How Can You Protect Your Rights after a Motorcycle Crash?

See a doctor, get a copy of your crash report, keep all evidence, and get legal help.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Speeding or reckless driving, following too closely (“tailgating”), failing to check mirrors before a turn or lane change. trying to share a lane with the motorcycle, driving while distracted, and driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Accident Injuries?

A negligent driver who collided with you, the driver’s employer if the driver was working when the accident happened, a bar, store, restaurant or social host who furnished alcohol to a “visibly intoxicated” or underage driver who hit you, a negligent mechanic who botched the inspection and repair of your bike, local officials who failed to maintain the roadway, and the manufacturer of your defective motorcycle or motorcycle parts.

Fort Wayne Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle helmet lying on the road after an Indiana motorcycle accident

Fatal motorcycle accidents have dropped in nearly every state. Indiana, however, remains one of the few states where deadly crashes are actually on the rise. As the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles reports, there were 136 motorcyclist deaths in 2024. That same year, almost 2,900 motorcycle accidents occurred on our roads, according to the most recent Indiana traffic crash statistics.

At Truitt Law Offices, we realize how those numbers represent lives that have been tragically changed due to catastrophic injuries suffered while riding or the loss of a loved one. We also know that many of those accidents could have been prevented. All too often, they are the results of drivers who fail to share the road safely with motorcyclists.

If someone else’s negligence recently caused you to suffer serious injuries in a motorcycle accident in Fort Wayne, Huntington, or elsewhere in northeast Indiana, or if your loved one died in a motorcycle crash, our attorneys can help you to seek justice and compensation that you deserve. For more than 40 years, our personal injury attorneys at our law firm have protected the rights of motorcyclists and their families, and we are ready to put that experience to work for you. Contact us today and learn more about how we can help you in a free consultation at our motorcycle accident law firm.

Table of Contents

1 How Can You Protect Your Rights after an Indiana Motorcycle Crash?
2 What Are the Common Causes of Indiana Motorcycle Accidents?
3 What Other Factors Can Cause Motorcycle Accidents in Indiana?
4 Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Indiana Accident Injuries?

How Can You Protect Your Rights after an Indiana Motorcycle Crash?

lawyer handshake

What to Do in Case of an Accident

Accidents happen, and they can be particularly severe for motorcyclists. If you are injured in an accident in Indiana while on your summer motorcycle trip, these steps can help you protect your health and your right to compensation from the at-fault party:

Seek medical attention – Because motorcyclists tend to bear the brunt of a collision, it’s crucial to get a complete medical exam as soon as possible, even if your injuries don’t seem serious at first. The chaos of the crash and the adrenaline your body releases can mask the symptoms of potentially life-threatening injuries.
Gather documentation – Keep all of your medical records, medical bills, out-of-pocket expense receipts, and any other documentation related to the accident. Also, get a copy of the police report about the accident. This documentation could provide strong evidence to support your case later on.
Take notes about your recovery – Keep a journal of your injuries and symptoms throughout the recovery process to help show how your injuries have impacted your life. Describe how your injuries prevent you from participating in activities and record how your pain changes from day to day.
Consult with an attorney – An attorney can help you investigate the accident, identify the at-fault party or parties, and build a strong case for compensation.

What Are the Common Causes of Indiana Motorcycle Accidents?

Man on motorcycle got hit by a car. Our investigation will focus on determining the cause of your motorcycle accident. Specifically, we will collect and analyze evidence to determine whether another driver caused the crash due to his or her negligence such as:

Speeding or reckless driving
Following too closely (“tailgating”)
Failing to check mirrors before a turn or lane change
Trying to share a lane with the motorcycle
Driving while distracted
Driving while impaired by alcohol (drunk driving), drugs, or fatigue.

What Other Factors Can Cause Motorcycle Accidents in Indiana?

