Riding season around Indianapolis means back roads in Morgan and Shelby counties, summer nights in Broad Ripple, and plenty of drivers who say they "never saw the bike." Left turns across a rider's path, lane changes into a rider, and rear-end hits in traffic cause many of the crashes we hear about. Don Poynter rides too, and he knows how quickly it happens.
Riders get blamed. Don't let it stick.
Adjusters sometimes assume a rider was speeding or weaving. Under Indiana's comparative fault rule (IC 34-51-2), every percentage point of blame affects what you recover. Photos, witness names, helmet-cam footage and the crash report can all help show what actually happened.
Helmets in Indiana
Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a DOT-compliant helmet and eye protection (IC 9-19-7-1). The BMV also requires a helmet for anyone riding on a motorcycle learner's permit, whatever their age. Other adults may legally ride without one. Wearing a helmet or not doesn't decide who caused the crash, though an insurer may raise it when discussing injuries.
Practical steps
- Get checked for head and internal injuries even if you feel fine.
- Don't repair or throw away your helmet, jacket or bike. They can be evidence.
- Get the crash report. See getting a crash report.
- Check your own policy for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Our fee on motorcycle crash cases
We help riders across Marion County, Morgan County, Madison County and the rest of the service area.
Call (317) 780-8000.
Sources
- IC 9-19-7-1 (helmets for riders under 18): iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_9/Article_19/Chapter_7.pdf
- IC 34-51-2 (comparative fault): iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_34/Article_51/Chapter_2.pdf
- Indiana BMV: www.in.gov/bmv/
- NHTSA motorcycle safety: www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles