Car accidents are sudden, stressful events that can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Learning the steps to claim car insurance post-accident ensures a quicker recovery. The process becomes simpler when you understand the steps to take after a crash.
Cartee & Lloyd Personal Injury Lawyers has proudly assisted Alabama clients for more than three decades. We offer unmatched one-on-one legal support, with trusted attorneys ready to handle even the most complicated car insurance claims.
Filing a car insurance claim starts with reporting the accident to your car insurance company. Once you report it, an insurance adjuster will review your case and assess the damage. This person will check the facts of your accident, the vehicle damage, and any injuries to decide how much the insurance provider should pay.
The claims process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Your insurer might ask for proof of the accident, such as photos you upload, the police report, and medical bills if you were hurt. It's smart to keep all documents linked to the incident organized and ready to share.
Before any car accident happens, you should review your auto insurance policy. Knowing what your policy covers—and what it doesn't—can save you from surprises when filing claims. Keep a copy of your policy in your car or save it on your phone so you can refer to it if needed.
Knowing which coverages apply to your claim can greatly improve the outcome. Let's look at the key coverages that protect you after an auto accident and the time frames for filing your claim.
Different types of auto insurance coverage come into play after a car accident.
Liability coverage pays for the other driver's repairs and medical bills when you're at fault.
Collision coverage pays for your vehicle repairs regardless of who caused the accident.
Comprehensive coverage handles damage from events not related to crashes.
If someone without insurance hits you, uninsured motorist coverage can help you. Personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payment coverage take care of your medical bills after an accident. The specific mix of coverages that apply will vary depending on your auto insurance policy and the details of the incident.
In Alabama, you have two years to file a lawsuit after a car accident. Some policies use vague terms like "promptly," but it's always best to call your insurance agent right away.
The legal time limit for filing a lawsuit after a car accident in Alabama is two years. Waiting that long to file an insurance claim can hurt your case. Insurance companies might deny claims that aren't filed quickly. They may argue that the delay made it harder to check the facts. Don't wait—report your accident right away to protect your rights.
Your actions right after a car accident can greatly impact your auto claim. First, check if anyone needs medical help and call 911 if needed. Even for minor crashes, it's important to have police on the scene to create an official accident report, which your car insurance company will want to see.
If possible, move the involved vehicles out of traffic and turn on hazard lights to prevent further accidents. Keep cool when speaking with the other driver. Don’t argue or admit blame—instead, swap details and wait for the police.
In Alabama, you must report any accident involving injuries, fatalities, or property damage exceeding $250. You must submit this report to the Alabama Department of Public Safety within 30 days. Failing to do so could result in license suspension. Make sure to meet this requirement even if the police didn't come to the accident scene.
The moments after a crash are crucial for building a strong car insurance claim. Properly recording the incident and gathering details from all parties involved can speed up your claim and ensure fair compensation.
Good evidence can make or break your auto insurance claim. Use your phone to take photos of both vehicles, focusing on the vehicle damage from multiple angles. Also, capture pictures of the whole accident scene, including:
Traffic signs and signals
Road conditions (wet, icy, potholes)
Skid marks that might show what happened
Weather conditions
Time of day
If there are witnesses, ask for their contact details. Their statements can be valuable if there's a dispute over how the accident occurred. Also, write down notes about how the crash occurred while the details are fresh in your mind.
Your insurance provider will use this evidence to determine fault and calculate repair costs. The more thorough your documentation, the stronger your position will be during the claims process.
Once everyone is safe, share details with all drivers who were in the accident. Get their:
Full name and phone number
Address
Driver's license number
License plate number
Insurance information (company name and policy number)
Vehicle make, model, and year
If the other driver is not the vehicle owner, get the owner's information too. When dealing with someone who seems angry, keep your distance and wait for the police to help with the exchange. Officers can also provide their badge numbers for your records.
Avoid apologizing or admitting guilt at the scene. Such statements can be used against you later by the at-fault party's insurance company to reduce or deny your claim.
Once you've left the accident scene, it's time to start the formal claims process. Most insurance companies now offer multiple ways to file a car insurance claim—through their website, mobile app, or by calling their claims hotline. Choose the method that's most comfortable for you.
When you report a claim, be ready with basic information about the accident, including the date, time, location, and drivers involved. You'll also need to provide your insurance policy number and a description of what happened. Be honest and stick to the facts.
After filing, you'll be assigned a claim number and a claims adjuster. Keep this claim information handy, as you'll need it for all future communications. Stay on top of your paperwork by saving copies of repair quotes, medical expenses, and insurance correspondence.
