You are driving through Columbus when another driver runs a red light and hits your car. Your vehicle is totaled, and your neck is throbbing. Now you must figure out how to pay for these unexpected bills.
Ohio follows “at-fault” insurance rules, meaning the person who caused the crash bears responsibility for the costs. Their insurance company should pay for your medical treatment and car repairs.
Who picks up the tab for your injuries?
The driver who hit you must carry liability insurance by law. Ohio requires drivers to maintain “25/50/25” coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This money helps cover hospital visits, lost wages and vehicle repairs.
Sometimes a driver does not have enough insurance to cover a serious injury. You may need to use coverages from your own policy in these cases:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you if the other driver has no insurance at all.
- If the at-fault driver’s limits do not cover total damages, your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage kicks in.
- Medical payments (MedPay) coverage pays your bills immediately, regardless of who caused the accident.
These options provide a vital safety net when the at-fault party’s policy falls short. Reviewing your own declarations page helps you understand exactly how much protection you have.
Ohio’s 51% rule
Ohio uses a “modified comparative negligence” system. You can still recover money even if you played a small role in the crash. However, you only collect damages if your share of the fault is 50% or less.
Insurance adjusters evaluate several pieces of evidence to assign fault percentages:
- Police reports filed at the scene of the accident
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Photos showing the impact points and vehicle damage
- Video footage from nearby traffic cameras or dashcams
If an adjuster determines you were 20% responsible, the company reduces your settlement check by 20%. If they prove you were 51% or more responsible, Ohio law bars you from recovering any money from the other driver.
Protect your rights after a crash
Insurance companies often try to shift the blame onto you to save money. They may offer a “lowball” settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in Ohio. Be aware that certain claims involving government vehicles or medical providers have much shorter notice requirements. Missing these strict deadlines can permanently end your right to compensation.
A skilled car accident lawyer helps ensure that the insurance company treats you fairly throughout this high-stakes process. Your attorney can protect you from high-pressure tactics that ignore your long-term medical needs.