If the driver who caused your Montgomery, Alabama, collision did not have insurance, there may be other ways for you to seek compensation for the costs you incurred, and a lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm can help you.
You may be able to file a claim based on your uninsured motorist insurance policy or sue the driver to hold them responsible. Our team will review your collision case for free and explain the steps we believe you should take to secure a payout.
You May Still Have Options for Seeking and Recovering Compensation
Many people worry that they will be left holding the bill if the driver who caused their accident did not have the required auto liability coverage. However, there are several ways the Morris Bart law office in Montgomery helps clients seek compensation to cover these costs.
Recoverable damages through an uninsured motorist insurance policy or personal injury lawsuit could include:
- Current hospital bills
- Future treatment costs
- Lost income and reduced future income
- Vehicle repairs
- Related expenses
- Pain and suffering
Seeking a Payout for Catastrophic Injuries or Wrongful Death
These cases may be more complex if the injuries your loved one suffered are catastrophic or they passed away as a result. Uninsured motorist coverage generally only covers up to the policy maximum, despite some expenses far exceeding these limits.
Our team is here for you and will assess your case if you are in this position.
Morris Bart & Associates, LLC Can Help if an Uninsured Motorist Hit You
The Morris Bart law firm opened its first location more than 40 years ago. Since that time, we have expanded to serve clients in 15 locations throughout four states. We can help victims of traffic accidents in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
We understand how to recover damages for our clients who were the victims of collisions, even if the at-fault driver was not insured as required under Alabama law. When we represent a victim of an uninsured motorist accident, we:
- Investigate what happened to prove fault
- Identify the policies held by each involved party, including both the driver and owner of the other vehicle
- Research to learn if the at-fault driver has the financial resources to cover the losses
- Determine if our client has uninsured motorist coverage
- Document our client’s related damages
Taking Legal Action
Using the information we learned, we can prepare a claim or civil action to seek an appropriate payout for our client based on the circumstances. The at-fault driver may also face criminal penalties for driving without insurance or proof of their ability to cover the costs of a collision.
Our team members fight for the best outcome possible for our clients by protecting their rights and taking steps to seek a fair and just settlement or verdict and court award.
We Provide Our Services for a Contingency Fee
The Morris Bart law firm is a contingency fee firm. We also provide complimentary consultations so accident victims like you can learn more about their options for justice based on the specific details of their collision case.
How does Insurance Coverage Work in a Montgomery Uninsured Motorist Crash?
Under Ala. Code § 32-7-23, all auto liability policies sold in Alabama also include uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage unless the policyholder rejects these policies in writing. Many drivers have UM/UIM policies even though they did not make a conscious choice to buy them.
This coverage plays a key role in securing a victim’s financial recovery if:
- The at-fault driver does not have auto insurance.
- The driver leaves the accident scene and is not identified by the police.
- The driver does not carry adequate liability insurance.
How This Coverage Works
An uninsured/underinsured motorist policy takes the place of the at-fault driver’s liability coverage when necessary. This route allows victims the opportunity to recover compensation without needing to sue the driver who may have no assets to cover the expenses and losses they incurred.
When we pursue damages for our clients in an uninsured motorist accident, we often file claims based on these policies. Only when necessary and if there is a reason to believe the liable party can cover the cost would we file a lawsuit in this type of case.
You Must Meet the Applicable Deadlines to Recover Compensation in Your Case
All Montgomery traffic accident cases have deadlines that apply. In general, you must bring your lawsuit against the at-fault driver in a Montgomery County civil court within two years of the accident, per Ala. Code § 6-2-38.
There are some circumstances that can shorten this timeline, as well. For example, this could occur if the vehicle that hit you belonged to a municipality or another government agency.
Insurance Companies Might Also Impose Deadlines
When the at-fault driver lacks auto liability insurance, the most likely way you will seek compensation is by filing a claim with your own insurance company. Insurers may have deadlines of their own, including:
- A time you need to notify them of the collision
- A deadline for turning in proof of your expenses
There may also be a deadline for suing the insurer if they refuse to cover your claim. Thankfully, this case is relatively rare, and we can often recover compensation for our clients injured by an uninsured motorist without needing to go to court at all.
Speak to an Attorney About Your Montgomery Traffic Accident Case Today
The Morris Bart law office in Montgomery has attorneys available to speak with you about your traffic accident case for free today. We want to discuss what happened so we can help you discover your options for pursuing compensation in your case.
Call (334) 523-0664 now to connect with our office in Montgomery County. We are here for you, and our lawyers can help with your uninsured motorist claim or civil suit.
Questions?Call (334) 523-0664
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
