Being hit by a car is something that no one wants to think about. Tragically, however, there were 88 pedestrians killed in Ohio in 2013, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. When a pedestrian suffers injuries in a crash with a motor vehicle, understanding what insurance coverage policies will apply is extremely important. If a driver has hit you, here are some insurance options for pedestrian accidents that may help pay for your injuries.
The Driver’s Bodily Injury Coverage
Ohio law requires that all drivers carry bodily injury coverage. Bodily injury coverage insurance pays for injuries any victims, including pedestrians, sustain in the event of an accident. Drivers must carry no less than $25,000 per person, and $50,000 per accident. You can use the driver’s bodily injury coverage to pay for your medical bills, if he caused the accident.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If you have uninsured (UM) coverage on your auto policy, you can receive compensation for your pedestrian accident injuries, such as medical bills, if the driver was uninsured or underinsured.
Medical Payments Coverage
If you have a car insurance policy yourself and carry medical payments coverage on that policy, then your medical payments—or MedPay—coverage should contribute regardless of fault and regardless of whether you were walking or driving at the time of the accident. MedPay coverage can help you pay for your medical bills, and will also cover funeral expenses in the event that an accident results in death.
Health Insurance
If you carry health insurance, then your health insurance policy should kick in (once you pay your deductible) to pay for certain medical treatments that you require after an accident – you will need to talk with your health insurance carrier to determine what medical services are covered.
You should also know that in the event that you recover money from a different source (such as a car insurance policy or a lawsuit), the health insurance company may require you to pay back any money that it paid towards your injuries, per subrogation laws.
Consult with an Ohio Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
When you suffer injuries in a pedestrian accident, a lot is at stake. Do not take the chance of not recovering your full compensation amount by attempting to handle the claims process on your own; instead, reach out to a legal professional who knows the law and can help to fight for your rights!
At Bressman Law, our Ohio car accident attorneys will do everything we can to get you the money that you deserve. For a free case consultation, contact us today at 877-538-1116.
