Only if a driver was uninsured
- When
- A crash caused by an uninsured motorist that results in death, injury, or more than $500 of damage to any one owner's property.
- Report to
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division
- Form
- SR-31
Official source: ALEA — Driver Records, Crash Reports, and Reinstatements
ALEA says the SR-31 is required only for crashes involving an uninsured motorist. Police crash reports can be bought online or at any ALEA Driver License office.
What to do after a car accident in Alabama
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police for any crash with injuries or significant damage. Ask for the report number.
- Exchange names, contact, license, plate and insurance details with every driver involved. Use our accident information worksheet.
- Photograph every vehicle, the plates, the damage and the scene, and get witnesses' names and numbers.
- If another driver was uninsured, file SR-31.
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Alabama compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Only if a driver was uninsured | — |
| Florida | You file only if police didn't | — |
| Georgia | Call police — no driver form | Immediately |
| Mississippi | Confirm with your state | — |
| Tennessee | You must file your own report | Within 20 days |
If your car was totaled or damaged
Reporting the crash is only the first step. If your insurer says the car is a total loss, check Alabama's total-loss threshold and run the offer through the Total-Loss Offer Audit. If it was repaired, you may have a diminished-value claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a car accident in Alabama?
Only in one situation: a crash caused by an uninsured motorist that results in death, injury, or more than $500 of damage to any one owner's property.
What form do I use to report a crash in Alabama?
SR-31, filed with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division. Download it from the official source: ALEA — Driver Records, Crash Reports, and Reinstatements.
Does reporting the crash to the state start my insurance claim?
No. A police or state crash report and an insurance claim are separate. Notify your own insurer promptly as your policy requires, and file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer if someone else caused the crash.