What should I do immediately after a car accident in Tuscaloosa, Alabama?
Get to safety, call 911 if anyone is hurt, report the crash, exchange information, take photos, identify witnesses, seek medical treatment, and avoid admitting fault.
The first priority after any wreck is safety. Do not move the vehicles until the police officers arrive unless state statute requires otherwise. Move out of active traffic if you can do so safely, turn on hazard lights, and check for injuries. Call 911, especially if anyone is hurt, if traffic is blocked, or if the crash is serious. In Alabama, drivers involved in crashes that cause injury, death, or vehicle damage have legal duties to stop, provide identifying information, and render reasonable aid. You should also photograph the vehicles, roadway, traffic signals, skid marks, debris, injuries, and insurance cards. Do not guess about fault at the scene. A simple statement such as “I am sorry” may later be twisted by an insurance company into an admission. After the scene is secure, get medical care and speak with an Alabama car accident lawyer before giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