Although those driver errors are among the most common causes of motorcycle crashes in Fort Wayne and elsewhere in Indiana, our law firm will make sure to explore every possible reason. For instance, in many cases, driver negligence is not to blame for a motorcycle accident. Instead, it is a factor such as:

Poor road conditions (for example, loose gravel or potholes)
A defectively designed or manufactured motorcycle part (such as handlebars, brakes, or wheels)
Faulty repairs by a mechanic (the failure to align a tire, for instance, or to recognize an engine problem or brake failure).

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Indiana Accident Injuries?

In addition to finding out the cause of the motorcycle accident, the motorcycle accident law firm of Truitt Law Offices will work hard to identify all parties who should be held responsible for your injuries or the loss of your loved one. It is crucial to identify all sources of compensation, which could include:

A negligent driver who collided with you
The driver’s employer if the driver was working when the accident happened
A bar, store, restaurant, or social host who furnished alcohol to a “visibly intoxicated” or underage driver who hit you
A negligent mechanic who botched the inspection and repair of your bike
Local officials who failed to maintain the roadway
The manufacturer of your defective motorcycle or motorcycle parts.

We frequently help clients to bring claims against drivers from other states such as Ohio and Michigan who cause motorcycle accidents while driving through the Fort Wayne and Huntington area.

Visit Our Indiana Motorcycle Accident Injury Law Offices

How Can a Motorcycle Wreck Attorney in Indiana Help You?

At the outset of your case, your lawyer at Truitt Law Offices will find out what is important to you. For instance, your immediate concern may be dealing with medical bill collectors or getting your bike repaired or replaced. We can handle those matters for you. Of course, you may also simply want the insurance company to stop hounding you. We can take care of that, too, and let you focus on your physical recovery.

Our goal will be to recover the maximum amount of compensation for you. Everything we do – investigation, review of your medical records, consultation with doctors, and negotiations with the insurance company – will be squarely focused on that goal. Our highly skilled litigators will also be ready to go to trial for you if that’s what it takes.

We represent clients on a contingency fee basis. So, you won’t have to worry about paying for a motorcycle accident attorney and handling the upfront costs of pursuing your case. You will pay us only if we obtain a financial recovery for you.

What Types of Damages Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Injury Claim?

Motorcycle accident injuries can be severe. Helmet laws have helped cut down on some accidents however, even if you were a rider or passenger who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, you may still suffer life-changing physical harm such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury (SCI). Many of the motorcycle accident victims that we assist also suffer broken bones, burns, soft tissue damage, road rash, internal injuries and mental harm such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Two persons with cast on on leg and arm. If another party’s negligence or other misconduct directly caused your motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation which could include:

Medical bills
Loss of wages
Disfigurement
Diminished earning capacity
Mental and physical anguish
Permanent scarring
Loss of companionship, in the unfortunate event that the motorcycle accident resulted in a loved one’s wrongful death.

Truitt Law Offices will aggressively seek the maximum amount that is available to you. We know the important role that compensation can play as you move ahead with your life.

Does Comparative Negligence Affect Motorcycle Accident Cases in Indiana?

Insurance companies often try to blame motorcycle riders for accidents that involve their insured drivers. The reason: Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system. Under this system, a person can be denied any recovery if they are 51 percent or more at fault for their injuries. If they are less than 51 percent at fault, then the person can still recover compensation. However, it will be reduced based on their percentage of fault.

At Truitt Law Offices, we know how insurance companies operate. We will vigorously challenge any effort by an insurance company to assign fault to you in your motorcycle crash where the evidence does not support it. In fact, dealing with difficult insurance companies is one of the main reasons why you should have an aggressive and experienced personal injury lawyer from our law firm at your side when you pursue a motorcycle accident injury claim.

What Is the Indiana Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Collisions?

Every state has a Statute of Limitations that limits the amount of time you have in which to file a lawsuit. If you do not file a complaint before the deadline, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation. Generally, after a motorcycle accident in Indiana, you must file a personal injury claim within two years from the date of the accident, while you must bring a wrongful death lawsuit within two years from the date of your family member’s death.

Should You Carry Uninsured Motorist Coverage on Your Motorcycle?

