How Christie Bell & Marshall Builds Speeding Crash Claims

The insurance company will downplay the driver’s speed, question whether speed caused your specific injuries, and look for any way to shift blame onto you.

We counter those arguments with data. Every speeding case we handle is built on objective evidence of the at-fault driver’s velocity, connected directly to the mechanism and severity of your injuries. When the link between speed, force, and harm is documented and undeniable, the insurer’s ability to minimize your claim shrinks dramatically. That is the foundation we build before any negotiation begins.

Our team has secured verdicts and settlements for Indiana injury clients ranging from tens of thousands to more than $60 million, and we build every speeding crash claim with the evidence it takes to push for full value. We invite you to see our case results, then schedule a free consultation to discuss your options.

Speak with a personal injury lawyer today. Call: 317-488-5500

How We Prove Speed and Build Your Fort Wayne Claim

Establishing that speed caused your injuries requires more than pointing to a citation. We investigate the crash as a whole and develop evidence that shows not just that the driver was speeding, but that the speed was the direct reason the collision happened, and the injuries were serious.

  • Electronic data recorder (EDR) analysis. Most modern vehicles record speed, braking force, throttle position, and steering input in the seconds before impact. We preserve and subpoena this data before it can be cleared or the vehicle sold.
  • Accident reconstruction. In high-speed crash cases, we retain qualified reconstructionists who can calculate speed from physical evidence — skid marks, gouge marks, vehicle intrusion, final rest positions — independent of what any driver says.
  • Police report and citation review. FWPD investigates serious injury crashes. We review their findings, secure dashcam footage from patrol vehicles if present, and identify any citations issued for speeding or reckless operation.
  • Business and traffic surveillance. Fort Wayne’s major commercial corridors have dense camera coverage. Footage capturing the moments before impact often shows a driver traveling at a rate of speed entirely inconsistent with what they reported.
  • Medical documentation. High-speed crashes produce distinctive injury patterns. We work with your treating providers to make sure the medical record reflects the mechanism of injury and connects the severity of your condition to the energy of the impact.

Our case results include a $60,000,000 motor vehicle verdict — outcomes built on meticulous preparation and full case development. If you are ready to protect your case and pursue full compensation, contact us for a free consultation.

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Injuries Caused by High-Speed Crashes in Fort Wayne

Injuries in speeding crash cases are often more severe than those in lower-speed collisions, and they may require longer recovery periods, more complex treatment, and greater long-term care. Your attorney will consider different types of injuries, including:

  • Spinal cord injuries. Fractures, dislocations, and disc injuries affecting the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine are common in high-energy crashes. Incomplete or complete spinal cord injuries can produce permanent motor or sensory deficits.
  • Traumatic brain injuries. From concussion through diffuse axonal injury and severe TBI, brain trauma in high-speed crashes frequently causes cognitive, behavioral, and neurological consequences that last well beyond the initial hospitalization.
  • Multiple fractures. Pelvis, femur, tibia, ribs, and extremity fractures are typical in high-energy collisions. Compound fractures and injuries requiring surgical fixation are common.
  • Internal organ damage. The deceleration forces in a high-speed crash can rupture the spleen, liver, kidneys, and bowel — injuries that are life-threatening without immediate intervention.
  • Traumatic amputation. In the most severe crashes, limb loss occurs at or near the scene as a result of intrusion or crush forces.
  • Psychological and emotional harm. PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression follow serious crashes at high rates and are compensable in Indiana personal injury claims.

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What Your Claim May Be Worth After a Head-On Collision in Fort Wayne?

Indiana law allows injured crash victims to pursue full economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault driver. In speeding cases involving serious injuries, the damages are often substantial because the force of impact directly correlates with how severe the harm turns out to be.

  • Medical expenses from emergency care through long-term treatment, including surgery, rehabilitation, therapy, medications, and assistive devices
  • Lost wages during recovery and diminished future earning capacity
  • Out-of-pocket costs related to your injury, including transportation and household help
  • Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
  • Disruption to your relationships and daily routine
  • Punitive damages in cases involving particularly reckless speeding, such as racing or excessive speeds in school zones

Get in Touch With Christie Bell & Marshall

“The insurer will try to separate the driver’s speed from your injuries,” notes Lee C. Christie. “Our job is to prove that connection so clearly that the value of the case speaks for itself.” 

Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your speeding accident claim.

We handle serious injury cases. We do not push for quick settlements when the evidence supports a higher value. When you hire Christie Bell & Marshall, you get direct attorney access, an investigation team that works the case thoroughly, and representation that is built to perform when it matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions About Head-On Collisions in Fort Wayne

How do you prove a driver was speeding if there’s no police citation?

Speed can be established through accident reconstruction analysis using physical evidence — skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, final rest positions, and EDR data from the vehicle. We also review surveillance footage, witness accounts, and any police investigation notes. A reconstructionist’s analysis often shows speed far exceeding what the at-fault driver admits to, independent of whether law enforcement issued a citation.

Does a speeding ticket from the other driver guarantee I’ll win my claim?

A citation is strong supporting evidence of negligence, but it doesn’t resolve every issue. The insurance company will still dispute the severity of your injuries, argue about causation, and look for comparative fault arguments. A citation helps establish the breach of duty — it doesn’t automatically determine damages or eliminate defenses.

What is Indiana’s basic speed rule?

Indiana Code § 9-21-5-1 requires drivers to travel at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for existing conditions — road surface, weather, visibility, and traffic. A driver can be negligent for speeding even when traveling below the posted limit if conditions warranted a lower speed. This rule frequently applies in wet-weather crashes or crashes on Fort Wayne’s construction corridors.

Can I still recover if I was also driving above the speed limit?

Potentially yes. Indiana’s modified comparative fault system reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault. If you were going 5 mph over the limit and the other driver was going 25 mph over, you may bear a small share of fault — but that does not prevent you from recovering the majority of your damages. The key is how fault is allocated between the parties, and that’s where strong evidence matters.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Fort Wayne?

Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4 gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is strict — missing it permanently eliminates your right to recovery. Given how quickly evidence disappears and how much sooner investigation should start, contacting an attorney immediately after the crash is always advisable.

What if the at-fault driver’s insurance limits don’t cover my damages?

If the at-fault driver is underinsured relative to your damages, your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may provide additional recovery. We identify every available source of compensation — including employer liability if the driver was working — and pursue all of them on your behalf.