How to Report a Car Accident in Birmingham, Alabama

Alabama law (Ala. Code 32-10-1) requires every driver involved in an accident to stop immediately at the scene or as close to it as safely possible. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death is a felony in Alabama (Ala. Code 32-10-1(b)), punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Leaving the scene of a property-damage accident is a misdemeanor.

Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured, if a driver appears impaired, if the road is blocked, or if the accident is a hit-and-run. If the accident involved only property damage and no one is hurt, call the Birmingham Police Department non-emergency line at (205) 328-9311 to request an officer. In some property-damage-only situations, Birmingham PD may direct you to exchange information and file a report at the nearest precinct rather than dispatching an officer to the scene.

While waiting for police, move your vehicle out of traffic if it is safe to do so and the vehicles are drivable. Alabama law (Ala. Code 32-10-1(d)) specifically permits moving vehicles to the shoulder or nearest safe location to reduce further hazards. Turn on your hazard lights. If you have road flares or reflective triangles, place them behind your vehicle.

Alabama law requires you to provide the other driver with your name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance information. You are also required to show your driver's license upon request (Ala. Code 32-10-2). Get the same information from every other driver involved.

Document the scene thoroughly before vehicles are moved or conditions change. Take photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles, the overall accident scene including lane markings and traffic signals, any skid marks or debris on the road, and the other driver's license plate and insurance card. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers.

Be careful about what you say at the scene. Alabama's pure contributory negligence rule means that any admission of fault — even a casual 'I'm sorry' or 'I didn't see you' — can be used to argue you were partially responsible. Stick to the facts when talking to the other driver and the responding officer: where you were, which direction you were traveling, and what happened. Do not speculate about fault or apologize.

If your accident caused injury, death, or property damage exceeding $250 to any person, Alabama law (Ala. Code 32-7-5) requires you to file an SR-13 form (Alabama Motor Vehicle Accident Report) with the Alabama Department of Public Safety within 30 days of the accident. This is a mandatory self-report that is separate from any report filed by the police.

The SR-13 form asks for the date, time, and location of the accident; the names and addresses of all drivers and passengers; insurance information for all vehicles; a description of property damage and injuries; and a brief narrative of what happened. You can download the SR-13 form from the Alabama Department of Public Safety website or the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) website at alea.gov.

Mail the completed SR-13 form to: Alabama Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102. Keep a copy for your records. If you do not file the SR-13 and the accident meets the reporting threshold, your driver's license may be suspended until you comply (Ala. Code 32-7-6).

Single-vehicle accidents where the only damage is to your own property do not require an SR-13. But if you damaged another person's property — a fence, mailbox, guardrail, or telephone pole — and the damage exceeds $250, you must file.

Alabama is a fault-based insurance state, meaning the at-fault driver's liability insurance pays for the other driver's damages. You should report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible — most policies require prompt notification, and delay can jeopardize your coverage.

When you call your insurer, provide the basic facts: date, time, and location of the accident; the other driver's name and insurance information; the police report number (if available); and a factual description of what happened. Do not admit fault to your own insurance company. Stick to the facts.

Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without consulting an attorney. The other driver's insurer is looking for evidence of contributory negligence that would bar your entire claim under Alabama law. Anything you say in a recorded statement can be used against you.

Even if you feel fine after the accident, see a doctor within 24 to 72 hours. Many common accident injuries — whiplash, soft tissue damage, concussions, and internal bleeding — may not produce noticeable symptoms immediately. A medical evaluation creates a documented link between the accident and your injuries, which is critical evidence for your personal injury claim.

Birmingham has multiple options for post-accident medical care. For life-threatening injuries, UAB Hospital (619 19th Street South) operates the only ACS-verified Level I adult trauma center in Alabama. For non-emergency injuries, you can visit an urgent care clinic or your primary care physician. Tell every medical provider that your visit is related to the accident — this ensures the records explicitly connect your treatment to the crash.

Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts. Your medical documentation is the backbone of the damages portion of your personal injury claim. In Alabama, where contributory negligence can bar your entire case, strong medical evidence linking your injuries directly to the accident is essential.

Leaving the scene of an accident in Alabama carries serious criminal penalties. If the accident caused injury or death, leaving is a Class C felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison (Ala. Code 32-10-1(b)). If the accident involved only property damage, leaving is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine up to $6,000.

Failing to file the SR-13 form when required can result in suspension of your driver's license (Ala. Code 32-7-6). The suspension remains in effect until you file the required report and provide proof of financial responsibility (insurance).

From a personal injury perspective, failing to report the accident or leaving the scene also damages your credibility. Insurance companies and defense attorneys will use your failure to comply with reporting requirements to argue that your account of the accident is unreliable — or worse, that you were at fault and trying to avoid accountability.

If you were in an accident in Birmingham, take our free 2-minute assessment to understand your options. You will answer a few quick questions about your accident and injuries, and we will give you a personalized report that includes Alabama's filing deadline for your claim, whether your injuries warrant further medical evaluation, and whether connecting with a personal injury attorney makes sense given Alabama's strict contributory negligence rule.

Reporting your accident is the first step. Understanding your legal rights is the next one. Our assessment is free, confidential, and gives you the information you need to decide what comes next.