Practice Areas

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Practice Areas

At Barsumian Armiger Injury Lawyers, we represent clients who have been harmed by the negligence of others. With offices in Newburgh (Evansville) and Fishers (Indianapolis), we provide the local knowledge and statewide experience needed to handle even the most complex injury and wrongful death claims.

We focus on personal injury and wrongful death cases, including:

• Personal Injury
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Construction Accidents
• Medical and Pharmaceutical Malpractice
• Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
• Product Liability
• Slip and Fall
• Wrongful Death

Each section below explains the types of cases we handle, statistics that show the scope of the problem, and how we help. For additional information you can visit each of our individual practice area pages.

Personal Injury

Personal injuries can be devastating to individuals and families. If someone else’s negligence caused you harm, you may be entitled to compensation under the law for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and in wrongful death cases, loss of love, care, support, and companionship.

The United States Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) reported statistics from an emergency department survey completed in the United States in 2022. Of the facilities surveyed, there were more than 43 million ER visits reported for personal injury, including adverse effects. There were over 26 million ER visits for unintentional injuries, equating to around 60% of all injury visits and around 17% of all ER visits combined. These percentages are likely low given a very large portion of visits did not include a listed cause. Falls, motor vehicle traffic crashes, and struck by or against incidents were the most common mechanisms of personal injury in the United States.

Key fact(s):  According to the CDC, there were more than 43 million emergency department visits for personal injury in the U.S. in 2022. Falls, motor vehicle crashes, and “struck by/against” incidents were the most common causes.

How we help: We investigate the cause of your injury, gather evidence, work with experts, and pursue maximum compensation—whether through settlement or trial.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

We handle motor vehicle accident cases throughout Indiana, from Lake County to Allen County, Tippecanoe County to Delaware County, and Hamilton County and Marion County to Vanderburgh County.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported more than 6.1 million motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2023, causing 40,901 deaths and injuries to 2,442,581 people. A crash with another motor vehicle in transport was the most common first harmful event for crashes involving both fatalities and injuries. 30% of all fatal traffic crashes involved alcohol-impaired driving. Late Saturday evenings and early Sunday mornings were the deadliest time periods for crashes in the U.S.

The IU Public Policy Institute reported 928 deaths and injuries to 47,552 people from Indiana motor vehicle accidents in 2023. There were a total of 198,247 traffic crashes, with passenger vehicles (passenger cars, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans) accounting for 94% of the vehicles involved in the crashes. Crashes in Indiana were most common on weekdays around rush hour. Hit-and-run crashes were the most common collision type, comprising 14% of all crashes. Speed-related crashes were the second most common type, comprising 7% of crashes. The IU Public Policy Institute identified driver-related factors as the primary factor in 84% of all crashes and 94% of fatal crashes, with unsafe driver actions being the primary driver-related factor. Among unsafe driver actions, failure to yield the right of way and following too closely were the most common primary factors in all vehicle crashes, while failure to yield the right of way and unsafe speed were the most common primary factors in fatal vehicle crashes in Indiana.

The NHTSA also reported traffic safety facts for Kentucky in 2023. Kentucky had 767 fatal vehicle crashes causing 814 deaths, which equates to a fatality rate of 17.98 per 100,000 population. Drivers accounted for 55.3% of all crash-related deaths in Kentucky. The most deaths occurred in the 25-34 age group. Passenger cars and light trucks accounted for the vast majority of vehicles involved in fatal collisions, with the percentage of restrained to unrestrained occupants being basically 50-50.

Key fact(s): In 2023, Indiana recorded 198,247 traffic crashes with 928 fatalities and over 47,000 injuries (IU Public Policy Institute). Driver-related factors were involved in 94% of fatal crashes.

How we help: From obtaining crash reports and interviewing witnesses to hiring accident reconstruction experts, we build strong cases to hold negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable.

Truck Accidents

Large truck collisions often cause catastrophic injuries due to their size and weight. We represent victims of crashes involving semis, tractor-trailers, and other commercial motor vehicles.

