What to do after a car accident in Alabama
Every rule below is quoted from Alabama law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
Alabama is an at-fault, or tort, car insurance state. The driver who caused the crash, or that driver's insurance company, is responsible for paying for the other driver's injuries and damage. A driver in Alabama must immediately report a crash to the local police, the county sheriff, or the state troopers when the crash caused an injury or a death. A person hurt in a car crash in Alabama generally has 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for their injuries.
Deadlines in Alabama
- 2 years
- to sue for injuriesAla. Code § 6-2-38(l)
- 6 years
- to sue for car or property damageAla. Code § 6-2-34(2)
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a deathAla. Code § 6-5-410(d)
- 6 months
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedAla. Code § 11-47-23
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
A driver in a crash in Alabama must stop at the scene, give their name, address, and vehicle registration number to the other driver, and give any injured person reasonable help, including arranging transport to a hospital if it is needed.
“shall immediately stop the vehicle at the accident scene or as close thereto and shall return to or remain at or as close to the scene of the accident”
When you must call the police
A driver in Alabama must immediately report a crash to the local police, the county sheriff, or the state troopers when the crash caused an injury or a death.
“shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of such accident to the local police department if such accident occurs within a municipality”
Moving your car out of traffic
If a crash does not involve any visible injury or death and the driver is not impaired, Alabama law allows the driver to move a drivable vehicle out of the road to the shoulder or another safe spot near the crash.
“If the accident does not involve any apparent injury or the death of a person and the driver is not impaired, the driver may immediately move the vehicle”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
In Alabama, an ordinary driver does not have to personally send a written crash report to the state. If a law enforcement officer investigates the crash, that officer must send a written report to the state on the Uniform Traffic Crash Report form within 24 hours of finishing the investigation.
“shall, within 24 hours after completing such investigation, forward the necessary completed written report or copy thereof of such accident to the director”
Getting a copy of the crash report
A copy of an Alabama crash report can be bought online or in person at any ALEA Driver License Office for $15.
“Crash Reports may be purchased online HERE or in person at any ALEA Driver License Office.”
Who pays for the damage
Alabama is an at-fault, or tort, car insurance state. The driver who caused the crash, or that driver's insurance company, is responsible for paying for the other driver's injuries and damage.
“You may file a claim with the at-fault party's insurance company if they are insured”
Insurance rules in Alabama
What insurance every driver must carry
Every driver in Alabama must carry liability insurance of at least $25,000 for one person's injury or death, $50,000 total per crash for injury or death, and $25,000 for property damage in one crash.
“of not less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) because of bodily injury to or death to one person in any one accident”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Alabama does not require drivers to carry personal injury protection, also called PIP. The only coverage the state requires is liability insurance, a bond, or a cash deposit.
“unless the motor vehicle is covered by a liability insurance policy, a commercial automobile liability insurance policy, motor vehicle liability bond, or deposit of cash”
If the other driver has no insurance
Alabama insurance companies must include uninsured motorist coverage in every auto policy unless the driver rejects it. This coverage pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance.
“the named insured shall have the right to reject such coverage”
Medical payments coverage
Medical payments coverage is optional in Alabama. You are not required to buy it, and there is no state law requiring insurers to offer it.
“the medical bills of drivers and their passengers is not usually required in states without no-fault laws. However, you may decide to purchase this coverage.”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
A driver who has a problem with an insurance company in Alabama can file a complaint with the Alabama Department of Insurance after first trying to resolve it with the company or agent.
“If you do not receive a satisfactory response, then fill in the Online Consumer Complaint Form.”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
A person hurt in a car crash in Alabama generally has 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for their injuries.
“All actions for any injury to the person or rights of another not arising from contract and not specifically enumerated in this section must be brought within two years.”
Deadline to sue for car damage
A claim for damage to a vehicle or other property from a car crash in Alabama generally must be filed within 6 years.
“Actions for any trespass to real or personal property”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
A wrongful death lawsuit after a fatal car crash in Alabama must be filed within 2 years of the death.
“The action must be commenced within two years from and after the death of the testator or intestate.”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a city vehicle or a city owned street is involved in the crash, a claim for the damages must be presented to the city within 6 months of the crash or it is barred.
“Claims for damages growing out of torts shall be presented within six months from the accrual thereof or shall be barred.”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- ALDOI Automobile Insurance FAQs; Ala. Code § 32-7A-4 (mandatory liability insurance, no no-fault provision)
- Ala. Code § 32-7A-4(a)
- John R. Cowley & Bros., Inc. v. Brown, 569 So. 2d 375, 381 (Ala. 1990) (quoting Rowden v. Tomlinson, 538 So. 2d 15, 18 (Ala. 1988))
- Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l)
- Ala. Code § 6-2-34(2)
- Ala. Code § 6-5-410(d)
- Ala. Code § 11-47-23
- Ala. Code § 32-10-5(a)
- Ala. Code § 32-10-7(a)
- Ala. Code § 32-7-6(c); see also § 32-7A-4
- Ala. Code § 32-7-23(a)
- Alabama Department of Insurance, Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance (Property Damage Coverage page)
- Ala. Code §§ 32-10-1(a), 32-10-2
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Driver Records, Crash Reports, and Driver License Reinstatements
- Alabama Department of Insurance, File a Consumer Complaint
- Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(a) and 1.5(c)
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.