Depending on the facts of your unique situation, your financial losses may include:
- Economic Damages: This includes medical invoices, surgical costs, physical therapy expenses, and lost wages. In Marion County, we often look at the high cost of specialized care at world-class facilities like IU Health.
- Non-Economic Damages: This compensates for the invisible injuries—your physical pain, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and the inability to enjoy the things you love, like a stroll through Eagle Creek Park or taking your kids to the Children’s Museum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Indianapolis Injury Claims
Which Indianapolis court will handle my case?
In most instances, a personal injury lawsuit in Indianapolis is filed in the Marion County Superior Court, which recently moved to the new Community Justice Campus at 675 Justice Way. For serious injury cases, we file civil claims in the Superior Civil Division to ensure your full damages can be recovered.
What if I was injured by an IndyGo bus or city vehicle?
Because IndyGo is a municipal entity, you must act fast. You are subject to the 180-day Tort Claims Notice requirement. These cases are also unique because if the city is involved, Indiana law often applies a pure contributory negligence standard for government employees. This means any percentage of fault on your part could complicate the case. These complicated rules make hiring our fearless Indianapolis personal injury law firm immediately essential.
Does my insurance go up if I file a claim against a driver who had no insurance?
In Indiana, if you were not at fault, filing an Uninsured Motorist (UM) claim with your own provider should not legally cause your rates to increase in the same way an at-fault accident would. This coverage is specifically designed to protect you when you are hit by one of the thousands of uninsured drivers on Indianapolis roads.
Do I have to come to your office to start my case?
Not at all. While we have a convenient Indianapolis office on Whitley Drive, we understand that serious injuries make travel difficult. We can meet you in a hospital such as IU Health Methodist, Ascension St. Vincent, in your home, or via a secure virtual consultation. Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible for you.
What sets a Board-Certified attorney apart?
In Indianapolis, any lawyer can say they handle personal injury cases. However, being Board-Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy means that Charles V. Vaughan has been independently vetted, has passed rigorous examinations, and has proven significant trial experience. This certification informs the insurance company that we aren’t just seeking a quick settlement—we are prepared and capable of prevailing in front of a jury.
Contact Vaughan & Vaughan, the Indianapolis Personal Injury Team with More Than 110 Years of Experience
Don’t settle for a typical injury claim settlement mill that tries to settle quickly and won’t fight for all you deserve. Trust the legacy of Vaughan & Vaughan to protect your future. We are dedicated to injured Indianapolis residents, fearless in the courtroom, and available 24/7 to take your call.
Contact our Indianapolis office at (463) 217-0075 or complete our online contact form for a free consultation where you can learn more and have all your questions answered today.
