Nearly one in five Alabama drivers—19.5% according to the Insurance Information Institute—operates a vehicle without proper liability insurance, making Alabama the 7th worst state in the nation for uninsured motorists. If you’ve been injured by one of these drivers, you may feel your options for compensation have vanished. They haven’t. At Strickland Law Group, attorneys Michael Strickland and William Strickland have helped accident victims recover compensation for over 30 years, securing over $1 billion in settlements and judgments. This guide explains exactly how Alabama law protects you and the specific steps you can take to recover the money you deserve.
What Uninsured Motorist Coverage Means Under Alabama Law
Alabama Code § 32-7-23 establishes important protections for drivers who are hit by uninsured motorists. Under this statute, every automobile liability insurance policy issued in Alabama must include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage unless you specifically reject it in writing.
The law defines an “uninsured motor vehicle” as one where the owner or operator carries no bodily injury liability insurance, the policy limits fall below Alabama’s minimum requirements, the insurer becomes insolvent after the policy is issued, or the total available coverage is less than the damages you’re legally entitled to recover.
Alabama’s minimum liability insurance requirements are commonly referred to as “25/50/25” coverage. This means $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 maximum for all bodily injuries per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division, the state’s uninsured motorist rate is estimated at 22%, which ranks sixth worst nationally. This statistic underscores why UM coverage is so critical for Alabama drivers.
How Strickland Law Group Approaches Uninsured Motorist Cases
When clients contact Strickland Law Group after being hit by an uninsured driver, attorney Michael Strickland and his team follow a systematic process developed over three decades of practice. Since founding the firm in 1994 after graduating from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, Michael Strickland has personally tried more than one hundred cases and achieved positive jury verdicts and substantial financial settlements totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
The firm’s approach begins with immediate evidence preservation. This includes obtaining police reports, gathering witness statements, photographing the accident scene and vehicle damage, and securing medical records documenting your injuries.
William Strickland, who earned his J.D. from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law in 2024 and interned for Honorable Curtis Ivy, Jr. at the U.S. District Court in Eastern Michigan, assists with case development and client communication. The father-son legal team combines decades of courtroom experience with fresh perspectives on modern legal strategies.
The firm then conducts a thorough policy review to identify all available coverage, including UM coverage on your own policy, potential stacking of coverage across multiple vehicles (Alabama allows stacking up to three vehicles per § 32-7-23(c)), any applicable underinsured motorist coverage, and coverage under policies of household family members.
Your Legal Options for Recovering Compensation
Option 1: Filing an Uninsured Motorist Claim with Your Insurance Company
Your most straightforward path to compensation is typically filing a claim under your own UM coverage. This coverage functions similarly to a liability claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. It covers medical expenses and rehabilitation costs, lost wages during recovery, pain and suffering, property damage to your vehicle, and permanent disability or disfigurement.
Under Alabama law, insurance companies must offer UM coverage, and it’s included automatically unless you reject it in writing. If you never signed a rejection form, you likely have this coverage.
Option 2: Filing a Lawsuit Against the Uninsured Driver
You retain the legal right to sue an uninsured driver directly for your damages. However, as attorneys at Strickland Law Group counsel their clients, collecting on a judgment presents practical challenges.
Most uninsured drivers lack coverage because they cannot afford insurance premiums. This often means they also lack significant assets to satisfy a court judgment. However, if investigation reveals the at-fault driver owns property, operates a business, or has other attachable assets, a lawsuit may be worthwhile.
Alabama law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits under Alabama Code § 6-2-38. Missing this deadline typically bars you from filing suit entirely.
Option 3: Identifying Other Liable Parties
An experienced Alabama accident attorney may identify additional parties who share liability for your accident. These could include employers if the at-fault driver was working at the time (respondeat superior), vehicle owners who negligently entrusted their car to an uninsured driver, manufacturers of defective auto parts that contributed to the crash, or government entities responsible for dangerous road conditions.
Understanding Alabama’s Contributory Negligence Rule
Alabama follows a strict legal doctrine called “pure contributory negligence” that makes skilled legal representation essential. Under this rule, if you’re found even 1% at fault for an accident, you’re completely barred from recovering any compensation.
Only a handful of states still follow this harsh standard. Most states use “comparative negligence” systems that reduce your compensation proportionally to your fault percentage but don’t eliminate it entirely.
Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys in Alabama actively search for any evidence suggesting you contributed to the accident. Common tactics include arguing you were slightly speeding, claiming you were distracted, suggesting you failed to wear a seatbelt, or asserting you didn’t take evasive action.
This is precisely why working with an experienced firm like Strickland Law Group matters. Attorney Michael Strickland, admitted to practice in Alabama, Georgia, Vermont, and Washington D.C., as well as U.S. Federal Court and the United States Court of Federal Claims, has extensive experience combating contributory negligence defenses.
