If you’ve suffered serious injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to navigate the legal system alone. At Poynter & Bucheri, our seasoned Carmel personal injury lawyers are committed to helping injured clients across Hamilton County recover the compensation they deserve.
Our injury attorneys fight relentlessly to hold negligent parties accountable and make sure your rights—and your future—are fully protected.
Your free case evaluation is just a call away. Contact our lawyers now at 800-265-9881.
Personal Injury Cases Our Law Firm Handles
At Poynter & Bucheri, our personal injury law firm provides aggressive representation for a wide range of personal injury cases throughout Carmel, Indiana, and Hamilton County.
Whether you were injured in a crash, on foot, or by a defective product, our team is here to fight for the payout you deserve. Below are a few of the most common practice areas our lawyers handle.
Car Accidents
From fender benders on Keystone Parkway to major highway crashes, car accidents often lead to severe injuries like whiplash, broken bones, or head trauma.
Our Carmel personal injury attorneys help victims recover compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, while navigating insurance claims and proving fault. We understand Indiana’s modified comparative fault laws and will protect your rights from day one.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists face increased risks on Carmel’s roads due to their limited protection and reduced visibility. These accidents often lead to severe physical injuries such as road rash, fractured limbs, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and disfigurement.
If a negligent driver caused your crash, we’ll work to hold them accountable while pushing back against common insurance biases toward bikers.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, especially when they occur near busy intersections or shopping areas like Clay Terrace. Victims frequently suffer pelvic fractures, severe lacerations, head injuries, and orthopedic trauma due to the force of impact.
If a driver failed to yield, was distracted, or violated traffic laws, our Carmel personal injury attorneys will build a strong case on your behalf.
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is devastating. Our Carmel personal injury lawyers help families seek justice and financial support for funeral costs, lost income, and other damages.
We build strong cases using medical records, accident reports, and expert testimony to support our clients. While no amount of money can replace your loss, holding the at-fault party accountable can help you begin to heal.
Other Personal Injury Cases We Handle
These are just a few examples of the cases our Carmel personal injury lawyers handle. If another party’s negligence has injured you in any way, reach out to our personal injury team to discuss your legal options during a free consultation.
Important Personal Injury Laws To Know About
Understanding how Indiana’s personal injury laws work can help injured clients make informed decisions about their case. Here are four key legal principles that may affect your personal injury claim:
Comparative Fault
Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule under IC § 34-51-2. This means you can still recover personal injury compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident, as long as your share of fault is less than 51%. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but a jury determines you were 20% at fault for the accident, your final compensation would be reduced to $80,000. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation at all.
Damage Caps
Most standard personal injury lawsuits in Indiana do not have claim damage caps. However, certain case types do have strict limits on how much a client can recover:
Injury claims against government entities:
Damages are capped at $700,000 per person and $5 million per occurrence, regardless of the number of victims. This could apply to cases involving a Carmel Police Department vehicle or negligence by a city agency.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded in rare cases where the at-fault party’s actions were willful, malicious, or grossly reckless, such as in drunk driving or assault cases. These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
In Indiana, punitive damages are capped at the greater of three times the compensatory damages or $50,000 (IC § 34-51-3-4). Only 25% goes to the victim, while 75% is paid to the Violent Crime Victim Compensation Fund.
Due to these limitations, Indiana courts are cautious in awarding punitive damages; however, they may still apply in cases involving an intentional act.
Statute of Limitations
In most Indiana personal injury claims, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under IC § 34-11-2-4. This includes injury claims from car crashes, fall accidents, and pedestrian injuries.
Failing to file in a timely manner can result in your case being dismissed—no matter how severe your injuries are, even if you’ve suffered permanent injuries. While limited exceptions exist for minors, mental incapacity, or delayed discovery, it’s best to consult a personal injury lawyer early to avoid missing crucial deadlines.
