I was rear ended over a month ago while sitting in traffic on 459 by a lady trying to get her phone she dropped (her actual police statement) after hitting me she sideswiped a new range rover sending that lady to the hospital. Luckily she hit my trailer instead of my truck because I probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for that but it sucks because I did not have my trailer insured and it is a very expensive specialty trailer. This lady had the absolute minimum coverage a person can have in Alabama. I’ve been communicating with her shit insurance company and found out they totaled the range rover she hit and we are waiting to see what land rovers insurance is going to demand before they divvy up her whopping $25,000 between us. The estimate I have to restore my trailer back to the condition it was in before the wreck is over $25,000 so I’m looking for a lawyer that will go after her for the remainder. Thanks

Pm sent

Yeah I’d had insurance on that trailer for sure

Just so I'm clear, you have a specialty trailer worth over $25,000 and didn't insure it? What insurance company did she have? What kind of vehicle was she driving (i.e. does she have deep pockets)? You didn't have any injuries?

These are all questions a lawyer will want to know before taking the case.

What’s the chances she got anything to get? Probably less than 0 You can get a judgement but you can’t spend it!

I'm truly sorry. But I'm guessing you're gonna be in a world of hurt. If she had that kind of insurance...the first thing that comes to mind is blood from a turnip..

The saying you can't get blood from a turnip comes to mind

For those in the know with the auto insurance biz, am I wrong in thinking that if you are towing a trailer that the trailer is covered with the insurance on the tow vehicle?

If that is the case, the OP should be able to file on his own insurance under the uninsured/underinsured part, correct?

I understand the desire to have the driver who caused the accident pay, but I agree with FFP with his "blood from a turnip" analogy.

This and if there are no injuries the lawyers won't be very interested in a case against someone who doesn't have a pot to piss in.

Even if you win your probably will never collect a dime.

I was thinking.... SOL
Alabama law favors the insurance company. If there's no injury a lawyer won't touch it. There's no money in property damage and replacing your loss is of no concern to the lawyer or the insurance. If your truck is insured, and you carry the underinsured/uninsured rider, then you may get some help from your own insurance claim. I had almost that same scenario when my King Ranch and utility trailer was totalled by a negligent Elmoron. He hit me and then hit a Lexus. The total was over $100k and had $25k coverage. My insurance paid me the maximum amount for the underinsured motorist claim. Both me and the Lexus owner still took home a royal butt****ING.

I had an accident in 2016 hauling a trailer and it was covered, plus the contents of what was on it. The accident was 100% the fault of the other driver and I ended up going through a lawyer after battling with claims for 5 months. I usually try to keep accident attorneys out of my business, but insurance was being ridiculous so I let the attorney handle it. After it was all done the insurance company would’ve been way ahead if they had settled with me without the attorney.

Lesson learned?

call me Alabama

A buddy of mine was in a similar situation a few years ago. The guys pulled out in front of them and hit them. Same situation admitted fault to the state trooper. Minimum insurance. He had two coworkers with him. They just got bruised up bad but the insurance paid them each some small settlements. My friend who lost his truck that was totaled and had to have shoulder surgery and was off work for 3 months had to get an attorney and they had to sue his State Farm for the other guy being under insured.

Yep, no debtors court, unfortunately.

SOL

Wife was rear ended by some gal and it totaled a brand new Yukon. Had to get me a lawyer to try and go after her and her insurance. Took a few months to even get the insurance to pony up and when they did it was only a few grand for medical etc. She had about the same amount of coverage. My insurance totaled the vehicle and replaced it.

Indeed!

Mr. OP, I'm afraid you may be up the creek without a paddle if your uninsured / underinsured coverage on your truck doesn't cover . If you sue her , her insurance will defend her in court. Even though they pay out all they're supposed to. That's some more of Alabama's goofy insurance laws . That under, un insured situation is an uphill battle in Alabama. Evan if she has the means to make you whole , it can be very hard to get it. I got a lesson on this subject bout 12 years ago.

Unless she has assets you can go after you are unfortunately not going to get anywhere outside of her minimal insurance coverage. Usually people with minimal insurance don't have assets to protect.

On a side note, people like me just doubled their liability amount to cover nicer new vehicles. Did it about a month ago. 25,000 won’t cover jack on todays vehicles. 50,000 is iffy.
I upped it for this very reason. Two kinds of people in this world….