Have you been injured in an accident involving an uninsured driver in Birmingham, Alabama? You may still be able to recover compensation. Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers can help you determine your legal options. Contact us today at 205-973-6417 for a free consultation with a Birmingham uninsured motorist claims lawyer.
Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $400 million for accident victims in the area to date. If you hire us, we’ll work hard to maximize the value of your claim at every stage of the legal process.
How Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With an Uninsured Motorist Claim in Birmingham, AL
Being hit by a driver who has no insurance can leave you feeling like there’s nowhere to turn. However, Alabama law offers victims more legal options than they often anticipate, at least initially.
At the same time, you may need to hire an experienced Birmingham motorvehicle accidents lawyer to actually recover everything you’re entitled to. Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers is a proven law firm that will go the distance for you.
If you hire us to represent you in Birmingham, AL, we can:
- Investigate your accident and determine the best path forward
- Review your insurance policy to identify all available sources of coverage
- Collect the evidence needed to prove your claim
- Work with leading experts as necessary to strengthen your case
- Handle all communication with the insurance companies
- Negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf
- File a lawsuit and take your case to court if needed
Give us a call or reach out online today to get started. Our Birmingham personal injury attorneys will do everything we can to make sure you get the recovery you deserve.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Work in Alabama?
Alabama is a fault-based state for auto insurance, which means the driver who caused your accident may be legally responsible for your losses. However, when that driver has no insurance, collecting compensation directly from them can be difficult. That’s where your own insurance coverage may come in.
Under Alabama Code § 32-7-23, qualifying auto liability policies issued in the state must include uninsured motorist coverage unless the named insured rejects the coverage. If you are unsure whether you have UM coverage, an attorney can review your policy and other insurance documents.
UM coverage may provide compensation for losses such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, subject to the policy and applicable law. Alabama’s minimum UM bodily injury limits generally correspond to the state’s minimum liability limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
What If the Driver Is Underinsured or Leaves the Scene?
An accident can also involve a driver who has insurance but does not have enough coverage to compensate you for your losses. Alabama law treats certain vehicles as uninsured when the available bodily injury liability coverage is less than the damages an injured person is legally entitled to recover.
UM coverage may also apply in some hit-and-run accidents when the responsible driver cannot be identified. Whether coverage is available depends on the circumstances of the accident, the applicable insurance policy, and Alabama law.
During your free consultation, our Birmingham car accident attorneys can review your policy, identify available coverage, and explain your options for pursuing a claim.
How Does Alabama’s Contributory Negligence Rule Affect a UM Claim?
Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule. If your own negligence proximately contributed to the accident, you may be barred from recovering damages in a negligence claim.
This rule can also affect an uninsured motorist claim because UM benefits generally protect insured people who are legally entitled to recover damages from an uninsured driver. As a result, your own conduct leading up to the crash can become an important issue when determining whether compensation is available.
What If the Insurance Company Says I Caused the Accident?
An insurance company may argue that you contributed to the crash in an effort to dispute liability for a UM claim. However, an allegation of fault does not automatically establish that you were contributorily negligent.
Evidence such as photographs, video footage, witness statements, police reports, and vehicle damage may help establish how the accident occurred. A personal injury lawyer can investigate the crash, respond to unsupported contributory fault allegations, and present evidence supporting your claim.
Contact Our Experienced Birmingham Uninsured Motorist Claims Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Being hit by an uninsured driver in Birmingham, AL, doesn’t mean you’re out of options. With the right legal representation on your side, you can fight for the compensation you need to move forward as best as possible.
Our Birmingham uninsured motorist claims lawyers with Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers have obtained over $400 million for our clients and will work just as hard for you. Contact us today to schedule a completely free initial consultation and learn more.