Car and Truck Accidents
One of the most common personal injury cases involves automobile accidents. Most people have a car and drive it every day. In fact, Alabamians have a 34 percent chance of being killed or injured in a car accident during their lifetime. Many of the car accidents that our attorneys have represented at our Dothan law office have occurred on Interstate 65, Interstate 10, Highway 231, and Highway 431. Morris, Cary, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC also represent people injured as a result of truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, SUV rollovers, tire tread separations, tire blow outs, and roofs crushed in car or truck rollovers.
Most cases involve Driver A making a claim against Driver B to recover damages from automobile insurance coverage. Unfortunately, in cases where there is catastrophic injury, an insured motorist's coverage may not come close to paying for extensive physical injury and other damages. The standard limits in most insurance policies were established years ago when the costs of medical care were much less than they are today. Many car and truck accident victims discover, after the fact, that the person who injured them is underinsured.
Here is a brief description of the five basic types of auto insurance that deal with injuries and damages that occur in accidents:
Note: These are general descriptions and not meant as legal definitions. Policies are unique to each insurance company and payments are subject to purchased limits. Our attorneys can examine your policy for specific clarifications.
- Liability
If you are at fault, liability insurance will pay to have the other driver's car repaired and cover your liability for the other person's medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.
- Collision
If you are at fault, collision coverage will pay the expense to have your car repaired up to the "totaled value" or your vehicle's value.
- Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage generally covers any damage to the car that occurs in non-accident situations. For example, if a tree falls on your car or a baseball breaks the window, comprehensive would pay for the repairs.
- Uninsured Motorist
Uninsured motorist (UM) policies generally cover medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and mental anguish. This coverage is designed to protect the insured from damages in the case of catastrophic injury caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM or UIM). It is important to realize that if you are injured by an underinsured motorist, you may make a claim against that driver and against your underinsured motorist policy. UM/UIM coverage is surprisingly affordable and all drivers are encouraged to obtain this coverage to protect them against being hit by an at-fault driver without coverage or without adequate coverage.
- Medical Payments
Medical Payment Coverage (MPC) policies provide payment for medical bills that are the result of a car accident. The amount is usually very limited (a $5,000 limit is common).
We can review your insurance policy for you, and through the discovery process in litigation, we can obtain the other driver's insurance policies so we can advise you about all applicable policies of insurance coverage for your specific situation. Call us toll free at 1-800-638-3665 to arrange a free consultation.
Attorneys who will work for you.
Free consultation. No recovery, no fee.
Morris, Cary, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC
3334 Ross Clark Circle 36303
Post Office Box 1649
Dothan, Alabama, 36302
334-792-1420
800-638-3665 toll free
334-673-0077 facsimile
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