To comply with Ohio state statutes, drivers have to carry liability insurance. That way, if they cause a crash, the people affected can cover their expenses. Liability insurance pays for the losses generated when a driver with a policy is responsible for a collision.
The people who are not at fault for a crash sometimes approach the insurance claims process with unrealistic expectations. They might anticipate receiving full coverage for all of their medical expenses and lost wages. They may expect the policy of the other driver to fully cover the cost of fixing or replacing their damaged vehicles. Unfortunately, insurance providers are not often “generous” during the claims process.
What can people expect to receive after a major crash for which they are not at fault?
Coverage depends on policy limits
Every driver chooses on their own behalf how much insurance they want to carry. Those with more assets and higher income often feel the need to carry more insurance to limit their personal liability. Many others worry primarily about keeping their insurance costs as low as they can. To achieve that goal, they may limit what coverage they carry.
Drivers often only buy what the state requires. In Ohio, drivers only need to have $25,000 of property damage coverage. The minimum amount of bodily injury coverage is also $25,000, although that amount increases to $50,000 if a crash hurts more than one person. No matter how severe the losses that the crash generates, insurance never covers more than the policy limits for the party at fault for the crash.
What if insurance isn’t enough?
In cases where the available coverage provided by the driver at fault isn’t adequate, the people affected by the wreck have a few options. They may have purchased additional coverage for their own protection. Comprehensive, collision, underinsured motorist and uninsured motorist coverage can sometimes help pay for collision expenses. Drivers can use their own policies to cover specific losses.
Other times, the only real option available after a crash is a personal injury lawsuit. When the people affected by a crash can show that negligence or illegal behavior on the road caused a crash, they may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. The courts can award compensation for the difference between the overall damages generated by the crash and the coverage carried by the driver at fault.
People often need help handling insurance claims and determining if a lawsuit is necessary after a serious car crash, and that’s okay. Having the right support after a collision can help people limit their losses.
