- First, make sure everyone is all right.
- Don't say it was your fault. Your
insurance company may not pay if you do.
- Call the police.
- Tell the officer who investigates what
happened.
When
do I have to report an accident?
- If anyone is killed or hurt in the
accident, or
- If there is more than $250 in damage
How
do I report?
- Send an accident report (Form SR-13) to
the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
- Do it within 30 days after the accident.
- You can get the form from the local
police, the sheriff or the local state trooper's office.
- You can also get the form SR-13 online.
- To help you fill in the form, get a copy
of the investigating officer's accident report.
How
do I get a copy of the accident report?
- For a fee, you can get a copy from the
office that investigated your accident, or
- Mail your completed form and a $15 money
order (not a check) to:
Department
of public Safety Crash Reports P.O. Box 1471
Montgomery, Alabama 36102-1471
- Be sure to include the other driver's
full name, driver's license number (if you get it), the date of the
accident and the county where the accident happened.
Who
else do I have to call?
- Report the accident to your insurance
company right away.
What happens if the accident was the other driver's fault?
- If you have collision coverage, your
insurance company usually pays (up to policy limits) for your repairs. If
you have personal injury or uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance
company usually pays (up to policy limits) for your medical bills.
- If your insurance company pays, it will
try to collect from the other driver. Do what your insurance agent tells
you.
- If the other driver has insurance, that
insurance company may agree you were not at fault. If so, it will pay for
your repairs or pay back your insurance company.
- If the other driver has no insurance, and
your insurance company does not pay for all your losses, you have to try and
get the other driver to pay.
- If you had major damage or got hurt, you
may want to call a private lawyer. Many private lawyers will represent you
on a "contingent fee" basis if they believe the other driver
caused the accident. This means the lawyer would keep a large part of any
money you get, but would get no fee if you do not win. Legal Services
cannot represent you on such a fee-generating case.
- If your damages are small, you may be
able to work out a deal with the other driver or his insurance company.
- If you can't agree, and the other driver
was not insured, you can write to the Department of Public Safety. Ask
them to suspend the other driver's license and vehicle registration. Send
this request to:
Alabama Department of Public Safety Safety
Responsibility Unit
P.O. Box
1471 Montgomery, Alabama 36102-1471
- This might get the other driver to
settle.
- If you cannot settle, you can file a suit
in Small Claims Court, by yourself without a lawyer, for up to $3,000. You
must file within two years of the date of the accident.
What happens if the accident was my fault?
- Your insurance company should pay (within
policy limits) for any damage you caused.
- Your insurance company should pay for a
lawyer for you if you are sued.
- Avoid making statements to the other
driver or his insurance company.
- Only agree to a settlement if you think
the amount of damages is right, and you are sure you can afford the
monthly payments.
- See a lawyer right away if you get a
notice that your driver's license is being suspended, or if you get court
papers saying you are being sued.
- If you cannot afford to pay a lawyer,
call your local Legal Services office to see if they can help you.
- If you have questions about an offer by the other driver, call a lawyer for advice.
Alabama Personal Injury Lawer
- Wettermark & Keith, LLC - Personal Injury Law firm
Here at Wettermark &
Keith, LLC., no case is too big and no case is too small for our expert accident
injury lawyers to pursue. These top attorneys represent
each and every client with the utmost respect, compassion, and employ the
thorough legal expertise needed to make their case a success. They realize that
this is likely a difficulty situation for you and possibly your family and are
here for you.
2101 Highland Avenue South,
Sixth Floor
Birmingham, AL 35205
205.933.9500
www.wkfirm.com/car-accident
- Norris - Injury Accident Lawyers - Car Accident Attorney
The Alabama auto accident attorneys at Norris Injury
Lawyers are focused on results. They understand that you can’t focus
on healing until you have the compensation you need to move forward. They have
helped thousands of victims get the settlement they deserve
and we can help you. If you want real money, get the lawyers with
real experience. They deliver the results you deserve.
Norris Injury Lawyers, P.C.
10 Old Montgomery Highway
Birmingham, AL 35209
Phone: (205) 870-8000
Fax: (205) 870-8516
10 Old Montgomery Highway
Birmingham, AL 35209
Phone: (205) 870-8000
Fax: (205) 870-8516
www.norrisinjurylawyers.com
- Jonathan W. Gathings & Associates - car accident attorneys
The Birmingham car
accident attorneys at Jonathan W. Gathings & Associates are
dedicated to helping car accident victims and their families
pursue the compensation they need to deal with medical
bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damage; if
you or a loved one was injured in a car accident,
call them for your free consultation with one of these experienced lawyers.
In their years of experience as Alabama car accident lawyers they’ve seen firsthand how severe the consequences of negligence can be. The physical toll of a car accident is often matched only by the financial and psychological devastation involved.
In their years of experience as Alabama car accident lawyers they’ve seen firsthand how severe the consequences of negligence can be. The physical toll of a car accident is often matched only by the financial and psychological devastation involved.
3288 Morgan Drive
,
Suite 112
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 545-7475
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 545-7475
www.jonathanwgathings.com
- Farris, Riley & Pitt attorneys - car accident attorneys
At Farris, Riley & Pitt,
these Alabama car accident attorneys work closely with their
clients to take action as quickly as possible after an auto accident.
Early intervention is effective to capture and preserve invaluable evidence
which is essential to reaching a just settlement or litigating
a case at trial. This law firm maintains an extensive network
of:
Accident reconstruction experts
Investigators
Biomechanical engineers
Highway design engineers
Traffic control engineers
Human factors experts.
These experts help provide Farris, Riley & Pitt attorneys with invaluable insights that are vital to their clients’ cases.
Accident reconstruction experts
Investigators
Biomechanical engineers
Highway design engineers
Traffic control engineers
Human factors experts.
These experts help provide Farris, Riley & Pitt attorneys with invaluable insights that are vital to their clients’ cases.
The Financial Center
505 20th Street North, Suite 1700
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 324-1212
Fax: (205) 324-1255
Toll Free: 1-888-580-5176
24 Hour Lawyer Assistance: 1-888-937-7534
505 20th Street North, Suite 1700
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 324-1212
Fax: (205) 324-1255
Toll Free: 1-888-580-5176
24 Hour Lawyer Assistance: 1-888-937-7534
www.frplegal.com
