Alabama Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

Crashes with uninsured drivers in Alabama can involve special challenges, from filing a lawsuit against the driver who hit you to pursuing an uninsured motorist claim with your insurer.

When you work with Gartlan Injury Law, an Alabama uninsured motorist accident lawyer can simplify your life by handling all the legal work in your personal injury case. We can gather evidence, document your injuries, negotiate with the insurers, and prepare your case for trial while you rest and heal.

We have recovered millions for our past clients, and while past results do not guarantee future outcomes, we stand ready to put our experience to work for you now. Call us or complete our contact form for a free consultation today.

What Is an Uninsured Motorist?

An uninsured motorist is a driver who does not have liability insurance, which covers the injuries and property damage that the at-fault driver causes to other parties in a crash. So, the at-fault driver is financially responsible for whatever injuries and property damage result from the collision.

While you could sue an uninsured driver, you may have trouble recovering compensation. Uninsured drivers often have few assets you can claim in a lawsuit. As a result, many uninsured drivers are judgment-proof, meaning they lack the assets to satisfy a judgment even if you bring a successful claim against them.

Unlike an uninsured driver, an underinsured driver has some liability coverage, but not enough to cover all your injuries and other losses from an accident. For example, an underinsured driver might only have enough coverage to meet Alabama’s minimum requirements, even though many crashes cause more harm than the law requires for liability insurance policies.

You will likely need to find other options to recover compensation after a collision with an underinsured driver. One potential solution could be to file a claim under the underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your auto policy.

Why Would an Alabama Driver Not Carry Car Insurance?

Some potential reasons why Alabama drivers might not have liability insurance include:

• They cannot afford monthly premium payments.
• Their policy recently lapsed, or their insurer canceled it.
• They are driving without a valid driver’s license.
• They mistakenly believe their car is insured.
• They are driving someone else’s uninsured vehicle.
• They intentionally avoided buying insurance to save money.
• They moved from another state and did not update their policy.

Is It Illegal to Drive Without Car Insurance in Alabama?

Alabama law requires all drivers with vehicles registered in the state to purchase liability insurance that covers injuries and property damage they may cause in a crash. The minimum coverage amounts are:

• $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident victim
• $50,000 in total bodily injury coverage
• $25,000 in property damage coverage.

What Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage?

Uninsured motorist (UM) insurance coverage protects you if you suffer injuries in a crash that an uninsured driver caused. Instead of relying on the at-fault driver to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses, your auto policy’s UM coverage pays some or all of those costs, depending on your UM policy limits.

UM coverage could apply even if you were a pedestrian or riding a bike during the accident.

In most cases, UM insurance also covers hit-and-run crashes where the police cannot identify the other driver. You can file a claim with your insurance company, which will handle the process as if it were standing in for the driver who caused the accident.

Does Alabama Require Drivers to Carry Uninsured Motorist Insurance?

Insurance companies must offer UM coverage in Alabama, but drivers can decline it in writing. However, we strongly recommend that all drivers carry UM coverage. It can significantly affect your recovery if the other driver does not have liability coverage.

What Is Meant by Stacking Your Coverage?

Stacking means combining your uninsured motorist coverage limits from multiple policies or multiple vehicles on the same auto insurance policy to increase the total available coverage after a crash. Alabama law allows stacking for UM coverage, which can be a massive benefit if you suffer severe injuries in a collision with an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.

Here is an example of how stacking works. Suppose you have UM coverage of $25,000 per vehicle and own three vehicles, all insured under the same policy. If you suffer an injury in an accident with an uninsured driver, stacking allows you to combine (stack) the coverage for each vehicle.

In this scenario, stacking would provide $75,000 in UM coverage, rather than $25,000. Stacking can be essential for covering medical costs, lost wages, and other losses when the at-fault driver cannot pay.

What Do I Do if an Uninsured Driver Hits Me in Alabama?

Here is what to do to protect your rights after an accident with an uninsured driver in Alabama:

• Call 911 immediately – Report the accident and request emergency assistance if necessary. You can request a copy of the police report later to assist with your claim.
• Get medical attention – See a doctor even if you initially feel fine. Some hidden injuries do not appear immediately and can have dire consequences without diagnosis and treatment.
• Gather evidence – Take photos of the vehicles, damage, injuries, and the accident scene if possible.
• Collect information – Get the other driver’s name, contact details, and vehicle info, even if they do not have insurance.
• Speak to witnesses – Request names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the crash.
• Contact a personal injury attorney – An Alabama car accident lawyer at Gartlan Injury Law can help protect your rights and guide you through the UM claim process.

What Compensation Can You Recover in an Alabama Uninsured Motorist Claim?

Your uninsured motorist coverage can help you pay for many losses you experience in an auto accident. For example, your UM policy can pay for emergency medical expenses, hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation. You can also seek compensation for lost wages, pain, suffering, and the cost to repair or replace your vehicle.

You can also file a personal injury lawsuit against an uninsured driver or pursue legal claims against other potentially liable parties. For instance, you could sue the manufacturer of a faulty part if a mechanical defect contributed to the accident. An Alabama uninsured motorist accident lawyer at Gartlan Injury Law can explain your legal options and take steps to seek the money you deserve from every available source.

Contact an Alabama Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

Gartlan Injury Law has the resources and proven track record you need in an Alabama uninsured motorist accident firm. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can support you.

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