Just being responsible about your own alcohol consumption isn’t enough to protect you from drunk driving crashes. You could easily get hurt by someone else who decides to drive after having too much to drink.
Operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI) offenses are among the most common criminal charges brought against drivers in Ohio. Given that drunk driving is against the law, some people worry that they will not be covered by the other driver’s insurance if that driver caused the crash while under the influence.
Will insurance leave you uncovered after an OVI-related crash in Ohio?
Insurance should protect you if you are not at fault
You should be able to make a claim against the other driver’s insurance coverage for your property damage costs and any injuries that you suffer. If liability coverage didn’t protect you from someone else’s misconduct, then you would be left without protection any time someone else breaks a traffic law.
However, it is worth noting that many people who drive while drunk will also drive without insurance or when the coverage they have is just barely enough to comply with state law. Uninsured and underinsured motorists will pass the cost of a crash on to you and may force you to consider more extreme measures to secure compensation, such as taking your case to civil court.
When the other driver is uninsured or has little insurance, you need to understand your rights to get the compensation you deserve. Filing an insurance claim and looking at your other rights after a car crash will help you reduce your financial losses.
