Collisions involving uninsured motorists are often far more complicated than those involving drivers who follow Alabama auto insurance laws. If you were injured in a collision with an uninsured motorist, you may have the right to financial compensation.
Explore your legal options further when you contact a Center Point uninsured motorist accident lawyer at Cory Watson Attorneys for help. During your free consultation, you can discuss what your next steps should be in the uninsured motorist accident claims process.
Alabama Auto Insurance Laws Affect Uninsured Motorist Accident Cases
Alabama requires all motorists to have auto insurance coverage on their vehicles prior to operating the vehicle. According to the Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI), the minimum amount of auto insurance coverage each driver must have includes:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
The law does not require that you carry comprehensive, collision, glass coverage, rental car coverage, gap insurance, or any other type of auto insurance coverage. However, it is important to remember that purchasing this coverage in advance could help you cover some of your costs upfront in the event of a collision. For example, you may have coverage specifically for uninsured or underinsured motorist accidents.
Filing a claim with your own insurance company may be an option, but it could increase the amount of your premiums when it is for your auto insurance to renew. Our Center Point uninsured motorist accident attorneys can review your specific insurance policy to see what coverage you have.
What Happens When You’re Involved In A Collision With An Uninsured Motorist In Center Point?
When you are involved in a collision with an uninsured motorist in Center Point, your case is already more complicated. Since the defendant does not have insurance coverage, and Alabama is a fault state, you may not have the opportunity to file a claim with the insurance company unless you are filing a claim with your own provider.
Some people may consider this type of case less complicated. After all, there is no insurance company that you will need to deal with. However, since the defendant does not have insurance coverage, if you hope to hold them accountable for their negligent actions, you may need to be prepared to file a lawsuit against them. These are all steps our car accident lawyers can help with.
Can You File An Insurance Claim For A Center Point Uninsured Motorist Accident?
As previously mentioned, if the driver who struck you is uninsured, you may not be able to file a claim with their insurance provider. However, if the liable party is underinsured, you might have the chance to file a claim with their insurance company and recover a portion of your damages.
Alternatively, if you purchased your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as part of your own auto insurance policy, or if you purchased another type of insurance coverage through your own auto insurer, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company.
Then, you can seek restitution for the increase in your insurance premiums when you file a lawsuit against the liable party.
How To Hold Center Point Uninsured Motorists Accountable
It is required by law for motorists to carry insurance coverage. If the defendant in your case did not have insurance coverage, your best opportunity for financial recovery may be to file a civil lawsuit against them.
One of the benefits of not dealing with the insurance company is the opportunity to be compensated for a variety of losses. Since insurance payouts are based on the types and amount of coverage the policyholder purchases, many people find they are unable to recover fair compensation through an insurance settlement alone.
By filing an uninsured motorist lawsuit, you can fight to ensure the person responsible for causing your injuries is held accountable for their negligent actions. If they had purchased insurance coverage as required by law, their financial obligation may be reduced. However, because they chose to operate a vehicle uninsured, the court may hold them responsible for covering your damages out of their own pocket.
File Your Uninsured Motorist Accident Claim Before Time Runs Out
Code of Alabama section 6-2-38 only allows victims two years to file personal injury lawsuits. If the statute of limitations in your case runs out before this deadline, you will no longer have the opportunity to have your lawsuit heard in the civil court system.
The sooner you start working on your case, the better chance you have of protecting your right to compensation. Furthermore, by starting your case sooner, we have the opportunity to recover powerful evidence that may otherwise be lost.
For example, video footage of the accident may be available for as few as several days or weeks. If you wait to get started on your case, the video footage could be overwritten or lost entirely.
Work With An Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer In Center Point Today
Despite the fact that Alabama law requires all drivers to purchase auto insurance, far too many drivers failed to adhere to these regulations.
If you were involved in an accident with an uninsured driver and you do not know where to turn for help, a Center Point uninsured motorist accident lawyer at Cory Watson Attorneys can help. Access your no-cost, risk-free consultation today when you fill out our convenient contact form or call our office to get started on your case.