Fort Wayne
Fender Bender
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DELVENTHAL LAW

YOUR GUIDE TO FENDER BENDER ACCIDENTS IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA

According to a study cited by Forbes Magazine, the average American driver will be involved in approximately four traffic collisions over the course of their life. Even if you only get into a relatively minor fender bender, it is still stressful, frustrating, and sometimes overwhelming.

We want to make sure that you have all of the information and tools that you need to deal with a minor collision. Here, our Fort Wayne car accident lawyer answers some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about fender benders.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A FENDER BENDER ACCIDENT IN INDIANA?

Dealing with a fender bender can be confusing — especially if the collision occurs in a high-traffic area. Even if it appears that there are no injuries and only modest vehicle damage, drivers still need to take the proper steps to protect their well-being and legal rights. Under Indiana law (Indiana Vehicle Code § 9-26-1-1.1), motorists involved in a crash must comply with certain legal duties. Among other things, drivers should:

• Stop and get their vehicles into a safe location;
• Remain at the scene of the crash.
• Check everyone for injuries, and get medical help to anyone who needs it;
• Contact the Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, or another local law enforcement agency; and
• Exchange contact information and insurance details with the other parties involved in the collision.

DO I HAVE TO REPORT A FENDER BENDER IN INDIANA?

Whether or not you have a duty to report the crash depends on the nature of the accident. Indiana law requires drivers to report traffic collisions if any person was injured or killed or if there was more than $1,000 in total property damage.”]

Obviously, it is not always clear exactly how property damage actually occurred in a fender bender. Though, as anyone who has taken their vehicle to a mechanic knows, not much damage is required to reach the $1,000 threshold. It is better to be on the safe side and to report fender benders — especially if another driver caused your accident.

Note: the above information is a statutory requirement in the state of Indiana. Your individual insurance policy may require you to report all collisions to them — even if there was less than $1,000 in total property damage. Drivers should always be sure to comply with the specific terms of their own insurance coverage. Failure to do so could cause problems.

INJURED VICTIMS DESERVE FULL AND FAIR COMPENSATION

You cannot always tell how serious a car accident is by looking at the resulting vehicle damage. In some cases, drivers or passengers are thankfully able to escape high impact crashes with little more than a few bumps and bruises. In other cases, a seemingly minor fender bender could cause severe whiplash, muscle strains, a broken bone, or even a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

If you were hurt in a fender bender in Fort Wayne, it is essential that you seek immediate medical attention. All car accident injuries should be evaluated by a qualified physician. You have the right to file a claim to seek financial compensation for fender bender injuries. Do not assume that your accident is “too minor” to bring a personal injury claim.