First Days After an Indiana Crash: Drunk-Driver Victims
Prepared by Poynter & Bucheri, LLC · Reviewed by Donald Poynter, Indiana attorney · Last reviewed November 9, 2026
If you were hurt by a suspected drunk driver in Indiana, start with urgent help. Then sort the records you already have and keep a call log, one step at a time.
This resource is for injured victims and their families, not DUI or OWI defense.
First days after an Indiana drunk-driver crash: help first
In an emergency, call 911, give your location and follow the call-taker’s instructions. Do not delay help to gather evidence. See Calling 911. Ask a health-care provider about symptoms, care and follow-up; this page does not set a medical timetable.
Make one private folder
Keep letters, bills, appointment notes, work records and existing photos together. You can note the date and location of the crash, the responding agency and any report number you have. Ask for help from someone you trust if needed. These are recordkeeping ideas, not proof that an expense can be recovered.
Find report information
Indiana State Police keeps the state’s central crash-report repository and links to BuyCrash for electronic reports for a fee. This page gives no fixed fee or posting time.
Keep a call log
Write down who called, the company or office, a callback number and the request. Read your own policy and ask about any notice or response terms. If you do not understand a document or statement request, seek advice about that request. This checklist does not grant permission to ignore or postpone a duty.
Ask about official support
The ICJI victim compensation page gives program rules and application information. Eligibility and expenses are subject to those rules. Ask the office handling the criminal case how to get case updates.
Is there a deadline to file an injury or wrongful death claim in Indiana?
Yes. An injury or property damage lawsuit must be filed within two years after the claim “accrues,” meaning the date the law treats the claim as starting (IC 34-11-2-4). The estate’s personal representative must file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years (IC 34-23-1-1). Claims against a government unit need written notice within 180 days after the loss for a local unit, or 270 days for the state (IC 34-13-3-8, IC 34-13-3-6).
Make a question list
Ask a lawyer about the deadlines, who may bring a claim and what happens if someone died. This is a general summary of Indiana’s time limits, not a calculation of your deadline. When your time started and which rule applies depend on your facts, so ask a lawyer to confirm your date early. Do not wait for a criminal case to end before seeking advice about a possible deadline.
Use the records organizer, or read about the criminal case and the injury claim.
Talk with the firm
You can call Poynter & Bucheri at (317) 780-8000 for a free case review. Ask about the terms of any work before you agree to it.
Poynter & Bucheri represents people injured in motor vehicle crashes in Indiana.
Our fee is only 25%* on motor vehicle accident cases.
No fee and no costs unless we recover for you. Calls answered 24/7 (office staff Mon–Fri 9–5; answering service after hours).
Free case review Call (317) 780-8000
*The 25% fee is 25% of the total recovery in motor-vehicle cases (car, truck, motorcycle, scooter, bicycle or pedestrian struck by a vehicle), including bar or host claims arising from them, settled prior to trial. If there is no recovery, the client owes no fee. Case costs and expenses paid by the firm are reimbursed from any settlement or recovery. This 25% fee is valid for 15 days after the date last advertised.
Poynter & Bucheri resource · 4202 Madison Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46227. This is a private law-firm resource, not a government, police or nonprofit site. General information only; not advice about your case. For a correction, use our contact form or call (317) 780-8000.