Getting hit by a driver who flees the scene leaves you with more than just injuries and a damaged vehicle. Who will pay your medical bills, cover your lost wages, and compensate you for your pain if police can’t find the driver who hit you?

Fortunately, Alabama law requires drivers to carry specific insurance coverage that protects you in exactly this situation. But what coverage applies, and what else can you do to make sure you don’t end up paying out of pocket for your damages?

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we have fought for countless crash victims in Mobile, including those struck in hit-and-run accidents. We know how insurance companies try to exploit confusion about coverage or use technicalities to avoid paying valid claims.

When we represent you, we believe you deserve answers and results. Our experienced lawyers aggressively seek to hold liable insurance companies accountable — we fight for every dollar you deserve so you don’t have to!

Request your FREE consultation today. No Cost. No Risk. Just Results. 251-888-8888

Who Pays for My Medical Bills After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Mobile?

Your own auto insurance policy typically pays your medical bills after a hit-and-run crash through uninsured motorist coverage. A hit-and-run driver is legally considered an uninsured motorist under Alabama law because they cannot be identified or held accountable. When this happens, your insurance company essentially takes over from the at-fault driver to compensate you for the injuries and damages their policyholder would otherwise be responsible for covering..

There may be several types of insurance coverage you can use to help cover your medical costs after a hit-and-run. It’s a good idea to review your auto insurance policy at least once a year to make sure your needs have not changed and that you understand the coverage you currently have. You don’t want to get into a collision only to find out you don’t have the protection you need.

After a hit-and-run crash, these are some types of insurance that may help to cover your damages.

Health Insurance

Your health insurance can help to cover immediate medical treatment after a hit-and-run crash. Covered costs may include emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and follow-up care according to the specific terms of your policy and deductibles.

Be aware that health insurance companies typically place a lien on any settlement, which simply means you will need to reimburse them once your case resolves for what they paid toward your treatment.

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

If you purchased optional Medical Payments coverage (MedPay), this will pays your medical bills up to your policy limits no matter who caused the crash. MedPay typically ranges from $1,000 to $10,000 in coverage limits, though you can purchase higher amounts.

What’s nice about MedPay is that it provides quick payment for your treatment without you needing to prove fault first. This coverage helps to fill gaps left by high health insurance deductibles and copays, ensuring you can seek treatment while your uninsured motorist claim is being resolved.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage (UMBI)

This coverage pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages if the at-fault driver has no insurance or flees the scene.

In Alabama, uninsured motorist coverage limits typically match your liability coverage limits, starting at the state minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash, though many drivers carry higher limits.

UMBI is the primary source of compensation for hit-and-run victims in Alabama. Unlike MedPay, which only covers medical bills, uninsured motorist coverage compensates you for the full scope of your damages just as if you were pursuing a claim against the at-fault driver directly.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

If you lack adequate health insurance or MedPay coverage, you may be forced to pay some medical bills yourself until you recover compensation through your uninsured motorist claim. This can create severe financial hardship for many victims. Some medical providers may agree to treat you on a lien basis, meaning they wait for payment until your case settles, but not all providers offer this option.

Do Drivers in Alabama Have to Buy Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

No. Alabama does not require drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage, but insurance companies must offer it to you when you buy a policy. You have the right to reject this coverage in writing, but doing so leaves you vulnerable if a hit-and-run driver or uninsured motorist injures you.

Many Alabama drivers unknowingly waive this critical protection without understanding the consequences. If you rejected uninsured motorist coverage and get hurt in a hit-and-run crash, you may have no way to recover compensation for your injuries.

Can I Still File a Claim if the Police Never Find the Driver Who Hit Me?

Yes. You can file an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company even if the police never identify or locate the hit-and-run driver. Alabama law does not require you to find the at-fault driver before accessing your UM coverage. However, your insurance company will require you to prove that a hit-and-run crash actually occurred and that another driver caused your injuries. This is why reporting the crash to police immediately and gathering whatever evidence you can at the scene is critical to protecting your claim.

