In Ohio, What Happens If Your Car or Property Is Damaged by a Snowplow Company?

In January 2022, there was a snowplow accident on the Ohio Turnpike that left many motorists with damaged property and injuries. Reports suggested 12 people were sent to the hospital and dozens of vehicles were damaged due to the actions of the snowplow driver.

If you have vehicle damage from snowplow accidents like this one, you may be entitled to financial compensation to cover medical and repair costs. Connect with our auto accident injury lawyers today for a free case evaluation and be sure to take the appropriate steps to document your claim.

The Ohio Turnpike Snowplow Incident

In January 2022, a snowplow truck operator working for the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission caused damage to nearly 50 vehicles and at least 12 injuries that required medical treatment. The driver was caught on video with his snowplow throwing snow into oncoming traffic over several miles.

Snowplow drivers undergo training to avoid doing just those types of things. Failure to adhere to safe plowing can easily result in severe property damage and injuries, and businesses and drivers should be held responsible for their actions. If you’re in a situation like this, you’ll need:

• Descriptions and photos of all damages
• A copy of your insurance information and preferably the snowplow driver’s insurance info
• A copy of the snowplow driver’s license or credentials (if you were able to get them)
• An Ohio State Highway Patrol Traffic Crash Report Number (if the accident was documented by the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

You can consult your insurance company to determine potential compensation. You’ll also likely need to speak with the snowplow driver’s insurance company. It may also be in your interest to work with an Ohio accident lawyer if you’ve suffered an injury due to a snowplow driver’s negligence.

Know You Have Rights

Accidents that put you at risk, damage your property or result in injury may entitle you to a settlement. Know that you have rights when it comes to protecting your property and yourself on the road.

Unfortunately, the insurance company doesn’t always leap at the chance to do what’s right for claim filers. They are businesses, and paying out claims is essentially a loss. They can potentially avoid that loss by finding ways to deny or undervalue your claim payment.  

Talk With Your Insurance

The first thing you should do is talk with your insurance. They may begin negotiations with the other driver or their insurance company.

If you have full collision coverage, then your policy should cover any damages to your vehicle. Ideally those costs will eventually be paid by the other driver’s insurance if they are found to be at fault for the collision, but your insurance company can at least get the process of your repair started.

If you have collision coverage, your car damage should be covered even if you are found to be at fault or fault is disputed.

Ohio is a 25/50/25 state, meaning every driver is required to carry:

• $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 of property damage liability

That type of coverage will provide financial protection if you cause a crash since it will pay for the damages you cause up to those policy limits. If you want your insurance to cover your repair costs even if you’re at fault, you’ll likely want to add both comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can also be beneficial as it will pay for your damages and injuries even if the at-fault driver is uninsured.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation After Snowplow Accidents

Snowplow accidents are more common than you would think, especially with the consistent snowy weather of Ohio winters. If you suffered damage or injury as a result of a snowplow accident, you should file a claim. Get started by reaching out to the snowplow driver’s insurance company or your own insurance company.

Your insurance company may be happy to help you deal with the other driver’s company since they would rather the other company pay for your damages. They may even help you investigate in hopes that it will prevent them from having to cover your repair costs.  

It's important to file your claim as early as possible because there is a limited amount of time that you can file for property damage compensation.

Buckeye Law Group is Here to Help After Winter Accidents Related to Snow

If you’ve been in a truck accident or car accident, or a dangerous snowplow accident caused by driver negligence, having an experienced accident lawyer on your side may help. At the Buckeye Law Group, we fight for the fair claim treatment Ohio residents deserve. Contact us at 1-800-411-PAIN today for a free consultation.