Many riders are surprised to learn that their auto insurance policy excludes coverage of them when they are involved in a motorcycle wreck. For this reason, you should always carefully review any auto insurance policy that you purchase and make sure that it meets your needs.

For instance, you should strongly consider buying uninsured motorist (UM) coverage that will specifically protect you if you are involved in a motorcycle crash with a driver who has no liability insurance, or if you are hurt in a hit-and-run accident (which happens more often than you may think). Additionally, it is also wise to carry underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance that covers you while riding your motorcycle. This coverage can pay the difference between what the other driver’s insurance covers and the total amount of your damages (up to your policy limits).

How to Get Your Motorcycle Ready for Riding Season

Before you head out on your motorcycle trip this summer, consider taking some of the following steps to make sure your bike is ready for riding season:

Check tires – Low tire pressure can make it difficult to steer or cause you to lose control of your motorcycle. Make sure you check the tire pressure and add air if necessary before you ride. While you’re at it, check your tires to make sure they are in good condition. The last thing you want to deal with on your journey is a blowout, which can be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists.

Check brakes – Check both your front and rear brakes, preferably separately, to ensure they are both in good working order. When you take your motorcycle for a test drive, listen for any squeaking noises, as this can indicate that your brakes need to be replaced.

Fill up on fresh oil and fluids – Just like with your car, it’s important to change your motorcycle’s oil regularly. You can do this yourself or by taking it in to an oil and lube shop. As oil ages, it becomes less effective, and bad oil (or worse, no oil) can be bad for your motorcycle’s engine. If you recently changed the oil, check to see if it needs to be topped off.

Try out controls – Don’t neglect to check all your controls – including the throttle, the steering device, and the clutch – because you don’t want to lose control of your motorcycle on the road when you’re surrounded by other vehicles.

Test ride – Take a test ride in your neighborhood before you take your motorcycle out on the open road. Test out the steering and other controls, test out the brakes by braking hard, and get fluids moving through the engine.

Top 5 Roads for Riding Your Motorcycle in Indiana

Indiana has many scenic and inviting routes for motorcyclists looking for an adventure. Some of the top roads for riding include:

Historic National Road – This stretch of highway runs for 152 miles between Richmond and Terre Haute. Along this gorgeous route, you’ll encounter the small town of Philadelphia, which boasts many interesting historical buildings and farmhouses.
Ohio River Scenic Byway – This route along the beautiful Ohio River runs from Clarksville to Greenville over a 92-mile stretch of rural highway. Along the way, consider visiting the Falls of the Ohio State Park, where you can check out a site containing 390-million-year-old fossil beds. It’s also worth checking out the Lanier Mansion, a gorgeous home built in 1844.
Indiana’s Historic Pathway South Spur – The Historic Pathway’s South Spur runs from Vincennes to Louisville, Indiana, totaling 135 miles. Though shorter than the northern spur of the highway, the South Spur runs through a beautiful portion of the Hoosier National Forest. The South Spur is also home to the Potts Creek Rockshelter Archeological Site, once inhabited by Native Americans during different periods, including the Archaic, Woodland, and Paleo periods.
Indiana’s Historic Pathway North Spur – The Historic Pathway’s North Spur stretches from Vincennes to Aurora for a 163-mile journey. Notable locations along this route include the Freeman Army Airfield Museum in Seymour and the Hillforest Victorian House Museum in Aurora.
Lincoln Highway – Named after one of America’s most famous presidents, Abraham Lincoln, the Indiana section of the Lincoln Highway stretches 188 miles from Dyer to Townley before continuing on all the way to New York. You can stop to view a replica of Lincoln’s log cabin in Foster Park and the Studebaker National Museum and Archive in South Bend along the way.

A personal injury lawyer working on a claim in Fort Wayne.

Contact Our Fort Wayne Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyer Today!

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in Fort Wayne, Huntington, or elsewhere in Indiana, you can count on Truitt Law Offices to fight for all compensation you are entitled to receive. We will bring more than 40 years of experience to your case and our full dedication to what is important to you. Don’t wait to take action, we do not collect a fee unless we win. Contact us today for a free case review.