Indianapolis Personal Injury Law: Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated on June 3, 2025
At Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse LLP, we understand that navigating the complexities of personal injury law can be overwhelming. To help you better understand your rights and options, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers.
Our goal is to provide you with the information and guidance you need to make informed decisions about your case.
Browse through these FAQs to learn more about topics such as determining whether you have a case, the importance of hiring an attorney, and the factors that affect the value of your case. You’ll also find information on our contingency fee arrangement, the timeline for resolving your case, and the importance of filing your claim in a timely manner.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free initial consultation. Our experienced attorneys are here to help you every step of the way.
- Do I Have a Case?
- Do I Need an Attorney?
- What is My Case Worth?
- How Much Will It Cost to Prosecute My Case?
- How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
- How Long Do I Have to File a Case?
Do I Have a Case?
Whether or not you have a claim is dependent upon the facts of the particular case. Generally, a claim exists if another party was negligent and you were injured as a result of that negligence. If you do have a case, we can assist you and attempt to recover fair compensation for your damages.
Insurance companies are businesses with their own interest and profits at stake. The less money the insurance company pays to settle your case, the more profit the company makes. The insurance company may attempt to settle your case before you get an attorney. We recommend you contact an attorney before discussing your claim with the insurance company.
Our firm’s attorneys and staff have worked for over 40 years representing injury victims in negotiations with insurance companies. If you would like to discuss whether you have a case with one of our attorneys, free of charge, please email us or contact us at 317-505-1342.
Do I Need an Attorney?
Claims for personal injuries or wrongful death frequently involve complicated facts or legal issues. If you make a mistake in handling your case, such as failing to comply with insurance policy language or missing a key time deadline, your case can be lost.
By hiring an attorney, you can concentrate on the important issues, such as recovering from your injuries and getting your life back in order. Furthermore, you will be freed from the anxiety and uncertainty of dealing with an insurance company.
In addition to dealing with complex legal issues, an attorney can help make sure you receive a fair result. Studies have shown that clients who hire an attorney to represent them in a personal injury case receive greater compensation than those who have not hired an attorney.
For these reasons, it is important to have an attorney on your side with knowledge of the law who is willing to ensure your rights are protected.
What is My Case Worth?
The value of every case is dependent upon the circumstances and the nature and extent of your injuries. Generally, injury victims’ damages include compensation for past and future medical expenses, past and future wage loss, and damages for personal injuries, including loss of the enjoyment of life, physical pain, emotional suffering and disfigurement.
Our firm’s attorneys have significant experience in handling a vast array of cases and have experience in negotiating and litigating personal injury and wrongful death claims. That experience enables our attorneys to assist you in determining the fair value of your case and to provide you with straightforward answers to any questions you may have.
If you would like to discuss the merit or value of a potential claim, you can meet with our attorneys in an initial consultation without any cost or obligation.
How Much Will It Cost to Prosecute My Case?
There is no fee to personal injury victims or wrongful death survivors for the initial investigation of a potential case. If we are hired to represent you or your family in the matter, our firm will be paid on a contingency, or percentage, basis. This simply means we will be paid a percentage of the amount of money you recover; if no recovery is made on your behalf, you will not owe us any fees for our work. There are usually expenses, such as court fees and physician testimony fees, which our firm will pay while working on your case. These expenses are then reimbursed at the end of the case.
Our contingency fee arrangement ensures that we can keep our services affordable to injury victims while providing them with experienced representation. It also encourages us to handle only cases with merit and to work hard to fight for those meritorious cases.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case?
The answer to this question can vary greatly depending upon the circumstances of each case. The biggest factor in determining how long your case will last is the length of your medical treatment. Until you have reached maximum improvement from your injury, it is difficult to settle your case. Once your medical treatment is completed, most cases are resolved within 3 – 8 months’ time. If a settlement cannot be reached and a lawsuit is necessary, the time it takes to resolve your case is dependent upon the court’s schedule.
While your case generally cannot be resolved before you have completed your medical treatment, you should not wait until you are done with treatment before you hire a lawyer. Many things can be done, and in most cases, need to be done, before you are finished with treatment in order to protect your legal rights.
While our lawyers have significant experience in taking cases to trial, the vast majority of cases are settled prior to trial, and many are resolved without the necessity of filing a lawsuit in court.
How Long Do I Have to File a Case?
The length of time you have to file a case depends upon many factors, including the type of case and where your claim needs be filed. Some states provide that a claim for personal injuries must be filed within one (1) year of the date of the accident. However, many states, including Indiana, require most lawsuits for personal injuries to be filed within two (2) years of the injury date.
While there is generally a two-year time limit, some cases involve claims that must be filed within one year. Furthermore, most claims against governmental entities require claim notices to be sent to the governmental entity within 180 days of the accident. Failure to forward such a notice will bar your case and prevent you from receiving fair compensation.
We cannot advise you as to when your case’s notice requirement or statute of limitations runs out without complete information. Our attorneys are available for a free initial consultation to assist you. If we are hired to represent you, we will make sure your claim is filed in a timely manner.
With these things in mind, it is important that you contact a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are timely and properly protected.
This information is provided for general reference only and is not intended to be taken as advice as to any individual case. To ensure your rights are protected, you should consult with an attorney regarding the facts surrounding your case.