Car accident liability decides who pays after a crash—and it can shape your health, finances, and future.
Who pays after a crash? If you’re an immigrant in Alabama, it’s normal to worry about medical bills, forms you don’t fully understand, or recorded statements in English. Liability rules also vary by state and depend on the evidence available, so knowing the basics prevents costly mistakes.
According to ALDATA (Safety Alabama) in 2024, there were 141,269 total crashes statewide.
Within that total, there were 901 fatal injuries and 26,242 non-fatal injury crashes (sum of suspected serious, suspected minor, and possible injuries).
The counties with the most crashes were Jefferson (27,080), Mobile (13,500), and Madison (11,643); the top cities were Birmingham (13,792), Mobile (9,935), Montgomery (8,650), and Huntsville (8,315).
The leading contributing circumstances were Followed too Close (14,226), Misjudge Stopping Distance (9,618), and Improper Lane Change/Use (8,666).
Numbers shift year to year, but the pattern is clear: collisions are common, and liability decisions matter.
Here, we’ll cover what liability insurance actually pays for, how to determine liability in a car accident, what happens if you’re found at fault, and what to do after a motor vehicle accident.
What does liability insurance cover in a car accident?
Liability car insurance pays others when car accident liability puts you at fault; it covers their medical bills and property repairs, not your injuries or vehicle, up to the limits listed on your insurance policy.
Two pieces, two jobs:
- Bodily injury (BI) liability: Pays the other party’s medical care and rehabilitation, may cover lost wages and pain and suffering, and can include your legal defense if you’re sued.
- Property damage (PD) liability: Pays to repair or replace the other party’s property—their vehicle, and things like fences, guardrails, mailboxes, or buildings.
What it doesn’t cover:
- Your own injuries (that’s typically Medical Payments/MedPay, health insurance or Personal Injury Protection in no-fault states).
- Damage to your own car (that’s typically collision coverage).
Quick example (illustrative only):
If your policy shows $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for BI and $25,000 for PD, your insurer can pay up to those limits for the other driver’s hospital bills and repairs. Bills above those limits could become your responsibility.
This example is for illustration only—policies vary. Check your declarations page to confirm your actual limits.
How to determine liability in a car accident
Figuring out who’s responsible isn’t guesswork. Insurers and courts look at whether each driver used “reasonable care”.
In plain English, you’re at fault when you didn’t act as a careful driver would—and that conduct caused the crash.
That’s the heart of how to determine liability in a car accident and why car accident liability can change the outcome of your claim.
What usually carries the most weight:
- Road rules & citations: running a red light, failing to yield, speeding.
- Physical evidence: vehicle damage, skid marks, debris patterns, and, when available, the vehicle’s event data recorder (“black box”) —when equipped and legally obtainable.
- Scene documentation: photos and video from phones or nearby cameras, weather and lighting, 911 call logs, and timestamps.
- Police report: diagram of the scene, statements, and any citations; ask for a copy and request a correction if something is clearly wrong.
- Witness statements: names, phone numbers, and short written notes while memories are fresh.
- Experts: crash-reconstruction specialists to explain angles, speeds, and impact; medical experts to connect injuries to the collision.
If English isn’t your first language, get dedicated legal help in Spanish and ask for an interpreter before giving a statement. Don’t sign or record anything you don’t understand.
Keep all receipts, medical notes, and communication—organized evidence is often the difference between a weak claim and a strong one.
What happens if you are at fault in a car accident?
If investigators decide you’re at fault, your liability insurance pays the other party’s losses up to your policy limits.
If the bills are higher than your limits, you could be sued for the difference. And yes—your insurance rates will likely go up after fault is confirmed.
What this usually means for you
- Your insurer pays the other driver’s medical care and property damage (within limits).
- Your insurer typically provides a lawyer to defend you if you’re sued on a covered claim.
- If damages exceed your limits, you may face personal exposure.
- Premiums commonly rise at renewal after an at-fault crash.
At-fault vs. no-fault states—why it matters
In at-fault states, the driver who caused the crash (or their insurer) pays the other party’s losses. In no-fault states, each driver first uses their own PIP (personal injury protection) for medical costs, regardless of who caused it; lawsuits are limited unless injuries cross certain thresholds. Property damage is still usually based on fault.
Alabama’s contributory negligence rule
In Alabama, the law uses pure contributory negligence—meaning if you’re even 1% at fault, you could lose the right to collect any compensation from the other driver for your injuries.
Limited exceptions exist—wantonness (more than negligence) and last clear chance (the other driver could still avoid the crash)—but they’re rare and fact-specific.
Contributory negligence is a tough rule. Keep evidence organized and statements careful—don’t admit fault; request an interpreter if needed; and consider attorneys who can help you review coverage, statements, and deadlines so you don’t miss critical steps
What to do after a motor vehicle accident
Not sure what to do after a motor vehicle accident? Start with safety and documentation—these steps protect your health and help clarify car accident liability.
- Check safety & call 911. Move to a safe spot if safe to do so and request medical help.
- Seek medical care even if you feel fine—some injuries appear days later.
- Document everything: photos of vehicles/scene, road conditions, injuries; collect names, plates, insurance, and witness contacts.
- Get the police report number; later, request a copy and review it for accuracy.
- Don’t admit fault and avoid recorded statements until you understand the questions. Ask for an interpreter if you need one.
- Notify your insurer promptly; keep all bills, visit summaries, time-off notes, and receipts in one folder.
- Consider speaking with an attorney about deadlines (statutes, claim windows) and how to present evidence.
Across Alabama, bilingual attorneys specialized in motor vehicle accidents can explain coverage, handle statements, map timelines, and help you organize evidence so you can make informed decisions early.
Why liability car insurance is only part of the picture
Liability car insurance is essential, but minimum limits often don’t match real medical or wage-loss bills, and it may not cover everything you and your family need after a crash.
In Alabama, according to the Alabama Department of Insurance, the state minimum is 25/50/25—up to $25k per injured person, $50k per crash for all injuries, and $25k for property damage. If a multi-car collision sends two people to the ER with $80k in total treatment, your bodily-injury limit may stop at $50k, leaving a gap the other side can still pursue.
Protect against common gaps before a crash:
- UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) can step in when the other driver has no insurance—or too little—to cover your losses (medical care, some lost wages). Think: the at-fault driver’s policy pays $25k, your hospital bills reach $45k; UM/UIM may cover the $20k difference.
- MedPay (Medical Payments) can pay early costs like ambulance, X-rays, and doctor visits regardless of fault—useful while car accident liability is still under review and before any settlement arrives.
Bottom line: check your declarations page. If your limits look like 25/50/25, consider higher liability plus UM/UIM and a MedPay amount that matches (or exceeds) your typical deductible.
From Crash to Clarity: Your Next Steps After a Motor Vehicle Accident
Liability decides who pays after a crash. It covers the other party’s medical and property losses—not your injuries or your car.
Fault turns on evidence: traffic rules, reports, witnesses, experts. If you’re found at fault, your insurer pays up to your limits, premiums often rise, and Alabama’s contributory negligence can bar recovery with even 1% fault.
After a collision, prioritize safety and medical care, document the scene, avoid admissions or recorded statements, and notify your insurer. Consider UM/UIM and MedPay to close gaps.
For a clear review of coverage and deadlines, Abogados Centro Legal offers bilingual guidance in Alabama so you can choose your next step in car accident liability.