Measurable Outcomes: Settlement Examples from Alabama Uninsured Motorist Cases
Strickland Law Group has achieved numerous significant recoveries for accident victims across Alabama. Among the firm’s documented results are a $30,000,000+ consumer fraud judgment, a $2,240,000 slip and fall recovery, a $1,875,000 18-wheeler accident settlement, a $725,000 dump truck accident recovery, a $5,320,000 auto and tire product liability verdict, and a $2,500,000 ATV judgment.
While every case is unique and past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, these figures demonstrate the firm’s capability to achieve substantial compensation for seriously injured clients. Uninsured motorist claims, when properly handled, can result in significant recoveries up to your policy limits.
Step-by-Step Guide: What to Do After Being Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Alabama
Step 1: Document Everything at the Scene
Immediately after an accident, if physically able, call 911 and request police respond to the scene. Exchange information with the other driver, including name, address, phone number, and vehicle information. Photograph damage to all vehicles, the accident scene, and any visible injuries. Collect witness names and contact information. Note weather, road conditions, and traffic signals. Request the police report number before leaving.
Step 2: Seek Medical Attention Promptly
Even if injuries seem minor, see a healthcare provider within 24-48 hours. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, may not present symptoms immediately. Medical documentation creates crucial evidence linking your injuries to the accident.
Step 3: Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurer promptly, as most policies require timely notification. Inform them the at-fault driver was uninsured. Don’t provide recorded statements or accept settlements without consulting an attorney first.
Step 4: Contact Strickland Law Group
Reach the firm’s Montgomery office at 334-269-3230 or toll-free at 800-874-3528 for a free consultation. The firm offers 24/7 availability and serves clients in all 50 states, with physical offices in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, Vermont, and Washington D.C.
During your consultation, the legal team will review your coverage, assess your case value, explain your legal options, and discuss representation on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.
Step 5: Preserve All Evidence and Documentation
Keep copies of all medical bills and records, pay stubs showing lost wages, repair estimates and invoices, correspondence with insurance companies, photographs from the accident, and the police report.
Why Alabama Drivers Need Higher UM Coverage Limits
Given Alabama’s high uninsured motorist rate, insurance experts recommend carrying UM/UIM coverage that matches or exceeds your liability coverage limits. Upgrading from minimum coverage ($25,000/$50,000) to higher limits ($100,000/$300,000) typically costs only about 5% more in premiums.
Consider this scenario: You’re seriously injured by an uninsured drunk driver. Your medical bills total $150,000, you lose $40,000 in wages during recovery, and you experience significant pain and suffering. If you only carry minimum UM coverage of $25,000 per person, you’ll face over $165,000 in uncompensated losses.
Alabama law also permits “stacking” UM coverage across multiple vehicles on your policy, up to three vehicles maximum. This can significantly increase your available recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue an uninsured driver in Alabama?
Yes, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against an uninsured driver within Alabama’s two-year statute of limitations. However, collecting on a judgment may prove difficult if the driver lacks assets. An attorney can investigate whether a lawsuit makes practical sense in your situation.
Does Alabama require uninsured motorist coverage?
Alabama requires insurers to offer UM coverage with every auto liability policy, but drivers can reject it in writing. If you didn’t sign a written rejection, you likely have coverage at minimum limits ($25,000/$50,000).
What if the uninsured driver was a hit-and-run?
Your UM coverage applies to hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Strickland Law Group regularly handles these cases, working to maximize compensation through your own policy when the negligent driver flees the scene.
How long do I have to file an uninsured motorist claim in Alabama?
While no specific statute of limitations applies to insurance claims, your policy likely requires “prompt” or “reasonable” notification. For lawsuits, Alabama’s two-year statute of limitations under § 6-2-38 applies. Contact an attorney immediately to protect your rights.
What damages can I recover through UM coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage compensates for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, permanent disability, and other accident-related losses—the same damages available through a liability claim against an insured at-fault driver.
Take Action Today: Protect Your Rights After an Uninsured Driver Accident
With nearly 20% of Alabama drivers operating without insurance, your next accident could involve an uninsured motorist. If it already has, don’t assume you have no options. Alabama law provides multiple pathways to compensation, and Strickland Law Group has spent over 30 years helping accident victims navigate these complex cases.
Attorney Michael Strickland, a Past President of the Association for Justice and member of the American Association for Justice, leads a team that has recovered over $1 billion in settlements and judgments. The firm operates on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing unless they win your case.
Contact Strickland Law Group today at 334-269-3230 or toll-free at 800-874-3528 for your free consultation. Available 24/7, the firm can meet you at their Montgomery office, your home, or your hospital room. Don’t let an uninsured driver’s negligence leave you without the compensation you deserve.
This article references publicly available information from the Insurance Information Institute, Alabama Department of Revenue, Insurance Research Council, and the Code of Alabama, including official documentation and published statistics dated 2019-2025. All metrics and legal citations are from documented sources. Results described are specific to Strickland Law Group and may vary based on case circumstances, coverage limits, and individual factors. For current information about Alabama insurance laws or legal representation, consult the official state website or contact Strickland Law Group directly at jurytrial.us.