Alabama · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in Alabama: police, state report and crash report copies

When to call the police or file your own report, and how to get the crash report.

Short answer

You must stop after any crash, help anyone hurt, and give your name, address and registration number and show your license to the others involved. If anyone was hurt or killed, or damage to any vehicle or property is $500 or more, and the at-fault driver had no insurance, the driver involved must send form SR-31 (Accident Claim Form) to the ALEA Safety Responsibility Unit within 30 days (P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102-1471, or online).

Damage that requires a report
$500
Your own report is due within
30 days
Crash report copies
Can be ordered online (see below)
Law
ALEA Driver License Manual (Nov. 2024), 'Report All Traffic Mishaps'

When to call the police in Alabama

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police
You must stop after any crash, help anyone hurt, and give your name, address and registration number and show your license to the others involved. Any crash with injury or death must be reported by the fastest means to the local police (inside a city) or to State Troopers (on a state highway). If asked, give the other drivers your liability insurer's name and address and your local agent's name.
Damage amount
$500
Law
ALEA Driver License Manual (Nov. 2024), 'Report All Traffic Mishaps'; ALEA form SR-31
Official text
Read the official text

Your own report to the state in Alabama

Your own report
If anyone was hurt or killed, or damage to any vehicle or property is $500 or more, and the at-fault driver had no insurance, the driver involved must send form SR-31 (Accident Claim Form) to the ALEA Safety Responsibility Unit within 30 days (P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102-1471, or online). If both drivers were insured, no SR-31 is needed. You can file only if you have not been paid for your losses.
Deadline for your report
30 days

How to get a copy of the crash report in Alabama

  • Buy a copy of an Alabama crash report for $15, online through ALEA or in person at any ALEA Driver License office.
  • Ala. Code § 32-10-7 limits who may buy one.
  • For a city police crash, you can also ask that department.

Alabama has an online way to get at least some crash reports. Reports written by a city police department or sheriff may have to be requested from that agency; our free request letter can help.

More facts for Alabama

  • The SR-31 form is only for crashes where the at-fault driver was uninsured; if both drivers were insured, nobody files it (ALEA Driver License Manual).
  • ALEA checks crash reports and the state's online insurance verification system to find uninsured drivers who weren't ticketed (ALEA Rule 760-X-1-.23, 2026).

Step by step after a crash in Alabama

  1. Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
  2. Call the police when Alabama law requires it. You must stop after any crash, help anyone hurt, and give your name, address and registration number and show your license to the others involved.
  3. File your own report if the rule applies to you. If anyone was hurt or killed, or damage to any vehicle or property is $500 or more, and the at-fault driver had no insurance, the driver involved must send form SR-31 (Accident Claim Form) to the ALEA Safety Responsibility Unit within 30 days (P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102-1471, or online).
  4. Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
  5. Get a copy of the crash report. Buy a copy of an Alabama crash report for $15, online through ALEA or in person at any ALEA Driver License office.
  6. Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in Alabama

Questions about reporting a crash in Alabama

When do you have to call the police after a car accident in Alabama?

You must stop after any crash, help anyone hurt, and give your name, address and registration number and show your license to the others involved. Any crash with injury or death must be reported by the fastest means to the local police (inside a city) or to State Troopers (on a state highway). If asked, give the other drivers your liability insurer's name and address and your local agent's name.

How much damage has to be reported in Alabama?

If anyone was hurt or killed, or damage to any vehicle or property is $500 or more, and the at-fault driver had no insurance, the driver involved must send form SR-31 (Accident Claim Form) to the ALEA Safety Responsibility Unit within 30 days (P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102-1471, or online).

Do I have to file my own accident report in Alabama?

If anyone was hurt or killed, or damage to any vehicle or property is $500 or more, and the at-fault driver had no insurance, the driver involved must send form SR-31 (Accident Claim Form) to the ALEA Safety Responsibility Unit within 30 days (P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102-1471, or online). If both drivers were insured, no SR-31 is needed. You can file only if you have not been paid for your losses.

How do I get a copy of a crash report in Alabama?

Buy a copy of an Alabama crash report for $15, online through ALEA or in person at any ALEA Driver License office. Ala. Code § 32-10-7 limits who may buy one. For a city police crash, you can also ask that department.

What is the deadline for an accident report in Alabama?

If anyone was hurt or killed, or damage to any vehicle or property is $500 or more, and the at-fault driver had no insurance, the driver involved must send form SR-31 (Accident Claim Form) to the ALEA Safety Responsibility Unit within 30 days (P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102-1471, or online).

More for Alabama drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.