Alabama requires drivers in Huntsville to carry liability insurance so they can pay for any crashes they cause. But unfortunately, far too many people make the short-sighted decision to break the law and drive without coverage.
Not having insurance can leave accident victims without the financial lifeline they need after a serious wreck. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute estimates that at least 1 in 8 drivers on U.S. roads are uninsured. Alabama ranks near the top of the list for the number of drivers without car insurance.
What happens if an uninsured motorist hits you? How can you get the money you need for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses? You can turn to a Huntsville uninsured car accident lawyer with Morris, King & Hodge, P.C.
We are ready to evaluate your situation, identify all possible sources of compensation, and pursue maximum benefits for you. Moreover, we’ll do this without charging you any upfront fees for our services. We know you’re likely in a tough financial spot right now, and we don’t think you should have to pay us unless we get you the compensation you need.
Ready to get started? Contact us to speak with a knowledgeable uninsured motorist accident attorney in Huntsville. Our legal team is prepared to help you pursue the cash you need to get your life back on track. The consultation is free and comes with no further obligations on your part.
Why You Should Choose Our Huntsville UM Lawyers
The road to recovery might seem daunting after an uninsured motorist accident. At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., we understand your struggle. Our seasoned attorneys can leverage decades of experience and deep knowledge of Alabama law to make the legal system work for you. We are not just well-versed in legal matters — we’re fighters prepared to take your case to trial if required.
From the moment we take on your case, you’re more than just a client to us. Your well-being is paramount. We’ll listen to your concerns, provide thoughtful guidance, and communicate with you regularly as we explore every avenue for financial recovery, whether that’s a lawsuit against the at-fault driver or another liable party, or a claim with your own insurance provider.
Does Alabama Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
All Alabama motorists must carry car insurance. To meet state insurance requirements, drivers need the following minimum amounts of auto insurance liability coverage:
- $25,000 per person in bodily injury coverage
- $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage
- $25,000 per accident in property damage coverage
Additionally, auto insurance companies in Alabama must offer at least $25,000 in uninsured motorist (UM) coverage to all policyholders. However, the law allows drivers to opt out of carrying UM insurance in writing, so not everyone has it.
Legal Options for Victims of Uninsured Car Accidents
Someone who causes an accident in Alabama is responsible for paying for the resulting damage. Because the cost of many car accidents in Huntsville is well beyond what most people can afford to pay out of pocket, the state requires drivers to carry liability insurance. Under a liability policy, the insurance provider covers the cost of an accident in exchange for charging the driver a monthly fee called a premium. When someone gets hurt in an accident caused by another driver in Alabama, they can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
When the at-fault driver has no insurance, your options for recovering car insurance compensation in Huntsville are more limited. You obviously cannot file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company because they are uninsured. However, you may still have other options.
If you purchased UM coverage on your auto policy, you could file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurer. UM coverage protects you after crashes involving motorists without coverage and after hit-and-run accidents. Alabama requires auto insurers to provide it alongside liability coverage unless the policyholder rejects it in writing. If you aren’t sure whether you have this coverage, there’s a good chance you do.
You may also be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver demanding the compensation their insurance would otherwise have provided. However, many uninsured drivers lack the means to pay a judgment.
In some cases, a negligent third party could be liable for the crash. Examples include the manufacturer of a defective auto part that contributed to the collision or a contractor responsible for a road defect that played a role in the accident.
Our knowledgeable uninsured car accident lawyers can evaluate your unique situation and craft a custom legal strategy that suits your needs.
How Do UM Claims Work in Huntsville?
If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim with your insurer to get compensation for your losses. You could also file a UM claim with your insurer if you were in a hit-and-run accident caused by a driver who fled the scene. In either case, your own insurer effectively steps in to replace the insurance the at-fault driver should have carried. That makes it important to have an attorney fighting for your interests even when dealing with “your” insurer.
How Our Lawyers Can Help Maximize UM Benefits
Insurance companies are for-profit entities. Just because your insurance company offers UM coverage doesn’t mean they are eager to pay what you deserve after a crash. Many UM claims face intense scrutiny, and plenty are denied.
Having an experienced UM accident attorney handling your case is the best way to pursue maximum compensation from your policy. At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., our legal team can help you by:
- Investigating the cause of the accident
- Identifying all potentially liable parties
- Communicating directly with your insurer
- Collecting and preserving vital evidence
- Accurately calculating your compensable losses
- Aggressively negotiating for compensation
- Preparing a case for court if necessary
Recoverable Damages in an Uninsured Motorist Accident Case
The compensation you can get from an uninsured motorist accident claim depends on the circumstances of your case, the limits of the available insurance policies, and other factors. Generally, though, you could be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Incidental costs
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
What Should I Do If I Am Hit by an Uninsured Motorist?
- Contact the police to report the accident.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Follow your prescribed treatment plan and keep all follow-up appointments.
- Keep detailed records of all expenses related to the accident.
- Avoid posting information or pictures on social media.
- Do not apologize or admit fault for the accident.
- Document your recovery in a journal.
- Talk to our attorneys as soon as possible.
Car Accident FAQs
You probably won’t have to go to court after a car accident in Alabama, as most cases settle out of court. However, you may have to go to court if your case is complex or if the insurance company denies liability or disputes your claim. Our attorneys are ready to do what is required to maximize your compensation.
If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to file a claim with your auto insurance policy’s uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Our attorneys can help you seek out all potential sources of insurance coverage and pursue the maximum benefits you deserve.
It is helpful to bring any documents or information that will help your lawyer better understand your case, such as:
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- A copy of the police report
- Eyewitness contact information
- Your insurance information
- Your medical records
- Your medical bills
- Your driver’s license
In Alabama, insurers must provide an update every 45 days, update the claim status within 30 days or whatever the policy specifies, and pay a settlement within 30 days of reaching an agreement with your lawyer. Insurers cannot delay your claim in an effort to run out the statute of limitations. Most personal injury claims in Alabama are settled within a year, and many are settled in a few months or even less. Cases usually take much longer if a trial is needed.
You want a lawyer who has extensive experience with car accident cases and knows how to pursue them to a successful conclusion. Look for an attorney who has a track record of securing large settlements and jury awards for previous clients. It’s a good idea to pick a lawyer with a reputation for being ready and able to take cases to trial if that’s what it takes to seek maximum compensation for you.
Our Alabama car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means it costs you nothing to hire a lawyer. We get paid only if and when we succeed in recovering compensation for you. If our law firm obtains a settlement from the insurance company or an award from a jury, our fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. That means you never pay us directly from your pocket.
Car accident lawyers can investigate the circumstances of the crash, review the police report, interview anyone who witnessed the accident, analyze photos and other evidence, and examine your medical records to determine the extent of your injuries. Your lawyer can calculate how much your personal injury claim is worth and negotiate with the insurance company to seek as much compensation for you as possible. If the insurance company does not offer a fair and reasonable settlement, your lawyer can take the case to court and represent you at trial.
You should contact our attorneys as soon as possible. Under Alabama law, you have just two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The earlier you reach out to our car accident lawyers, the sooner we can start collecting evidence before it disappears and talking to witnesses before their memories fade.
Contact Our Uninsured Car Accident Lawyers in Huntsville, AL
Are you looking for a lawyer after a car accident with an uninsured driver in Huntsville? At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., we can review your situation and lay out your best options for seeking compensation. Contact our Huntsville office today to arrange a free consultation with our experienced and attentive team.
