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A drunk driver chose to get behind the wheel, and now you or someone in your family is living with the consequences. These cases carry a weight that goes beyond ordinary negligence, and Indiana law recognizes that.
Christie Bell & Marshall car accident lawyers in South Bend pursue not only full compensatory damages but also punitive damages. If a drunk driver caused your crash, we will pursue every avenue of recovery available under Indiana law.
Drunk driving cases carry a weight that goes beyond ordinary negligence. The driver made a conscious choice to get behind the wheel impaired. Indiana law recognizes the severity of that choice, and so do we.
Our attorneys pursue every avenue of accountability available in these cases. We use criminal case records, blood alcohol test results, and field sobriety evidence to establish impairment. We investigate whether a bar, restaurant, or social host overserved the driver in violation of Indiana’s Dram Shop Act, which can open an additional source of compensation.
Contact us for a free consultation to talk with an experienced drunk driving accident attorney in South Bend — no fee unless we recover for you.
Speak with a personal injury lawyer today. Call: 317-488-5500
Indiana’s Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) statute, codified at IC § 9-30-5, makes it a crime to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance to the degree that the person’s faculties are impaired. For commercial vehicle operators, the legal limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol can trigger a violation.
We can explain how Indiana’s OWI laws and civil liability rules apply to your crash during a free initial consultation, and answer your questions about deadlines and next steps.
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Because drunk drivers often fail to brake, swerve erratically, or drive at high speeds before a crash, collisions with impaired drivers frequently result in severe injuries:
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Christie Bell & Marshall pursues the full spectrum of damages available in your case. Drunk driving claims often carry higher total recoveries because Indiana law provides tools beyond ordinary negligence recovery.
We offer free consultations to all prospective clients, and we are available to meet with you at our office or by phone. When you work with Christie Bell & Marshall, you get a legal team that treats your case with urgency, investigates aggressively, and does not back down from insurance companies or corporate defendants.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your drunk driving accident claim.
Yes. A criminal OWI prosecution and your civil personal injury claim are completely separate legal proceedings. The criminal case is brought by the state; your civil case is brought by you. You can pursue compensation in civil court regardless of the outcome of any criminal charges, and a conviction or guilty plea strengthens your civil case significantly.
Indiana requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but many impaired drivers are underinsured or uninsured. In those situations, we explore all available sources of recovery — including your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage and any applicable dram shop liability against the establishment that served the driver.
Every case is different. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, your lost wages, the strength of the evidence against the drunk driver, and whether punitive damages are available. We evaluate all of these factors during your free consultation and give you an honest assessment.
If you can do so safely: call 911, remain at the scene, seek medical attention immediately (even if you feel okay — some injuries take days to become apparent), and document the scene with photographs if possible. Preserve all medical records and bills, and avoid giving recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
Drunk driving cases can be resolved more quickly when liability is clear and the driver has adequate insurance. Cases involving severe injuries, disputed drama shop claims, or litigation typically take longer — sometimes one to two years or more. We pursue efficient resolutions without sacrificing the full value of your claim.
Yes. Indiana’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident under IC § 34-11-2-4. Wrongful death claims have their own deadlines. Missing the filing deadline typically bars you from any recovery, so contact us as soon as possible after your accident.
“From my first telephone conference with Mr. Christie to the settlement of my case, I found Lee and his office staff to be professional, courteous, and extremely helpful. Mr. Christie is professional, very knowledgeable, thorough, and realistic.”
“Tina Bell is the best. She continued to pursue the case resulting in an agreeable settlement.”
“Lee Christie represented my parents after an auto accident and he was wonderful! He always answered any questions or concerns we had and I would recommend him to anyone!”
“Lee Christie and Jill DuVall were very compassionate and caring in a stressful situation. They always answered our questions promptly, sometimes very late in the evening.”
“They were professional, yet very personally involved in our case. After hiring them, I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulder so I concentrate on taking care of my husband.”
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