Best Personal Injury Lawyers Fort Wayne, IN Of 2024

Written By

Valerie Catalano, J.D.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

With its rich history and beautiful parks and trails, it is not surprising that Fort Wayne has seen its population grow steadily in the last few years. And growth in population means a rise in the number of vehicles on the road, more construction sites, more pets, more medical facilities—in short, more chances for personal injury.

Forbes Advisor has prepared a list of the best personal injury lawyers in Fort Wayne and a summary of personal injury laws in Indiana to help you secure fair compensation if you are hurt by someone’s negligence.

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Personal Injury

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Best Fort Wayne Personal Injury Lawyers

Sherrill W. Colvin

IN Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to IN Bar

1965

Law School Attended

Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Jeffrey J. Shaw

IN Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to IN Bar

1990

Law School Attended

Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Stanley L. Rosenblatt

IN Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to IN Bar

1969

Law School Attended

Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

George Sistevaris

IN Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to IN Bar

1987

Law School Attended

Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

David L. Farnbauch

IN Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to IN Bar

1986

Law School Attended

Valparaiso University School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Edward E. Beck

IN Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to IN Bar

1973

Law School Attended

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Thomas D. Blackburn

IN Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to IN Bar

1977

Law School Attended

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Thomas A. Manges

IN Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to IN Bar

1992

Law School Attended

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

David G. Crell

IN Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to IN Bar

2009

Law School Attended

Michigan State University College of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Nathaniel O. Hubley

IN Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to IN Bar

2009

Law School Attended

Valparaiso University School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Compare Top Fort Wayne Personal Injury Attorneys

Lawyer Name IN Bar Association Status Year Admitted to IN Bar Law School Attended Learn More CTA text Learn more CTA below text

Sherrill W. Colvin Active 1965 Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Jeffrey J. Shaw Active 1990 Indiana University Maurer School of Law

George Sistevaris Active 1987 Indiana University Maurer School of Law

David L. Farnbauch Active 1986 Valparaiso University School of Law

Edward E. Beck Active 1973 Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

Thomas D. Blackburn Active 1977 Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

Thomas A. Manges Active 1992 Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

David G. Crell Active 2009 Michigan State University College of Law

Nathaniel O. Hubley Active 2009 Valparaiso University School of Law

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Fort Wayne, IN

If you or your loved ones have been injured due to someone’s negligence, you may be eligible to claim compensation for economic damages, such as loss of pay and medical bills, and noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. Below is a guide to help you understand how you can file your claim.

Indiana Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases

If you are injured in Indiana, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit against the defendants. If you miss the statute of limitations, you may not be able to take any action to recover compensation. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule:

• A child under age six can file a medical malpractice suit until they turn eight.
• For asbestos-related injuries, a lawsuit can be filed within two years from the date when a person discovers that the injury was caused due to asbestos exposure.
• If a person dies of an injury caused by negligence, a lawsuit can be filed within two years from the date of the death.

The statute of limitations can be delayed in certain scenarios:

• If the defendant is not in the state, the statute of limitations is paused until they are back.
• If the victim is under the age of 18, a lawsuit can be filed within two years after they turn 18.

Indiana Personal Injury Laws

If you are considering filing a personal injury suit you should also be aware of the following laws:

• Lawsuits against Indiana. You cannot file a lawsuit against any state agency unless you have filed a notice of your claim with the attorney general or the agency within 270 days from the date of the injury. The notice must contain all the details of the claim, including the claimants’ information, the amount claimed and the extent of the loss.
• Modified comparative negligence. The state of Indiana follows the modified comparative negligence rule to determine the compensation you can receive in a personal injury claim. If you were partially responsible for causing the accident that led to your injury, your compensation is deducted by the percentage of your negligence. For example, if you were 20% responsible for the accident or event, you can recover only 80% of the total damages.However, if your responsibility is over 50%, you are not eligible for any compensation at all.

• Damages caps. In medical malpractice claims, you cannot recover a compensation higher than $1.8 million. For claims against the state government, the damages are capped at $700,000.

Personal Injury Settlement Considerations

Settlements are the preferred mode of resolution for both the parties and the court since avoiding lengthy trials helps save time and money and reduces pressure from the already overburdened justice system. If the insurance company offers satisfactory compensation, you can expect to finalize your settlement within a few months of filing the claim. However, the timeline can change based on the complexity of your case.

Any compensation received for physical injury is not taxable by the IRS. However, if you receive punitive damages, you may have to pay taxes on that portion of the compensation. You may also have to pay tax on any amount that is not received to compensate for a physical injury.

How Can an Attorney Help You?

If you are injured in an accident, filing a personal injury claim may not be your priority. A personal injury lawyer can manage all the legal requirements of your case. They can help you identify the defendants, file the claim and negotiate a settlement with the insurance companies.

Hiring a lawyer also shows the defendants that you are prepared to go to trial for your rights. This can prove to be a great motivation for insurance companies to make appropriate settlement offers. Your lawyer will help you collect evidence, gather witness testimonials and build a strong case. They can represent you in the trial if you do not want to accept the settlement offer.

How To Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Fort Wayne, IN

In personal injury matters, it is generally advisable to hire a lawyer as soon as possible. Since most insurance companies have a team of highly qualified attorneys defending their cases, working with a lawyer can put you on equal footing with them. Here are a few things you can consider while hiring a lawyer for your case.

• Experience. Ask your lawyer if they have experience working with cases similar to yours. For example, if you were in a car accident, hiring a lawyer with years of experience in car accident cases will increase your chances of recovering fair compensation.
• Fee. Most personal injury lawyers in Fort Wayne charge on a contingency fee basis. However, the percentage charged differs based on the lawyer’s experience and the facts of your case. Talk to your lawyer about the projected costs, so you can make a decision that fits your budget.
• Reviews. You can find customer reviews of your lawyer on their website and other review websites. Reading reviews can help you understand the working process of the lawyer and determine your compatibility.

Our Methodology for Finding the Best Fort Wayne Personal Injury Attorneys

Forbes Advisor ranked attorneys offering services in personal injury law within a 50-mile radius of Fort Wayne, IN using data points across the categories of qualifications, experience, reputation, client experience and diversity and inclusivity. We pulled data for these categories from reliable, third-party resources such as state bar associations and individual firm websites. Data is accurate as of June 2024.

We evaluated attorneys based on the following metrics.

Qualifications (15%):

• Active business license
• Public records check
• Practice areas
• Overall reputation of law school

Experience (15%):

• Years of membership in state bar
• Ethics and bar disciplinary history

Reputation (30%):

• High regards in top legal publications
• Positive reviews
• Accolades from colleagues

Client Experience (25%):

• Free consultations

Diversity and Inclusivity (15%):

• Bilingual services

We considered only attorneys without disciplinary history who have been licensed for at least five years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Personal Injury in Fort Wayne

What percentage do most personal injury lawyers charge in Fort Wayne?

What is the average personal injury settlement in Fort Wayne, IN?

What is the discovery rule in Indiana for personal injury?

The information on this page does not constitute legal advice, nor does use of or access to this page create an attorney-client relationship between any parties. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for informational purposes only. Your legal situation is unique and the attorneys and services we rank may not be right for your circumstances. Consult with an attorney to obtain advice on your particular legal matter.