After a car accident on Alabama’s state roads or interstate highways, State Troopers will investigate the circumstances and develop a detailed accident report highlighting the crash details and involved parties. This report is crucial in your car accident claim if you’re not to blame as it determines how much you’ll recover from the insurance company.
Fortunately, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has a simple process of obtaining the report if you wish to use it for a particular purpose. What’s more, you can always count on the reputable car accident attorneys at Morris Bart’s law firm for adequate guidance.
How do You Obtain an Alabama Car Accident Report?
Here are your options if you wish to obtain an Alabama crash report:
Online
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency website has a crash report form that you fill out first. Once you’ve completed it, you’ll have access to Alabama State Police accident reports, and Alabama State Trooper Accident reports. You can access your report in the following two ways:
- Using the crash report number – Key in your seven-digit report number on the search form’s right-hand side, then hit “Search for Report” right below. If you don’t remember your number, you can request it by emailing highway.patrol@alea.govl.
- Using the driver’s last name and license number – You can also enter your license number and last name, then click “Search for Report.”
Notably, it takes up to ten business days from the accident date for your crash report to be available online.
By Phone
You can also obtain your Alabama accident report by contacting the organization that made the report from ALEA’s agency page. Here, you’ll get more details on how to get the statement in your jurisdiction. Alternatively, you can call and tell them the agency you’re trying to reach out to.
In Person
You may also go for the Alabama car accident report by visiting your local State Police Post. Here, you’ll provide your identification then pay the necessary fees. If your crash happened within metropolitan limits, it’d be best to visit the city’s local police department.
Through the Mail
It’s also possible to get your report through mail. All you have to do is mail a money order or certified check to the state Department of Public Safety as well as a duly-filled Crash Report Request Form. Ensure you include the identities of the involved drivers, the date or location of the crash, and each driver’s license number.
Once done, you’ll send it to:
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency – Crash Reports.
P.O. Box 1471,
Montgomery, AL.
You’ll pay $15 for every copy of the accident report you receive via mail.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
The Importance of the Alabama Car Accident Report to Your Case
The state laws require you to contact the police after any car accident leading to injury or death. Law enforcement officers don’t have to investigate property damage, but you’ll document the damages you’ve suffered by completing Form SR-31. If an officer responds to the crash scene, they’ll gather vital details about the crash then create an official report out of it.
If you wish to pursue and recover damages for your vehicle crash, a car accident report will be helpful. It’s still possible to pursue legal remedies without one, but an official account goes a long way in protecting victims’ rights and helping them secure substantial compensation.
The document is essential in the following ways:
The Report Helps You Prove Liability
Even after a simple accident where another driver merges into your lane, hits you on the side, and admits fault, they can still try something unethical to avoid compensating for the damages. An accident report will officially state the events before and after the accident and keep detailed records of the facts related to the crash.
The Defendant’s Insurer Can’t Contest the Incident
As silly as it sounds, the other motorist’s insurer may question whether the accident occurred at all if you don’t have a completed crash report. Having an officer visit the scene to create an official account means you’ll have written proof that the accident indeed occurred.
You’ll Have the Crucial Details for a Strong Case
Car crash reports primarily include:
- Descriptions of the wreck
- A diagram of the vehicles’ location
- The trooper’s opinion about what or who caused the accident
The report will offer your attorney an accurate picture of the occurrence at the scene so that they can determine the course of action.
All Involved Parties Will Be Noted
During minor accidents, the motorists involved usually exchange contact details then leave to solve it later. But how will you know the person who was behind the wheels that night? Or what if you don’t hear from them? An Alabama car accident report captures each driver’s vital information to ensure you’re filing a claim against the correct defendant.
The Document Gives the Officer Information to Use in Court
State Troopers encounter multiple car accidents daily, and the odds of the involved officer remembering your crash are pretty small. An accident report provides them with an accurate written account to refer to in court.
How do You File an Accident Report in Alabama?
One of the first steps immediately after the accident is to reach out to law enforcement. Of course, this comes after verifying that everyone involved is okay and facilitating the well-being of the injured. After arriving at the scene, they’ll record all the necessary details of your accident, including:
- The crash location, including cross streets and coordinates
- Names and contact details of everyone involved
- Road conditions
- Vehicle information like VIN and license plate numbers
- The severity of the injuries sustained and damages resulting from the wreck
- Information regarding any fatalities
- Commercial vehicle details
- Diagrams and narratives of the accident
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An Experienced Car Accident Attorney Is Ready to Help
After an accident, you may not be in a condition to figure out what you’ll do next. This is the most crucial period, and you cannot afford to make mistakes because anything you do will determine the outcome and future implications of the losses you.
Fortunately, an experienced Alabama car accident attorney from Morris Bart’s law firm is ready to handle all the steps, from gathering evidence at the scene and speaking to witnesses to negotiating with insurers and filing a lawsuit in court. Call us to schedule a free car accident claim review and comprehensive representation on a contingency fee basis.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
