DIRECT-ACTION STATUTE

direct-action  statute.A  statute  that  grants  an  injured  party  direct  standing  to  sue  an  insurer

instead  of  the  insured  tortfeasor.  •  Under  Rhode  Island’s  direct-action  statute,  for  example,  an

injured party may bring a direct action against an insurer when good-faith efforts to serve process

on  the  insured  are  unsuccessful.  These  statutes  exist  in  several  states,  including  Alabama, D

Arkansas,  Louisiana,  Minnesota,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  Wisconsin.  [Cases:  Insurance

3542. C.J.S. Insurance §§ 1407–1413, 1523, 1642.] [Blacks Law 8th]