Will My Insurance Rates Go Up if I’m Not at Fault in an Accident?

If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident, it may be time to seek guidance from an experienced personal injury lawyer who is familiar with car accident cases. It’s normal to be concerned about your auto insurance rates increasing if you were involved in a minor or significant car accident and were not at fault. In Ohio, under Revised Code §3937.22 and §3937.23, insurance companies are prohibited from increasing rates if you were in a car accident and it was not your fault during a single policy period.

Yet, this doesn’t mean that they won’t try to exploit all legal loopholes to raise your insurance rates. The legal team at The Henry Law Firm will fight the auto insurance company for you to ensure they don’t take advantage of your unfortunate situation while trying to get your life back to normal.

What Is a No-Fault Car Accident? 

When a vehicle accident happens, there are usually two types of accidents: an at-fault accident and a no-fault accident. If you were involved in a no-fault accident, it means that you were not the party that caused the accident. In contrast, if you were in an at-fault accident, you were the driver to cause the crash.

Auto insurance companies have specific assessment rules to determine who was at fault during an auto accident. Additionally, certain states have different fault laws, with only 12 states following no-fault laws. We can help you understand Ohio’s at-fault laws at our law firm. 

Suppose you were found to be at fault for your accident based on a few different factors that differ according to the various insurance companies. In that case, your insurance rates could increase by 49%, which equates to roughly $348 annually.

Will Your Insurance Rates Increase if You Were Not At-Fault for Your Car Accident? 

If you were not at fault for your car accident in Ohio, your insurance rates wouldn’t increase. Usually, your rates won’t increase because the at-fault driver’s auto insurance will cover the costs of vehicle repairs and medical expenses. 

If the driver’s insurance coverage is too low or doesn’t have coverage, it would be best to seek advice from an attorney to help you obtain the compensation you need for your damages. If you maintain uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, you may be able to bring your injury claim directly against your insurance company. In such circumstances, your insurance company is prohibited from raising your rates because of the claim. 

Despite Ohio having laws to prohibit unfair rate increases, insurance companies still look for ways to increase their insurance rates. 

In fact, according to a study by the Consumer Federation of America, many auto insurance companies routinely find ways to charge drivers higher insurance rates even when they were not at fault for their accident.

However, you should know that there are a few instances when your rates could increase even if you were not found to be at fault. This usually occurs when you have been in one or more accidents, and your rates can generally increase about 10% each year as part of an average premium increase.

What Are the Accidents That Don’t Make Your Rates Increase? 

There are quite a few accidents that won’t make your rates increase. If any of the below accidents occurred and your auto insurance is trying to increase your rates, contact an Ohio lawyer to discuss if it’s legally allowed. 

• The vehicle was hit from behind, and you or the other driver were not convicted of a traffic violation for the accident.
• The vehicle was parked legally when it sustained damages.
• The vehicle was hit during a hit and run incident, and you reported it within 24 hours of the accident occurring.
• Falling objects or missile-like objects caused damage to the vehicle.
• The accident happened while responding to an emergency incident.

Does a No-Fault Car Accident Appear on Your Driving Record? 

When you have been involved in a vehicle crash, it can be a frightening experience that leaves you wondering if a no-fault car accident will appear on your driving record. 

Unfortunately, even if you did not cause your accident, it will appear on your driving record. Often an auto insurance claim will remain on your driving record for three to five years, but this can vary depending on the state you are in and the accident’s severity.

How to Prove You Were Not at Fault for Your Car Accident

If you feel that you were not at fault for your Ohio auto accident, you need to prove it. What proof you will need to provide will vary depending on the auto insurance company, but generally, they will need the following: 

• A written statement from the driver obtained under perjury or penalty attests to their fault. 
• A police report from your accident stating who was at fault. 
• A legal document stating you were reimbursed for damages. 
• A statement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company that accepts fault

Contact an Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Do you believe your insurance company is increasing your rates illegally when you were not at fault for your auto accident? If so, it might be high time to consider consulting an Ohio personal injury attorney. An attorney from The Henry Law Firm can investigate your claim and your concerns about your insurance rate increase to ensure they are not illegally raised. 
Our lawyers are well versed in these claims and can help you obtain compensation and the justice you deserve if your rates have been increased illegally. Contact us today to discuss your case.