Motorcyclists have almost no protection in a crash, and they face a second problem afterward: bias. Insurers sometimes assume a rider was speeding or reckless. Founding partner Donald Poynter is an avid motorcyclist himself and is particularly aware of the dangers cars and trucks pose to riders.
Common causes of motorcycle crashes
- Drivers turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle
- Lane changes into a rider’s blind spot—especially by semis on interstates
- Rear-end crashes at stoplights and in slowing traffic
- Distracted drivers who “never saw” the motorcycle
- Road hazards such as potholes, gravel, and uneven pavement
Indiana motorcycle law notes
- Helmets: Indiana requires helmets for operators and passengers under 18. Adults may legally ride without one, though an insurer may still try to argue that helmet use affected injuries.
- Endorsement: riders generally need a motorcycle endorsement or permit. Licensing questions do not automatically decide who caused a crash.
- Comparative fault: damages are reduced by the rider’s share of fault and barred only if the rider’s fault is greater than everyone else’s combined (IC 34-51-2).
- Deadline: generally two years to file suit (IC 34-11-2-4).
What to do after a motorcycle crash
- Get medical care—road rash, fractures, and head injuries need prompt attention.
- Keep your helmet, gear, and the bike as they are; they are evidence.
- Photograph the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries, and get witness names.
- Check your own policy for UM/UIM and medical payments coverage.
- Talk with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement.
Injuries and damages
Riders often suffer fractures, road rash and skin grafts, knee and shoulder injuries, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries—sometimes even with a helmet. A claim may include medical bills and future care, lost income and earning capacity, damage to the bike and gear, and pain, scarring, and disability. Because injuries can be long-term, it is usually wise not to settle until your doctors have a clear picture of your recovery.
Motorcycles and semi-trucks
Some of the most dangerous situations for riders involve large trucks: blind spots along the sides and rear of a trailer, wide right turns, and wind blast and debris on interstates. When a commercial truck is involved, federal safety rules and commercial insurance apply. See our Indiana truck accident lawyer page.
Motorcycle crashes in Mooresville and Morgan County
Riders in Mooresville and across Morgan County often travel State Road 67 and State Road 37. If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash on either road or anywhere in Morgan County, the same Indiana rules apply: the two-year filing deadline and the 51% fault rule. Morgan County cases are generally filed in court in Martinsville, the county seat.
Poynter & Bucheri has an office in downtown Mooresville at 4 N. Indiana St., Mooresville, IN 46158. Call (317) 780-8000 for a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Does Indiana require motorcycle helmets?
Indiana requires helmets for operators and passengers under 18. Adults are not required to wear one under state law.
Can I still recover if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Not wearing a helmet as an adult is legal in Indiana, but the other side may argue it affected your injuries. It does not by itself bar a claim.
What if a car turned left in front of me?
Left-turning drivers generally must yield to oncoming traffic. These crashes are among the most common motorcycle claims.
Sources
- Indiana University Public Policy Institute (for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute), Indiana Traffic Safety Facts: Indiana Crash Facts 2024 (PDF; 2024 data from Indiana officer crash reports)
- IC 34-51-2 — official heading: “Chapter 2. Compensatory Damages: Comparative Fault.” Indiana’s comparative fault chapter: a claimant’s own fault reduces damages in proportion, and recovery is barred if the claimant’s fault is greater than the combined fault of everyone whose fault contributed (sections 5 and 6).
- IC 34-11-2-4 — official heading: “Injury or forfeiture of penalty actions.” An action for injury to a person or to personal property generally must be started within two years after the cause of action accrues.
Indiana Code links open the official chapter PDF from the Indiana General Assembly (2026 Code); federal rules link to the current eCFR text.
More official links: Indiana accident resources · Indiana crash statistics · How to get your crash report
General information only—not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different; deadlines can be shorter in some situations. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.