Overview.
Automobile accidents happen every day, and the injuries range from property damage to the automobile to fatalities. Automobile accidents can carry civil and/or criminal liability depending on the events that transpired before and after the accident. We are here to help whether you were injured in a car accident, you caused the accident or you have incurred a criminal charge due to an automobile accident. In any case it is important to know the rules and procedures mandated by the State of Alabama regarding automobiles and accidents associated therewith.
At the law firm of Fortune & Beard, P.C. our attorney’s are well
versed in the Alabama law surrounding automobile
accidents, and can help ease the litigation or
settlement process regardless of what side of the
accident you are on.
Beard Law Group, PC
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
Alabama has a two (2) year statute of limitations
on personal injury claims. This means that you have
two years from the date of the accident to file your
claim or two (2) years from the time in which you
discover the injury. Once this two (2) years has
elapsed you will be barred from making a claim for
your injury.
Alabama requires all Alabama licensed motorist to
carry liability insurance. The statute requiring
liability insurance is contained in The Code of
Alabama 1975, Section 32-7A-4, which states in part:
- (a) No person shall operate, register, or
maintain registration of, and no owner shall
permit another person to operate, register, or
maintain registration of, a motor vehicle
designed to be used on a public highway unless
the motor vehicle is covered by a liability
insurance policy, motor vehicle liability bond,
or deposit of cash.
Alabama law also requires an accident report when
there is any damage and/or injury. The statute
requiring a report to be filed is contained in The
Code of Alabama 1975, Section 32-7-5, which states
in part:
- The operator of every motor vehicle which is
in any manner involved in an accident within
this state, in which any person is killed or
injured or in which damage to the property of
any one person, including himself or herself, in
excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) is
sustained, shall within 30 days after the
accident report the matter in writing to the
director…If the operator is physically incapable
of making the report, the owner of the motor
vehicle involved in the accident shall, within
10 days after learning of the accident, make the
report.
Alabama has a guest statute. A guest statute bars
recovery from the passenger that is riding in the
car that causes an accident, unless there has been
some type of payment by you for the ride. In short,
unless you and the driver are sharing traveling
expenses, (i.e. paying for gas), you will be unable
to recover for your injuries.
If you are in an automobile accident here are a
few things you should know:
- Do not leave the scene of the accident. Leaving the scene of the accident if damage is involved could result in criminal penalties.
- Call the police and make a report. The report is needed to acquire statements from all parties involved and map out the accident. Reports are also needed for insurance purposes, as well a state mandated.
- Provide the police officer with your
insurance. If you are responsible for the
accident then it is important to provide the
other party with your insurance information.
