Indianapolis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Last updated on August 20, 2026
When a drunk driver makes the reckless decision to get behind the wheel, the resulting collisions are rarely minor. In Indiana, drunk driving isn’t just a traffic violation – it is a catastrophic act of negligence that shatters lives, leaves families with overwhelming medical bills, and creates long-term financial strain.
If you or a loved one were a victim of a drunk driving accident in Indiana, you can take legal action immediately. Drunk driving is a reckless and negligent behavior that puts all motorists in immediate danger. Consult an Indianapolis car accident attorney at Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse LLP. We can begin investigating every aspect of your case to better ensure compensation for injuries caused by negligent parties.
Civil Compensation vs. Criminal Charges in Indiana
Victims of drunk drivers are often confused by the dual nature of these cases. While the local prosecutor files criminal charges against the impaired driver to penalize their behavior, the criminal court’s primary objective is punishment, not compensating you for your loss.
Even if the criminal court orders restitution, it rarely covers long-term medical rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, or catastrophic pain and suffering. To recover complete financial damages, you must file a separate civil personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Because a criminal DUI/OWI conviction establishes legal negligence (negligence per se), our trial attorneys leverage the criminal evidence gathered by law enforcement – such as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) results, bodycam footage, and field sobriety tests – to build an irrefutable civil claim for maximum damages.
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Hit by a Drunk Driver? Secure Time-Sensitive Evidence Now.
Critical Evidence Window: Bar point-of-sale receipts, credit card logs, bar surveillance video, and dashcam footage are often overwritten within 48 to 72 hours. Do not let crucial evidence of intoxication disappear. Act immediately to lock down the facts of your case.
⚖️ Request an Immediate Evidence & Case Evaluation
Expanding Liability: The Indiana Dram Shop Act
In many drunk driving cases, the driver’s auto insurance policy limits may be insufficient to cover catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Our firm goes beyond standard insurance claims by investigating whether commercial establishments contributed to your injuries.
Under Indiana Code § 7.1-5-10-15.5 (Indiana Dram Shop Act), a bar, restaurant, tavern, or venue can be held civilly liable for damages caused by an intoxicated patron if:
- The establishment furnished alcohol to the driver with actual knowledge that the person was visibly intoxicated at the time.
- The driver’s intoxication was the proximate cause of the injury or death.
The Investigative Advantage: Our legal team subpoenas point-of-sale bar receipts, server training logs, bartender testimony, and establishment video footage to trace the driver’s whereabouts prior to the crash. If a business recklessly overserved a patron, we pursue their commercial liability coverage to maximize your financial recovery.
Punitive Damages in Indiana OWI Claims
In cases involving extreme, willful recklessness – such as driving with an excessively high blood alcohol level or prior OWI offenses – Indiana law (Indiana Code § 34-51-3) allows plaintiffs to seek “punitive damages”. Unlike standard compensatory damages, punitive damages are designed specifically to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from engaging in dangerous behavior on Indiana roadways.
Fight The High Cost Of Negligence With Legal Help
When you are on the losing end of a drunk driving accident, the repercussions can be life-altering. Drunk driving accidents can cause irreversible emotional damage, significant property damage, and permanent physical harm. From catastrophic injuries to wrongful death, we remain committed to helping victims of drunk driving accidents obtain the substantial settlement that they deserve.
Compensation for your damages can Include:
- Total property loss
- Car repair, replacement or rental
- Medical treatment
- Rehabilitation costs or continued treatment costs
- Emergency surgery costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
Even if a drunk driver did not purposely cause an accident, they remain financially responsible for your damages. If a drunk driver caused a wrongful death of your loved one, your choice in legal representation will be critical. Depending on the circumstances around your case, a drunk driving accident that has resulted in a death or serious injury will also involve a criminal law case in addition to the wrongful death claim for damages.
Hit By A Drunk Driver In Indiana? Call Now.
Contact an experienced Indianapolis drunk driving accident lawyer from our firm. We can utilize our network of professional contacts and resources to investigate every facet of your accident thoroughly. From accident reconstruction to forensic evidence, we will help establish the negligence of any liable party.
We have over 75 years of combined legal experience and always bring our extensive knowledge of the law and the courts to the table. You deserve the maximum compensation after an accident, so we aren’t afraid to go to trial for you!
Contact Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse LLP online or at 317-505-1342 to schedule your free case evaluation.