What to Do If You’re Hit by an Uninsured or Underinsured Driver in Columbus
Written by Jay M. Kelley III in Accident & Injury, Car Accident on July 22, 2025
Getting in a crash is bad enough. Finding out the other driver has no insurance, or not enough insurance? That makes it worse. You’re left wondering who’s going to pay for the damage, the hospital bills, or the time you’re forced to miss work.
If this happened to you in Columbus, you’re not alone, and you still have options.
Step 1: Call the Police
Always file a police report. It’s your official record that the crash happened and that the other driver didn’t have valid insurance. This documentation will be key later when you file a claim with your own insurer.
Non-emergency line for Columbus PD: 614-645-4545
Step 2: Get Details Even If They Don’t Have Coverage
If the other driver stays at the scene, get:
- Name and contact info
- License plate number
- Vehicle make and model
- Any statements like “I don’t have insurance” (yes, that matters)
Take photos of both vehicles, injuries, damage, the location, and any witnesses nearby.
Step 3: Check Your Own Policy Coverage
You may be covered even if they weren’t. Ask your insurance company if you have:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: protects you if the at-fault driver has no insurance at all
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage: helps when the other driver’s insurance is not enough to cover your losses
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay): can help with immediate costs regardless of fault
These optional protections can help cover your medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs, even if the other driver can’t.
Pro tip: UM/UIM may also apply if you were a pedestrian or passenger, not just the driver.
Step 4: Don’t Take the First Offer
Just because it’s your insurance doesn’t mean they’ll play nice. Some companies delay, underpay, or deny claims, especially UM/UIM cases.
Do not accept a settlement or sign anything without talking to someone who knows how these cases work. Once you sign, your options may be gone.
Step 5: Know What the Law Actually Says
- Ohio law requires liability insurance but does not require UM or UIM.
- Ohio is an at-fault state, meaning the person who caused the crash is supposed to pay.
- If they don’t have insurance (or money), your own policy may be the only option.
Real Case: What If the Other Driver Has Insurance, But Not Enough?
Some drivers carry the minimum required by Ohio law, but that is often not enough to cover serious injuries. In these cases, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can make a big difference.
Attorney Mindy Elk recently represented an elderly client who was seriously injured in a T-bone crash. She faced months of treatment for deep knee lacerations and chronic pain. The at-fault driver only carried Ohio’s minimum insurance coverage of $100,000, which fell far short of what she needed.
Because the client had UIM coverage through her own policy, Mindy was able to recover an additional $140,000. In total, $240,000 was secured to support her recovery.
Without that extra coverage, she would have been left paying for ongoing care out of pocket.
What Columbus Drivers Need to Know
Franklin County sees thousands of crashes every year, with many occurring near busy highways like I-70, I-270, I-71, and Route 315, as well as in areas with heavy traffic, including Easton, OSU, and Polaris. We’ve helped clients who were hit at red lights, in parking lots, and even while walking across the street.
In many of these cases, the other driver had no insurance or not enough to cover the damage they caused. And dealing with your own insurance company afterward? That’s not always simple.
Why This Matters
Uninsured and underinsured drivers are more common than you think. And many people don’t realize their own insurance, through UM or UIM coverage, might protect them in these situations.
We know how to navigate these claims. Our team will review your policy, handle the back and forth with your insurance company, and fight to get you every dollar you are entitled to.
Talk to a Columbus Car Accident Lawyer Today
You are not out of options. With the right legal help, you may be able to recover through your own policy or other available coverage.
📞 Call Elk + Elk for a free consultation at 1-800-ELK-OHIO
💻 Or contact us online anytime
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“Bill represented me for a car accident that was no fault of my own, and he was absolutely wonderful. He explained everything to me and made me feel at ease. When insurance was contacting me and stressing me out due to uninsured at fault driver, he took care of it and reach a settlement fairly quickly. I’m happy with the results and will choose Bill P. at Elk & Elk if I ever have an accident again. Thanks for you due diligence!”
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“Attorney William (Bill) Price guided us through a pretty complicated case. In short, the at fault driver that hit our car was driving over 70 mph in a 40 mph zone, did not have insurance, and there were no eye witnesses that could support our case and the accident investigation. Bill was able to work with the Sheriffs Office to obtain vehicle data recording information that proved the driver was in fact at fault driving at such an excessive rate of speed. Also, Bill was able to use his extensive experience working with insurance adjusters to settle our case for the maximum amount of insurance settlement without having to go to trial. Can’t imagine having to go through our accident settlement without Elk & Elk & Attorney Price. Fortunately, this is the first time we’ve ever had to file such a large scale claim. God forbid, if we ever had to do this again, wouldn’t do it without enlisting the help of Elk & Elk. Bill was a straight shooter and made us feel like he was helping us the same way he’d help someone from his own family. Thank you Elk & Elk!!”
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Jay M. Kelly III - Managing Partner
Meet Jay M. Kelley III, a top medical malpractice attorney in Ohio with over 25 years of experience and $200 million in verdicts and settlements. He leads Elk + Elk’s litigation strategy in state and federal courts and has a unique background as a former felony prosecutor and hospital defense lawyer. Jay specializes in complex cases, including birth injuries and wrongful death, and is recognized by Best Lawyers and ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 10 in Ohio.
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