Large trucks were involved in 5,375 fatal truck accidents and 114,552 injury crashes in the United States in 2023, according to the NHTSA. They accounted for 9.2% of all vehicles involved in fatal vehicle collisions. Combination trucks comprised 64.6% of the large trucks involved in fatal crashes. Most large truck crashes were collisions with other vehicles in transport. According to the IU Public Policy Institute, over 17,000 large trucks were involved in Indiana motor vehicle crashes in 2023, equating to 5% of all vehicle crashes in Indiana in 2023.

Key fact(s): In 2023, large trucks accounted for 9.2% of all vehicles in fatal U.S. crashes (NHTSA). In Indiana, over 17,000 large trucks were involved in collisions (IU Public Policy Institute).

How we help: We thoroughly investigate truck accident cases, collecting necessary evidence, including driver logs, maintenance records, company safety practices, dash cams, and vehicle electronic data.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists have a right to ride and be compensated if another driver causes injury or death, just like any other driver or passenger on the road. We advocate for injured motorcyclists throughout Indiana.

According to the NHTSA, there were 6,432 fatal motorcycle crashes and 79,532 motorcycle injury crashes in the United States in 2023. Over 6,300 people were killed in motorcycle accidents and over 80,000 people were injured. The most harmful events involving motorcycles were crashes with other vehicles in transport. Although motorcycles only comprised 0.9% of the vehicles involved in traffic crashes, motorcycles comprised 11% of the vehicles involved in fatal crashes. 

The IU Public Policy Institute reported 2,790 motorcycle-involved crashes in Indiana in 2023, with 141 motorcyclists killed and 2,084 individuals suffering injuries. 73.2% of motorcycle riders involved in crashes were either injured or killed, with the number of motorcyclists killed accounting for over 15% of all traffic deaths. Of those crashes in which blood alcohol-content results were recorded, 82% of motorcycle operators in single-vehicle crashes were impaired and 48% of motorcycle operators in multiple-vehicle crashes were impaired. Helmet use is generally associated with decreased occurrences of incapacitating injuries and fatalities, and that remained true in 2023, with 34% of motorcyclists not wearing a helmet suffering incapacitating injuries or death, compared to 26% of motorcyclists wearing a helmet.

Key fact(s): In 2023, Indiana had 2,790 motorcycle-involved crashes, with 141 motorcyclists killed (IU Public Policy Institute). Over 73% of motorcycle riders in Indiana crashes were injured or killed.

How we help: We prove fault and fight for full compensation for injuries, medical expenses, and lost income.

Bicycle Accidents

Bicyclists often suffer severe injuries when hit by vehicles. We understand the impact vehicle crashes can have on injured bicyclists and their families. We handle bicycle accident cases all over Indiana.

The NHTSA reported 56,244 bicycle crashes causing 1,166 bicyclist deaths and 49,989 bicyclist injuries in the United States in 2023. Bicyclists made up  2-3% of all persons killed in crashes. Roughly 15% of bicyclists injured in bicycle crashes suffered incapacitating injuries. Among the factors contributing to fatal bicycle crashes, failure to yield the right of way was identified the most, in 31% of cases, followed by not visible (11.7%), wrong-way riding (11.6%), and failure to obey traffic signals (10.1%).

According to the IU Public Policy Institute, there were 117 bicycle crashes in Indiana in 2023. Bicyclist crashes resulted in 7 bicyclist deaths and 80 bicyclist injuries, including 6 bicyclists with incapacitating injuries. Bicyclists accounted for 19% of non-motorists involved in collisions. Around 6% of bicyclists involved in crashes were killed and around 6% suffered incapacitating injuries. The most common bicyclist action in crashes was being on the roadway (39-40%), followed by intersection crossings (23-24%).

Key fact(s): In 2023, Indiana recorded 117 bicycle crashes with 7 deaths and 80 bicyclist injuries (IU Public Policy Institute). Crossing at intersections and riding on roadways were the most common scenarios.

How we help: We hold careless drivers and their insurance companies accountable by helping injured bicyclists recover damages for physical injuries, medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost quality of life. We will gather the necessary evidence to ensure your rights are protected.

Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are preventable when drivers and others exercise reasonable care. At Barsumian Armiger Injury Lawyers, we represent pedestrians who have been injured in crosswalks, parking lots, sidewalks, and along Indiana’s roadways. We hold negligent parties accountable and help our clients recover the compensation they need to move forward.

The NHTSA reported 7,314 pedestrians were killed and 68,244 pedestrians were injured in vehicle crashes in the United States in 2023. Pedestrians made up 3% of all people killed and injured in traffic crashes. Alcohol-impaired driving was responsible for 1,157 pedestrian deaths, comprising roughly 16% of all pedestrian deaths. Failing to yield the right of way was the number one factor contributing to pedestrian deaths, with it being a factor in over 50% of pedestrian deaths. The pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population was 2.18. 

The IU Public Policy Institute reported 2,186 crashes involving pedestrians in Indiana in 2023. There were 134 pedestrian deaths and 2,021 pedestrians injured, including 378 incapacitating injuries. Pedestrians comprised around 14% of all traffic-related fatalities and around 8% of those suffering incapacitating injuries in Indiana vehicle crashes. Around 6% of pedestrians involved in collisions were killed and around 17% suffered incapacitating injuries. 86% of pedestrian-related crashes occurred in urban areas. Crossing the road was the most common pedestrian action in Indiana vehicle accidents. 

Key fact(s): Pedestrians made up 14% of traffic fatalities in Indiana in 2023, with 134 deaths and 2,021 injuries (IU Public Policy Institute).

How we help: We investigate crash scenes, review traffic camera footage, interview bystanders, and pursue claims against negligent drivers and their insurers.

Construction Accidents

From construction sites in Evansville to major infrastructure projects in Indianapolis, we represent injured workers and bystanders across Indiana. With offices in central Indiana (Fishers/Indianapolis) and southern Indiana (Newburgh/Evansville), we’re positioned to serve clients statewide.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provide a variety of construction accident statistics. In 2023, for example, there were 2.6 million work-related injuries and illnesses in the U.S. and 5,283 workers were killed on the job, which equates to 3.5 fatalities for every 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. Every 99 minutes a worker in the U.S. died from a work-related injury. The highest number of fatalities amongst private industry sectors occurred in the construction industry, with 1,075 deaths in 2023, equating to one in five worker deaths occurring in the construction industry.

Indiana had 157 workplace deaths in 2023 according to the Indiana Department of Labor (DOL). Nearly 18% of all the workplace deaths in Indiana in 2023 occurred in the construction industry and nearly 16% of all work deaths involved construction workers.

OSHA helps ensure safe working conditions and often inspects places of work for safe practices. Falls are the leading cause of worker deaths in the construction industry. Other significant safety hazards include struck-by incidents, caught-in/between incidents, electrocutions, transportation incidents, and trenching and excavation incidents.

OSHA’s most commonly violated safety standards for 2024 were fall protection (7,036 violations), hazard communication (3,277 violations), control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) (2,967 violations), ladders (2,897 violations), respiratory protection (2,835 violations), powered industrial trucks (2,604 violations), fall protection training requirements (2,310 violations), scaffolding (2,071 violations), eye and face protection (2,007 violations), and machine guarding (1,780 violations).

Key fact(s): In 2023, the construction industry accounted for 1,075 U.S. worker deaths—one in five workplace fatalities (OSHA/BLS). In Indiana, nearly 18% of all workplace deaths occurred in construction (DOL).

How we help: We identify all liable parties, including contractors, subcontractors, and property owners, and navigate worker’s compensation and third-party claims to maximize compensation for our clients.

Medical Malpractice

We pursue medical malpractice claims against hospitals, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers who fail to meet accepted standards of care causing harm to their patients.

Medical errors are a leading cause of death in the United States. A 2023 John Hopkins study, for instance, estimated nearly 800,000 people in the United States die or are permanently disabled each year by diagnostic medical errors. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, has noted in past years that more than 1 in 10 hospitalized Medicare patients experienced preventable harm. The Indiana Department of Health’s (IDOH) medical error reporting system has noted in past years top medical errors including stage 3 or 4 pressure ulcers (bedsores), retention of foreign objects, death or serious disability associated with falls, and surgery performed on the wrong body part.

