Uninsured Motorist Claims
Uninsured Motorist Lawyer in Birmingham, AL
The driver who hit you had no insurance, or not nearly enough. Forstman & Cutchen, LLP has helped injured Alabamians recover what they are owed since 1967.
After the Crash
Why an Uninsured Motorist Lawyer Matters When Your Own Insurer Is the Other Side
Most people assume their own insurer will treat them fairly after a crash. Once you file an uninsured motorist claim, your insurance company steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver. Its goal shifts to paying you as little as possible, even though you paid the premiums for this exact situation. That is why an uninsured motorist lawyer matters from the start.
Alabama generally allows two years from the date of a crash to file most personal injury and uninsured motorist claims, though your own policy may set a shorter notice window. Missing either deadline can end your right to recover. Alabama law also generally requires you to notify your own insurer before you accept a settlement from an underinsured driver's company, and skipping that step can put your UM benefits at risk.
Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule, so insurers look hard for any reason to say you were partly at fault. Adjusters often move quickly to close uninsured motorist files at the lowest possible number, sometimes before the full extent of an injury like a herniated disc or torn ligament is known.
Uninsured and Underinsured Driver Claims
Uninsured Motorist Claims We Handle
Uninsured motorist claims carry traps that ordinary car insurance claims do not. We review your policy line by line and identify every source of coverage. Our practice covers many of the situations where UM coverage applies:
Uninsured drivers
The at-fault driver carried no liability coverage at all.
Underinsured drivers
The other driver's policy limits fall short of your losses.
Hit-and-run crashes
The other driver fled and was never identified.
Multiple vehicle policies
Your household policies may let you combine, or "stack," coverage.
Passengers and pedestrians
You may be covered under a household policy even if you were not driving.
Trucking and commercial crashes
Liability coverage is disputed or lapsed after a trucking accident or commercial vehicle wreck.
How We Build Your Claim
Protecting Your Injury Compensation From Costly Mistakes
We gather the evidence early so a contributory negligence argument has nowhere to go. Call the police and get a crash report (especially in a hit-and-run), get medical care right away, and photograph the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries before anything changes. Report the crash to your insurer, but avoid giving a recorded statement, signing releases, or accepting a check until you speak with an auto accident attorney.
We push back when the adjuster undervalues your medical bills or questions how badly you were hurt. We encourage clients to complete recommended treatment and keep records of every appointment, prescription, and missed day of work, since these details directly support the value of a claim. That documentation often becomes the deciding factor when a claim heads toward negotiation or litigation.
When your uninsured motorist claim succeeds, compensation can cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care tied to your injuries. We work with your doctors, and economists when needed, to document the full value of your claim so the insurance company cannot undervalue what you have lost. You can learn more about related claims on our personal injury page.
Client Feedback
What Clients Say About Our Car Accident Lawyer Team
Our clients come to us at one of the hardest moments of their lives. Here is what some of them have shared about working with Forstman & Cutchen, LLP.
A 5-star review from a client of Forstman & Cutchen, LLP.
Where We Help
Uninsured Motorist Representation Across Central Alabama
Uninsured drivers turn up everywhere, from rush hour backups on I-20/59 and the Red Mountain Expressway to late night wrecks on Highway 280 near our office off I-459. We represent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians hurt throughout these communities:
Unrelenting Advocacy. Proven Results.
Talk to an Uninsured Motorist Attorney Before You Talk to the Adjuster
Your insurer already has a team working to limit what it pays you. Let us review your policy and your crash at no cost, and tell you plainly what your claim may be worth. Our office is open 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, with after hours and weekend meetings available by appointment.