Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage for Ohio Motorcyclists

Experienced Columbus, Ohio Motorcycle Accident Attorney and Personal Injury Lawyer providing aggressive Motorcycle Accident legal services in Franklin County and Ohio, Statewide.

Call Attorney, Thomas P. Maney, Toll Free: 800.848-LAWS (5297)

Riding a motorcycle on Interstate 71, through downtown Columbus, or across the winding backroads of Ohio offers an unparalleled sense of freedom. However, that freedom comes with serious physical vulnerability. When a motorist fails to yield, turns left across oncoming traffic, or checks their phone instead of watching the road, a rider pays a catastrophic price.

Making matters worse, a alarming number of drivers on Ohio roadways either carry no auto insurance at all or carry only the bare legal minimum.

For Ohio motorcyclists, carrying robust Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage is the single most important legal and financial protection you can purchase. Understanding how UM/UIM claims work under Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) § 3937.18—and why your own insurer may turn against you after a crash—is critical to safeguarding your future.

The Reality of Uninsured & Underinsured Drivers in Ohio

According to national insurance statistics, roughly 1 in 8 drivers on the road operates a vehicle without any liability insurance. Millions more carry only the minimum bodily injury coverage mandated by Ohio Revised Code § 4509.51:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person in a single accident.
• $50,000 total for bodily injury or death to two or more people in a single accident.
• $25,000 for property damage.

Why $25,000 Is Not Enough for a Motorcyclist

While $25,000 might cover minor fender-benders between two enclosed passenger cars, motorcycle crashes almost always result in severe physical trauma. Emergency trauma care, surgery, ICU stays, specialized rehabilitation, and lost wages following a motorcycle crash routinely exceed $100,000 to $500,000+ within the first few weeks.

If an at-fault driver has only a $25,000 minimum policy, that policy will be exhausted almost instantly, leaving you with tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid medical debt.

How UM and UIM Coverage Protects You (R.C. § 3937.18)

Governed by Ohio Revised Code § 3937.18, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is an optional endorsement on your motorcycle or personal auto policy that steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver.

SCENARIO A: UNINSURED MOTORIST (UM)

At-Fault Driver Has NO Insurance OR Flees Scene (Hit-and-Run)

Your UM Coverage pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits.

SCENARIO B: UNDERINSURED MOTORIST (UIM)

At-Fault Driver Has $25k Minimum Limits | Your Total Damages = $150k

Step 1: Collect $25,000 from the at-fault driver's insurance policy.

Step 2: File a UIM Claim with your insurer to recover the remaining $125,000 gap (up to your policy's UIM limits).

Key Situations Where UM/UIM Applies:

• Hit-and-Run Accidents: A driver strikes your bike and flees the scene before police arrive.
• Uninsured Drivers: The at-fault driver has let their auto policy lapse or never purchased insurance.
• Underinsured Drivers: The at-fault driver’s insurance limits are too low to cover your full medical bills and lost earnings.
• Phantom Vehicle Crashes: A car cuts into your lane, forcing you to swerve and crash to avoid a direct collision, even if the car didn't make physical contact (requires independent corroborative evidence under R.C. § 3937.18(B)(1)(c)).

The "First-Party" Pitfall: Why Your Insurer Is Not Your Friend

Many motorcyclists assume that because they have paid their insurance premiums on time for years, filing a UM/UIM claim with their own insurance company will be smooth and stress-free.

This is a dangerous misconception.

When you file a UM or UIM claim under R.C. § 3937.18, your insurance company legally steps into the shoes of the negligent driver who hit you. Your own insurer becomes your legal adversary. To protect its corporate bottom line, your insurance adjuster will attempt to:

• Invoke Comparative Fault (R.C. § 2315.33): Claiming you were speeding, lane-splitting, or partially at fault to reduce or bar your payout.
• Dispute Medical Necessity: Arguing that your surgeries, physical therapy, or ongoing treatments were excessive or unrelated to the crash.
• Exploit Pre-Existing Conditions: Claiming your spinal or joint injuries were caused by age or prior activities rather than the collision.
• Enforce Strict Notice Requirements: Denying coverage because you failed to notify them of a hit-and-run within the narrow timeframe required by your policy contract.

