alabama uninsured motorist coverage when in accident attorney

Alabama's Uninsured Motorist Statute requires all car insurance companies to provide both UM and UIM coverage on every policy that they sell, so you should be able to recover at least $25,000 for the cost of accident-related damages—as this is the minimum amount of coverage that you would be afforded in Alabama.

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Do I have to have uninsured motorist insurance in Alabama?

Jan 08, 2016 · For example, if the at-fault driver who hit you is uninsured, and your car insurance policy provides for $25,000 in UM/UIM coverage (the statutory minimum in Alabama), there is up to $25,000 available to you under your own policy to compensate you for the damages you incurred as a result of the accident. Additionally, because this type of insurance coverage is …

Can an uninsured motorist sue an insured motorist?

Contact a knowledgeable Alabama attorney regarding your uninsured motorist claim. Carey & Hamner, P.C. in Dothan represents victims of Alabama vehicle crashes caused by uninsured and underinsured motorists. Call [855-435-4797 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We make home and hospital visits.

Which states have the most uninsured drivers?

The Stacking of UM/UIM Coverage Alabama allows you to “stack” your insurance coverage so you can have more monetary coverage in the event of an accident. For instance, if you have $25,000 of UM/UIM coverage on 3 cars, if 1 of those cars is in an accident, you’d have $25,000 x 3 = $75,000 worth of UM/UIM coverage for that accident, not just $25,000.

What to know about uninsured motorist insurance?

Uninsured Motorist Coverage Protects Alabama Drivers You don’t have to suffer needlessly due to an uninsured or underinsured driver. Alabama law requires every automobile insurance policy to offer uninsured/underinsured coverage. This coverage, often referred to as UIM coverage, is offered as part of every policy in Alabama.

How does uninsured motorist coverage work in Alabama?

Uninsured motorists coverage protects you directly. This coverage pays if you are injured by a hit-and-run driver or a driver who does not have auto insurance. This coverage in effect takes the place of the insurance that the other driver should have purchased but did not.

What happens if the person at-fault in an accident has no insurance in Alabama?

The penalties of violating the new law require an uninsured motorist involved in an accident to face the following civil penalty fines: $200 for the first offense. $300 for the second offense. $400 for each subsequent offense.Nov 24, 2017

Will uninsured motorist claim raise my rates Alabama?

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist claims are not a rateable claim. This means that filing a claim under this portion of your policy will not raise your insurance premiums since you were not at-fault in the accident.

Why do I need uninsured motorist coverage if I have collision?

Why Do I Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage? Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) and underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) can protect you financially if you're hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough to cover your bills. Many states require it by law to be in your policy.

Is Alabama a no-fault state for auto accidents?

Alabama is not a no-fault state, but a personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation after a car accident.May 18, 2021

What is the penalty in Alabama for driving without insurance?

Alabama requires every driver to have car insurance — and driving without it is a misdemeanor. If caught, the state may charge a fine of $500–$1,000, suspend your driver's license and registration for 180 days, and even send you to jail for three to six months.Aug 3, 2021

Does Alabama have uninsured motorist property damage coverage?

No, uninsured motorist coverage is not required in Alabama, as drivers can reject the coverage in writing.Feb 11, 2021

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Alabama?

Technically, Alabama law requires that all insurance policies in the state include uninsured motorist coverage. However, Alabama law also requires that insurance companies offer all drivers the opportunity to refuse, or “opt-out” of this coverage.

Do insurance companies go after uninsured drivers?

If you are in an accident caused by another uninsured individual, your insurer will usually action third party recovery on your behalf if you are the policyholder.Apr 17, 2021

Which of the following would not be covered under the liability section of a personal auto policy?

Under the liability portion of your policy, coverage is generally excluded in the following situations: Damage or injury is intentional. There is duplicate coverage (e.g., claims covered by workers' compensation)

What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident?

But as a thumb rule, every person who drives your car will be provided cover by your insurance company. The insurance company will exclusively mention someone who is excluded from the coverage and that particular person will not be provided coverage in case of an accident while driving your car.Sep 6, 2021

How much does uninsured motorist coverage cost?

On average, uninsured motorist coverage costs much less than standard liability coverage. In some states, it might add as little as $5 or $10 to your monthly premium.Dec 20, 2021

Resourceful personal injury law firm pursues justice in Dothan and vicinity

Alabama law requires motorists to carry liability insurance to compensate accident victims. Unfortunately, too many motorists violate the statute. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 19.5 percent of Alabama drivers did not have insurance in 2019, making Alabama the seventh worst state for insurance noncompliance.

How often are motorists uninsured?

