Indianapolis Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Hit and run crashes are a serious and growing problem in Indianapolis and throughout Marion County. Recent crash data show thousands of hit and run collisions each year in Indiana, with Marion County among the highest for these incidents. When a driver causes a wreck and then drives away, injured people are left with medical bills, missed work, and car repairs — and no obvious person to hold accountable.

From our headquarters at 2850 N Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208, Keller & Keller Injury Lawyers represents hit and run victims across Indianapolis and central Indiana. Our Indianapolis team helps clients understand Indiana’s hit and run laws, explore insurance options, and pursue compensation even when the at‑fault driver leaves the scene.

What Is a Hit and Run in Indianapolis Under Indiana Law?

Indiana law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop, provide information, and assist anyone who is injured. A hit and run (or “leaving the scene of an accident”) occurs when a driver:

• Fails to stop at or near the crash site.
• Does not provide their name, address, and vehicle registration information to the other driver, property owner, or law enforcement.
• Does not offer reasonable aid to injured people, such as calling for medical help.

This duty applies whether the crash happens on I‑65, I‑70, Meridian, Keystone, or neighborhood streets throughout Indianapolis, and it applies even if the other vehicle or property is unattended. Driving away without reporting or leaving contact information can still be treated as a hit and run.

Criminal Penalties for Hit and Run in Indiana

Hit and run is a crime in Indiana, and penalties depend on the severity of the crash and injuries. In general:

• Property‑damage only crashes:
  • Often charged as a Class B misdemeanor.
  • Can involve up to 180 days in jail and fines up to around $1,000.
• Crashes involving bodily injury:
  • Leaving the scene can be a Class A misdemeanor or, in some cases, a Level 6 felony.
  • Penalties may include up to one year in jail and fines up to around $5,000, with harsher consequences when injuries are more serious.
• Crashes causing serious injury or death:
  • Serious‑injury hit and runs can be charged as Level 5 or Level 6 felonies.
  • Fatal hit and runs, or those involving impaired driving, can lead to higher felony levels and possible prison terms measured in years, with fines that can reach $10,000.

These criminal penalties punish the driver, but they do not automatically pay for medical care, lost income, or long‑term needs. To recover financially, victims usually need to work through insurance and, in many cases, pursue a civil injury claim.

What Indianapolis Hit and Run Victims Should Do After a Crash

If you are hit by a driver who flees in Indianapolis:

1. Call 911 and get medical help.
   • Police and EMTs document the crash and your injuries, which is critical in hit and run cases.
2. Stay at the scene if it is safe.
   • Do not chase the other driver; focus on safety and gathering information.
3. Capture details about the fleeing vehicle.
   • Note the vehicle’s color, make, model, damage, and any part of the license plate.
   • Write down the direction it went (for example, “south on Meridian” or “east on Washington Street”).
4. Identify witnesses and nearby cameras.
   • Ask witnesses for names and contact information.
   • Look for businesses, homes, or traffic cameras that may have recorded the crash.
5. Notify your auto insurer.
   • Report that you were involved in a hit and run in Indianapolis; avoid guessing about fault or minimizing injuries.
6. Contact an Indianapolis hit and run accident lawyer.
   • A local injury attorney can coordinate with law enforcement, preserve evidence, and handle negotiations with insurers while you focus on recovery.

Indiana injury claims generally have a statute of limitations of around two years for personal injury, so waiting too long can make it harder to gather evidence and bring a claim.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Indianapolis Hit and Runs

In many Indianapolis hit and run crashes, the fleeing driver is treated as an uninsured motorist for insurance purposes. Indiana drivers are typically offered uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and many policies include this protection unless the driver rejects it.

UM/UIM coverage can:

• Help pay for medical expenses and certain related costs when the at‑fault driver has no insurance or cannot be located.
• Provide benefits to policyholders and, in some cases, family members injured in hit and run crashes, depending on the policy language.

Policy terms matter. In some situations, Indiana law and specific policy language may require that the at‑fault driver be identified before certain property damage benefits apply, but bodily injury UM/UIM is often an important safety net in hit and run cases. An Indianapolis injury lawyer can review your policy, explain available benefits, and fight for full and fair use of those coverages.

How Keller & Keller Injury Lawyers Helps Hit and Run Victims in Indianapolis

Keller & Keller Injury Lawyers has represented injured people in Indiana for decades, including victims of hit and run car, truck, and pedestrian accidents in and around Indianapolis. From the firm’s Meridian Street office, the Indiana team:

• Works with Indianapolis and Marion County law enforcement to identify at‑fault drivers when possible.
• Preserves crash‑scene evidence, witness statements, and available video footage.
• Reviews all applicable insurance, including liability, UM/UIM, MedPay, and health coverage.
• Handles communications and negotiations with insurance companies so clients are not pressured while they are recovering.
• Pursues compensation for medical bills, lost wages, future care, and pain and suffering under Indiana law.

Hit and run claims can be confusing and stressful. Having a firm that knows Indianapolis roads, local crash patterns, Indiana statutes, and common insurance tactics can make the process more manageable and improve the chances of a fair outcome.

When to Call an Indianapolis Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

You should consider talking with an Indianapolis hit and run accident lawyer if:

• You were injured in a crash anywhere in Indianapolis or Marion County and the other driver fled.
• A family member was seriously hurt or killed and the at‑fault driver left the scene.
• You are unsure whether your UM/UIM coverage applies to a hit and run.
• Insurance adjusters are calling and you want someone experienced to speak for you.

From our Indianapolis office, Keller & Keller Injury Lawyers offers free case evaluations and charges no fee unless you win.