Several reasons for medical errors have been cited, such as:

• Systemic failures caused by inconsistent care practices between physicians, nurses, or other healthcare providers, which lead to mistakes;
• The increase in the number of health professionals providing care to a single patient brought about by larger, decentralized, and fragmented hospitals and health care facilities;
• Difficulties accessing patient information;
• Illegible handwriting or erroneous data entry;
• Misperceived medical acronyms and abbreviations;
• Failure to document patient conditions or other critical data;
• Service levels of the healthcare facility compared to the number of patients admitted or under care; and
• Interestingly, health care provider competition, which “result[s] in the lack of development of communication systems” between hospitals and healthcare providers.

Other reasons for medical errors can include poor communication and coordination, inadequate training or experience, cognitive biases and decision-making errors, lack of standardized protocols, overworked and fatigued healthcare providers, and patient-related factors.

Key fact(s): Estimates show nearly 800,000 Americans die or are permanently disabled each year from diagnostic medical errors (John Hopkins study). In Indiana, medical errors frequently include surgical mistakes, retention of foreign objects, bedsores, and preventable falls (IDOH).

How we help: We understand the various obstacles to pursuing malpractice claims under Indiana law, including Indiana’s medical review panel process. We work with medical experts to prove substandard care and secure damages in serious malpractice injury cases and those involving death.

Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

We advocate for nursing home residents and long-term care patients across Indiana, safeguarding the rights of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

The CDC reported over 15,000 nursing homes in the United States in 2020, with over 70% of the nursing homes having for-profit ownership. There were around 1.3 million nursing home residents. There were around 7.3 million people cared for in all post-acute (or post-hospital) and long-term care settings, which include nursing homes, home health agencies, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long-term care hospitals, and residential care communities. Over 68,000 healthcare providers delivered care, mostly in nursing homes and residential care communities. Across the country, the Midwest had a higher percentage of nursing homes.

According to the Indiana Business Research Center, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Indiana had 614 nursing homes (or skilled nursing facilities), not including rehabilitation facilities, and 205 assisted living facilities in 2022. 744 businesses provided home health care services. Marion County, Lake County, Allen County, Vanderburgh County, and Porter County, Indiana had the highest number of nursing homes across Indiana. The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), Division of Long-Term Care, listed over 700 long-term care facilities and over 200 residential care facilities in Indiana in 2025. The IDOH listed 173 end stage renal disease facilities, 360 home health agencies, 110 hospice providers, 506 nursing homes, and 238 residential care facilities in 2025.

According to reporting in past years by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, an estimated 33% of Medicare beneficiaries discharged from hospitals to nursing homes with stays of 35 days or less experienced either an adverse event (22%) or a temporary harm event (11%). Around 69% of the adverse events and almost half of all temporary harm events were preventable, with most if not all resulting from substandard care, inadequate monitoring, and a failure or delay of necessary care. Around 80% of the harms required prolonged stays, transfers, or hospitalizations, and 14% required life-saving measures. Adverse events in nursing homes included events related to medication (37%), resident care (37%), and infections (26%). Estimates showed around 2.8 billion dollars spent on hospital treatment for harm caused residents and patients in nursing homes. An estimated 1.5% of Medicare beneficiaries in nursing homes died as a result of adverse events. 

Key fact(s): An estimated 20% of Medicare patients experienced preventable harm in nursing homes, often due to substandard care (OIG).

How we help: We hold nursing homes and long-term care facilities accountable for abuse, neglect and malpractice, injuries from falls, medication errors, and untreated infections.

Product Liability

Defective and dangerous products—from faulty appliances to unsafe recreational equipment—can cause serious injury or death. These injuries and deaths don’t just happen in other states—they happen to our friends and neighbors across Indiana and Kentucky.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated around 50,000 deaths in 2019 were related to consumer products, with falls involving products being a leading cause. According to the National Safety Council, there were over 15 million consumer product injuries in 2024. 

