Ohio Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Laws Lawyer

According to the Ohio Department of Insurance, Ohio’s minimum coverage requirements for auto liability insurance are $25,000 per injured person and $50,000 for all people injured in one collision. For property damage a person must carry a minimum coverage of $25,000. When you consider that the initial hospital costs of spinal cord injury from a car collision is an estimated $140,000 and the average cost of a new car is over $30,000, it’s easy to see that many drivers in Ohio are not properly insured.

If you have been in a traffic accident and the liable party caused bodily injury or property damage, you should seek financial compensation. Even if the liable party is underinsured, you may be able to recover the full costs of the accident. Contact a Toledo car accident attorney at Groth & Associates to learn how we can help you.

THE COSTS OF A CAR COLLISION

Even if you are involved in a minor crash, the costs can add up. It is wise to assess the full financial damage and contact a lawyer about filing an insurance claim. If you are unsure whether or not you or your passengers have been injured in the crash, it is important to still seek medical care. Any doctor evaluations act as documentation of the injuries you sustained. Costs of a traffic collision include:

• Hospital and medical bills;
• Lost wages;
• Rehabilitation costs;
• Permanent disability;
• Diminished quality of life;
• Property damage; and
• Pain and suffering.

If a family member was killed in a car wreck, you can still seek compensation to cover funeral costs, loss of their future income, and loss of companionship. An experienced attorney can help you gather information to document how you were financially impacted.

For a free legal consultation with a underinsured lawyer serving Ohio, call (419) 930-3030

DOCUMENTATION TO SAVE

It may not be advisable to file an insurance claim immediately. For instance, if you are still undergoing medical treatment the financial impact of the injuries may still be unknown. In the meantime, you need to ensure you are keeping records of all the costs you have incurred as a result of the crash:

• Medical bills;
• Physical therapy bills;
• Prescription drug bills;
• Car repair receipts; and
• Purchases made to replace other damaged property.

Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030

FILING A CLAIM THE LIABLE PARTY’S INSURANCE COMPANY

If the liable party is underinsured, their insurance company should pay out the full policy limits. If the damages were significantly more than the policy limits, the insurance company may be more willing to approve the claim. However, if the numbers are anywhere close to the policy limits, their insurance company will likely try to deny the claim for the policy limits and try to settle for less. An aggressive Ohio car accident lawyer can fight on your behalf for full compensation.

Filing a Claim With Your Own Insurance Company

If the liable party was underinsured and their policy limits were paid by their insurance company, or if they lacked any insurance, you will need to turn to your own insurance company. Insurance companies offer three types of coverage for these scenarios:

• Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage
• Uninsured Motorist (UM ) coverage
• Underinsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) coverage

You will not be able to get more coverage for underinsured or uninsured motorist than the amount of coverage you have for liability insurance. This means you cannot protect yourself more than you plan to protect other drivers in a crash you may cause. It is worth having a large liability policy so that you can be well protected by your own insurance company if you have been hit by a motorist who is not capable of paying for the damages caused.

A POTENTIAL LAWSUIT AGAINST THE INDIVIDUAL

If the driver who hit you causes damages that exceed their auto policy and you do not have enough UIM or UM coverage, you may be able to file a lawsuit against this individual. This could make them personally responsible for paying the remaining damages from their assets.

This approach is extremely difficult. You will need an experienced lawyer by your side to help you through the legal process.

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LEARN ABOUT OHIO MOTORIST LAWS WITH THE HELP OF AN ATTORNEY

Recovering from a car collision can be all-consuming. Whether you are trying to repair your car so that you have transportation, or you are in the hospital, you need to focus your attention on returning to your daily life.

Let the Toledo attorneys at Groth & Associates ease your mind by representing you after your crash with an underinsured/uninsured driver. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form