Being rear-ended by a driver without insurance causes stress, confusion, and frustration. You might wonder how to cover the costs of medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other losses when the person responsible doesn’t have the necessary coverage to pay you.
If you are in an accident and the at-fault driver has no or very little insurance, you could still have several options for pursuing compensation. Let the Alabama rear-end accident lawyer at Stokes Stemle, LLC, help you explore them at no upfront cost. Call us today to get started with a free consultation with one of our uninsured driver accident lawyers.
Assessing the Situation After the Accident
The moments and days following a car accident with an uninsured driver are crucial. The steps you take after an accident can help protect your rights and pursue compensation for your losses.
Seek Help Immediately
One of the first things you should do after a rear-end accident is seek help. Request police and medical at the scene. Law enforcement at the scene can help document the incident. The police will obtain the name and contact information of the other driver and confirm that they have no insurance. Any citation issued to the driver can also provide you with evidence for your legal claim.
Be sure to get medical help, too. Even if you do not feel like you have serious injuries, the safest thing you can do is seek a full evaluation to ensure that any injuries you may have suffered are treated.
Document the Scene
Evidence is crucial to proving the other driver is at fault for the accident, even if they do not have insurance. You want to take pictures of skid marks, the vehicles involved in the accident, your visible injuries, and anything else that seems necessary. If anyone saw the accident, be sure to get their names and contact information.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurance company right away after the accident. Explain what happened and let them know the driver who hit you does not have insurance. Stick to the facts and avoid giving a complete testimonial until you’ve consulted an attorney. Failure to alert your insurer in a timely manner could jeopardize your coverage through critical portions of your policy.
Understanding Alabama’s Insurance Requirements and Laws
Alabama state law requires every motorist to carry liability insurance, which covers the cost of accidents the policyholder causes. Furthermore, the state establishes the following minimum limits for this coverage:
- $25,000 per person per accident for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident in property damage
Unfortunately, not everyone follows this important law. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute estimates that about one in seven Alabama drivers lacks mandatory coverage. That’s why the state also requires insurance providers to offer uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) to policyholders at the time of purchase. This coverage steps in to replace the missing coverage an at-fault driver should have. While not technically mandatory, every motorist who has liability coverage should have UM coverage unless they reject it in writing.
Filing a Claim After Being Rear-Ended by an Uninsured Driver
If an uninsured driver has rear-ended you, you may still have several options for pursuing compensation. First, you can file an insurance claim against your own UM provision if you did not reject this coverage in writing when you purchased your policy. Check the terms of your policy to determine whether it covers property damage in addition to bodily injury.
You may also have other optional add-ons to your own insurance coverage that could help. Collision coverage may pay for the damage to your vehicle, while medical payments (MedPay) coverage can help offset the cost of health care.
You could also have grounds to sue the at-fault driver, as they are personally responsible for the cost of the accident, absent any liability policy. However, drivers who forego insurance coverage typically do so because they are worried about the expense and have little personal wealth. Still, a court could impel them to sell property or garnish their wages to pay your expenses.
Legal Options and How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you’ve been rear-ended by an uninsured driver, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the situation. Medical bills, car repairs, and time away from work can pile up quickly. That’s where an experienced personal injury attorney comes in. While you rest and recover from your injuries, your car accident attorney can:
- Investigate the circumstances of the accident and gather evidence to support your claim
- Work with experts to calculate the full and fair value of your case
- File an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company and negotiate for a settlement
- Take legal action against the uninsured driver as necessary
Best of all, most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, which means they only charge you a fee if they win your case. That way, you don’t have to take on additional financial burdens to get the money you deserve.
Why Choose Stokes Stemle, LLC for Your Case?
At Stokes Stemle, LLC, we have experience helping clients in Opelika, Montgomery, and Dothan handle the challenges that come with being hit by an uninsured driver. We take the time to understand your situation and develop a plan tailored to your needs and options.
When you work with us, you can expect clear communication, compassionate support, and a team dedicated to pursuing the best possible outcome for your case. Whether you need help filing an uninsured motorist claim or exploring other legal options, we’re here to guide you at no upfront cost.
Contact Our Alabama Car Accident Lawyers for Help
If you have been rear-ended by an uninsured driver, it is essential that you understand your legal rights. An Alabama rear-end accident lawyer with Stokes Stemle, LLC, can evaluate the details of your case and identify the best strategies to help you pursue fair compensation. We have offices in Opelika, Montgomery, and Dothan so that we can assist clients throughout Alabama. Call us or contact us online to schedule a consultation so you can get answers about your case.
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