Greene & Phillips: Suing insurance companies vs. the individual

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - After a car accident, many people hesitate to call a lawyer because they don’t want to “sue the other person” directly. But in most cases, it’s the insurance company that’s responsible for paying, not the individual driver. Joining us today is David Greene from Greene & Phillips Injury Lawyers to clear up this common misconception.

The following questions and answers were provided by Greene & Phillips:

A lot of people assume that filing a claim means going after the other driver personally. Is that true?

No, not in most cases. The vast majority of claims are handled through insurance. If someone causes a crash, their liability insurance steps in to cover the damages. That’s exactly why insurance is required in the first place: to protect the driver and anyone they might injure. So when we pursue a case, we’re typically dealing with an insurance company, not taking money out of a neighbor’s pocket.

That’s good to know. So what does that process actually look like?

After an accident, the at-fault driver notifies their insurance company, and from then on, you’ll usually be dealing with an adjuster. Their job is to settle the claim as cheaply as possible. They may call quickly with a low offer, or they might even try to get you to admit partial fault. That’s why having an attorney helps: you have someone on your side who knows the tactics and how to push back.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance at all?

Unfortunately, that happens. Alabama has one of the higher rates of uninsured drivers. That’s when your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage becomes critical. It’s built into many auto policies and can step in to cover your medical bills and damages when the other driver can’t. We always encourage people to check their policies and make sure they have enough of that type of coverage.

Bottom line, people shouldn’t be afraid of “suing their neighbor” if they file a claim?

Exactly. That’s a myth that keeps people from getting the help they need. The real fight is almost always with an insurance company, not an individual. And those companies have plenty of resources on their side, which is why it’s important for everyday folks to have representation too.

If someone has questions or needs help after a crash, how can they reach you?

We make it easy. You can stop by our office at 51 North Florida Street anytime, no appointment necessary.

You can also call or text us at 251-300-2000, or visit us online at www.greenephillips.com. And if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.