Car accidents happen every day in Mobile, and many drivers believe their auto insurance will protect them if another driver causes a crash. However, the shocking reality is that many drivers in Alabama and across the country carry minimal insurance or no insurance at all. When uninsured drivers cause serious crashes, innocent victims suffer significant financial losses if their auto insurance policy does not cover them.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, our experienced car accident lawyers in Mobile hope you never get into a car accident, but if you do, we want to be sure you have the coverage you need. Learn more about Alabama UM/UIM coverage, including why it is important and more affordable than you think.

Do you need legal help after a car crash in Mobile? Our highly qualified legal team works with car accident victims throughout Mobile and Baldwin County every day. After being injured in a crash you didn’t cause, you should not have to fight to recover compensation. We roll up our sleeves and fight for you so you can focus on healing and getting back to your life.

Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys to request your FREE case review today. 251-888-8888.

What Are the Odds of Getting Hit by an Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist in Mobile?

According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), studies show that 15.4 percent of drivers nationwide are uninsured. That is approximately one in every seven drivers. The number of underinsured drivers nationwide – at 18 percent or one in every six drivers – is even higher.

These factors may increase your risk of being involved in a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver:

• High-Traffic Areas: Busy intersections and congested roads in Mobile increase your exposure to all drivers, including those without insurance.
• Rush Hour Commutes: Driving on major highways during peak traffic times creates more opportunities for car accidents due to more drivers on the road.
• Weekend and Holiday Travel: These periods often see increased accident rates and may involve drivers who use vehicles less frequently.
• Economic Factors: Areas with higher unemployment or financial stress may have more drivers who cannot afford insurance premiums.
• Construction Zones: Roadwork areas create challenging driving conditions that can lead to accidents due to stressed, distracted or reckless drivers.
• Bad Weather Events: Poor weather conditions always create an increased risk of car accidents, including for drivers who do not regularly maintain their insurance coverage.
• Late Night Hours: Nighttime driving creates numerous high-risk driving situations, especially for drivers who work alternate shifts, drivers who are overly tired, or potentially impaired drivers who may also lack proper insurance.

Why You Probably Don’t Have Enough UM/UIM Coverage

Most Alabama drivers accept the minimum UM/UIM coverage their insurance company offers without understanding what it protects. 

The minimum required coverage drivers must carry under state law is just $25,000 in bodily injury per person/$50,000 bodily injury per accident. The minimum property damage insurance required is just $25,000 per incident. These limits would not provide much for a family injured in a serious car crash. 

The state also requires a minimum of $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage – your insurance company must offer you this coverage. Unfortunately, you can easily reject this coverage (in writing); and many drivers do. 

Sadly, many drivers assume this insurance is enough. But if you get into a crash with an uninsured driver, this minimal coverage will not go far. It fails to consider the true cost of medical treatment, lost wages, and vehicle replacement after a serious accident. 

Look at it this way. Your UM/UIM coverage should protect you as if the at-fault driver carried adequate insurance, not just the bare minimum required by law. If you would want an at-fault driver to carry $100,000 in coverage to protect your family, your own UM/UIM policy should match that amount. Most drivers discover their coverage shortfall only after an accident, when it becomes too late to increase their protection.

How Much One Car Accident Could Cost You in 2025

Medical expenses from car accidents have always been costly, but they have reached staggering levels in 2025. The mounting costs you can expect to pay from a single car crash may include:

• Single Ambulance Ride in Mobile: Expect to pay between $1,200 and $2,500
• Emergency Room Visits: A basic examination and care could cost you $3,000 or more. 
• Serious Injuries Require Surgery: Severe injuries requiring intensive care, surgery, or extended hospital stays can generate bills exceeding $100,000 within days. 
• Physical Therapy/Ongoing Care: Follow-up appointments and prescription medications add thousands more to your total expenses over months of recovery.
• Loss of Income: Another financial hit for crash victims who cannot work while recovering.
• Average Vehicle Repair Costs: Even if you have “only” moderate damage, the cost to repair your vehicle may range between $8,000 to $15,000 or higher, depending on the vehicle.

When you combine immediate medical expenses, ongoing treatment costs, lost wages, and property damage, a serious accident can easily cost $200,000 or more. These amounts far exceed the $25,000 minimum coverage that most Alabama drivers carry.

What Is the Right Amount of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Mobile?

The right amount of UM/UIM coverage should protect you from the actual costs of car accident injuries. Consider these factors when choosing your coverage limits, remembering when you purchase insurance is as critical as how much coverage you buy

• Match Your Liability Coverage: If you carry $100,000 in liability insurance, choose the same amount in UM/UIM protection for consistency.
• Medical Cost Reality: Hospital stays and surgeries easily exceed $100,000, making minimum $25,000 coverage grossly insufficient.
• Family Protection: Remember higher limits ensure more protection for all passengers in your vehicle, including children, relatives, or friends.

How Much Does it Cost to Carry UM/UIM Coverage in Alabama?

UM/UIM coverage costs far less than most drivers expect, especially when compared to how much it could cost you if you choose to go without it. The affordable premiums make this protection accessible for nearly every Alabama driver. 

• Relative Cost: UM/UIM coverage represents a small percentage of your total auto insurance premium.
• Affordable Increases: Moving from minimum coverage to higher limits costs significantly less than other coverage types.
• Low Claims Frequency: Insurance companies charge reasonable rates because UM/UIM claims occur less often than other types of claims.
• Individual Variations: Your exact cost depends on your driving record, age, location, and chosen insurance company.

Without UM/UIM coverage, you risk personally having to pay your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage when uninsured drivers cause accidents. The small annual premium prevents potentially devastating out-of-pocket expenses that could reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Other Ways UM/UIM Insurance Protects You in Alabama

UM/UIM coverage may extend beyond typical car accidents to protect you in additional scenarios. These situations depend on your specific policy language, so check with your insurance company to confirm your exact coverage details.

• Hit-and-Run Accidents: Your UM coverage may pay when fleeing drivers leave the scene before police arrive.
• Pedestrian Protection: If an uninsured driver strikes you while walking, your UM coverage may handle medical expenses.
• Bicycle Accidents: Your policy may cover injuries when uninsured motorists hit you while cycling.
• Passenger Coverage: UM/UIM typically protects passengers in your vehicle when uninsured drivers cause crashes.
• Out-of-State Travel: Your Alabama UM coverage travels with you during trips to other states.
• Inadequate Commercial Coverage: When delivery trucks or business vehicles carry insufficient insurance, your UIM coverage may fill the gap.
• Family Member Protection: Coverage may extend to household family members in certain situations involving uninsured drivers.

Why Seek Help From Our Mobile Injury Law Firm After a Crash With an Uninsured Driver

You need more than luck to protect yourself from uninsured and underinsured drivers. With more than 15 percent of drivers lacking proper coverage, and medical costs continuing to rise, having sufficient UM/UIM protection is not just peace of mind; it is essential.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we have a deeply committed team of lawyers and staff who know all too well the devastation families can face after being hit by an uninsured driver. We also know the tactics insurers use to try to reduce payouts for these claims. 

When we represent you, we work hard to protect your legal rights and best interests. We are always prepared to go to trial, and if we believe it is in the best interest of our clients, we even push for it to avoid unnecessary delays. There are no upfront costs to pay when we represent you, and if we don’t win your case, we don’t get a dime!

Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys today to get started. 251-888-8888