You must report a car accident in Alabama if there’s injury, death, or over $250 in damage. File Form SR-13 within 30 days. Alabama is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the crash is responsible. Reports cost $15 and affect claims, fault, and legal actions.
Here’s what that means for you: If you don’t report properly, your license could be suspended, your insurance claim denied, and your legal rights weakened. Whether it’s a minor fender bender or a serious crash, the reporting process is a legal and financial shield.
At Applebaum Accident Group, we connect Alabama drivers with the right attorneys and doctors who understand how to protect your case from the start. From helping you obtain the correct forms to connecting you with legal professionals who know how to challenge inaccurate reports or insurance pushback, we make sure you’re never left wondering what to do next.
Want the full breakdown of how to handle reporting, and how to avoid the pitfalls that trip up most drivers? Keep reading.
Do You Have to Report a Car Accident in Alabama?
Yes, and the law is clear about it. If your accident involves an injury, a fatality, or property damage that exceeds $250, you are legally obligated to report it. This applies whether the damage is to your vehicle, someone else’s, or public property.
You’re responsible for:
- Filing Form SR-13 within 30 days of the accident
- Notifying your insurance company immediately, even if you’re not at fault
- Getting a police crash report if officers respond to the scene
Failing to follow through on any of these can derail your ability to file a claim or defend yourself in court.
Pro insight: Never admit fault at the scene. Even a casual “I didn’t see you” could be used against you in court or by an insurance adjuster. Let the facts, and the report, do the talking.
Note: Some drivers assume that if police were on-site, they don’t need to file SR-13. That’s false. Your individual submission is still required.
What Happens If You Don’t Report?
Skipping the report, or missing the 30-day deadline, can trigger a domino effect:
- Your license and registration could be suspended
- Insurance claims may be delayed or flat-out denied
- You’ll lose critical documentation needed to prove your side of the story
Drivers often ask, “If the police already filed a report, do I still have to file SR-13?” The answer is yes. The police report is one part of the process, but SR-13 is your legal obligation.
And yes, if you fail to file, the Department of Public Safety can notify you of an impending license suspension. While you can request a pre-suspension hearing, by then you’re already playing defense.
Is Alabama a No-Fault State?
Not at all. Alabama is what’s known as an at-fault or tort state, meaning the driver who caused the crash is financially responsible for any injuries or property damage.
What makes Alabama unique, and more legally risky, is the pure contributory negligence rule. If you’re found to be even 1% at fault, you may be barred from collecting any compensation.
That’s why the details in your report matter. If a contributing factor, like “wet pavement” or “following too closely”, is listed against you, it could destroy your claim. And once it’s on paper, reversing it takes legal firepower.
How Is Fault Determined in Alabama?
Fault is built from evidence. In Alabama, insurance companies and courts look at a combination of:
- The police accident report: Officers record contributing factors, road conditions, and sometimes even draw diagrams.
- Witness statements: These can support or contradict what drivers claim.
- Dashcam or surveillance footage: Video proof can be powerful, especially when timestamped and clearly showing the event.
- Statements from drivers: What you say in the moment, especially to officers or other parties, can affect the outcome.
Here’s where things get tricky: If a report lists you as at fault, even partially, you could lose your right to recover damages under Alabama’s pure contributory negligence rule.
You’re not stuck, though. If you believe the officer’s report is wrong, you can dispute it. That might mean presenting new video evidence, additional witness statements, or having an attorney step in to challenge it.
How Much Does an Accident Report Cost?
Crash reports are well worth the cost for protecting yourself.
- $15 through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
- Up to $25 through local police departments like Greenville PD
You’ll need a copy for your insurance claim and possibly for any legal case. The report includes diagrams, estimated damage, injuries, and the officer’s findings, all of which play a role in how fault and liability are determined.
Download tip: Use a desktop. Mobile devices often fail to complete the transaction, and the site isn’t always optimized for smaller screens.
How Long After an Accident Can You File a Claim?
There are two windows you need to worry about, and they move fast.
- Insurance Claims: File as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 72 hours. Delays can give your insurer a reason to reduce or deny your claim.
- Legal Claims: You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Alabama’s statute of limitations. After that, your case likely won’t be heard, no matter how valid.
It’s also smart to see a doctor immediately, even if you feel fine. Some injuries take time to surface, but the sooner they’re documented, the stronger your claim.
What to Do If the Other Driver Has No Insurance
You’re not out of options if the other driver is uninsured. Here’s what you can do:
- Use your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, this kicks in to cover your medical expenses and property damage if the other driver can’t.
- If you don’t have UM coverage, you can:
- Request that the state suspend their license and registration via the Department of Public Safety
- File a small claims lawsuit for up to $6,000 without a lawyer
Most drivers don’t realize the state offers this kind of leverage. But you have to act quickly and with the right documentation, another reason why filing Form SR-13 and getting a police report matters.
Don’t Gamble with Reporting
Failing to report a car accident correctly in Alabama can cost you your license, your insurance payout, and your legal standing. Whether you’re the injured party or just unsure where fault lies, every step you take, from how you document the scene to how you fill out Form SR-13, can directly shape the outcome of your claim.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. The process is confusing by design. That’s why we built Applebaum Accident Group, to give everyday drivers an advantage from day one.
Get the Right Help Before Mistakes Cost You
Don’t wait for your insurer or the legal system to tell you what you did wrong after it’s too late. At Applebaum Accident Group, we connect you with:
- Attorneys who know how to contest inaccurate police reports and protect your right to compensation under Alabama’s strict at-fault laws.
- Medical professionals who can properly document your injuries, even if they show up days later.
- A trusted support team that walks you through every step of the reporting process, so you never miss a deadline, file the wrong form, or say something that gets used against you.
Whether your accident was serious or “just a bump,” the consequences of reporting it wrong are real. We’ll help you get it right, starting today.
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👉 Contact Applebaum Accident Group now, and we’ll connect you with the best legal and medical professionals for your situation.
