What to Do if You’re in a Minor Car Accident With No Police Report in Alabama

If you’ve been in a minor car accident in Alabama but don’t have a police report, you can still file an insurance claim to recover your losses. However, building a strong case without a police report can be more difficult and gives insurance companies a reason to dispute claims of liability. 

A car accident lawyer in Alabama from Wettermark Keith can help you build a case without a police report and address any difficulties that may arise. Contact us today to speak to a team member about your case. 

Alabama Accident Reporting Rules

Like most states, Alabama has specific rules for reporting car accidents. All drivers who are involved in a car accident must pull over, render aid (if necessary), and exchange driver’s license and insurance information with each other. Reporting requirements depend on what kind of damage the accident caused:

• Accidents involving injury and death. If an accident involves injury or death, then you are required to call 911 and emergency services. Leaving the scene of an accident that caused injury or death can result in felony charges. 
• Accidents involving more than $250 in property damage. If the accident involved only property damage, you must exchange information with the other driver and submit a police accident report with a relevant law enforcement agency. `

Since most car accidents will involve more than $250 in property damage, it’s expected that most accidents will require some kind of reporting. 

What Does a Police Report Do?

A police report is a preliminary document that law enforcement is supposed to fill out at the scene of an accident. The main purpose of a police report is to document the accident and basic facts about the crash. The typical report will contain the names of the drivers, the make/model of the vehicles, any reported injuries, and details about the crash circumstances. 

For the purposes of an insurance claim, police reports are valuable evidence. A police report proves to insurance that the accident happened and gives details about the situation. This is the main reason why our lawyers at Wettermark Keith recommend you always submit a police report when filing a car accident claim. 

Police reports alone are not sufficient to determine liability and responsibility, but they are a central piece of evidence you’ll want to build your claim. Without a report, insurance adjusters will more heavily scrutinize your claim, which could result in a denial. 

Difficulties of Filing Without a Police Report

You can still file an insurance claim without a police report, but things may be more difficult on your end. Below are some challenges that can arise when you lack an official accident report:

• Liability disputes. Without an accident report, a lot of your claim may come down to a he-said-she-said dispute. There is no report to corroborate your version of events. 
• Proving link to injury. Part of a police report records injuries at the scene. Insurance companies may question if your injuries really came from the accident if you don’t have a report. 
• Lower payouts. Because there is less evidence, insurance companies may try to dispute the value of your claim or offer a lowball offer. 

What Should I Do If I Don’t Have a Police Report?

If you don’t have a police report, you can still file an insurance claim. However, you’ll need to be your own detail-advocate and gather exhaustive evidence of the crash. Make sure that you gather the following details:

• Date, time, and location of the crash
• Name, address, and contact information of involved drivers
• Insurance information of both parties, including policy numbers
• The make, model, and year of the vehicle
• List of injuries at the scene
• Photos of vehicle damage and accident scene
• Environmental factors like lighting and road condition
• Eyewitness statements and contact information

You also shouldn’t wait to report the accident to your insurance company, even if you’re not at fault. Many insurance providers require policyholders to report all accidents, and failing to do so could result in your coverage being limited or terminated. Wettermark Keith can help prepare your claim to be as strong as possible without a police report. 

How a Lawyer Can Help You

Working with a lawyer is always a good idea when making a car insurance claim, especially when you don’t have a police report. Below are just a few ways a car accident attorney from Wettermark Keith can help:

• Gathering evidence related to the crash
• Organizing medical records and documentation
• Drafting and sending demand letters
• Negotiating settlement offers
• Litigating the case in a formal lawsuit

Wettermark Keith: Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

Do you have more questions about police reports and car accident claims in Alabama? If so, contact the team at Wettermark Keith to schedule an appointment. Consultations are free, so don’t hesitate to reach out today.