Most drivers in Ohio recognize that other people frequently break traffic laws. Even those who have already exceeded the speed limit may find that others pass them on the freeway, and those approaching four-way stops may end up frustrated or confused if someone speeds through without stopping or fails to use their signals to indicate their intention to turn.
Violations of traffic laws are sometimes the cause of motor vehicle collisions, and they can also make the consequences of a crash much more serious for those involved. If someone does not follow the state statute requiring liability car insurance, the people affected by a crash that they cause could end up struggling to cover their expenses.
There are over a million uninsured drivers on the Ohio roads
Insurance researchers can compare the number of licensed drivers and registered vehicles with the number of insurance policies written in any given state as a means of calculating how many drivers do not abide by state regulations.
Ohio falls in the middle of the pack when ranked against other states across the country. It took the 21st place on the list of states with the most uninsured drivers in 2021. Researchers estimated that 13% of drivers in the Buckeye State were uninsured for at least part of 2021. That adds up to well over a million uninsured motorists. With so many uninsured drivers on the roads, Ohio does have a bit of an issue with insurance coverage compliance.
How can people protect themselves?
The most effective way of protecting against uninsured motorists is to add special coverage to an insurance policy. Uninsured motorist protection can cover the property damage and injury costs that the at-fault driver’s policy should reimburse others for after a crash.
However, perhaps someone did not add that coverage to their policy, or maybe the cost of a crash is beyond what their extra coverage will pay. Those injured by uninsured motorists could have the option of filing a personal injury lawsuit against an uninsured driver. Taking someone to court can be a way to hold them financially accountable for causing a crash without proper coverage on their vehicle.
