Alabama state law largely determines what should happen right after a crash occurs. The law also features many rules intended to prevent crashes from occurring in the first place. Unfortunately, sometimes people deviate from these rules with unfortunate consequences.
One of the most common mistakes that people make after a crash may come from a place of good intentions and could end up proving financially devastating. Alabama state law is very clear that every driver should have a license, register their vehicle and carry insurance.
If they get into a crash, they need to report it to the police. Many people wait for police officers to arrive to take a report at the scene of a wreck, but others might leave the scene of the crash and then file the report within 30 days following the collision. If the party at fault for the crash asks not to involve the authorities, sometimes the other person involved will agree to their request. That could end up being a very expensive mistake.
People struggle to get compensation for a crash with no records
Alabama drivers should provide liability coverage to anyone they hurt in a collision. Both property damage and bodily injury liability coverage can help offset the expenses created when a wreck occurs. However, an insurance company will likely not pay out on a claim if there isn’t a police report affirming someone’s allegations that a crash occurred without quite a bit of work on the part of the claimant.
Even if someone offers to pay out of pocket for the costs generated in a crash, the other people involved will have few options if they default on those promises. Without a police report, getting insurance coverage or filing a civil lawsuit can be a much more challenging prospect.
Involving the authorities is usually the best form of protection. Having an official record of the crash puts someone in a better position to file an insurance claim and a civil lawsuit if there isn’t insurance available or their expenses far exceed what someone’s policy can pay. When people understand that choosing not to notify the authorities is not just potentially a violation of the law but also a move that puts their right to financial compensation at risk, they can make more informed choices after an Alabama car crash.