As the state’s uninsured motorist rate exceeds the national average of 12.6 percent, there is an increased chance that the liable driver in your case will lack the coverage to pay your claim. You should also keep in mind that many motorists will only purchase the statutory minimum level of insurance, which in Alabama is:

What should a victim do following an accident with an uninsured motorist?

Your auto insurance policy must include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This means that when an uninsured motorist cannot cover your losses, your own insurer must indemnify you. Despite years of paying premiums, your insurer might be reluctant to provide the payment you are owed.

What happens after an accident with an uninsured motorist?

Though Alabama law requires drivers to carry liability insurance, the penalties are relatively minor unless there are extenuating circumstances. At most, someone operating a vehicle without sufficient insurance can receive a fine of $500 to $1,000, a driver's license suspension of 180 days and three to six months of jail time.

Are hit-and-run accidents covered by UM?

Yes. If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident and you cannot identify the person who struck you, your uninsured motorist coverage will pay for your losses up to the limits of your policy.

Compensation from an uninsured motorist claim

Your health insurance may cover your physical injuries following an accident, but there are other types of harm that medical coverage does not address. You might miss work and lose income. Moreover, the physical pain and mental anguish you have suffered are compensable losses.

What Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance?

The uninsured motorist insurance definition comes as no surprise. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is an add-on component to a standard auto insurance policy. UM provides coverage when the policyholder has an accident with a motorist who does not have insurance.

What Does Uninsured Motorist Insurance Cover?

Typically, UM pays for your injury treatment and that of your passengers, if applicable. Depending on your policy, UM may also pay for property damage if the other driver was at fault.

Do the Alabama Insurance Laws Require Uninsured Motorist Insurance?

Alabama’s Mandatory Liability Insurance Law requires motorists to carry liability insurance. Minimum coverage limits are $25,000 bodily injury (per person), $50,000 bodily injury (aggregate), and $25,000 in personal property coverage.

Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Worth It?

According to the Insurance Research Council, as many as one in eight U.S. drivers are uninsured . Although Alabama requires motorists to carry liability insurance, your chances of getting into an accident with an uninsured motorist are significant. If you don’t carry UM coverage, you may not have any way to pay for your medical treatment.

What If the Insurance Company Denies Your Uninsured Motorist Claim?

Sometimes, even your own insurance company could deny your claim. In other cases, the insurer might agree to pay only a fraction of your claim’s actual value. If that happens, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

After an accident, you need someone on your side. The experienced attorneys of the Fob James Law Firm will fight tirelessly to get you the justice and fair financial compensation you deserve. Our attentive and highly personalized level of service gets results, as you can see from our past settlements and awards.

Fob H. James, IV

Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law.

What is an uninsured motorist?

Uninsured motorist and under-insured motorist coverage is a portion of an individual’s insurance policy that allows a car accident victim to utilize their own policy in the event that the at-fault driver either has no insurance or not enough insurance to fully compensate the injured party. This type of coverage is also used in hit-and-run accidents.

What happens when the at fault driver leaves the scene of a crash?

When the at-fault driver leaves the scene of the crash, you may be able to make a hit-and-run claim with your provider. If successful, your insurance company will behave as if it were the at-fault driver’s provider and cover your damages from the collision.

Does Alabama have uninsured motorist coverage?

In the state of Alabama, all auto insurance companies are required to provide uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage on every policy they offer, regardless of whether that type of coverage is requested. The only way an insurance provider can legally not provide this coverage under Alabama’s Uninsured Motorist Statute is to have the insured party sign a written wavier stating that they elect to not receive this coverage.

What is an uninsured motorist in Alabama?

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist claims are covered by Alabama Statute . These claims are brought against your own insurance carrier, who under the eyes of the law stand in the shoes of the at-fault party. This means any damage that would be collectable against the responsible party, is also collectible under your uninsured or underinsured motorist ...

What is the minimum amount of insurance for an uninsured motorist in Alabama?

In Alabama 26% (1 in 4) of drivers are uninsured drivers and of those that are insured an estimated 55% only carry the minimum amount of insurance required which is $25,000 a person/$50,000 per accident. With the large amount of uninsured and/or underinsured drivers on the roads in Alabama, uninsured motorist coverage is really a necessity to cover you and your loved ones in the event of being injured in a car wreck. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist claims are covered by Alabama Statute .

Can you stack multiple vehicles?

Often times you can access coverage under multiple vehicles called “stacking” even if you were not in the vehicle listed on the policy. Furthermore, if the at-fault party has insurance, but does not have enough, there are vital steps that must be taken in order to preserve a right to your underinsured motorist coverage.