It’s a situation that pops up far more often than we like to think. A sudden impact, the tinkle of glass, the dust settling from a recently deployed airbag; if you’re lucky, your vehicle’s crash protection systems worked flawlessly, reducing your risk of serious injury. Unfortunately, that’s not always the reality; fully one-third of all accidents in Ohio result in an injury each year. More than 9,000 of those injuries are incapacitating, meaning that victims required serious medical intervention or rehabilitation.
A widespread problem
What’s worse than suffering catastrophic injuries in an auto accident? Finding out that the person who hit you is uninsured. Despite steep penalties designed to keep uninsured drivers off the roads, more than 1 in 10 drivers in Ohio are uninsured. According to the most recent data available from the Insurance Information Institute, Ohio has the 17th highest rate of uninsured drivers in the nation. Recovering from catastrophic injuries after an auto accident is hard enough; finding out that the driver who caused them is uninsured can be devastating.
Ohio is an at-fault state; whoever causes an accident is on the hook to pay for any damages. Unfortunately, the state does not require drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance, and many people opt out of the extra coverage in an effort to save money. While reducing your monthly premium can save you in the short run, insufficient insurance coverage can be ruinous in the long run.
How to get compensation
If you suffer injuries in an accident caused by an uninsured driver, there are two options to recover damages; you can file a claim for uninsured motorist benefits with your own insurance company, or you can sue the uninsured driver. Navigating even these basic steps can be complicated and time-consuming, especially when recovering from serious injuries. Experienced legal counsel can help you determine which path offers the best chance of recovering damages and help you plan for the future.
Even if the person who caused your accident is in poor financial health, a current judgment in your favor can be collected in the future. You don’t have to suffer financial hardship for injuries and damages that weren’t your fault. If you have been injured by an uninsured driver or in any other accident, the experienced Kentucky and Ohio auto accident attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law can evaluate your case and help get you the compensation you deserve. Call our Kentucky legal team at 877.651.7764, our Ohio legal team at 877.686.8879 or contact us today for a free consultation.