alabama uninsured motorist when to coverage accident attorney

Alabama’s insurance laws require all drivers to carry liability insurance. Nevertheless, thousands of uninsured drivers take to the streets every day. If you sustain injuries in a collision you didn’t cause, an Alabama car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you need.

Full Answer

Who is responsible for uninsured motorist accidents 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.

How much compensation do I get for a car accident in Alabama?

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. Uninsured Drivers and Underinsured Drivers in Alabama

What is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage?

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.

What happens if the at-fault driver does not have car insurance?

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. While Alabama law requires the insurance company to offer UIM coverage as part of your policy, you can reject that coverage.

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.

Will uninsured motorist claim raise my rates Alabama?

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist claims are covered by Alabama Statute . ... 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.

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

Does Alabama have underinsured motorist coverage?

UM/UIM stands for “Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist,” and the statutory minimum for this coverage in Alabama is $25,000. Provided you have the minimum amount of coverage, your own insurance policy will pay for the damages that you incur as the result of an accident with an uninsured motorist.Sep 28, 2017

Does Alabama have uninsured motorist property damage?

No, you do not need uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) insurance in Alabama. ... Instead of UMPD, you can purchase collision insurance, which is an optional type of coverage that pays to repair or replace your vehicle after any accident, regardless of fault.Feb 11, 2021

What does the uninsured motorist coverage cover?

Uninsured motorist coverage helps you pay for damages caused by a driver who doesn't have car insurance. If you're hurt or your car is damaged in a crash caused by such a driver, this coverage will help pay for costs, up to the limits in your policy. ... In that situation, the other driver would be considered underinsured.

Is Alabama a no-fault state 2021?

Alabama Is a Fault State Alabama follows a fault-based compensation system. In other words, Alabama is not a no-fault state. This means that, after a car accident, the person who caused the accident is responsible for compensating the injured party.Jun 3, 2020

Is Alabama a fault state?

Alabama is not a no-fault state, but a personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation after a car accident. ... Alabama is an at-fault (or “tort”) state, where drivers who cause an accident and their insurance companies are responsible for the other driver's damages resulting from a crash.May 18, 2021

Does Alabama have PIP coverage?

No, personal injury protection (PIP) is not required in Alabama. PIP is not even available in Alabama. Instead of PIP insurance, Alabama insurance companies offer medical payments insurance (sometimes called MedPay), which helps with hospital bills resulting from a car accident.Apr 8, 2021

Can you stack uninsured motorist coverage in Alabama?

Under Alabama law, you can “stack” up to three coverages. This can be an important benefit, especially if your UIM coverage provides only the minimum benefits required by law.

Does UIM coverage cover property damage?

The coverage can pay for property damage and medical bills in accidents caused both by uninsured or underinsured drivers (when low-limit coverage is exhausted).

When would UM coverage apply quizlet?

When does the underinsured motorist apply? When the motorist is at fault in an accident but the limits of his or hers auto insurance are not sufficient to cover the bodily injury to another motorist.

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.