What to Do After a Car Accident in Montgomery, AL

The minutes after a crash are confusing. Your heart is pounding, traffic is backing up on the Boulevard or I-85, and someone is already asking you questions. What you do next matters more than most people realize, because Alabama has some of the strictest fault rules in the country, and insurance companies know it. 

This guide walks you through exactly what to do after a car accident in Montgomery, from the first phone call at the scene to the moment you decide whether to talk to an attorney. 

1. Check for injuries and call 911 

Your safety and the safety of everyone involved comes first. If anyone is hurt, or if you are not sure, call 911 and ask for medical help. Even when injuries look minor, request that Montgomery Police (or the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on the interstate) respond and file a report. An official accident report is one of the most important documents in any injury claim, and Alabama law requires a report for crashes involving injury, death, or significant property damage. 

2. Move to safety, but leave the scene intact if you can 

If the vehicles are drivable and you are in a live lane of traffic, move to the shoulder to prevent a second collision. If the cars cannot be moved safely, turn on your hazard lights and get behind a barrier. Before anything moves, take a few quick photos of the positions of the vehicles if it is safe to do so. 

3. Document everything 

Your phone is the best evidence-gathering tool you own. Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles, the damage up close, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, road conditions, weather, and any visible injuries. Get the other driver's name, phone number, driver's license number, license plate, and insurance information. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and numbers before they leave. Witnesses disappear fast, and their statements can decide a contested case. 

4. Do not admit fault, and be careful what you say 

This is where Alabama is different from most states. Alabama follows a rule called pure contributory negligence. If an insurance company can show that you were even slightly at fault for the crash, it may argue that you are barred from recovering anything at all. That means a casual "I'm sorry, I didn't see you" at the scene can be used against you later. 

Be polite, exchange information, and answer the responding officer's questions truthfully, but do not speculate about who caused the crash or how fast you were going. 

5. Get medical care, even if you feel okay 

Adrenaline masks pain. Whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue injuries often do not show up until a day or two later. See a doctor within 24 to 48 hours, follow every instruction, and keep every record. Gaps in treatment are one of the first things an adjuster looks for when trying to argue that you were not really hurt. 

6. Report the crash to your own insurance company 

Most policies require you to report an accident promptly. Give your insurer the basic facts, but do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without talking to an attorney first. Their adjuster's job is to minimize what their company pays. A friendly phone call from them is not a favor. 

Alabama requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. Serious injuries exhaust those limits quickly, which is why your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can matter so much. 

7. Know your deadline 

In Alabama, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Two years sounds like plenty of time, but evidence, video footage, and witness memories fade long before that. Do not let the deadline sneak up on you. 

Where crashes happen in Montgomery 

Some of the most frequent collision points in the area are familiar to anyone who drives here: the I-65/I-85 interchange, the Eastern Boulevard corridor, Atlanta Highway near the shopping centers, the Southern Boulevard, and the Highway 31 approach into Prattville. Rear-end crashes at congested intersections, left-turn collisions, and interstate merges account for a large share of the injuries we see. Knowing that a crash happened at a known trouble spot does not prove fault, but it often points investigators toward traffic camera footage and prior incident reports that help. 

Keep a simple file 

Start a folder, physical or digital, the day of the crash. Put the accident report number, the other driver's information, every medical bill and visit summary, pharmacy receipts, pay stubs showing missed work, repair estimates, and a short daily note about your pain level and what you could not do that day. Adjusters and juries respond to specifics. "I could not lift my daughter for six weeks" carries more weight than "my back hurt." 

8. Talk to a Montgomery car accident attorney 

You do not have to hire a lawyer for every fender-bender. But if anyone was injured, if fault is disputed, if the other driver was uninsured, or if an adjuster is already pressuring you to settle, a consultation costs nothing and protects you from the mistakes that cost people the most. 

At Hawthorne, Atchison & Riddle, we have handled car accident cases from Montgomery, Prattville, Selma, and across the River Region for years. We deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on getting better. There is no fee unless we recover for you. 

Frequently asked questions 

Do I need a police report to file a claim in Alabama? 

It is not strictly required, but it is extremely helpful. If no officer responded, you can file a report yourself with the Montgomery Police Department or ALEA. Contact us and we can help you gather the evidence you need either way. 

The other driver's insurance company offered me a check. Should I take it? 

Not before you know the full extent of your injuries and speak with an attorney. Early offers are typically a fraction of what a claim is worth, and accepting one usually ends your right to recover anything more. 

What if the other driver had no insurance? 

You may be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Alabama insurers are required to offer it, and many drivers have it without knowing. We can review your policy for free. 

Injured in a car accident in Montgomery or anywhere in central Alabama? Call HAR Legal at (334) 676-3696 for a free consultation, or request a case review online. We are available 24/7.