How Long Do You Have to Report a Car Accident to Your Insurance Company?

A lot happens immediately after a significant car accident. While your mind is racing, trying to figure out what comes next, your insurance company is waiting to hear from you. It is easy to become overwhelmed with medical appointments, notifying your employer you’ll miss work, and letting friends and family know you are okay. However, putting the insurance company on the back burner and waiting to contact them can potentially jeopardize your car accident claim.

Beginning the claim process immediately after a collision is essential. The legal team at Stokes Stemle, LLC, wants to help you understand the car accident timeline and why it is vital to contact the insurer as soon as possible.

How Long to Report a Car Accident to Insurance

The first 24 hours after a car accident can be overwhelming. Chances are you are injured, in pain, and your head is swimming, trying to think of everything you need to do to manage your health, career, family, and insurance claim. Your priority at this time should be your health. Seek medical attention immediately. 

You should also inform the insurance company that an accident has occurred. The deadline to file a claim depends on your insurance company, but it’s best to file as soon as possible to start the process. 

Keep your conversation short and factual, and avoid giving an official statement now. 

Montgomery’s Reporting Time Frame

In addition to notifying the insurance company, drivers must report car accidents to the Alabama Department of Public Safety. You must file an accident report with the department within 30 days of the accident date. The report is available online, but you can also obtain a blank copy of the accident report from your local police department, sheriff’s office, or state trooper’s office.

Reporting a car accident to insurance should ideally happen as soon as possible. Many companies have strict time limits for filing a claim as outlined by the individual’s insurance policy.

Why Timely Reporting Matters 

Timely reporting matters in car accident cases. Why? The longer it takes to report the accident, the higher the likelihood that vital evidence can be lost or destroyed, hurting your chances of building a strong compensation claim. Reporting the accident as soon as possible also helps because memories change. 

Remember that the deadline to file an insurance claim differs from the deadline to file a car accident lawsuit to recover your damages. In Alabama, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the injury. 

Tips for Efficient and Effective Reporting 

Do you have questions on how to report a car accident to insurance? These tips can help you effectively and efficiently report an accident to the insurance company:

• Contact the insurance company as soon as possible.
• Review policy coverage details.
• Decline to provide an official statement until you retain an attorney.
• Keep interactions with the insurer brief, accurate, and factual.
• Provide the company with the essential details, including the time, date, location of the accident, and everyone’s identifying information and driver’s license numbers.
• Do not provide opinions or make assumptions.
• Allow your attorney to help facilitate communication between you and the insurer.

Contact Our Montgomery Car Accident Lawyers to Learn More 

Has a careless Montgomery driver injured you in an accident? Allow the experienced legal team at Stokes Stemle, LLC, to help you navigate reporting the car accident to insurance. We can manage communication between you and the insurer, help you manage your claim, and negotiate on your behalf for maximum compensation for your injuries. 

Contact our Montgomery office today to request your free initial consultation.