Car accidents can cost a lot of money, but hit-and-run accidents can cause even more serious complications. Filing an insurance claim after a hit and run can be difficult depending on the coverage you have. Additionally, if you are convicted of leaving the scene of an accident, your insurance premiums may increase due to the impact on your driving record. To help Ohio drivers understand the insurance implications of hit-and-run accidents, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team researched the facts.
hit and run incident in ohio
In a hit-and-run accident, also known as a “hit-and-run” accident, the at-fault driver, usually the at-fault driver, flees the scene without providing information to other parties. A hit-and-run can occur when someone crashes into a property or an unoccupied vehicle, but more serious hit-and-run accidents involve other drivers.
Hit-and-runs are not uncommon in Ohio. Approximately 13% of motor vehicle crashes reported from January to September 2024 involved a driver who fled the scene of the crash, according to data from the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) Electronic Collision Report (ECS) database. was involved.
Ohio Hit and Run Laws
Ohio law requires all drivers involved in an accident on a public road or highway, or an accident involving property damage or injury, to take three steps:
- Stop at or near the accident scene
- Exchange name, address, registration number, and driver’s license information with those involved in the accident.
- Contact your health care professional if necessary
Although the law does not require drivers to exchange insurance information, it is always a good idea to provide this information to other parties after an accident. Additionally, if the police at the scene are unable to verify your insurance information, it could be considered a violation of Ohio insurance law.
Typically, a hit-and-run is treated as a first-degree misdemeanor under Ohio statute and can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. If serious bodily injury or death occurs, you may be charged with a felony, and the penalties increase as the severity increases. In this case, the sentence could be 6 to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. If a fatal accident occurs, the fleeing driver could face up to eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
In either case, a hit-and-run charge could result in a driver’s license suspension for at least six months. Driving with a suspended license can result in serious penalties in addition to the fines and jail time associated with a hit and run charge.
How does a hit and run affect my auto insurance in Ohio?
In Ohio, hit-and-run accidents can have a significant impact on your insurance benefits, whether you are the victim or the at-fault driver.
If you are hit by a hit-and-run driver, it can be difficult to recover your losses because you will not be able to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Instead, your policy must include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, medical payments (MedPay) or collision coverage, or all three.
- Use uninsured motorist coverage to pay for your medical bills. Uninsured motorist coverage can help cover medical costs caused by an unidentified driver. However, keep in mind that Ohio law requires independent proof of a hit-and-run in order to file an uninsured motorist claim. A police report from the scene will be helpful.
- Use MedPay for medical expenses. Another way to cover your medical expenses after a hit and run is through medical payment coverage, which is an optional first-party coverage available with all Ohio insurance policies.
- Use collision coverage for repair claims. If your car is damaged in a hit and run, you must have collision coverage on your policy in order to file a claim with your insurance company.
If your insurance doesn’t include these types of coverages, you may end up paying the entire bill out of pocket. In Ohio, uninsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, and collision insurance are not required by law, so if you have liability-only minimum coverage, the cost of a hit-and-run can be high. .
On the other hand, if you are charged with leaving the scene of an accident in Ohio, you could face serious criminal charges as well as a significant increase in your insurance premiums. Consider the average increase in pay after an at-fault accident in Ohio. On average, an Ohio driver with a clean record pays an average of $1,529 per year for full coverage insurance. For each at-fault accident, that rate increases to an average of $2,151, an increase of 41 percent. The increase after a hit-and-run charge can be even greater, especially if the collision resulted in injury or death.
Additionally, drivers who commit serious traffic violations in Ohio may also be required to obtain an SR-22. The SR-22 is a financial responsibility certificate that certifies that a high-risk driver meets the minimum legal requirements for auto liability insurance in Ohio. Typically, an SR-22 must be maintained for 3 to 5 years, and the premium may be maintained as long as the certificate is required.
4 things to do after a hit and run in Ohio
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you are understandably upset and emotional. However, most law enforcement agencies advise against pursuing at-fault vehicles that flee the scene. Instead, it’s best to stay in the field and take the following steps:
- Please contact emergency services: The safety of everyone involved in the accident, including yourself and your passengers, should be your top priority. If you are injured, call emergency services (911) for an ambulance. You also need to report it to the police. A formal accident report may be required for insurance purposes, and law enforcement resources may be able to help locate the driver who fled the scene.
- Gather information and take photos. Gather as much information as possible about the accident. Take detailed notes about the car and driver, and record the license plate number if possible. Also, be prepared to describe the incident in detail and take photos of the entire accident scene, surrounding area, and vehicle.
- Find a witness: If possible, check to see if anyone in the area, surrounding homes, or other buildings witnessed the accident. If they are willing to give you their contact information, get it and give it to the police. Witnesses may be able to provide details about other vehicles that may help locate the at-fault driver or provide evidence for an uninsured motorist claim.
- Please call your insurance company. Contact your car insurance company as soon as possible and follow the instructions on how to file a claim. We will provide all information we collect to your insurance company.
