The Law Offices of David W. Holub represents people hurt in car accidents in Lake Station, Indiana. Attorneys David W. Holub and Katelyn Holub have served Northwest Indiana drivers for decades from the firm’s office in nearby Merrillville. Consultations are free. If you were injured in a crash in Lake Station, you can call (219) 736-9700 to talk about what happened.
Car Accidents in Lake Station
Lake Station sits where two of Indiana’s busiest highways meet. The Borman Expressway, which carries Interstate 80 and Interstate 94 across Northwest Indiana, reaches its eastern end here. The Indiana Toll Road, Interstate 90, crosses the north side of the city and has its own interchange at Lake Station. Traffic moving between Chicago and points east funnels through this corner of Lake County, and a large share of it is freight.
That mix matters after a crash. A collision involving a tractor trailer is handled differently than a collision between two cars. Trucking companies often send investigators to the scene within hours, and evidence such as driver logs and onboard data can be lost quickly.
Where Crashes Happen in Lake Station
Local roads carry their own risks. US 6, which runs through the city as Ripley Street, is a heavily used east and west route. State Road 51, known locally as Central Avenue, carries north and south traffic and crosses both the Toll Road and the Little Calumet River. Drivers leaving the interstates for these surface streets change speed sharply, and rear-end and intersection crashes follow.
The city was called East Gary before it took its current name, and it shares borders with Gary, Hobart, and New Chicago. A crash near one of those city lines can bring officers from more than one department, which sometimes means more than one crash report to gather.
Indiana Law That Governs Your Lake Station Claim
Indiana gives you two years to file a lawsuit after a crash. The rule is Indiana Code 34-11-2-4. Two years sounds like plenty of time, but evidence fades fast. Skid marks disappear, camera footage gets erased, and witnesses move away. Starting early protects your claim.
For most car accident cases, Indiana uses a comparative fault system. You can recover as long as you were not more than half at fault for the crash. Your award is then reduced by your share of the fault. The rule is Indiana Code 34-51-2-6. For example, if a jury finds you 20 percent at fault, your recovery is reduced by 20 percent.
Those rules change when the government is involved. Indiana’s comparative fault law does not apply to claims against government defendants. That comes from Indiana Code 34-51-2-2. Instead, the older rule of contributory negligence controls, and under that rule even a small share of fault on your part can block your claim entirely.
The deadlines are shorter too. A claim against a city, town, or county requires written notice in as little as 180 days under Indiana Code 34-13-3-8. A claim tied to the State of Indiana, which can include a state highway, requires notice within 270 days under Indiana Code 34-13-3-6. Because both the Toll Road and the interstates running through Lake Station involve public agencies, these deadlines come up more often here than people expect.
Where Your Lake Station Case Is Filed
Injury lawsuits from Lake Station crashes go to the Lake County court system. The Lake Superior Court Civil Division handles most of them. Its civil courtrooms sit in Hammond, Gary, and East Chicago, and the Lake Circuit Court sits in Crown Point. Gary is the closest of those courthouses, a short drive west on US 6 or the Borman.
Most claims settle before a trial ever happens. Filing still matters, because it sets a schedule and gives your lawyer the ability to require the other side to produce evidence.
What To Do After a Lake Station Crash
Call the police and ask for a report, even if the damage looks minor. Get checked by a doctor, because neck, back, and head injuries often feel worse a day or two later. Photograph the vehicles, the road, and anything that helps explain how the crash happened. Write down names and phone numbers for anyone who saw it.
Be careful with the other driver’s insurance company. An adjuster may call within days and ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to give one, and it is reasonable to speak with a lawyer first.
If a commercial truck was involved, tell your lawyer as soon as you can. Preservation letters that stop a trucking company from erasing electronic data need to go out quickly.
About the Law Offices of David W. Holub
David W. Holub and Katelyn Holub are Indiana attorneys who focus on personal injury cases. The firm has represented injured people across Northwest Indiana for decades, including many clients from Lake County. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome; each case depends on its facts. The office is in Merrillville, a short drive from Lake Station.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a truck hit me on the Borman Expressway or the Toll Road?
Truck crashes work differently than ordinary car crashes. Trucking companies often send investigators to the scene within hours, and key evidence like driver logs and onboard data can be lost quickly. Federal rules also apply on top of Indiana law. Getting a lawyer involved early helps preserve that evidence before it disappears.
What if my Lake Station crash involved a city or county vehicle?
Stricter rules apply. Indiana’s comparative fault law does not cover claims against government defendants, so even a small share of fault on your part can bar recovery. You also have to give written notice, in as little as 180 days for a city or county claim, or 270 days if the claim is tied to the State. These deadlines are much shorter than the two year filing deadline, so it is worth checking quickly.
The crash happened right at the Gary or Hobart city line. Does that change anything?
It can change who responded and where the paperwork ended up, but it does not change your rights. Cases from anywhere in Lake County are filed in the same county court system. What matters is making sure every crash report is collected, because a crash near a border can generate reports from more than one department.
How much does it cost to talk to your office?
Nothing. Consultations are free, and injury cases are handled on a contingency fee, which means the fee comes out of a recovery rather than out of pocket.
Below is a video about how truck accident safety regulations save lives.
Talk With Our Office
If you have questions about your situation, you can contact our office to discuss it. Call (219) 736-9700 or use the contact form on this site. There is no cost to talk.