Ohio Accident Lawyer Representing Injury Victims in Uninsured Motorist Claims
Most people who get hurt in car accidents in Ohio are not anticipating a crash. When a collision happens suddenly and you suffer serious injuries, it will be extremely important to gather insurance information from the at-fault driver so that you can file a third-party insurance claim through the driver’s auto insurance. But what happens if the other driver does not have auto insurance? As an experienced accident lawyer in Ohio, I want to make sure you understand how these claims work and what your options might be.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Ohio
Under Ohio law, both uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage are optional in the state: “Any [insurance] policy . . . may, but is not required to, include uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, or both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.”
What is the difference between uninsured and underinsured coverage? Ohio’s auto insurance law requires that every driver carry a minimum amount of insurance that includes:
- $25,000 bodily injury coverage for one person in an accident;
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage when the accident involves more than one person; and
- $25,000 property damage coverage.
Although these minimum amounts of coverage are required to drive in Ohio, some motorists might not have up-to-date auto insurance. In this type of case, the driver may be uninsured. If that uninsured motorist hits your car, you cannot file a third-party claim through that driver’s insurance policy since the driver is uninsured. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is an additional premium on an auto insurance policy that protects the policyholder in the event that she or he is struck by an uninsured motorist. If you need to file a UM claim, I can help you throughout the process.
Options Without Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you are injured by an uninsured motorist and you do not have UM coverage, what are your options? This question can get complicated since many uninsured motorists do not have assets to pay a damages award. As such, even if you won a lawsuit, it could be practically difficult to obtain the money you are awarded.
In some uninsured motorist cases, it is possible another party—such as another motorist or the uninsured motorist’s employer—could be liable for your injuries. You will need to have an accident lawyer assess your case.
Call Me for Assistance with Your Uninsured Motorist Accident Claim
Car accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists can be complicated, especially when that motorist is at fault for your personal injuries and vehicle damage. I can help you to seek the compensation you deserve, from filing an insurance claim to filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver or another party who could be liable. As an experienced Ohio accident attorney, I know how critical it is to get the compensation you need after an accident for medical bills and lost wages. If you were in a collision, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my law firm today at 877.944.4373 to find out more about filing a claim and seeking financial compensation for your losses.