Burn Injuries a Personal Injury Lawyer Represents
Burn injuries are among the most painful and complex injuries caused by accidents. They often require extensive medical care, including surgeries, skin grafts, rehabilitation, and long-term therapy. At Poynter & Bucheri Law Firm, we represent Carmel clients suffering from injuries caused by car accident fires, unsafe property conditions, and other forms of negligence.
Whether your burns were caused by scalding liquids, electrical failures, or hazardous premises, we’ll work to prove liability and fight for the full compensation you need to recover. These injuries can lead to nerve damage, infection, permanent injuries, emotional trauma, and lasting disfigurement.
Our Carmel personal injury attorneys are here to help you pursue fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering—starting with a free initial consultation.
Who’s Liable in a Pedestrian Accident?
Determining who is liable in a pedestrian accident isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. While drivers often bear responsibility for failing to yield or driving distracted, pedestrians can also share in the blame under Indiana’s comparative fault rules.
Liability depends on the specific facts of the case, including road conditions, right-of-way laws, and witness statements.
If the driver was speeding, texting, or failed to stop at a crosswalk, they could be fully or partially at fault. However, if the pedestrian ignored traffic signals, crossed outside a designated area, or was intoxicated, their actions could reduce, or even eliminate, their right to financial compensation.
Insurance adjusters often attempt to shift blame onto the pedestrian to minimize payouts, making it crucial to work with an experienced attorney. A skilled lawyer can gather evidence, counter unfair blame tactics, and fight for the settlement you rightfully deserve.
Ways the Pedestrian May Be Liable
While pedestrians have the right of way in many personal injury situations, they’re also expected to follow traffic laws and exercise reasonable care.
Here are a few examples of when a pedestrian may be found partially or fully at fault:
- Jaywalking or crossing outside of a crosswalk
- Ignoring traffic signals or crossing against a red light
- Walking while distracted
- Entering traffic suddenly or unexpectedly
- Walking along highways or restricted areas where pedestrian access is prohibited
If a pedestrian is found to be 51% or more at fault, they cannot recover any damages under Indiana law. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced Carmel attorney investigate the details of the accident to build a strong personal injury lawsuit and get a fair settlement.
Emergency Services in Carmel, Indiana
- Fire: https://www.carmel.in.gov/government/departments-services/fire, 210 Veterans Way, Carmel, Indiana, 317-571-2600
- Police: https://www.carmel.in.gov/government/departments-services/police, 210 Veterans Way, Carmel, Indiana, 317-571-2600
- Hospital: https://iuhealth.org/find-locations/iu-health-north-hospital, 11700 N. Meridian St, Carmel, Indiana, 317-688-2000
- Court: https://www.carmel.in.gov/government/court, 1000 South Rangeline Rd, Carmel, Indiana, 317-571-2440
Living in Carmel, Indiana
Carmel, Indiana, is known for being one of the state’s safest and most loved communities in America. With top-rated schools, well-maintained parks, and a thriving arts and culture scene, it’s no wonder residents take pride in calling Carmel home. The city offers a mix of quiet, family-friendly neighborhoods and busy commercial areas, such as the Carmel Arts & Design District and Midtown Plaza.
But even in a place as well-managed as Carmel, accidents can and do happen. Whether you’re injured in a crash on US-31 or while walking near the Monon Trail, it’s important to have a legal team that understands the local landscape and is familiar with Hamilton County Superior Court.
At Poynter & Bucheri, our personal injury attorneys are proud to serve the Carmel community with personalized legal representation, straightforward answers to your most common questions, and a deep familiarity with local proceedings—such as those held at the Hamilton County Square, Noblesville.
Contact Poynter & Bucheri Today
At Poynter & Bucheri, our lawyers are committed to helping our Hamilton County injured clients recover the maximum compensation possible after a serious injury. Our team of experienced attorneys works tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win your case. If you’re ready to work with some of the best lawyers serving Carmel and the surrounding areas, don’t wait to get the help you need.
Contact us at 800-265-9881 to schedule your free consultation today and get one step closer to maximum compensation.