Did you know that 90% of auto injury claims settle for $15,000 or less? This can be a startling figure if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident through no fault of your own.
There are many reasons for this statistic. Many people choose to negotiate personal injury insurance claims on their own. Or, they might seek the help of attorneys that are simply trying to settle the case quickly. Insurance companies prey on this vulnerability, offering a low settlement amount very quickly after the accident to get the matter closed. Other times, there is simply not enough insurance coverage available to adequately compensate a victim’s personal injuries.
Each state has a required amount of minimum insurance coverage every driver must carry by law. That amount varies from as low as $10,000.00 to as high as $50,000.00 depending on the state. Even if the car accident victim is tragically injured, if the driver at fault for the motor vehicle accident was insured with minimum coverage in one such state only the minimum policy amount is available to the person injured. Though the law requires a person to have automobile insurance with the minimum coverage, many people still drive uninsured automobiles. That is why it is important as a driver to also have a policy of insurance on your automobile known as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage UM/UIM coverage.
In Alabama, $25,000 is the minimum amount of insurance coverage required by law for both property damage and personal injuries. This means that if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident with a driver that has minimum coverage, $25,000 is the maximum amount you can recover for your medical bills as well as pain and suffering from that driver’s automobile insurance company. Sometimes, however, it is possible to find other available funds besides just the automobile insurance. At Strickland & Kendall, we will always look for other sources of money to compensate you as the injured party.
This does not mean insurance companies will agree to tender the $25,000 insurance policy limits to just any claimant. Insurance coverage became a billion-dollar industry by holding on to insurance premiums rather than paying the maximum amount to every claimant. They offer arguments to avoid paying whenever possible, including arguing that you were partially at fault for the accident, the accident was too minor to cause the claimed injuries, or something else caused the claimed injuries. There are three things every car accident injury claim requires: objectively identifiable injuries, a definitive statement that the injuries were caused by the motor vehicle accident, and adequate insurance coverage. Without all three, your car accident injury claim may only be worth a nominal amount.
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident through no fault of your own, it is important to see a doctor early and often to document your injuries and establish that they were caused by the motor vehicle collision. This triggers the requirement for the insurance company for the at-fault driver to provide coverage. Once valid insurance coverage is established, it is important to keep in contact with the attorneys at Strickland & Kendall to keep the option open to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company on your behalf.
An attorney who is experienced and specializes in personal injury claims will know how to do all of the following:
- Negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that all of your rights are protected, and you are receiving a fair settlement that covers your past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Seek out every available policy or source of money to recover for your injuries and losses, and
- Not rush to settle a case “quickly” which often leaves money on the table.
Contact one of our personal injury lawyers at Strickland & Kendall for a free consultation after your motor vehicle accident to offer support and guidance on the path to settling your personal injury claim.