In a Car Accident While Driving Through Alabama? What Out-of-State Drivers Need to Know
Alabama offers some of the most scenic stretches of highway in the South, which is why motorists from across the country often pass through the state on road trips. However, if you’re injured in a car accident while visiting Alabama, your case might be more complicated than you expect. Alabama is one of the few states that still follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation.
Knowing your rights under Alabama law is essential before you call an insurance company or accept a settlement offer. In this blog post, we’ll go over what out-of-state drivers need to know if they’re hurt in a crash in Alabama.
How Alabama’s Contributory Negligence Law Works
Most states use a form of comparative negligence, which means your compensation is reduced based on your share of the blame. For example, if you’re 10% at fault, your recovery might be reduced by 10%.
Alabama does not work that way. Instead, it uses a contributory negligence rule. Under this law, you can be completely barred from recovering any damages if you’re even 1% responsible for the accident. This is true whether you’re a local motorist or just passing through on a long drive.
That means the other party and their insurance company will be looking for any reason to argue that you contributed to the crash, even in a minor way. As a result of this framework, it’s especially important to speak with a lawyer before you try to negotiate a claim on your own.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Alabama?
If you were hurt in a car accident caused by someone else in Alabama, what you do next could impact whether you’re able to recover damages later on.
Here are some key steps to follow:
- Call 911 and wait for law enforcement to arrive. The responding officer’s accident report can be critical in supporting your version of events.
- Exchange information with the other driver, including their insurance and contact details.
- Avoid making any statements about fault at the scene. Saying something like “I didn’t see you” could be twisted to imply you were partially responsible.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene, your injuries, your vehicle, road conditions, and anything else that could help later.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you feel okay, some injuries take time to show symptoms. Medical records can also support your claim.
Once you’ve taken these initial steps, your next move should be calling a car accident attorney in Alabama. They can step in to protect your interests immediately and will understand how state law works.
Why Insurance Companies Might Try to Deny Your Claim
Insurance companies may argue that you were speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, or failed to yield, just to trigger Alabama’s contributory negligence rule and avoid paying you anything.
This is especially likely if you’re from out of state and unfamiliar with how strict Alabama law can be. Don’t rely on the insurance company to be fair because their goal is to reduce or deny your claim, not to make sure you’re treated justly.
Contact an Alabama Car Accident Attorney at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’re an out-of-state driver who got hurt while passing through Alabama, don’t make the mistake of thinking the process will be the same as back home. Alabama’s laws are different and far more punishing for people who don’t fully understand them.
Insurance companies are counting on you to make a mistake or accept less than you deserve. Before you give a statement or sign any paperwork, speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer who knows how to handle car crashes in Alabama.
Most lawyers in this field of law offer free consultations and only get paid if they win compensation for your case. For more information, contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We serve Shelby County, Madison County, Montgomery County in Alabama, and its surrounding areas.
We are located in Birmingham, Huntsville & Montgomery.
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Birmingham Office
880 Montclair Road, Ste 300,
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 973-6417
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Huntsville Office
116 Jefferson St. Suite 207
Huntsville, AL, 35801
(256) 781-9242
Or find us with our GeoCoordinates: 34.73159361945047, -86.58690898412395
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Montgomery Office
7 Clayton St, Suite 200,
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 518-6098
Or find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.373594220209505, -86.3092041262694