If you are filing a car accident claim in Alabama, you’ll need a copy of your police accident reports. These reports are crucial pieces of evidence that can prove your version of events. Although they are not mandatory, you will want to include an Alabama accident report when you open a liability claim with the insurance company.
How to Get an Accident Report in Alabama
You can request a copy of a police accident report from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s website here. You may also request an accident report from the specific police department that responded to the scene. The parties that can request an accident report in Alabama include the involved drivers, their attorneys, parents/guardians of minors, and insurers (Code of Alabama 32-10-7).
Requesting Your Report from Birmingham PD or Huntsville PD
If a city police department responded to your crash rather than a state trooper, you’ll usually get your report faster by going straight to that department instead of ALEA.
If Your Crash Was in Birmingham
Request your report from the Birmingham Police Department Records Division:
- Address: 1710 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Phone: (205) 254-6308
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Cost: $5 per copy
- How to request: In person at Records, or by mail with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and payment (check or money order made out to the City of Birmingham). Call ahead to confirm your report is ready before making the trip.
If Your Crash Was in Huntsville or Madison County
Request your report from the Huntsville Police Department Records Division:
- Address: 815 Wheeler Ave NW, Huntsville, AL 35801
- Phone: (256) 427-7020
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Cost: Approximately $10 per copy
- How to request: In person at Records, or online through the department’s request portal. Allow at least 72 hours after your crash before requesting — the officer needs time to file the report first.
If your crash happened on a state highway or interstate outside city limits, an Alabama State Trooper may have responded instead of local police. In that case, you’ll need to request the report through ALEA rather than the city department.
What Is a Crash Report?
Accident reports are documents law enforcement officers fill out at the scene of car crashes. Accident reports detail basic information about the crash, including the following:
- Date
- Location
- Make/model/year of vehicles
- Drivers’ insurance information
- Details of injuries
- Accident details
- Description of the collision
- Contributing factors
- Vehicle body damage
- Drawn diagrams
- Witness contact information
- Property damage details
Essentially, a police accident report is meant to serve as an objective record of the accident events and the first source of evidence for piecing together what happened. It is for these reasons that police accident reports are such a critical piece of evidence in car accident insurance claims.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Alabama Crash Report?
It depends on the specific police department, but most car accident reports will be filed within three to seven days after the accident.
What to Do After Getting Your Alabama Car Accident Report?
After receiving your crash report, you should take steps to see a doctor and consult with an attorney. A doctor can provide an official diagnosis of your injuries and the medical documentation you will need to prove your claim. An Alabama car accident lawyer can help you initiate the next steps of the claims process and negotiate with any insurance companies on your behalf. The sooner you get medical documentation and meet with a Birmingham personal injury attorney after getting an accident report, the less likely you are to face claim delays or denials.
How Much Does an Alabama Police Accident Report Cost?
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency charges $15 per crash report fee, which you can pay via credit or debit card. Reports can be purchased online or in person at an agency branch. Other departments might charge different fees for crash reports. For instance, the Greenville Police Department charges a flat $25 fee for all crash reports, payable by cash or money order.
Contact Our Alabama Car Accident Lawyer for Help
Alabama accident reports can form the backbone of a personal injury claim, so try to get a hold of yours as quickly as possible. If you have any further questions about obtaining an Alabama car accident report or would like to speak to a car accident attorney in Birmingham, contact Collins Law, LLC, online or call today for a free, no-obligation consultation and case review.
