If You Are Involved In An Accident

What To Do If You Are Involved
In A Motor Vehicle Accident

STOP YOUR CAR – Never leave the scene of an accident in which you or your car were involved. No matter how slight the collision, if you fail to stop, you may leave yourself open to criminal prosecution even though the accident was not your fault. Stop your car as soon as possible without further endangering any person or property and without blocking traffic.

GET AID FOR THE INJURED – If any one has been hurt, call 911 and ask for an ambulance. Do not attempt first aid unless you are qualified to give it. You may make matters worse instead of better.

CALL THE POLICE – Call 911 for the police even if there are no injuries.

EXCHANGE INFORMATION – As the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident, you are required by state law to give the other driver, any injured person, the owner of any damaged property, and the police the following:

your name,
your address,
your driver’s license number,
your motor vehicle’s registration number, and
the name and address of each person in your car.

SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT –

If you have any doubt at all about your own condition or that of the passengers in your car, see a doctor as soon as possible. Ask your passengers to do the same.
Make sure you give the doctor or emergency room personnel a complete and accurate report of exactly what happened and what injuries you think you have, no matter how minor they seem.
Some injuries, especially injuries to muscles and tendons do not always manifest themselves immediately. It can take hours to days before you experience the full impact of your injuries.

ALABAMA MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY ACT 32-7-1

The purpose of the Alabama Motor Vehicle Responsibility Act is to require and establish financial responsibility for every owner or operator of a motor vehicle involved in an accident in the State of Alabama. The driver of every motor vehicle that is in any manner involved in an accident within the State of Alabama, whereby the accident has resulted in the damage to the property of any one person in excess of $250.00, or in bodily injury or in the death of any person irrespective of amount of property damage, must file a report, form SR-13, with the DRIVERS LICENSE DIVISION, MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY UNIT, within thirty (30) days of the date of the accident. Failure to file a report within thirty (30) days as required by the statute will result in suspension of drivers license and registrations. In addition, you are subject to arrest and criminal prosecution for failing to file a proper report.

SR-13 FAQ
HOW TO FILE THE SR-13 FORM

State Form SR-13 may be downloaded here, or obtained Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., at the Records Division, 1^st Floor of the Municipal Justice Safety Center at 815 Wheeler Avenue, Huntsville. As well at any State Trooper’s Office. Normally within forty-eight (48) hours after an accident occurs within the Huntsville City Limits, a copy of the Alabama Uniform Traffic Accident Report, completed by the Huntsville Police Department’s investigating officer, may be obtained at the Huntsville Police Department for $10.00. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE ACCIDENT REPORT; however, it may assist you in completion of the SR-13 Form.

If you are out-of-town, or it is not practical for you to come to the Huntsville Police Department to obtain a copy of the accident report and the SR-13 Form, send either a money order or certified check in the amount of $10.50 with a stamped, self addressed envelope and the order form given to you by the investigating officer to:

Huntsville Police Department
P.O. Box 2085
Huntsville, Alabama 35804-2085
Attn: Records Division