Insurance companies often scrutinize hit-and-run claims more carefully because they cannot pursue the at-fault driver for reimbursement. They may question whether the crash happened as you described or suggest you caused your own injuries.

The following evidence will help to support your claim:

• Police report documenting the hit-and-run
• Witness statements if available
• Photos of vehicle damage and the crash scene (do not put yourself in danger to do this)
• Medical records linking your injuries to the crash
• Any other evidence that supports your version of events

The stronger your documentation, the harder it will be for your insurance company to deny your legitimate claim.

What Happens if I Only Have Liability Insurance When Someone Hits and Runs?

Unfortunately, this likely means you have no coverage. Liability insurance only pays for damage you cause to others, not for injuries you suffer yourself. If you rejected uninsured motorist coverage or never purchased it, your insurance policy will not pay anything for your medical bills, lost wages, or vehicle damage after a hit-and-run crash.

Without UM coverage, your only option is hoping police are able to locate the driver that hit you and fled. The hard truth is that even when police do find hit-and-run drivers, most have no insurance and no assets worth pursuing. You are left paying for everything out of pocket for injuries someone else caused.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we cannot stress enough that uninsured motorist coverage is critical protection every Alabama driver needs.

Common FAQs We Get About Hit-and Run Crashes in Mobile

What should I do immediately after a hit-and-run in Mobile?

Call 911 and report the crash. Try to remember vehicle details like color, make, model, and license plate. Take photos of damage and the scene. Get witness contact information. Seek medical treatment immediately and report the crash to your insurance company within 24 hours.

How long do I have to report a hit-and-run crash to my insurance company?

Report within 24 to 48 hours. Your policy requires prompt notification, and delays give insurance companies grounds to deny your claim. The sooner you report, the stronger your case.

Can I still get compensation if I have minimal insurance coverage?

Your compensation is capped at your policy limits. If you carry only $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage but suffer $100,000 in damages, you can only recover $25,000 unless police find the driver.

How Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys Helps Crash Victims Get the Compensation They Deserve

We don’t waste time with insurance companies that refuse to respect our clients. When your own insurance company tries to deny or lowball your hit-and-run claim, we move fast and hit hard.

We Strategize Against Insurance Company Tactics

Our experienced Mobile car accident lawyers know every tactic insurance adjusters use to avoid paying valid claims, and we shut them down with aggressive advocacy and solid evidence.

Our Legal Team Gathers Evidence for a Robust Case

We build your case to win, gathering police reports, witness statements, medical records, and crash scene documentation that proves your injuries and forces your insurance company to pay what they owe.

Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys Follows a Trial-Ready Approach

What sets us apart is our trial-ready approach. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial because insurance companies only respect lawyers who are willing and able to take them to court.

Our Realistic Mock Courtroom Ensures We Are Always Prepared for a Trial

Our firm features the only mock courtroom in Alabama, where we prepare our clients for litigation in a realistic courtroom setting. This facility gives you the confidence and preparation you need if your case goes to trial, and it sends a clear message to insurance companies that we are not bluffing.

Insurers know we are ready to put them in front of a jury, which makes settlements happen faster and for more money. We do not flip cases. We build them to win.

Call Our Mobile Injury Lawyers for Help With Your Hit-and-Run Car Crash Claim

A hit-and-run driver should not get away with destroying your life while you are left paying the bills. Your own insurance company owes you fair compensation, but they will fight to pay as little as possible. You need a law firm that moves fast, fights hard. We refuse to back down when insurance companies try to play games with your claim.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we are deeply committed to holding insurance companies accountable and recovering full compensation for victims injured by negligent drivers across Mobile and the Gulf Coast of Alabama.

Remember that there are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs to pay when we represent you, and Andy Wins or you don’t pay us a dime!

Call today to request a FREE, no-risk case review: (251) 888-8888.