When you drive—or even ride as a passenger—on Ohio roadways, there is a very real chance the driver next to you is uninsured. According to recent data from the Ohio Department of Transportation, approximately 1 in 7 Ohio drivers has no insurance at all. Even more concerning, about 30% of insured drivers carry only Ohio’s minimum liability coverage, which is just $25,000.
If you are seriously injured in an Ohio car accident, there is a strong possibility that the negligent driver will not have enough insurance to fully compensate you. That is where Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage can become critically important.
What Is UM/UIM Coverage?
UM/UIM coverage is first-party insurance, meaning it comes from your own insurance policy (or another available policy) when the at-fault driver cannot pay for your injuries or damages.
Common Situations Where UM/UIM Coverage Applies
UM/UIM coverage may apply in several scenarios, including:
The at-fault driver has no liability insurance (classic uninsured motorist claim)
A hit-and-run driver causes the crash and cannot be identified
The at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough coverage to fully compensate you
Considering how many Ohio drivers carry only minimum coverage, underinsured motorist claims occur far more often than most people realize.
What Happens If You Are Injured by an Uninsured Driver and Do Not Have Insurance?
You still may be able to make a UM/UIM claim. The key is finding available coverage.
After handling thousands of Ohio car and truck accident cases, we have unfortunately seen many heartbreaking situations where someone is badly injured by:
Hit-and-run drivers
Drivers operating stolen vehicles
Drivers without valid licenses
Completely uninsured drivers
At Diehl Law, we do not stop searching simply because the at-fault driver lacks coverage. We work to uncover every possible source of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Over the years, some of these solutions have been surprisingly complex—and successful.
Below are real-world examples.
Employer or Commercial Insurance Coverage
In one serious accident case, our client was injured while on the clock at work. He was standing near his employer’s pickup truck when another driver failed to yield and caused a devastating crash. The negligent driver carried no insurance.
Initially, the employer’s insurance company denied that coverage existed and refused to provide policy information. We filed a lawsuit and eventually obtained a copy of the insurance policy.
After extensive litigation that reached the Ohio Supreme Court, we secured a ruling confirming that uninsured motorist coverage under the employer’s policy protected our client and provided compensation for his injuries.
This case demonstrates why it is critical to fully investigate commercial and employer insurance policies after a work-related accident.
Family Member Insurance Coverage
Many Ohio auto insurance policies extend UM/UIM coverage to relatives living in the same household, even if they are not listed as drivers on the policy.
We once represented a 40-year-old woman who suffered catastrophic injuries in a crash caused by an uninsured driver. She did not carry her own automobile insurance, which initially made recovery seem unlikely.
However, our client had recently moved back into her parents’ home. Their insurance policy included language extending uninsured motorist coverage to resident relatives. As a result, we were able to successfully pursue a claim under her parents’ policy.
Why Investigating All UM/UIM Coverage Matters
When representing individuals seriously injured in Ohio car accidents, encountering uninsured drivers is unfortunately common. The difference between recovering compensation and receiving nothing often comes down to identifying all available insurance coverage.
Potential UM/UIM sources may include:
Your personal auto insurance policy
A spouse or household family member’s policy
Employer or commercial vehicle policies
Umbrella insurance policies
Policies covering vehicles involved in the crash
These policies can contain complex language, exclusions, and legal requirements that often require experienced investigation.
How Diehl Law Helps Injury Victims Find Coverage
At Diehl Law, we have the knowledge and experience necessary to thoroughly investigate every potential source of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. When someone is seriously injured, we understand that simply accepting “there is no insurance” is not good enough.
Our goal is to make sure our clients receive every dollar of compensation available under Ohio law.
Injured by an Uninsured or Hit-and-Run Driver in Ohio?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car or truck accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver, it is important to speak with an experienced Ohio personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Insurance coverage may exist in places most people would never think to look.
SEO Notes (Built Into This Draft)
This version naturally incorporates high-value search phrases such as:
Uninsured motorist coverage Ohio
Underinsured motorist claims Ohio
Ohio car accident uninsured driver
Hit-and-run accident Ohio compensation
Ohio UM/UIM insurance claims