The threat of unsafe products is a daily risk for families across Indiana and Kentucky. For residents, there is a legal pathway to hold corporations responsible. From faulty appliances that cause fires in Indianapolis homes to defective machinery on farms near Evansville, from unsafe children toys to defective medical devices, the risk of injuries from products is real, and our firm understands this reality. With an injury attorney licensed in Indiana and one licensed in both Indiana and Kentucky, we have experience navigating the legal systems of both states, including Indiana’s unique Product Liability Act and Kentucky’s consumer-friendly comparative fault rules.

Key fact(s): In 2024, there were over 15 million consumer product injuries in the United States (National Safety Council).

How we help: We investigate product design, manufacturing defects, and warning labels, and work with experts to prove liability when dangerously defective products cause harm.

Slip and Fall

We understand how disruptive—and often life-changing—a slip and fall injury can be. Our firm advocates for Hoosiers injured in slip and fall accidents caused by unsafe conditions on someone else’s property.

Falls were the number one known cause of ER visits for personal injury in the United States in 2022, necessitating nearly 11 million ER visits, according to the CDC. Of the 1 and 5 deaths that occurred in the construction industry in 2023, around 39% of those were caused by preventable falls, slips, and trips, according to OSHA and BLS. Falls, slips, and trips accounted for around 13% of worker deaths in Indiana in 2023, according to the Indiana Department of Labor (DOL), and falls in healthcare settings have been among the top medical errors in Indiana in past years, according to the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH). Falls have been cited as the most common cause of broken bones and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Approximately one in five deaths from unintentional injury in the United States in 2023 were due to falls, with 47,026 deaths resulting from falls, according to the CDC. 

Key fact(s): Falls caused nearly 11 million ER visits in the U.S. in 2022 and over 47,000 deaths in 2023 (CDC). In Indiana, they account for a significant share of workplace and healthcare facility injuries (DOL/IDOH).

How we help: We prove property owners knew or should have known of hazards and failed to appropriately correct them. Our team thoroughly investigates the incident, gathering evidence like surveillance footage, incident reports, witness statements, and the opinions of fall experts and medical experts to prove liability and damages.

Wrongful Death

At Barsumian Armiger Injury Lawyers, we represent families who have lost loved ones due to wrongful death, helping them pursue justice and accountability under Indiana law. We handle claims under Indiana’s General Wrongful Death Statute, Adult Wrongful Death Statute, and Child Wrongful Death Statute, working to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that families receive the compensation they deserve.

The CDC reported unintentional injury (accidents) as the third leading cause of death in the United States in 2023. Accidents were the leading cause of death for persons between the ages of 1 and 44, and the second leading cause of death for persons between the ages of 45 and 54. There were 222,698 injury-related deaths in the United States. Among causes, falls and motor vehicle injuries were both in the top 3, accounting for 40.5% of all accidental injuries causing death, with over 90,000 people killed. Poisoning was the number one cause of accidental deaths, accounting for 45% of all accidental deaths, with over 100,000 people killed. Suffocation, drowning, and fire/burn were in the top 10. Motor vehicle injuries were the leading cause of death for persons between the ages of 5 and 24. Drowning was the leading cause of death for persons between the ages of 1 and 4.

Preventable injuries accounted for over 3.5 million years of potential life lost.

Key fact(s): Unintentional injury is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., and the leading cause of death for people aged 1–44 (CDC).

How we help: We seek compensation for the loss of love, care, and companionship suffered by surviving family members, medical costs, and funeral and burial expenses, and when allowed by law, attorney’s fees.

Why Choose Barsumian Armiger Injury Lawyers

• Local offices in Newburgh (Evansville) and Fishers (Indianapolis) with statewide reach
• Recognized by Super Lawyers, AV Preeminent Peer Review, America’s Top 100, and Avvo
• Proven track record in complex injury and wrongful death litigation
• No fee unless we win your case

If you or a loved one has been injured, call us at (844) 268-7775 or contact us online for a free consultation.