Without first hand experience, it’s hard to understand the emotional impact of a car accident. Even minor crashes will jolt your nerves and spike your heart rate, and the effects are even more pronounced in collisions that leave property damage and injuries in their wake.
In the aftermath of a serious wreck, it can be difficult to keep your thoughts together, but knowing how to act after a collision – as well as during the processes that follow – is the first step toward protecting your interests after an accident.
Our Firm Can Help You Manage Your Car Accident Claim
If you were injured in a collision that a negligent driver caused, call the Morris Bart law firm. A Mobile personal injury lawyer from our firm can evaluate your case to determine if you should pursue damages from the at-fault party.
Although most of these cases never go to trial, our attorneys can handle your settlement negotiations to ensure the maximum payout. You may be entitled to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Call us today at 1-800-537-8185 to schedule a consultation with a lawyer on our team.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Knowing What to Expect After a Crash Can Help You With the Claims Process
There are many unknowns after a collision. Knowing what you can and understanding the process of what must happen can help limit your stress and anxiety. While your prognosis and how long you will be out of work may worry you, at least you will know what you need to do to document your collision and file a claim for compensation.
The following are three important processes to keep in mind after an Alabama car accident:
1. Filing form SR-31
According to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, if the at-fault driver was uninsured, and you sustained serious injuries or property damage in the accident, then you must file an SR-31 form with authorities. This form is available on the Department of Public Safety website, and you must submit it to the authorities via mail.
You must file this form with the Driver License Division of the Department of Public Safety. You can mail the document to:
Department of Public Safety
Safety Responsibility Unit
P.O. Box 1471
Montgomery, AL 36102
If we represent you, we can handle this step for you. We may also be able to identify the driver in a hit and run or find that the at-fault motorist did have insurance coverage at the time of the crash. Either of these situations will make filing this form unnecessary.
2. Proving Liability Insurance
According to DMV.org, all drivers in the state of Alabama must have liability insurance. If you caused a car crash, you must provide proof of this insurance.
Under most circumstances, law enforcement will be at the scene of the accident, and they will collect insurance information at that time. If you did not have proof of insurance at the scene of the accident or police did not respond to your crash, you must submit form SR-21 to the Driver License Division.
You can mail this form to:
Driver License Division
Safety Responsibility Unit
P.O. Box 1471
Montgomery, AL 3610
3. Reinstating Your License
If the state suspended your license after a crash, you may be able to apply for license reinstatement. This is only possible if you have not been sued and there has been no related civil action in the previous two years. If you meet these requirements, you can submit a No Court Action Statement.
Filing Your Car Insurance Claims and Pursuing a Payout
While these three aforementioned actions are all relatively rare, almost everyone who suffers property damage or injuries in a crash will need to file at least one insurance claim. For example:
- If another driver caused the collision, this could include a liability claim based on that driver’s coverage.
- If an uninsured driver caused the crash or it was a hit and run, you may have to file a claim based on your uninsured motorist coverage.
- If you caused the accident but have “full coverage” insurance, your claims could include your medical expenses policy, your health insurance coverage, and your collision coverage.
- If theft or other non-collision event occurred, your car repairs may fall under your comprehensive coverage.
In most of the cases we handle, we file liability claims for car accident victims to help them get a financial recovery for the expenses and losses they incurred because of the at-fault driver’s negligence.
Types of Compensation You Can Pursue After a Crash
At the Morris Bart law firm, we know how to protect clients’ rights, develop a solid argument, value damages, and help our clients recover money for their expenses and losses. Depending on the facts of the case, this compensation could include:
- Medical bills
- Future treatment and care for serious injuries
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repairs or replacement of a totaled car
- Pain and suffering damages
- Other intangible losses, including emotional and mental effects of the crash
Our team also ensures our clients meet the required deadlines. If the insurer balks at paying an appropriate settlement based on the evidence we present of our client’s damages, we can litigate the matter. Our trial lawyers will sue and take the case in front of a judge and jury, asking them to award fair compensation.
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Speak With a Lawyer From Our Team About Your Crash Claim
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to another driver’s negligence, call the Morris Bart law firm to discuss the possibility of filing a civil lawsuit. Our attorneys have the knowledge and resources to handle your settlement negotiations and, if necessary, litigate your case. Call us at 1-800-537-8185 to schedule an appointment with a Mobile personal injury attorney.
We have 15 offices and represent clients across Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
