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If you are involved in a car accident, there are some standard things that you should do immediately after the accident.

– If you are not injured, check on others to see if there are injuries and then call 9-1-1 to report the accident.

– Exchange insurance information and ask witnesses for names, addresses and phone numbers (try to get home, work and mobile).

– Take pictures of the accident with your mobile device.

– Get the responding officer’s name and a case number.

– Do NOT leave the scene of the accident.

– Do NOT admit fault or discuss the accident with bystanders or witnesses.

After our clients have been involved in car accidents, two of the first questions they ask us are the following: “What should I say to the insurance company? What should I not say to the insurance company?” The most important thing to keep in mind when speaking with an insurance company is to be very cautious and guarded, because their mission is to find out whatever information benefits them.

You may think that they have your best interests at heart, but they want to come away from this paying as little as possible. This means that they will either try to minimize your claim or deny it altogether, depending on the information they obtain from you. This is why it is best if you say as little as possible. Anything you say can be twisted to be used against you and in favor of the other party.

ONLY GIVE OBJECTIVE INFORMATION THAT IS REQUESTED

When dealing with the other driver’s insurance company, it is best if you only give objective information that is requested, such as the date of the accident, your insurance policy information, and your contact information, to name a few examples. It is also safest if you can limit your communication to letters as opposed to talking on the phone or in person. This will reduce the chance of you saying something that you might later regret.

“I WANT TO CONSULT MY ATTORNEY FIRST”

Remember that you have the right to not speak with the other driver’s insurance adjuster. If you do not feel comfortable talking with him or her on your own—and even if you do feel comfortable—we advise you to employ your right to an attorney.

Alabama requires that drivers carry minimum insurance that includes bodily injury insurance. Your medical claims should be paid first under your car insurance policy with any overages paid by your medical insurance policy.

Note that if another driver is at fault for causing the accident, his or her insurance should cover your medical bills.

If you’ve been involved in an accident and the other driver doesn’t have auto insurance coverage, the best option is to file for what’s called uninsured motorist benefits.

Alabama law requires that every auto insurance policy sold in the state have uninsured motorist coverage. The only way you won’t have that coverage is if you happen to have signed a written rejection for that coverage.

Uninsured motorist coverage provides benefits for things like out‑of‑pocket expenses, medical costs, medical bills, lost wages, and future lost wages. It’s there to stand in the shoes of the at-fault party’s insurance, and it should help you get compensated for your damages from that wreck.

The other benefit of uninsured motorist coverage is that it’s stackable. This means that if you happen to have multiple cars in your family, then you can add the value of those coverages together.