Personal Injury Law in Alabama
Key rules for personal injury claims in Alabama — statute of limitations, fault system, damage caps, insurance requirements, and government claim deadlines.
Key Points — Alabama
- 01Pure contributory negligence — even 1% fault bars recovery entirely
- 022-year statute of limitations for most injury claims
- 03No general cap on compensatory damages
- 04At-fault auto insurance state
Rules at a Glance
- Statute of Limitations
- 2 years from the date of injury
- Fault System
- Contributory negligence — Alabama is one of the few states that still uses pure contributory negligence. If the injured person is even 1% at fault, they are completely barred from recovery.
- Damage Caps
- No general cap on compensatory damages. Punitive damages are capped at the greater of 3x compensatory damages or $1.5 million.
- Government Notice Deadline
- Written notice to the government entity within 6 months of the injury.
- Auto Insurance System
- Alabama is an at-fault (tort) state for auto insurance.
- Minimum Liability Coverage
- 25/50/25 — $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, $25,000 for property damage.
- Workers' Comp Deadline
- Report to employer within 5 days. File claim within 2 years.
Fault System in Alabama
Alabama is one of the few states that still uses pure contributory negligence. If the injured person is even 1% at fault, they are completely barred from recovery.
Auto Insurance in Alabama
Alabama is an at-fault (tort) state for auto insurance.
Minimum required liability coverage: 25/50/25 — $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, $25,000 for property damage..
General information only. This page explains common concepts in plain language. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary by state and change over time. For any specific situation, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.