According to IC § 9-26-1-1.1, Indiana drivers must report motor vehicle accidents involving bodily injury, death, or damage to an unattended vehicle or property. If you were in a motorcycle accident that meets these criteria, you should report the crash immediately to local law enforcement.
You may also want to contact an attorney to learn more about your rights after a motorcycle accident. If your crash was not your fault, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue financial compensation for your injuries and losses.
Failing To Report A Motorcycle Accident Involving Injuries Is A Crime
Reporting a motorcycle accident according to Indiana law is critical to avoid hit-and-run penalties. According to the statute mentioned above, drivers must stop and remain at the scene of any collision resulting in bodily injury or death. Additionally, drivers must render aid to those hurt (if physically able) and immediately contact authorities or emergency services.
Drivers must also stop after accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property and make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or contact authorities if the owner cannot be found. If your crash occurred inside a municipality, you should call the local police. Call the county sheriff’s department or the Indiana State Police if you are outside city limits. If the situation is an emergency, call 911.
Failure to stop and contact authorities can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, fines, or jail time. If your motorcycle accident did not result in injuries and caused less than $1,000 in property damages, reporting is not mandatory; however, you may still want to make a report for future insurance claims or lawsuits.
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Information In A Motorcycle Accident Report
According to IC § 9-26-2, law enforcement officers must investigate collisions resulting in injury, death, or property damages amounting to $1,000 or more. Officers must file a report with the Indiana State Police Department within 24 hours of the crash, containing:
- The names and addresses of each vehicle owner/operator involved in the accident
- The license plate numbers and descriptions of the involved motorcycles/vehicles
- The time and place of the collision
- The names and addresses of anyone injured or killed during the crash
- The names and addresses of eyewitnesses to the accident
If you file an insurance claim against the other involved driver or take legal action via a personal injury lawsuit, the accident report may be a critical piece of evidence. The report creates an official record of your collision. It also provides our motorcycle accident lawyer with the information needed to build your case, such as the names and locations of witnesses who may be able to testify on your behalf.
Providing Proof of Insurance After A Motorcycle Accident
According to the Indiana Department of Insurance, Indiana motorcycle drivers and motor vehicle operators must have a minimum of $25,000/$50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person/per accident and $25,000 in property damage liability.
You must provide the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) with proof of insurance within ten days of a reported crash. You do this by submitting an Operator’s Proof of Insurance/Crash Report signed by your insurance agent or policy provider. Your insurance company may take care of this for you.
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Motorcycle Accident Liability
You can seek compensation for your motorcycle accident if you suffered injuries or financial losses because of another driver’s negligent or wrongful actions. Negligent driving includes any behavior that violates traffic laws, such as speeding, driving drunk, or running a stoplight or stop sign.
Our Indiana personal injury lawyer can help you pursue financial awards for damages resulting from your motorcycle accident, including:
- Ambulance and emergency department fees
- Hospital and doctor bills
- Physical therapy
- Medical devices and medical equipment
- Prescription drugs
- Long-term care services
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Motorcycle repair or replacement costs
- Physical pain
- Scarring, disfigurement, and loss of mobility
- Emotional and mental suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- The wrongful death of a loved one
Indiana’s Statute Of Limitations
Another important motorcycle accident deadline is the statute of limitations. According to IC § 34-11-2-4, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. IC § 34-23-1-1 allows two years to sue for wrongful death. If you do not file your case in time, the court will likely dismiss your suit. Additionally, an expired statute will hinder your chances of a successful insurance settlement.
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Contact Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. for Help With Your Motorcycle Accident Case
Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. can fight for fair compensation for your motorcycle accident damages. We will handle every step of your claim or lawsuit, from gathering evidence and proving negligence to representing you during negotiations.
Contact us today for a free consultation and learn more about working with our Indiana motorcycle accident lawyer.
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