If you live in Ohio, then you are required by law to have at least the state’s minimum liability insurance to legally drive on the road. Even so, the Insurance Information Institute (III) notes that nearly 13 percent of drivers on the road in Ohio are driving without the protection they need to keep themselves and other drivers on the road safe.
If a driver does not have the means to protect themselves and other drivers, and that driver happens to get into a car accident, then that party could have significant financial difficulties in the days to come.
That is because the person whom an uninsured or underinsured driver hits has the opportunity to file an insurance claim and a lawsuit against a party who does not have adequate coverage to attend to the victim’s losses.
Put another way: if you have been in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured driver in Columbus, OH, you have the opportunity to pursue compensation against the party via both an insurance claim and a civil suit. You have these opportunities available to you because the driver without coverage failed to uphold their duty of care to the other drivers on the road.
If you wish to take legal action against an underinsured or an uninsured party after a car accident, then you can reach out to Ben Crump Law, PLLC for help. A Columbus uninsured car accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options after your accident and handle the legwork of case building while you recover.
For a free consultation after an uninsured car accident, call (844) 730-0233.
What Can You Do After a Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver?
As mentioned, you have a few courses of action available to you after you get into an accident with a driver who does not have adequate car insurance coverage. These options include:
Filing an Insurance Claim
As soon as you can after your accident, you will want to reach out to your insurance provider and let them know about your situation. This way, you can begin to work within the bounds of your provider’s reach to fight for compensation. Even if the party with whom you got into an accident lacks coverage, your insurance provider can still help you attend to your immediate needs, which can include medical expenses and lost wages.
For a free legal consultation with a uninsured car accidents lawyer serving Columbus, call (844) 730-0233
You Can Reach Out to a Columbus Uninsured Car Accident Lawyer
If you want to pursue additional compensation after an uninsured car accident, then you have the option to pursue a civil suit or otherwise discuss compensation with the party you believe to be liable for your losses. There are a few avenues through which you can do this, including:
- The completion and filing of a formal complaint
- The creation and filing of a demand letter
Filing a Formal Complaint
Complaints are legal documents that let you explain your accident to a judge in your area. You can use these documents to identify the party you believe to be responsible for your losses as well as what evidence you have that they violated their duty of care by taking to the road without appropriate car insurance.
You can also use a complaint to present an estimate of what compensation you wish to fight for based on your accident-related losses. You can discuss your economic and noneconomic losses with a Columbus uninsured car accident lawyer to determine which may be most applicable to your case.
Note, though, that you will want to get this information to your local court within Ohio’s statute of limitations. According to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2305.10, you have two years to submit personal injury claims to a court and have them brought forward into a full case.
Writing a Demand Letter
While the name seems intimidating, demand letters are not aggressive or mean-spirited documents. Instead, they work similarly to complaints. However, instead of delivering a demand letter to a court, you deliver it to the party you believe to be liable for your losses.
These documents can help you negotiate for a settlement without having to go to court, so long as the party who receives the document is open to such a conversation. A lawyer can help you craft such a document and negotiate for a settlement.
If you are ready to get started on your case, we are ready to help. Give Ben Crump Law, PLLC a call today to set up your free consultation.
Determining the Proper Settlement
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that an uninsured driver will reach out to you with a settlement offer on their own, if only because they may not have the means to do so. However, if you do receive an offer from one such party, know that you are under no obligation to accept it.
Instead, you can work with a Columbus uninsured car accident lawyer to determine whether the settlement will meet your needs, such as providing enough money that can pay your medical bills or repair or replace your vehicle. Should it fall short of the financial awards you seek, you can continue to file a complaint or work with your attorney to negotiate for a more comprehensive offer or file a civil action if negotiations do not produce a fair settlement.
Columbus Uninsured Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
You Can Seek Help with a Car Accident from a Columbus Uninsured Car Accident Lawyer
Recovering from a car accident takes time. You will want to set aside time to look over any injuries you sustained or address the value of any property you may have lost.
While you do so, a Columbus uninsured car accident lawyer can start to build a civil case for you. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, does not shy away from difficult cases and can help you focus your attention on your recovery while still seeking out justice on your behalf. This is the case even if you would rather try for an arrangement with a driver outside of court.
You do not have to worry, for example, about legal fees when you work with Ben Crump Law, PLLC. We do not charge you for the services we offer unless or until you receive financial awards for the damages you endured in your accident.
To reach out and schedule your free consultation today, you can call (844) 730-0233.
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