Some insurance companies are using COVID and the resulting lack of jury trials to drastically underpay Alabamians involved in traffic accidents. The result is that victims can be left with large medical bills to pay.

Here is how it works: insurance companies offer to settle the case for pennies on the dollar. You either accept it or wait until a jury can hear your case. At this point, no one knows how long that might be. Because of fear of contamination, jury trials in civil cases (like car wrecks) in Alabama are being indefinitely postponed or severely backed up.

The real problem is that many of the neediest Alabamians cannot wait.

Imagine that you are out of work, in unbelievable pain, your kids need clothes for school, and there is only a meager amount of food on the table. What would you do?

I know of a case involving a man who suffered a broken back – yes, a broken back – and there was half a million dollars in insurance coverage. The insurance company offered only $15,000. That amount was so small that it would not have paid all his medical bills. If he had accepted it, he would have been on the hook for the rest of the hospital and doctor payments. And remember, this proposal failed to offer anything for his lost wages, pain and suffering, or medical supplies.

Some of the most well-known and successful insurance companies are taking advantage of the pandemic to fatten their wallets.  In my opinion, it is just exploitation. The problem is so severe that I would not be surprised if the states’ attorneys general get involved, and we begin to see congressional inquiries. I have no doubt that you will see more news stories focusing on the dire situation of victims.

If you are involved in a traffic accident , this problem is why you need an attorney that understands how insurance companies work and where to put pressure so that you get a fair deal.

If you suffer a personal injury like an auto/truck accident, railroad accident, or slip and fall, you can talk to us at the Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie for free. We want to help you get back on your feet.

Join us on NBC 15 LawCall here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30, right after the news. We are taking a fall break and will offer 5-minute segments for the rest of the year and a live call-in segment every Monday on NBC 15 at around lunchtime.

Allen Ritchie

Alabama Personal Injury Lawyer

The post Trouble in AL: COVID and Your Car Wreck first appeared on Steele Ritchie.