What is In an Alabama Crash Report?

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If you’ve been involved in a collision on Alabama roads, you might be wondering what to do next. One of the first things you should always do after a crash is contacting emergency services. In addition to providing medical assistance to anyone injured in the wreck, a law enforcement officer will complete an official Alabama Uniform Traffic Accident Report at the scene. 

Requirements for an Alabama Accident Report

There are several laws and procedures that Alabamians must follow when it comes to filing an official accident report. Failure to adhere to these laws could result in financial penalties and negative repercussions during the claims process. 

According to Alabama Vehicle Code § 32-10-5, any accident that results in the injury or death of another individual must be reported immediately to the nearest police or sheriff’s department. Regardless of injuries or fatalities, you must also immediately contact the police if the damages sustained in the wreck exceed $500. 

If your accident doesn’t fit these parameters, it’s still a good idea to contact the police. It could protect you in the event of an insurance claim. 

The Alabama Accident Report Explained

Location and Time

The first section in the report details all information regarding the time of the crash, the precise location, the number of vehicles, and what type of accident occurred.

Unit Number Boxes

This section is where the officer records all pertinent information regarding all the vehicles and drivers involved in the accident.

Codes

In this section, the officer uses numeric codes to detail how they believe the crash transpired.

Seating and Victims

The fourth and fifth sections of the report contain information on the seating arrangement of all occupants in the vehicles and details of any injuries or fatalities suffered as a result. 

Diagram and Narrative

Here, the officer provides a diagram and written narrative of their opinion on what took place. 

Roadway Environment

In this section, the officer records any road conditions that could have been a factor in the crash, such as:

  • Surface type
  • Work Zone information
  • Weather and light conditions
  • Road markings and railroad crossings

Investigation

This is where the reporting officer lists information regarding their agency, badge number, contact information, and arrival time. Any details regarding EMS response and the crash scene photographer are also listed here.

Commercial Vehicle Supplemental Sheet

The final section of the accident report is a supplemental sheet, only completed if a commercial vehicle, truck, or bus is involved in the wreck.

If you’ve been involved in a collision anywhere in Alabama, don’t hesitate to get your official state-certified copy of your accident report. As you can see, this document will be a crucial item to have as you navigate the steps after a crash. Whether you’re dealing with insurance companies, or if you need to take legal action to hold the other driver accountable for their recklessness, your crash report is the FIRST thing you should get. 

Order your official Alabama crash report for FREE now! 

Alabama Accident Report FAQs

The first thing you should do is assess yourself for any injuries. If you’re hurt, don’t try to move unless you have to. Stay in your vehicle and wait for emergency services to arrive. If you’re involved in a minor crash with no injuries, move your vehicle safely to the side of the road and contact law enforcement.

You can complete a crash report and submit it to the Alabama Department of Public Safety within ten days of your accident. However, having a law enforcement official complete an official accident report at the scene will carry much more weight with the insurance company. 

If the other driver decides to leave before authorities arrive, remain at the scene and try to gather as much information as possible before they depart. A record of their name, vehicle type, or license plate number will be a great asset to investigators when trying to locate the individual. 

You can purchase an official copy of your accident report online through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency for a processing fee of $17.00. You can also recover a completely FREE copy of your official crash report without using a credit card or providing financial information. Just fill out the quick questionnaire about the details of your crash, and we’ll do the work for you. Click HERE to get started!

If you can provide your official crash report to the insurance adjuster when you file a claim, it could expedite the claims process and eliminate a lot of stress. Having an official report that contains nothing but the facts of your crash could also get you a higher settlement in a shorter amount of time.