1. Truitt Law Offices
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, failure to yield accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, road defect accidents, defective motorcycle part accidents, faulty repair accidents, out-of-state driver accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, handling medical bill collectors, motorcycle repair coordination
Background: Truitt Law Offices has protected the rights of motorcyclists and their families for more than 40 years. The firm represents victims in Fort Wayne, Huntington, and throughout northeast Indiana. They investigate all possible causes of accidents including driver negligence, road conditions, defective motorcycle parts, and faulty repairs. The firm frequently handles claims against drivers from other states such as Ohio and Michigan who cause accidents while driving through the Fort Wayne and Huntington area.
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana (serves Fort Wayne, Huntington, and Northeast Indiana)
Contact: https://www.truittlawoffices.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
2. Blackburn Romey
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, failure to yield accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, road defect accidents, defective part accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Blackburn Romey has decades of experience handling motorcycle accident cases in Indiana. Founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law and has been practicing law since 1977. He is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association (Ethics and Advertising Committees), American Bar Association, American Association for Justice, board member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association. The firm understands Indiana’s two-year statute of limitations and begins fighting for compensation from day one.
Location: 4203 W. Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Contact: https://www.blackburnromey.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis (no fee unless they win)
3. Glaser & Ebbs
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, failure to yield accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, fatigued driver accidents
Legal Services: Accident scene investigation, witness interviews, accident reconstruction by expert reconstructionists, evidence gathering, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, damage valuation by experts, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, permanent disability claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Glaser & Ebbs has over 100 years of combined legal experience. The firm’s attorneys know what it takes to win tough cases in Allen County. They investigate accident scenes, interview witnesses, cross-reference stories, and retain experts to reconstruct accidents and compute the value of losses. The firm is prepared to take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair settlements. Their mission is to get full compensation for clients while making roads safer for bikers.
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana (serves Allen County)
Contact: https://glaserebbs.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, attorneys will travel to meet clients if needed, no fee unless they win
4. Yosha Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, failure to yield accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, accidents at high-traffic intersections, accidents on roads with curves
Legal Services: Evidence gathering, witness statement collection, insurance claim negotiation, damage calculation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Yosha Law has attorneys with 100 years of combined legal experience and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for injured clients. The firm handles every step of motorcycle accident cases, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies. They understand common accident locations in Fort Wayne including busy intersections like Coliseum Boulevard and Clinton Street, Jefferson Boulevard and Lima Road, and West Jefferson Boulevard and South Harrison Street. The firm is prepared to take cases to court when necessary.
Location: 116 E. Berry Street, Suite 1600, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Contact: (317) 334-9200 | https://yoshalawfirm.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available
5. Finderson Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, left-turn accidents, failure to yield accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, highway accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Finderson Law has helped accident victims across Indiana recover maximum compensation from serious crashes for over 25 years. The firm understands Indiana’s modified comparative fault rule (51% bar) and how it affects motorcycle accident claims. They have earned 5-star ratings on Facebook and Google through a history of providing high-quality legal services and exceptional results. The firm represents clients throughout Allen County and the state of Indiana.
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana (serves Allen County and Indiana)
Contact: https://www.findersonlaw.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation initial consultation available
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Indiana
Statute of Limitations: Indiana has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents under Indiana Code Section 34-11-2-4. Claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is also two years from the date of death. Claims involving government entities may have shorter deadlines.
Fault-Based System: Indiana is a fault-based (tort) state for motorcycle accidents. The person who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages to the injured party. Claims must be filed with the at-fault driver’s insurance rather than your own.
Comparative Negligence: Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule with a 51% bar under Indiana Code Section 34-51-2-6. An injured motorcyclist can recover damages if their share of fault is less than 51%. Compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the motorcyclist. If the motorcyclist is 51% or more at fault, they cannot recover any damages.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Indiana requires motorcyclists to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of:
- $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident (multiple persons)
- $25,000 for property damage liability per accident
Helmet Laws: Indiana has a partial helmet law. Riders under 18 years of age and those with learner’s permits are required to wear helmets. Riders 18 and older are not required by state law to wear helmets, though wearing a DOT-approved helmet is strongly recommended. Helmets must be of the type prescribed by law (not novelty items).
Eye Protection Requirements: Indiana requires all motorcycle riders to wear protective eyewear or have a windshield unless operating a three-wheeled vehicle.
Lane Splitting Laws: Lane splitting is not explicitly addressed in Indiana law but is generally considered illegal as it violates standard traffic laws requiring vehicles to remain within their lane.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Indiana requires a motorcycle endorsement on a standard driver’s license or a motorcycle-only license (Class A, B, C, or D with motorcycle endorsement) to legally operate a motorcycle. Riders must pass vision, written, and skills tests.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Indiana law requires motorcycles to be equipped with:
- Working headlight, taillight, and brake light
- Turn signals
- Rearview mirror (at least one)
- Working horn
- Proper muffler/exhaust system
- Working brakes
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Indiana does not require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, but it is strongly recommended to protect against at-fault drivers who lack adequate insurance.
Damage Caps: Indiana has caps on certain damages. Non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in medical malpractice cases are capped. There is no cap on compensatory damages in most personal injury cases, but punitive damages are capped at the greater of $50,000 or three times the amount of compensatory damages.
Wrongful Death Claims: Indiana allows wrongful death claims to be filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate within two years of the date of death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Indiana?
A: Indiana has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents. This deadline runs from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also two years from the date of death. If you are filing a claim involving a government entity, shorter deadlines may apply. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing the right to pursue legal action, so consulting with an attorney promptly after an accident is essential.
Q: How does Indiana’s comparative fault law affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule with a 51% bar. This means you can recover damages if your share of fault for the accident is less than 51%. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. However, if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages. Insurance companies often try to assign higher fault percentages to motorcyclists, so having an experienced attorney is important to protect your interests.
Q: Does Indiana require motorcycle riders to wear helmets?
A: Indiana has a partial helmet law. Riders under 18 years of age and those with learner’s permits are required to wear DOT-approved helmets. Adult riders 18 and older are not required by state law to wear helmets. However, wearing a helmet is strongly recommended for safety. If you are injured in an accident while not wearing a helmet, the defense may argue that your failure to wear protection contributed to the severity of your injuries, which could affect your recovery under Indiana’s comparative fault system.
Q: What types of compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Fort Wayne?
A: Motorcycle accident victims in Indiana may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage (motorcycle repair or replacement), and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and permanent disability. In some cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available (capped at the greater of $50,000 or three times compensatory damages). If a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages.
Q: What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident in Fort Wayne?
A: After a motorcycle accident, you should: (1) Call 911 or the Fort Wayne Police non-emergency number (260) 427-1222 to report the accident and request medical assistance if needed; (2) Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent; (3) Document the scene by taking photos of damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries; (4) Collect contact and insurance information from all parties involved and any witnesses; (5) Do not admit fault or give recorded statements to insurance companies; (6) Contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve evidence.