Crucial Steps to Secure Your UM/UIM Claim in Ohio

To ensure you receive every dollar available under your policy, take immediate legal precautions following an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver:

• Call Law Enforcement Immediately: Always obtain an official Ohio Traffic Crash Report (Form OH-1). If you were involved in a hit-and-run, prompt police notification is required by most UM insurance contracts.
• Gather Independent Corroborating Evidence: Under R.C. § 3937.18(B)(1)(c), if the driver flees or causes a crash without physical contact, your testimony alone may not be enough. Eyewitness statements, traffic camera footage, and dashcam videos are essential.
• Do Not Sign Releases Without Legal Review: Never sign a settlement release from the at-fault driver’s insurance company without consulting an attorney. Settling with an at-fault driver prematurely can destroy your right to file a UIM claim with your own carrier.
• Review Your Policy Endorsements: Ensure your UM/UIM coverage extends specifically to your motorcycle. Some auto policies contain "household exclusions" that attempt to restrict UM/UIM benefits if you are riding a motorcycle not explicitly named on the auto policy.

Fight for Your Rights with Maney Law Office

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle collision caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver anywhere in Ohio, you should not have to fight corporate insurance companies alone.

For nearly four decades, Attorney Thomas P. Maney at Maney Law Office has advocated for the rights of motorcycle, auto, and trucking accident victims in Columbus, Franklin County, and throughout the State of Ohio. We know how to review insurance policies, counter unfair claims denials, and fight relentlessly to ensure you recover the full compensation you deserve.

Contact Thomas P. Maney at Toll Free: 800.848-LAWS (5297) for your Motorcycle Accident and Injury legal needs in the Columbus, Franklin County, and throughout the State of Ohio.

Protect your rights by seeking the legal advice and representation of an experienced Columbus, Ohio Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney.

ATTORNEY, THOMAS P. MANEY
BIOGRAPHY

For nearly 4 decades, Thomas Patrick Maney Jr. has been serving the Columbus, Franklin County Ohio, Central Ohio area by providing professional legal services.

Mr. Maney has been selected as one of the "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" by the American Trial Lawyers Association.

Mr. Maney focuses his legal practice on Auto Accidents, Vehicle Accidents, and other types of Injury Liability Cases.

THOMAS P. MANEY'S BIOGRAPHY › › ›

PROFESSIONAL
LEGAL RECOGNITION

Mr. Maney has been previously selected as one of the "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" by the American Trial Lawyers Association, which is a great honor.

Selection is by invitation-only for law firms in each state who meet precise qualifications as civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense trial lawyers.

Some of the criterial for invitation includes: the lawyer or law firm must demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature, and other determining factors.

CONTACT THE MANEY LAW OFFICE, TODAY › › ›

EVERY AUTO AND VEHICLE ACCIDENT IS INHEARENTLY DIFFERENT, AND SHOULD BE HANDLED ACCORDINGLY!

Auto and vehicle accidents are unfortunate events that can lead to various injuries, ranging from mild to severe. Each accident presents a unique combination of factors, making every injury case distinct. This article delves into the diverse aspects that influence these cases, including the types of vehicles involved (cars, semi-trucks, and motorcycles), the severity of injuries sustained, the determination of liability, and the time required for healing and recovery.

The severity of injuries varies greatly between auto and other types of vehicle accident cases. The spectrum ranges from minor bruises and strains to life-altering disabilities. Soft tissue injuries like whiplash are common in car accidents, causing discomfort and limited mobility. In more severe cases, victims may experience traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or spinal cord damage, leading to long-term disabilities or even permanent paralysis. Motorcycle accidents often result in severe road rash and limb injuries due to the lack of protective enclosures around the rider.

It is easy to see that every auto and vehicle accident injury case is indeed unique, influenced by the types of vehicles involved, the severity of injuries sustained, the determination of liability, and the time needed to heal and recover. The complexity of these cases underscores the importance of seeking professional legal counsel and medical attention promptly. Understanding the distinct factors at play can help victims and their families navigate the aftermath of an accident and seek appropriate compensation and justice for their injuries and losses.

CONTACT THE MANEY LAW OFFICE TODAY BY CALLING Toll Free: 800.848-LAWS (5297)

5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. Columbus, OH 43220

Toll Free: 800.848-LAWS (5297)

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