Indiana Car Accident Lawyers Call for Accountability After a Surge in Fatalities

August 14, 2025

Car crashes are among the chief sources of accidental death in Indiana, killing 928 people in 2023 and marking a nearly 19.5 percent spike in the state’s automotive mortality rate in under a decade. However, there is hope that the alarming growth in lethal car accidents will become as big a concern for lawmakers in Indiana as it has long been for members of the legal profession. Hensley Legal Group explains the ways in which Indiana car accident lawyers call for accountability after a surge in fatalities on the road.

Why Do Deadly Car Accidents Happen?

Before examining what attorneys can do to help the grieving families of deceased motorists, it is important to understand why deadly car accidents happen in the first place. Some of the most frequent contributors to these terrible incidents include:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol – Drunk driving may have plummeted significantly in recent decades, but it continues to play a role in thousands of deaths per year in the United States.
• Distraction – Anything that takes a driver’s eyes or mind off the task at hand could lead to a collision from which nobody can walk away.
• Speeding – Drivers who travel too fast have less time to react yet require more time to stop, a combination that could make car accidents more probable and more severe.
• Fatigue – Driving while drowsy may not be as broadly condemned as driving while drunk, but it can sometimes be just as dangerous, with studies showing that fatigue can produce the same degree of impairment as a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent.

Lobbying for Changes in the Law

Regardless of the root causes of a fatal Indiana car accident, the fact that a victim will pay the ultimate price makes it imperative to do whatever it takes to either keep the bill from arriving at all or ensure that those responsible don’t escape from the consequences of their actions.

And because experienced Indiana car accident lawyers know better than almost anyone how devastating a traffic death can be, they are often the most committed to preventing these tragedies when they can and getting justice for the mourners who are left behind when they can’t.

The chief means through which attorneys can limit the number of car accident fatalities is lobbying for changes in the law that promote safer driving practices and stiffen penalties for egregious misconduct behind the wheel. For instance, organizations like the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association routinely advocate for the passage of such critical legislation as “Hands-Free Indiana,” which prohibits drivers in the state from using smartphones and other handheld devices.

Pursuing a Wrongful Death Case If Someone Else Is at Fault

With any luck, common sense solutions like these can begin to reverse a trend that puts drivers, passengers, and pedestrians throughout the state in jeopardy. Nevertheless, lives may still be lost in Indiana car accidents no matter how many protections are implemented, but a skilled attorney might be able to pursue a wrongful death case if someone else is at fault.

Once retained, a lawyer will investigate the accident in question, identify the defendants liable for it, establish valid claims and/or file suit against each of them, and amass compelling evidence of their wrongdoing, such as:

• Police reports
• Citations and dispositions
• Eyewitness statements
• Crash photos
• Dash cam, streetlight, and surveillance videos
• Black box data
• Phone records
• Driving histories and maintenance logs
• Accident reconstruction and forensic analysis

After putting together the strongest case possible, a tenacious Indiana car accident attorney will negotiate tirelessly with the defendants’ insurance carriers for a settlement that reflects the totality of the applicable damages, which could include:

• Medical, funeral, and burial expenses
• Termination of financial support
• Loss of love and companionship (when allowed)
• Psychological counseling
• Punitive damages (if relevant)

Though car accident claims are usually resolved prior to trial, the literal “life-and-death” stakes in a situation like this might mean that a trial can’t be avoided, at which point a seasoned Indiana car accident lawyer may become indispensable.

Whereas about 96 percent of the plaintiffs who represent themselves in the courtroom lose, plaintiffs who hire attorneys are statistically favored to win and might even be awarded the funds they need to enjoy the lives that their loved ones would have wanted for them.

Get in Touch with Our Dedicated Indiana Car Accident Lawyers

Hensley Legal Group has been fighting for the hardworking men and women of Indiana for over a quarter century. If you are struggling to get back to normal after a major collision in the Hoosier State, get in touch with our dedicated Indiana car accident lawyers to learn about the remedies that may be available to you.

You can schedule a free consultation with an accomplished Indiana car accident attorney by calling us at (317) 472-3333, chatting with us online, or filling out our contact form now.