While Alabama law requires insurance companies to include uninsured motorist coverage in auto policies, drivers can legally reject it by signing a waiver. Without UM coverage, you could be responsible for your own medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs if an uninsured driver causes an accident. Having UM coverage ensures you are protected if the at-fault driver lacks insurance or has insufficient coverage.
Key Points
- UM coverage is not required in Alabama, but rejecting it means you may be financially unprotected if an uninsured driver causes an accident.
- Alabama law mandates minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage, but this does not cover your losses if the other driver is uninsured.
- UM coverage also protects you in hit-and-run accidents, where the at-fault driver is unknown or flees the scene.
The Benefit of Having Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)
UM coverage is designed to protect you financially if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or does not have enough coverage to pay for your damages. Without UM coverage, you could be left covering medical bills, lost wages, and repair costs on your own.
UM coverage provides:
- Medical expense coverage for injuries caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
- Compensation for lost wages if you’re unable to work due to accident-related injuries.
- Coverage for property damage if the at-fault driver cannot pay for your repairs.
- Protection for hit-and-run accidents, where the at-fault driver is unknown or flees the scene.
Since Alabama allows drivers to reject UM coverage, many people unknowingly put themselves at risk. Choosing not to carry UM means you could be left paying out of pocket after an accident with an uninsured driver.
What To Do After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver
If you’re involved in a crash with an uninsured driver, you still have options to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. After taking the important initial steps—such as ensuring your safety, calling the police, gathering evidence, and seeking medical attention—you can explore different ways to pursue compensation.
File an Insurance Claim With UM
If you have Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurance provider to cover:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering
Your insurance company will step in as if they were covering the at-fault driver, ensuring that you receive compensation even if the other driver has no insurance.
File a Lawsuit
If you don’t have UM coverage, or if your damages exceed your policy limits, you can file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver to seek compensation.
However, if the at-fault driver does not have insurance, they may also lack the financial ability to pay for damages. That’s why having UM coverage is essential—it allows you to collect compensation from your own policy instead of relying on the other driver’s ability to pay.
Contact a Lawyer
Regardless of whether you choose to file a UM claim or a lawsuit, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you:
- Navigate the claims process and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
- Negotiate with your insurance company to maximize your UM payout.
- File a lawsuit if necessary to recover damages beyond insurance limits.
If you were injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, don’t wait—contact a lawyer today to protect your rights and secure the compensation you need. We assist clients in and around the following communities:
Frequently Asked Questions
While Alabama law allows drivers to reject UM coverage, doing so can leave you financially vulnerable after an accident with an uninsured driver. Without UM, you may be forced to pay out of pocket for medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs.
Choosing to carry UM coverage ensures that you are protected, even if the other driver is not insured.
Alabama law requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance to cover damages if they cause an accident. The minimum coverage requirements are:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
This means if you are at fault in an accident, your insurance must cover up to these amounts for the other driver’s injuries and vehicle damage. This coverage does not protect you if the at-fault driver is uninsured—which is why having UM coverage is highly recommended.
The time it takes to settle a UM claim depends on several factors, including:
- How quickly your medical treatment is completed.
- Whether your insurance company disputes your claim.
- Whether additional investigations are required.
On average, the timeline for a UM claim is several weeks to a few months to settle, but if negotiations fail and the case goes to court, it can take a year or longer.
The amount you can receive from a UM claim depends on:
- The severity of your injuries and medical expenses.
- Your lost wages and pain and suffering.
- The policy limits on your uninsured motorist coverage.
For example, if your UM coverage is $50,000, that is the maximum amount you can recover from your own policy—unless you have additional coverage. A lawyer can help negotiate a higher settlement and ensure you receive the full compensation you may deserve.
