Updated
You may not need a personal injury lawyer in Indiana if you weren't hurt, or if your injury healed fast with little treatment and the insurer is paying fairly. We'd rather tell you that up front than take a case where we can't help you.
If instead your question is only about a fender-bender with car damage, see Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident in Indiana?
Can I handle an injury claim without a lawyer?
| You can probably handle it alone | Get at least a free opinion |
|---|---|
| Property damage only. Car repairs and rental claims are often simple. | You have broken bones, a head injury, surgery or lasting pain. |
| A small injury that healed quickly. For example, one urgent care visit and no lasting pain. | You missed work, or you can't do your job the same way. |
| Clear fault and a fair offer. The insurer accepts fault and the offer covers your actual losses. | The insurer blames you for part of the accident. |
| You're comfortable with paperwork. You can track bills, lost pay and letters yourself. | A truck, a business, or a government vehicle was involved. |
| The insurer delays, stops calling back, or asks you to sign a release fast. |
Indiana rule: your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, and you recover nothing if you are more than 50% at fault (Ind. Code § 34-51-2-6). More on being partly at fault. Claims against the government follow different fault and notice rules, and the more-than-50% rule above does not apply to them.
Why would a law firm tell me I don't need a lawyer?
A lawyer is paid from what you recover. If the recovery is small and the insurer is already fair, the math may not help you. A free call can sort that out in a few minutes.
What should I do if I handle it alone?
- Get the crash report. See how to get an Indiana crash report.
- Keep every bill, receipt and pay stub.
- Don't sign a release until you're sure you're done treating. See Should I accept the first settlement offer?
- Watch the deadline. Indiana rule: most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the claim accrues (Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4). For most car crashes, that's two years from the wreck. Check yours with our deadline calculator.
Frequently asked questions
When may I not need a personal injury lawyer in Indiana?
You may not need a personal injury lawyer in Indiana if you weren't hurt, or if your injury healed fast with little treatment and the insurer is paying fairly.
Why would a law firm tell me I don't need a lawyer?
A lawyer is paid from what you recover. If the recovery is small and the insurer is already fair, the math may not help you.
What should I do if I handle an injury claim alone?
Get the crash report, keep every bill, receipt and pay stub, don't sign a release until you're sure you're done treating, and watch the two-year deadline (Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4).
Talk it over for free
You don't have to come to an office. We can do your consultation by phone or video, and you can sign up by e-signature.
You can hire Poynter & Bucheri without visiting an office. We can talk through what happened in a free phone or video consultation. When you're ready, we'll email you the sign-up papers, and you can sign them electronically from your phone or computer. There's no appointment to drive to. Some later steps in a case, like a deposition, a medical exam or a court date, may need you in person, and we'll tell you ahead of time if one comes up. If English isn't your first language, we have access to professional interpretation. Call (317) 780-8000 or fill out our short form to get started. The consultation is always free, and we'll tell you honestly if you don't need us.
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.