When Is Reporting a Car Accident Mandatory in Alabama?

Alabama law requires you to report a car accident to the police immediately if it results in injury or death. If the crash resulted in injury, death, or over $250 in property damage, you must file a written accident report with the state within 30 days. Failing to take this step could result in criminal penalties.

Beyond avoiding negative consequences, there are other important reasons to file your report promptly. Here’s what you need to know about the process.

What Is the Procedure for Reporting an Alabama Car Accident?

Here’s what the Code of Alabama says about what you must do after a car accident:

• If possible, move your vehicle off the road and onto the shoulder to avoid blocking traffic. However, keep your car as close to the crash scene as possible.
• Give your name, address, and vehicle registration number to the driver of any other vehicle involved in the collision. If someone involved in the crash asks you for your driver’s license, you must show it to them so they can take down your information.
• You must provide reasonable assistance to anyone with injuries. Calling 911 to alert emergency responders is usually enough to satisfy this legal requirement.
• Once you’ve completed the above steps, call the local police or sheriff’s department to report the accident so they can investigate it and file a police accident report.
• If you strike an unattended vehicle, you must try to locate the driver or owner to report what happened. If you can’t locate the owner or driver, you must leave a note with your name, address, and a basic description of the crash in a noticeable place.
• Once you’ve reported the crash to the police, you must file a written car accident report with the state within 30 days if the collision caused any injuries, deaths, or more than $250 in property damage to any individual vehicle. The type of report you must file depends on the circumstances of the crash:
  • If the crash involved injuries, deaths, or over $250 in damage to a vehicle, you must submit an SR-13 report to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
  • If the crash involved any injuries, deaths, or more than $500 in property damage to one vehicle by an uninsured driver, you must file an SR-31 form with the Alabama Law Enforcement agency.

Do I Have to Report the Accident to My Insurance Company?

Most insurance companies require you to report a car accident within a few days of the crash, though some may give you a few weeks to submit your report. It’s critical to follow your insurance company’s accident report requirements. Not filing a report when required could jeopardize a future car accident claim and keep you from recovering compensation for your injuries.

While you must report a car wreck to your insurance company, here are a few things to keep in mind when you talk to them:

• Do not give a recorded statement without talking to a lawyer first.
• Describe the basic facts of the crash, but do not provide more detail than necessary.
• Do not speculate about who caused the collision.
• Avoid saying “I’m sorry” or anything else that might imply you caused the crash.

How Long Do I Have to Report a Car Crash?

Alabama law requires you to report any accident with injuries or fatalities to local law enforcement immediately after the collision. If the crash involved any injuries, deaths, or more than $250 in damage to any individual vehicle, you must submit a written accident report to the state within 30 days.

What Happens If I Don’t Report the Accident?

Failing to report a car accident to the state when required can result in criminal penalties, including losing your driver’s license or a fine. It’s also essential to be truthful when you submit an accident report, as lying on the form can lead to serious consequences.

Not reporting a car accident to your insurance company won’t lead to jail time or fines but could have other consequences. Depending on the insurer and your policy’s terms, they could terminate your coverage if you don’t report an accident. An insurance company might also refuse to pay your claim if you don’t report a crash.

Even if you don’t report an accident to your insurance company, another driver involved might report the crash and contact your insurer, so they’re likely to find out anyway. Honesty is the best policy in these situations, though a car accident lawyer can help you submit your report and avoid sharing information that might hurt your case.

Do I Need a Police Report to File a Personal Injury Claim in Alabama?

Insurance companies usually require an accident report when you file a claim. One reason insurers need these reports is that they provide a baseline account of the collision and the parties involved. Another reason insurers require crash reports is that these companies are always looking for potential fraud, and a police report is proof that an accident actually happened.

The information in a crash report can also help your claim. These reports often contain the responding officer’s notes about any factors that may have contributed to the accident, such as an impaired or distracted driver. When used with other evidence, a police report can help you make a strong case for compensation.

Contact an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

It’s important to follow the law and report an auto accident in Alabama promptly, but your priority after a crash is to heal. The Alabama car accident lawyers at Gartlan Injury Law can file the required reports on your behalf and handle all the other work in a personal injury claim.

Our past clients say we are “very timely, fair and efficient in getting the job done.” We will always keep you informed and up-to-date on what’s happening with your claim. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.

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