Uninsured motorist coverage in Alabama is a policy that allows you to recover damages if you get in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have car insurance. Likewise, an underinsured motorist policy protects you if your losses exceed the limits of the other driver’s policy.
Filing a claim when the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured requires special attention and care because your insurance company may be reluctant to pay a settlement out of fear that they won’t be reimbursed from another provider. A dedicated Alabama car accident lawyer can help you overcome these hurdles.
Steve Morris Law has helped dozens of casualties as they move through the claims process after a careless driver harms them. Our legal team has the tools and experience to take your case to trial or engage in effective negotiations with the insurance company or at-fault driver.
Understanding Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Alabama
As the Alabama Department of Insurance explains, uninsured and underinsured motorist policies protect you if the other driver doesn’t have insurance to cover your losses. An Alabama uninsured motorist coverage covers your losses if the at-fault motorist isn’t insured at all. Under this arrangement, your insurance provider agrees to pay your claim on behalf of the other driver up to certain limits outlined in the contract.
Similarly, an underinsured motorist policy is where your insurer promises to pay up to a specific amount of your losses if the other driver’s contract doesn’t cover your damages. What the insurance company pays for and how much they will cover depends on the terms of the policy you have with them.
Filing a Claim for Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Filing a claim after an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist is similar to what you do for other types of collisions. You begin by notifying the insurance company that insured the vehicle you were in when the incident occurred. To accomplish this, you may need to submit information online or by phone. In some cases, the insurance company may reach out to you to get a recorded statement about what happened.
Your insurer will then investigate the crash and talk to the other driver. Once they conclude the investigation, they’ll finalize how much they believe the losses are and how much you are owed.
If the other driver doesn’t have insurance — or doesn’t have enough to cover your losses — your insurer may cover these based on the rules and limits of your policy. The company may sue the other driver to recover the funds the company had to pay to you because the other driver didn’t have sufficient — or, in some cases, any — coverage.
Consequences of Accidents Concerning Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists
When a driver doesn’t carry insurance policies, it places an added strain on those who are hurt by the driver’s carelessness. It can be more challenging for the casualty to receive total compensation for their damages. And, it can create additional administrative hurdles for the casualty to request a fair settlement.
Immediate Actions To Ensure Safety and Gather Evidence
After an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured driver, your first step is to photograph the scene. You should also make note of what happened before, during, and after the crash so you can reference these details later on. Under Alabama Code Section 32-10-5, you should call the police if the incident injures or kills anyone.
After fulfilling your reporting requirements, seek medical attention to identify your injuries and begin any treatments to address these. Taking this step reinforces the connection between the crash and your losses, such as broken bones, lacerations, bruises, or other wounds.
Common Challenges for Claims Involving an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist
The biggest challenge involved in seeking a settlement after a crash involving an uninsured or underinsured driver is that they don’t have enough coverage to compensate you for your losses.
Because of this, you may have difficulty getting your insurance company to pay your damages in full.
Additionally, you may have to participate in a separate suit to recoup some of your losses if your insurer doesn’t cover it all. Having a seasoned uninsured motorist lawyer at your side can help you overcome these and any other challenges you may encounter on this journey.
How an Attorney Can Help
Navigating the claims process can be difficult in any situation after an accident. It can be particularly frustrating if the other driver doesn’t have sufficient coverage to pay for your medical and property bills. Instead of trying to go through this by yourself, consider working with an experienced Alabama car accident lawyer who can help you.
They understand the nuanced processes involved in submitting a claim and communicating with the insurance providers. They can perform their own investigations of the crash and what the insurance contract and the law say should happen. A knowledgeable attorney can also use their negotiation skills to help steer settlement talks in a productive direction.
Contact the Alabama Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer at Steve Morris Law
When you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured motorist or with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages, you may wonder what your options are. Steve Morris Law has been fighting for the people for decades. Our legal team understands the ins and outs of underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage in Alabama.
We appreciate the frustration and overwhelm you may be feeling right now, and we welcome the chance to be able to help ease your discomfort. Reach out today by calling 256-357-9211 to schedule a no-obligation consultation with a legal team you can trust.
