After a car accident in Alabama, the first thing you should do is make sure you’re safe. Get yourself out of the way of oncoming cars if you’re able. Getting immediate medical attention is the next important part of ensuring your safety, so call 9-1-1 or go to the hospital yourself. If you or someone else hasn’t already, call the police, especially if there’s extensive property damage, injuries, or fatalities.
In addition, if your injuries don’t keep you from doing so, document the car accident scene. That means taking videos or photographs of it, getting witnesses’ contact details, and swapping information with the other party. Once the situation is stable, think about getting help from an Alabama car accident attorney. They will handle your case and pursue compensation while you’re in treatment.
Making Sure You’re Safe After a Car Accident
You’re particularly vulnerable in the moments after a car accident, so it’s crucial for you to prioritize your safety. We recommend you move over to the side of the road so that you don’t obstruct traffic and reduce the risk of further injuries. However, if your car is totaled or you’re too hurt to pull over, it’s fine to stay where you are. Only do what you can.
Call 9-1-1 for Assistance
You should call 9-1-1 and tell the operator what has happened. Depending on the severity of your injuries, the paramedics will take you to the hospital right away. Even if someone else called, accept medical care from the paramedics.
In the event an ambulance doesn’t come, go to the hospital or your primary care physician as soon as you can. It’s common for car accident victims to not experience any signs of injury until a few days after the fact.
See a Doctor as Soon as Possible
Prompt medical attention will aid your recovery and your claim. Your doctors can diagnose injuries before they worsen, and prompt medical attention shows the liable insurance company that your injuries are a direct result of the car accident. Creating more time between the crash and your initial doctor’s visit could lead the insurance adjuster to question the true cause of your injuries, potentially affecting the settlement you qualify to obtain.
The Importance of Continuing Your Medical Care Following the Crash
If the doctor you see after the car accident prescribes you any medication, sets up a follow-up appointment with you, and refers you to other physicians, make sure you follow their orders exactly until you reach the end of your treatment with them.
You don’t want to risk setting back your recovery. Doing so could end up prolonging it and require additional treatment methods. The insurance company may not agree to pay for these medical costs since it may assert that you caused further injury.
If you want to make any changes to your care plan, consult your doctor about it and work out an agreement with them. Make sure they write down these adjustments so that you have documentation for your case.
When Calling Law Enforcement to the Car Accident Scene Is Required
According to AL Code § 3-7-5, you must file a written report to the police within 30 days after a car accident resulting in at least $250 in property damage, injury, or death. You may face criminal penalties if you fail to do so.
However, if you called a police officer to the scene, they probably wrote one up. It may be available online or for pick up within a week or two of the crash, depending on your county ordinances. It will include details like:
- The day, location, and time
- A description of what happened
- Information from the vehicles involved
- The drivers involved and their contact and insurance information
- Witnesses’ contact information
- Any property damage, injuries, or deaths
This police report will provide useful information for your car accident claim.
Document the Scene of the Alabama Car Accident
Only complete this step if your injuries allow you, and it’s safe to do so. You can photograph and/or video the scene of the crash. Capture skid marks on the road, the damaged cars, the weather and road conditions, your visible injuries, and any other mitigating circumstances or conditions that contributed to the accident. Try to get them from different angles to provide a full view of the accident scene.
Request Contact Information From Witnesses
If there were any witnesses to what happened, ask them for their names and phone numbers and to write down their account of the accident while it’s still fresh in their minds. Their testimony could serve as helpful evidence in your case against the other party.
Ask the Other Driver for Insurance and Contact Information
If possible, exchange contact, insurance, and vehicle information with the other driver. Keep this encounter short and polite and avoid placing blame on them.
Inform Your Insurance Carrier About the Accident
Once you’ve done these things, alert your insurance company about the car accident. However, when you speak with them, do not agree to a recorded statement or any settlement offers. Do say it was your fault or that you feel fine. Stick to the facts as you know them and nothing more.
Then, contact a car accident lawyer in Alabama.
Consult Our Alabama Personal Injury Lawyer After the Car Accident
The journey to recovery isn’t over after you complete the aforementioned steps. Building a case, presenting it, and fighting for a fair settlement are coming up, and they are not easy tasks.
If you’re hurt, in recovery, and out of work, you’re not in a place to navigate insurance policies, negligence laws, and the legal process. You may want to leave that to an Alabama personal injury lawyer instead. They will handle every part of your car accident case, including:
- Locating and compiling different forms of evidence
- Identifying the responsible party and establishing their negligence
- Managing all communication with the insurer
- Filing your car accident claim or lawsuit
- Negotiating an appropriate settlement
- Fighting in a trial if the insurer refuses to settle
If you ever have any questions about your case, we’re always happy to answer them. Expect a fast reply, too. We’ll provide you with consistent updates so you can always stay informed.
Don’t Wait to Get in Touch With Us After a Car Accident
Alabama sets forth a strict timeline for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident. Per AL Code § 6-2-38, you generally have two years to sue the other party. Sometimes, however, certain factors in your case can give you more time.
In general, if you don’t take action by the end of the two years, the state could throw your case out. In that event, it’ll be on you to cover your losses from the crash. The good news is that you can avoid this outcome when you involve our lawyer in your case right after the car accident.
We can help you adhere to the state’s deadlines so that the liable party will compensate you.
Connect With Our Law Firm Following a Car Accident in Alabama
If you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident in Alabama, contact the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown. Our legal team wants to understand how the accident has impacted you so that we can go after what you need to make a strong recovery.
We bring three decades of experience to the table and have won more than $100,000,000 in case results for our clients. Call today for your free case consultation.
