Numerous regulations apply to motor vehicle operation for the safety of the general public. Drivers have to complete educational courses and maintain state-issued licenses. They have to register their vehicles and keep them in safe operating condition.
They also typically need to carry liability insurance. Ohio state statutes require both property damage and bodily injury liability coverage. People can choose to carry the minimum amount required by law, or they may invest in additional coverage to better protect themselves from financial culpability should a crash occur. Despite the risks of driving without insurance, many people gamble with their finances and legal compliance.
What can those involved in a crash do if they discover that the driver at fault does not have the insurance required by law?
Uninsured drivers may have direct liability
The main purpose of liability coverage is to help people avoid financial devastation because they use private transportation. Without insurance, people who are at fault for collisions are personally responsible for the harm they cause other people.
They may have to pay to repair or replace damaged vehicles. They may need to compensate people for lost wages and medical expenses. Those costs can quickly add up to a staggering amount. Those involved in serious collisions caused by drivers without sufficient insurance may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver at fault.
Grieving families who lost a loved one to an uninsured driver may be able to pursue wrongful death lawsuits. If the courts agree that the uninsured motorist was at fault, they can award the plaintiff compensation for the economic harm caused by the collision.
A third party may also share liability
There are a number of scenarios in which outside parties might be partially liable for a car crash. Maybe the person driving was performing work tasks and was on the clock. Their employer might have a degree of vicarious liability for the collision.
Perhaps the crash occurred because a vehicle had defective components. The manufacturer might have a degree of liability in that scenario. Unique details, including the overall extent of the damages caused and the nature of the crash, influence the options for compensation available to the injured party. Some people even have supplemental insurance on their personal policy that can help cover a portion of their losses.
Looking into the details of an uninsured driver crash with the assistance of a skilled legal team can help the people who weren’t at fault for the incident hold the right party accountable. Those without insurance are still usually responsible for the harm that their decisions cause for other people.