Submitting a claim is only the beginning of a process that requires close follow-up. Let's look at how to properly notify your insurance company and work effectively with adjusters to keep your claim moving forward.
Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible after a covered accident, ideally within 24 hours. Most insurers have 24/7 claims hotlines, so there's no reason to delay. When you call, have your policy ready, along with basic facts about the crash. Share details about the vehicles involved, the location, and whether police came to the scene.
Many drivers worry that filing an auto claim will raise their insurance rates. While this can happen, especially if you're found at fault, failing to report an accident can have worse results, including having your policy canceled if the insurer finds out about the incident from another source.
The claims adjuster is the key person handling your claim. This professional will assess the damage, review your policy, and decide how much the car insurance company should pay. Expect the adjuster to inspect your car, either in person or through your uploaded photos.
When talking with the adjuster, be polite but careful about what you say. Focus on the facts and don’t speculate about the accident. If asked for a recorded statement, think about talking to a lawyer first, especially for major accidents or injuries.
Even straightforward car accident claims can hit roadblocks. Insurance companies are businesses focused on profits, which sometimes means they look for ways to pay less. You might face delays, low offers, or requests for more information than seems needed.
Another common challenge is disagreement about who was at fault. If multiple vehicles were involved or if the circumstances were unusual, determining who caused the accident becomes complicated. Alabama follows a "contributory negligence" rule. This means if you're found even partly at fault, you could be denied payment entirely.
Dealing with insurance claims takes patience. Understanding potential problems before they come up can help you prepare and respond well when challenges arise during your claim.
Insurance companies deny claims for various reasons. They might say you waited too long to file, that your policy doesn't cover that type of incident, or that you were at fault. When a claim is denied, ask for a clear reason in writing and review your policy to verify the decision.
If you believe the denial is wrong, you can appeal. Start by writing a letter to your insurer explaining why they should reconsider. Include any new evidence that supports your position. If that doesn’t help, you may file a complaint with Alabama’s insurance department or seek legal advice.
Always review the initial offer thoroughly before agreeing. Insurance companies often start with low offers, hoping you'll accept quickly. Before negotiating, know what your claim is worth by getting repair estimates from different repair shops and understanding the full extent of any injuries.
When countering an offer, explain clearly why you believe it's too low and back up your position with facts. Be firm but reasonable, and keep records of all talks. When the insurance company won’t pay enough for repairs or the process seems unjust, think about legal action.
While many car insurance claims can be handled on your own, some situations call for legal help. Consider hiring an attorney if you suffered serious injuries, if fault is being disputed, or if the insurance provider is offering much less than you think your claim is worth.
An attorney can also be valuable if your claim involves rental car coverage, multiple vehicles, or uninsured drivers. At Cartee & Lloyd, we have helped countless Alabama drivers with difficult insurance claims over our 32-year history. Our experience gives us insight into how insurance companies work and the tactics they use to minimize what they pay.
If you're struggling with a car insurance claim after an accident, we're here to help. Our team at Cartee & Lloyd offers free consultations to discuss your case and explain your options. With more than 32 years of service to Alabama clients, we provide the one-on-one legal representation you need during this hard time. Our attorneys have the skills and resources to handle even the most complex insurance claims. Call us today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you get the money you deserve.
We listen to your story and understand your struggles. We handle the insurance companies and hire the experts and do the things necessary to win your case while you focus on going to the doctor and recovering from your injuries.
Through over 77 years of combined litigation experience, we have learned that the best way to make an insurance company pay you fairly for your damages is to be well prepared, fully investigate every detail, hire experts and prepare your case for trial even if most cases will settle without trial.
We know the law and have decades of experience in the courtroom and dealing with insurance companies. We use all of our resources to hire the experts necessary for trial, fully investigate, and pay for your medical records and litigation expenses so that you do not have to come out of pocket yourself while you are struggling to recover. We fight the big insurance companies for you and only get paid for our time and expenses if we recover for you.
Don’t fall for lawyer ads telling you Ai will tell you the value of your car wreck case or believe flashing dollars on a lawyer tv commercial. The real value of your case is what a judge or jury decides is the value of your case after hearing all of the law and evidence. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know the issues that affect the value of your case. We have over 77 years of combined litigation experience and we stand ready to take your case to trial if an insurance company refuses to fairly compensate you for your injuries and damages.
Your success matters to us. Since 1992, we have helped over 11,000 clients in Alabama and recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We measure our success by helping you receive the justice and fairness that you deserve.
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