Recovering Compensation From a Crash With an Uninsured Motorist

Even though Ohio drivers are required to purchase liability insurance in case they cause an accident, some choose not to. You never know when you may be sharing the road with one or more of these drivers.

That is why it is so important to purchase uninsured motorist coverage. If you get injured in a crash with an uninsured driver, or one who fled the scene and was not located by the police, uninsured motorist coverage may be your only option for compensation.

However, these claims are complicated, and you could greatly benefit from working with an experienced attorney. The Cleveland auto accident attorneys at Friedman, Domiano & Smith are available to answer your questions after a crash. We do not charge upfront fees and do not get paid unless you receive compensation.

When Can Drivers Use Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Ohio is an at-fault state, which means the at-fault driver is liable for damages caused by a car crash. That is why Ohio requires drivers to purchase liability insurance to cover those damages.

If the other driver does not have insurance, or the driver left the scene, there is no liability insurance to draw compensation from. If you chose to purchase uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to file a claim against this coverage, up to the limits you purchased.

As there may be no other source of compensation for your damages, it is important to purchase as much uninsured motorist coverage as you can afford. This may help you avoid a situation where your damages exceed the limits of your coverage. You may be left paying for some damages out of your own pocket. For many people, this is not an option, as medical expenses can add up very quickly.

It is important to note you must provide proof of your losses to obtain compensation. That is why it is important to work with an experienced attorney. Our lawyers can work closely with you to make sure we include all your damages in your claim for compensation.

Even though you are filing a claim with your own insurance company, they may try to lowball you. Their goal is to protect their bottom line. The attorneys at Friedman, Domiano & Smith know what insurance companies do to try to save money and how to counter those tactics.

Car crash claims are complex, whether you are filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or your own. That is why it is vital to work with an experienced attorney. Even though the insurance company is likely to call you, you should strongly consider referring them to your attorney.

Talking to the insurance company before speaking to an attorney can be a bad idea because you may say something that hurts the value of your claim or results in a claim denial.

When Can Drivers Use Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

When you purchase uninsured motorist coverage, you also have the option to buy underinsured motorist coverage. This is not the same as uninsured motorist coverage – you can use underinsured motorist coverage if your damages exceed the value of the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. In other words, underinsured motorist coverage pays for the difference between the limit of the liability insurance and the full value of your damages.     

You never know when your damages may exceed the other driver’s insurance policy limits, so it is equally as important to carry this type of coverage. Serious accidents can cause injuries that are expensive to treat.

Without underinsured motorist coverage, you may need to pay for some of your damages out of your own pocket. Unfortunately, for some people, this means delaying or foregoing some treatment, which can make injuries worse. Others may go deep into debt to pay these expenses.

While many drivers have insurance, some only have as much as they can afford. This coverage could quickly run out if you get into a serious crash.

Contact Us Today to Discuss Legal Options

We are here to help crash victims and there are no upfront fees or legal obligations.

We have extensive knowledge of car insurance claims, including uninsured motorist claims, as we have been assisting crash victims for decades. We have secured millions on behalf of those injured in a wide variety of motor vehicle crashes.