What Happens If You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
You’re driving home from work, following all traffic laws, when suddenly another car runs a red light and slams into your vehicle. As you exchange information, you realize the other driver has no insurance. Now what? Without the right protection, you could be left paying for personal injury and medical bills out of pocket, even though the accident wasn’t your fault.
This scenario is more common than you might think. According to the Insurance Research Council, nearly one in eight drivers in the U.S. is uninsured. In Alabama, the rate is even higher. Without uninsured motorist coverage, recovering compensation for your personal injury claims can be challenging, if not impossible.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is part of your auto insurance policy designed to protect you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who has no insurance. This coverage can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other personal damages resulting from the crash.to
Alabama law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist coverage, but you can opt out in writing. Many drivers choose to keep this coverage because it provides critical financial protection in situations where the at-fault driver lacks the bodily injury liability insurance to cover your losses.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Also Applies to the Underinsuredat-fault
While uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage helps when the other driver’s insurance limits are too low to cover your expenses.
In Alabama, the minimum bodily injury liability insurance requirement of $25,000 is often not enough to cover the costs of a serious accident. Having UM coverage will also apply when the at-fault driver has low limits and this ensures you’re financially protected, no matter the circumstances.
Why Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Important?
High Rate of Uninsured Drivers
Despite Alabama’s insurance requirements, many drivers still fail to carry coverage. If you’re hit by one of these drivers, you could be left without compensation unless you have uninsured motorist coverage.
Protecting Yourself from Financial Hardship
Without UM coverage, recovering damages after an accident can be a long and expensive legal battle. Even if you sue the at-fault driver, they may not have the assets to compensate you. Uninsured motorist coverage ensures you don’t bear the financial burden of someone else’s negligence.
Coverage for Hit-and-Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents are another situation where uninsured motorist coverage becomes invaluable. If the at-fault driver flees the scene and is never identified, your UM policy can step in to cover your damages. Uninsured motorist coverage inures to a person and thus you can be covered if an uninsured motorist strikes you when you are on a bicycle or a pedestrian.
How Tobias & Comer Law Can Help
At Tobias & Comer Law, we understand the stress and uncertainty that follow a car accident—especially when the other driver is uninsured. Our team is dedicated to helping you navigate your legal options and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured by an uninsured driver, we are here to support you every step of the way–contact Tobias & Comer Law today to discuss your case.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will explore how uninsured motorist coverage applies after an accident and what steps you should take to protect yourself.