Is Ohio a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?
No, Ohio is not a no-fault state for car accidents. In fact, Ohio utilizes an at-fault system for motor vehicle collision cases. At-fault refers to the type of insurance that Ohio requires. This means that a driver must prove who was at fault for the accident in order to win compensation for their injuries. The driver who is at fault should have to pay for their negligence and the victim’s injuries.
At Kitrick, Lewis & Harris, our Ohio car accident attorneys are ready to help. We have decades of experience helping Ohioans in motor vehicle accidents. Schedule a consultation to learn more.
Differences Between No-Fault and At-Fault States
To truly understand what it means that Ohio is an at-fault state, you need to understand what these two systems mean.
No-Fault Systems
A no-fault state handles claims differently than what you may be used to living in Ohio. Every driver has to carry their own minimum personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. This coverage amount is to protect the driver in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. The injured driver’s insurance company pays under the insurance policy to their policyholder.
PIP offers broad protections and compensation benefits. The amount of the policy determines how much can be paid, after determining the actual damages the driver suffers.
At-Fault Systems
Ohio utilizes an at-fault system for determining liability and insurance coverage. If you are in a car collision in Ohio, the driver that caused the accident is financially liable. They are liable for any property damages or injuries they cause.
Ohio requires all residents to carry state minimum coverage if they are driving:
- $25,000 for injury or death per person
- $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people and
- $25,000 for property damage.
Coverage can exceed these minimum amounts, and many responsible drivers do carry higher-level protections.
Comparing MedPay and PIP
PIP applies to insurance policies in no-fault states. As described previously, PIP pays the injured driver regardless of who is at fault. This is the ordinary process for insurance coverage in no-fault states.
In at-fault states like Ohio, MedPay operates in a similar fashion. Medical Payment Coverage (MedPay) are payments made by the injured driver’s insurance company to cover injuries to drivers and passengers in a car wreck, regardless of who was at fault. Its primary purpose is to cover your medical expenses while you determine who was at fault. Compensation and reimbursement occurs later from the driver responsible for the accident.
Both provide immediate access to benefits. If you were injured in an Ohio car accident, MedPay from your insurance can help provide immediate financial relief while you and your attorney seek compensation from the negligent driver.
How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help in Ohio
As Ohio is an at-fault state, you must prove who was responsible for the car accident to receive the full compensation you deserve. In some situations, this simply requires filing a claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company. All too often, however, the other driver or their insurance company refuse to pay or offer a low settlement.
An experienced Ohio car accident attorney can help you investigate your car crash, determine who was at fault, and seek to hold them financially liable for the accident. You deserve quality representation at every step of the legal proceedings.
Let an Ohio Car Accident Attorney Help
Get the help you deserve after a serious car accident case. We understand how the Ohio at-fault system works and how to put it to work for you.Our team at Kitrick, Lewis & Harris represents car accident victims throughout Ohio. Contact us today for a free consultation of your case.
