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Helping You Put Your Life Back On Track After A Serious Injury

Indianapolis Hit-And-Run Injury Lawyers

Last updated on June 17, 2026

Many injury victims assume that if the at-fault driver fled the scene and cannot be identified, financial recovery is impossible. In Indiana, this is a costly misconception.

The Indiana car accident attorneys at Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse LLP are leaders in personal injury law. Founded in 1899, our firm has helped countless auto accident victims recover the compensation they deserve. Located in Indianapolis and Lebanon, we offer stellar representation and dedicated service to clients throughout Indiana.

Seeking Compensation via Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

When a negligent driver leaves the scene of an accident, your own auto insurance policy effectively steps into the shoes of the missing at-fault party. Under Indiana law, unless you explicitly waived the coverage in writing when purchasing your policy, your carrier provides Uninsured Motorist (UM) Bodily Injury Coverage.

Because a hit-and-run driver is legally classified as an uninsured motorist, you have the right to file a claim against your own UM provision to seek compensation for:

Emergency room visits, surgeries, and ongoing medical rehabilitation
Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
Physical pain, suffering, and mental anguish

The Adversarial Reality: Even though you are filing a claim with your own insurance company – the company you pay premiums to every month – their goals change the moment a claim is opened. The insurance adjuster’s objective is to minimize the company’s financial exposure. They may review the accident history with intense scrutiny, searching for ways to shift a percentage of the blame onto you under Indiana’s modified comparative fault rules to lower your payout.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) policies allow injured drivers to file a claim with their own company seeking compensation for their injuries and damage. Still, most drivers must supplement their policies to add this coverage. UIM benefits cover policyholders and relevant family members injured in hit-and-run collisions.

Establishing the Criminal Liability of the Fleeing Driver

To protect your claim from aggressive insurance tactics, our legal team anchors your case in Indiana statutory law.

Under Indiana Code § 9-26-1-1.1, any driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or property damage has an absolute statutory duty to immediately stop, remain at the scene, and provide identification and assistance.

Depending on the severity of the injuries, leaving the scene of an accident can be elevated to a Level 6 felony or higher. By explicitly establishing that the other driver committed a criminal act by fleeing, we drastically diminish the insurance company’s ability to minimize the gravity of the incident or wrongfully shift liability onto you.

How We Investigate to Uncover Fleeing Drivers

We do not simply rely on standard police reports. To identify hit-and-run perpetrators or gather irrefutable structural evidence for your UM claim, our firm deploys targeted investigative assets to secure time-sensitive data before it is permanently deleted:

Commercial Fleet & Logging Audits: Checking delivery logs and GPS tracking for commercial vehicles operating in the immediate vicinity at the exact timestamp of the collision.
Surveillance Canvas: Subpoenaing traffic camera loops from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and collecting private security or smart-doorbell footage from nearby businesses and residential properties.
Forensic Paint & Impact Analysis: Utilizing accident reconstruction experts to analyze vehicle paint transfer and impact patterns to verify the structural dynamics of the crash when an insurance carrier contests that a physical collision took place.

Hit-And-Run Q&A

Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

A: In Indiana, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. Filing within this timeframe is essential to ensure your case moves forward. It’s best to notify your insurance company as soon as possible for insurance claims. Your policy may have specific deadlines for filing claims, so reviewing your policy or contacting your insurer for details is a good idea.

Q: How do I strengthen my hit-and-run claim?

A: Strengthening a hit-and-run claim involves several key steps to ensure you have the best chance of receiving compensation. Here are some crucial actions to take:

Report the incident immediately: Contact the police right away to file an official report. This creates an official record of the incident, which is crucial for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Gather evidence: Collect as much information as possible at the scene. This includes details about the fleeing vehicle (make, model, color, license plate number), photos of the scene and damages, and contact information from any witnesses.
Seek medical attention: Even if you don’t feel injured, getting a medical evaluation is important. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Medical records will also link your injuries to the accident, which is vital for your claim.
Notify your insurance company: Inform your insurer about the hit-and-run as soon as possible. Review your policy to understand your coverage, such as uninsured motorist coverage, which can be particularly helpful in these situations.
Consult an injury lawyer: An experienced personal injury attorney can guide you through the legal process, help gather additional evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. They can also assist in identifying the hit-and-run driver if possible.

Q: What are the legal consequences for a hit-and-run driver?

A: Fleeing the scene of an accident is illegal and can result in severe penalties, including fines, loss of driver’s license, and even jail time. If you identify the hit-and-run driver, they can be liable for the damages and injuries caused.

Understanding Indiana Auto Insurance Policy Limits

If an at-fault driver is eventually identified but carries a small, minimum-limits policy that fails to cover your total medical costs, your Underinsured Motorist (UIM) benefits can be utilized to bridge the gap. Rather than attempting to collect a personal judgment against an insolvent or asset-poor driver, a properly structured UIM claim allows you to secure the remainder of your compensation directly through your policy’s supplemental protections.

Contact Us For Maximizing Insurance Awards

The Indianapolis personal injury lawyers at Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse LLP can help those injured in a hit-and-run accident. We have over 75 years of collective legal experience handling UIM benefits and insurance claims for hit-and-run victims. Do not let insurance adjusters push you into accepting an unsatisfactory offer or sign a waiver without legal counsel. We can help you maximize your award and seek full compensation for your harm.

Call 317-505-1342 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.