Vehicular Assault Attorney in Indianapolis

30+ Years Defending Felony Vehicle-Injury Charges in Marion County

Indiana doesn’t have a statute titled “vehicular assault,” but the conduct that term describes is prosecuted here as a felony. If you’ve been arrested or are under investigation after a crash that injured someone, the charges you face carry serious prison exposure. At Colasessano Law Office LLC, Attorney Gary L. Colasessano brings more than 30 years of Indianapolis criminal court experience to these cases, from the initial investigation through trial.

Don’t navigate a felony charge alone. Call (317) 203-8541 to schedule a free consultation with our vehicular assault attorney today.

How Indiana Prosecutes Vehicular Assault Conduct

Two statutes cover most vehicle-related injury offenses in Indiana. Understanding which one applies to your situation shapes everything about how the case is built and defended.

OWI Causing Serious Bodily Injury

Indiana Code 9-30-5-4 makes it a Level 5 felony to cause serious bodily injury to another person while operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.08, with a listed controlled substance in the blood, or while intoxicated. If you have a prior OWI conviction within the preceding five years, the charge escalates to a Level 4 felony. Serious bodily injury, the threshold that converts a traffic incident into a felony, includes injuries involving a substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss of a bodily function.

Criminal Recklessness & Aggressive Driving

Indiana Code 35-42-2-2 governs criminal recklessness. When the conduct involves aggressive driving as defined under IC 9-21-8-55 and results in serious bodily injury, the offense is a Level 6 felony. If the driving results in death or catastrophic injury, it becomes a Level 5 felony. Aggressive driving under Indiana law means committing three or more hostile driving maneuvers during one continuous episode: tailgating, unsafe passing, failing to yield, or excessive speeding.

Sentencing Exposure by Felony Level

The stakes attached to these charges are significant. Here’s what the Indiana sentencing ranges look like:

• Level 6 felony: Six months to two and a half years in prison, advisory sentence of one year, fine up to $10,000
• Level 5 felony: One to six years in prison, advisory sentence of three years, fine up to $10,000
• Level 4 felony (prior OWI within five years): Two to 12 years in prison, advisory sentence of six years, fine up to $10,000

A prior OWI conviction also triggers a mandatory license suspension of at least 365 days under Indiana Code 9-30-16-2. These aren’t traffic fines. They’re felony convictions with lasting consequences for your freedom, your record, and your ability to drive.

A Defense Built for Indianapolis Felony Cases

Our approach to felony vehicular injury charges starts with preparation. We treat every case as if it will go to trial. That discipline can create leverage during plea negotiations because prosecutors know we’re ready to contest the injury classification, the causation evidence, and the recklessness element in front of a jury.

Attorney Colasessano’s background as a former public defender gives Colasessano Law Office LLC a practical advantage. He understands how the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office builds these cases because he spent years on the other side of that table. That perspective lets us anticipate the prosecution’s strategy early and work to disrupt it before it hardens. From violent felonies to complex multi-count charges, we take on the cases that demand thorough preparation and careful planning.

What to Expect in Marion Superior Court

Felony charges filed by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office are handled by the Marion Superior Court’s Criminal Division. We know this court and adapt our strategy at each stage, whether that means negotiating for a reduced charge at a pretrial conference or presenting a complete defense at trial.

Throughout the process, you get direct access to your attorney, same-day responses to calls and messages, and honest answers about where your case stands. We won’t tell you what you want to hear. We’ll tell you what you need to know, including the realistic range of outcomes, so you can make informed decisions at every step. Our fees are competitive and fair because access to serious defense representation shouldn’t depend on what you can overpay.

Contact a Vehicular Assault Lawyer in Indianapolis Today

An arrest or investigation after a vehicle-related injury can move fast. The earlier you have a defense attorney working your case, the more options you may have. Colasessano Law Office LLC offers free consultations, and you can reach us by phone, text, or email. We follow up quickly because when you’re facing a felony charge, waiting isn’t something you can afford.

Call our Indianapolis vehicular assault lawyer at (317) 203-8541 to set up your free consultation. We’re ready to hear your situation and get to work.