Attorney For Selma and Montgomery, Alabama
If an at-fault driver has no insurance, or not enough to cover your injuries, your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can step in and pay. Alabama law requires insurers to include this coverage unless you rejected it in writing. We help drivers in Selma, Montgomery, and West Alabama use the coverage they already paid for.
What is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage, or UM, pays when the driver who hurt you has no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage, or UIM, pays when that driver has some insurance but not enough to cover your harm. Under Alabama Code Section 32-7-23, your insurer must include this coverage in your policy unless you rejected it in writing, so many drivers have it without realizing it.
Why does this coverage matter in Alabama?
Alabama's required minimum liability limits are low, commonly written as 25/50/25, which means as little as 25,000 dollars for one person's injuries. A serious wreck can cost far more than that. When the other driver is uninsured or carries only the minimum, your UM and UIM coverage is often the difference between being made whole and being left with the bills.
How does stacking work?
Alabama allows a form of stacking, which means coverage on more than one vehicle in a policy can add together, subject to limits. Section 32-7-23 limits recovery to the primary coverage plus additional coverages for other vehicles, not to exceed two additional coverages within a single contract. The details depend on your policy, and reading them correctly can meaningfully increase what is available to you.
Will using my own coverage raise my rates?
You paid for this coverage, and using it after a wreck that was not your fault should not be treated as an at-fault claim. Insurers do not always make the process simple, which is why it helps to have someone handle the claim and prove the value of your losses for you.
What should I do after a wreck with an uninsured driver?
Make sure the crash is reported, get medical care, and be careful about giving a recorded statement to any adjuster before you understand your rights. Then let us review your policy to find every coverage that applies to your claim.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have uninsured motorist coverage in Alabama? Most likely yes, unless you signed a written rejection. Alabama Code Section 32-7-23 makes insurers include it by default.
What is the difference between UM and UIM? UM applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance. UIM applies when the driver has insurance but not enough to cover your injuries.
Can I use my UIM coverage and still take the other driver's insurance? Often yes, in sequence and subject to setoffs. The order and offsets are governed by your policy and Alabama law, and we can walk you through it.
Talk with us before you accept any offer. A case review is free and confidential, injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you, and you can reach the office at (334) 230-7986.