Is Ohio A No-Fault State? What Does That Even Mean?

“No-fault” is a term that’s widely known, but regularly misunderstood. In the case of car insurance, some states are considered no-fault states. That doesn’t mean that neither party is held responsible in the event of a car accident.

But it does affect what insurance does and does not cover.

Here’s what you need to know about no-fault accidents.

Understanding No-Fault Accidents And Car Insurance

When there’s a car accident between two parties, there’s typically one person deemed to be at fault. Whether they violated a traffic law, or they simply weren’t paying attention, their actions resulted in their car hitting someone else’s car.

All but two states (New Hampshire and Virginia) require drivers to have liability car insurance. Even in the states where it isn’t required, the driver who caused the accident is still responsible for damages to property and other vehicles.

So where does the no-fault aspect come into play? With injury, medical bills, and lost earnings.

Should someone hit your car in any of the 50 states, they’re responsible for the damages caused to your vehicle. But in a no-fault state, they might not be responsible for medical needs or replacing wages lost from missing work.

Because of this, insurance companies in those states offer no-fault insurance. This means that your insurance company will cover some or all of the medical attention you need. Each no-fault state is a little different, and we’d recommend reviewing the specifics of your state’s laws when purchasing car insurance.

Is Ohio A No-Fault State?

Ohio is not a no-fault state, so injuries and missed work should be covered by the person who caused the accident. However, you may find yourself driving in another state when an accident occurs, leaving you subject to unfamiliar laws.

Whether your accident takes place in state or out of state, if you are injured because of another driver’s actions, you should speak with an attorney. Injury expenses aren’t always immediately known. Therapy and medication may be needed down the road, and it’s important that you’re protected and taken care of.

For lawyers in Springfield, Ohio who are experienced in injury claims, contact the offices of Michael T. Edwards today. We’ll help you get the care you need.