Birmingham Car Accident Attorney Calls on Alabama Legislature for Insurance Reform - PR Web (press release)

Birmingham, Al (PRWEB) May 03, 2012

Up until only a few years ago, Alabama did not require mandatory liability insurance for drivers, unlike the overwhelming majority of states. Then, the state passed the current requirement of $25,000. Ideally, this amount is intended to adequately compensate an accident victim for their medical bills, property damage, lost wages and pain and suffering. However, this amount is frequently inadequate.

As noted by Birmingham personal injury attorney, Whit Drake, "The $25,000 is woefully insufficient in many real-world car crashes. If a car accident victim is taken to the emergency room and only has a few follow-up visits with a local practitioner, their medical bills can be over $15,000, exclusive of lost wages, property damage and incidental expenses."

Under Alabama law, an motorist can reject common coverages such as uninsured protection, medical payments coverage, collision, etc. So-called "underinsured coverage" is designed to protect an auto accident victim in the event the at-fault driver either has no insurance or insufficient coverage. Drake stated further, "in today's recessionary environment, I can't imagine operating a motor vehicle on Alabama roadways without underinsured coverage, knowing how many drivers either have minimal limits or no coverage whatsoever".

The state's ability to enforce Alabama's mandatory auto insurance is also an issue. Drake says "Some motorists simply refuse to purchase insurance and risk paying a nominal penalty if stopped by a police officer. Others buy the coverage, get their insurance card and then cancel. Alabama needs to put some teeth into the mandatory car insurance coverage".

While the Alabama legislature does appear close to passing a texting while driving ban, no bills have been passed by the legislature addressing enhanced mandatory coverage.

About Whit Drake

Whit Drake is the principal and founding member of Drake Law Firm, a personal injury and car accident law firm headquartered in Birmingham Alabama. The firm handles car accidents, work injuries, truck crashes, auto defect claims and nursing home neglect cases throughout Alabama.

"No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services to be performed by other lawyers."