Car Accident Claims in Alabama
Minimum car insurance in Alabama, whether the state is no-fault, how fault is shared, and the deadline to sue after a crash.
Short answer: A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside a city or town, otherwise the county sheriff's office or the state highway patrol. Code of Ala. § 32-10-5(a)
| Reporting a crash to police | A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside a city or town, otherwise the county sheriff's office or the state highway patrol. The statute does not set a property-damage dollar threshold for the police notice. Investigating officers send a written report to the state director on the uniform accident report form within 24 hours after completing the investigation (§ 32-10-7). Source: Code of Ala. § 32-10-5(a) |
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| Crash report to the DMV | Under Alabama's Motor Vehicle Safety-Responsibility Act, the operator of a vehicle in a crash where anyone is killed or injured, or any one person's property damage (including the operator's own) is more than $250, must report it in writing to the director within 30 days, on the director's form. The report is used to decide whether the operator must post security, so it asks mainly about insurance. If the operator is physically unable, the owner must report within 10 days after learning of the crash. Officer crash reports are available to people involved, their insurers and attorneys, and certain others (§ 32-10-7). Source: Code of Ala. § 32-7-5 |
| Leaving the scene (hit and run) | A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or damage to an attended vehicle must stop at or near the scene and stay until giving name, address and vehicle registration number, showing a driver license on request, and giving reasonable help to anyone injured, including arranging transport for medical care. If no one appears hurt and the driver is not impaired, a drivable vehicle may be moved to the shoulder or a nearby safe spot. For an unattended vehicle, the driver must find the owner or leave a written note with names, addresses and what happened. Violations are a Class A misdemeanor when only property is damaged, a Class C felony when someone is physically injured, and a Class B felony when there is serious physical injury or death. The license is revoked for a conviction under § 32-10-1. Penalty levels reflect § 32-10-6 as amended by Act 2026-64. Duty to stop: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=32-10-1 ; information and aid: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=32-10-2 |
| Minimum car insurance | Every registered vehicle must carry liability insurance (or an approved bond or cash deposit) of at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25). Source: Ala. Code §§ 32-7A-4, 32-7-6(c) |
| Deadline to sue for an injury | Most lawsuits for injury to a person that do not arise from a contract must be filed within two years. Claims for trespass to the person, such as assault and battery or false imprisonment, have six years. |
| Deadline to sue for property damage | Actions for trespass to real or personal property and for detention or conversion of personal property must be filed within six years. Other claims for injury to the "rights of another" not arising from contract, and claims holding an employer liable for an employee's conduct that damaged property, have two years. Which period applies to a particular property-damage claim (for example, a car accident) can depend on how the claim is classified; the statutes themselves do not name car accidents. |
More Alabama personal injury & wrongful death
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- Medical Malpractice Rules in Alabama
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FAQ
When do you have to report a car accident to the police in Alabama?
A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside a city or town, otherwise the county sheriff's office or the state highway patrol.
Do you have to report a car accident to the DMV in Alabama?
Under Alabama's Motor Vehicle Safety-Responsibility Act, the operator of a vehicle in a crash where anyone is killed or injured, or any one person's property damage (including the operator's own) is more than $250, must report it in writing to the director within 30 days, on the director's form. The report is used to decide whether the operator must post security, so it asks mainly about insurance. If the operator is physically unable, the owner must report within 10 days after learning of the crash.
What are your duties after a car accident in Alabama?
A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or damage to an attended vehicle must stop at or near the scene and stay until giving name, address and vehicle registration number, showing a driver license on request, and giving reasonable help to anyone injured, including arranging transport for medical care. If no one appears hurt and the driver is not impaired, a drivable vehicle may be moved to the shoulder or a nearby safe spot. For an unattended vehicle, the driver must find the owner or leave a written note with names, addresses and what happened. Violations are a Class A misdemeanor when only property is damaged, a Class C felony when someone is physically injured, and a Class B felony when there is serious physical injury or death. The license is revoked for a conviction under § 32-10-1.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Alabama?
Every registered vehicle must carry liability insurance (or an approved bond or cash deposit) of at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25).
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Alabama?
Most lawsuits for injury to a person that do not arise from a contract must be filed within two years. Claims for trespass to the person, such as assault and battery or false imprisonment, have six years.
How long do you have to sue for property damage in Alabama?
Actions for trespass to real or personal property and for detention or conversion of personal property must be filed within six years. Other claims for injury to the "rights of another" not arising from contract, and claims holding an employer liable for an employee's conduct that damaged property, have two years.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.