Picture this: You’re driving through downtown Montgomery after work. A car runs a red light and slams into you. Your car is totaled, you’re hurt, and you need medical care. Then comes the worst news – the driver who hit you has no insurance. In Alabama, this nightmare happens every single day to innocent drivers who suddenly find themselves facing massive bills with no clear way to pay them.
Alabama’s Uninsured Driver Crisis: Why It Matters to You
Alabama has one of the worst uninsured driver problems in America. Nearly one in five drivers on our roads has no insurance – that’s almost 20% of all vehicles. Think about that. Look at five cars at the next red light, and chances are one driver has zero coverage. In some parts of Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile, the numbers are even worse.
Michael Strickland, founding attorney at Strickland & Kendall with over 30 years fighting for Alabama accident victims, sees the devastation these crashes cause. “People think it won’t happen to them,” he explains. “But we see families every week whose lives are turned upside down by uninsured drivers. The good news is that you have options – if you know where to look and how to fight for them.”
Understanding Alabama’s Insurance Laws and Requirements
Alabama law requires every driver to carry minimum insurance:
- $25,000 for one person’s injuries
- $50,000 for all injuries in one accident
- $25,000 for property damage
These amounts are already too low for serious crashes. But here’s the bigger problem – Alabama doesn’t really enforce this law. Drivers can cancel their insurance right after registering their car. Police can’t easily check if someone has coverage. The result? Hundreds of thousands of uninsured drivers on our roads every day.
Your Secret Weapon: UM/UIM Coverage Most Alabamians Don’t Know They Have
Here’s something that might save you: Most Alabama drivers have uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on their own policy. Many people don’t even know it’s there. This coverage acts like the other driver’s insurance when they don’t have any or don’t have enough.
How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works in Alabama
UM coverage pays when:
- The other driver has zero insurance
- You’re hit by a hit-and-run driver who can’t be found
- The other driver’s insurance company goes out of business
How Underinsured Motorist Coverage Helps
UIM coverage kicks in when:
- The at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough
- Your injuries cost more than their policy limits
- Multiple people are hurt and the coverage gets split up
Ed Kendall, partner at Strickland & Kendall, has spent decades forcing insurance companies to honor these policies. “Your own insurance company should protect you,” he says. “But too often, they treat you like the enemy when you need UM/UIM benefits. That’s when you need lawyers who know how to make them pay what they owe.”
Dangerous Mistakes People Make After Uninsured Driver Accidents in Alabama
When you’re hurt and stressed after a crash, it’s easy to make mistakes that destroy your case. Here are the worst ones:
Taking Cash at the Scene
The uninsured driver might offer you a few hundred dollars to “make this go away.” Don’t take it. That small amount won’t cover your medical bills, and taking it could prevent you from getting real compensation later.
Not Calling the Police
Some people think there’s no point calling police if the other driver has no insurance. Wrong. You need that police report for your UM/UIM claim. Without it, your own insurance can deny everything.
Waiting Too Long to Get Medical Care
Insurance companies love to argue that you weren’t really hurt if you didn’t see a doctor right away. Even if you feel okay, get checked out. Some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately.
Giving Recorded Statements Without a Lawyer
Your own insurance company will call and ask for a recorded statement. They seem friendly, but they’re looking for reasons to deny your claim. Don’t talk to them without legal help.
Not Taking Photos or Getting Witness Information
Evidence disappears fast. Take pictures of everything. Get names and numbers from anyone who saw the crash. Your lawyer will need this to prove what happened.
What to Do After an Uninsured Driver Hits You in Alabama
Taking the right steps after your accident can mean the difference between getting paid and getting nothing. Here’s your action plan:
1. Stay Safe and Call for Help
- Move to safety if you can
- Call 911 for police and medical help
- Don’t leave the scene, even if the other driver wants to
2. Document Everything You Can
- Take photos of all vehicles and damage
- Photograph your injuries
- Get the other driver’s name and contact info
- Take pictures of their license plate
- Ask witnesses for their contact information
3. Get Medical Treatment Immediately
- Go to the emergency room or urgent care
- Follow all doctor’s orders
- Keep every medical record and bill
- Don’t skip follow-up appointments
4. Contact Your Insurance Company Carefully
- Report the accident to your insurance
- Don’t give recorded statements yet
- Don’t sign any papers
- Call a lawyer before accepting any offer
5. Protect Your Rights with Legal Help
- Contact experienced accident lawyers
- Let them handle insurance negotiations
- Focus on getting better while they fight for you
Why Your Own Insurance Company Fights Against UM/UIM Claims
You might think your insurance company is on your side. After all, you’ve paid them for years. But when you need UM/UIM benefits, they often fight harder than the at-fault driver’s insurance would. Why? Because now they’re the ones who have to pay.
Insurance companies use every trick to avoid paying UM/UIM claims:
- They claim you caused the accident
- They say your injuries aren’t that bad
- They argue the other driver actually had insurance
- They delay until you give up or accept less
- They use Alabama’s contributory negligence law against you
The attorneys at Strickland & Kendall know these tactics inside and out. With over $1 billion recovered for clients and more than 100 trials under their belt, they have the experience to beat insurance companies at their own game.
Common Questions About Uninsured Driver Accidents in Alabama
What if I don’t have UM/UIM coverage? You might still have options. You could sue the uninsured driver personally, though collecting money can be hard. If you live with family members who have UM/UIM coverage, you might be able to use their policy. Strickland & Kendall can review all possible sources of compensation during your free consultation.
Can I sue an uninsured driver in Alabama? Yes, you can sue them personally. But most uninsured drivers don’t have money or assets to pay judgments. That’s why they don’t have insurance in the first place. Your lawyer can investigate whether it’s worth pursuing the driver directly.
What if the uninsured driver fled the scene? Hit-and-run accidents are covered under your UM coverage as long as you report it to police within 30 days. You’ll need to cooperate with the investigation and your insurance company. Having a lawyer helps prove you did everything required.
How much UM/UIM coverage should I have? Alabama lawyers recommend at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. It costs very little to increase your coverage, often just a few dollars more per month. After seeing what happens to accident victims, most lawyers carry the maximum amount possible.
Will using my UM/UIM coverage raise my rates? In Alabama, insurance companies cannot raise your rates just for using UM/UIM coverage when you’re not at fault. But they might find other excuses to increase premiums. Document everything in case you need to fight unfair rate hikes.
Why You Need an Alabama Uninsured Motorist Lawyer
Fighting for UM/UIM benefits isn’t like a regular insurance claim. Your own insurance company becomes your opponent. They have lawyers and adjusters working against you. You need someone just as strong on your side.
Strickland & Kendall brings unique advantages to uninsured motorist cases:
- Decades of experience with Alabama UM/UIM law
- Knowledge of insurance company tactics
- Resources to fully investigate your accident
- Willingness to take cases to trial
- No fees unless they win your case
Don’t let an uninsured driver’s irresponsibility destroy your life. You have rights, and you have options.
If you’ve been hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Alabama, call Strickland & Kendall at 334-269-3230. Their experienced attorneys will review your case for free and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.