US-80 and Highway 14 Crashes in Dallas County

A car crash on US-80 or Highway 14 in Dallas County can leave you with immediate safety questions and longer-term insurance questions. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. If no one appears injured or dead, you are not impaired, and a drivable vehicle can be moved safely, move it out of the roadway without leaving the scene. Exchange identifying and insurance information, photograph what you can safely document, and seek medical care for symptoms. Keep the report number and your records. Alabama's fault rules, policy limits, and filing deadlines may affect the claim. This guide explains the first steps for Selma-area drivers. For an initial case review, call the Law Offices of Elliott Owen Lipinsky at (334) 230-7986.

What should you do at the scene of a US-80 or Highway 14 crash in Dallas County?

US-80 crosses Selma and Dallas County; Highway 14 connects Selma with surrounding communities. A wreck on either route may involve fast-moving traffic, so safety comes before photographs. Alabama Code § 32-10-1 requires a driver involved in a covered crash to stop at or near the scene and remain long enough to meet the duties in § 32-10-2. If the crash involves no apparent injury or death, the driver is not impaired, and the vehicle is drivable and can be moved safely, Alabama Code § 32-10-1(b) permits the driver to move it to the shoulder, emergency lane, median, or another location close to the crash site. The driver must remain at or return to the scene. A vehicle involved in a crash with injury or death may not be moved until a law-enforcement officer directs it. § 32-10-1(c). Check on others, request help for injuries, exchange information, and record vehicle positions, damage, signs, and witnesses when it is safe. Photographs and witness names may help clarify what happened, but no single piece of evidence decides every claim.

Do you have to report a car accident in Selma and Dallas County?

A crash involving injury or death has an immediate reporting rule: Alabama Code § 32-10-5 directs a driver to notify local police inside a municipality, or the county sheriff or state highway patrol outside one, by the quickest available means. A property-damage-only crash may not trigger that same immediate-notice rule, although other reporting duties can apply and calling police is often prudent. Under § 32-10-2, a driver in a covered crash must provide identifying and vehicle information and render reasonable aid to an injured person. Ask the responding agency how to obtain its report. Eligible people can also request Alabama crash reports through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Is Alabama a fault state, and what are the minimum insurance limits?

Alabama generally uses a fault-based system for vehicle-injury claims. A claimant must establish that another party's conduct caused a legally compensable loss; fault can be disputed, and an insurer's obligations depend on its policy and coverage limits. Alabama's minimum motor-vehicle liability limits are commonly described as 25/50/25: $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injuries to multiple people in one crash, and $25,000 for property damage. A serious injury can exceed those limits. Uninsured- or underinsured-motorist coverage on your own policy may matter, depending on the policy, any rejection, and the circumstances of the collision.

How can contributory negligence bar your Dallas County injury claim?

Alabama generally follows contributory negligence in ordinary injury claims. If an injured person's own negligence proximately contributed to the harm, it may bar recovery even when another driver also acted negligently. The analysis is fact-specific; defenses and exceptions can matter, and an insurer's allegation of shared fault does not decide the case. Preserve photographs, witness details, repair and medical records, and discuss disputed fault with counsel before accepting a settlement or signing a release.

How long do you have to file a car accident lawsuit in Alabama?

Most Alabama personal-injury lawsuits must be filed within two years under Alabama Code § 6-2-38(l). The date the period begins and possible exceptions depend on the claim; claims involving a government entity may also have earlier notice requirements. Do not assume a settlement discussion or online inquiry stops a deadline. Early review can help preserve vehicle evidence, video, witness information, and medical records while someone identifies the dates that apply to your case.

How does a local Dallas County car accident lawyer help after a US-80 or Highway 14 wreck?

A Selma-based lawyer can evaluate the crash report, photographs, witness accounts, medical records, insurance policies, and any argument about shared fault. If the office accepts your case, Elliott Owen Lipinsky can investigate available evidence, explain coverage and deadlines, communicate with insurers, and discuss whether negotiation or litigation fits the facts. Familiarity with Dallas County roads and courts helps frame the questions, but no lawyer can promise a particular settlement or verdict. An initial review is a chance to decide what information is missing and what steps may be appropriate.

Frequently asked questions

What if the other driver was uninsured on US-80 or Highway 14?

Possibly. Uninsured- or underinsured-motorist coverage on your own policy may provide a source of recovery if another driver's insurance is absent or insufficient. Whether it applies depends on the policy, available limits, and the facts. Keep the declarations page and ask the office to review it; do not assume that a lack of insurance means there is no possible claim.

How much does it cost to talk to a Selma car accident lawyer?

The office offers a free initial case review. If representation is offered, Elliott will explain the scope, attorney fee, and case expenses in a written agreement before you decide whether to hire the firm. Personal-injury matters are often handled on a contingency-fee basis, but the terms for your matter must be discussed individually. Call (334) 230-7986 to ask about your situation.

Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?

First identify which insurer is asking. Your own policy may have notice and cooperation duties, while another driver's insurer has different interests. Give accurate information, avoid guessing about injuries or fault, and consider speaking with counsel before agreeing to a recorded interview or signing a release. A lawyer can also help you understand any policy obligations.

What if I was partly at fault for the Dallas County crash?

Alabama's contributory-negligence rule can make a disputed share of fault important, but the insurer's accusation is not a final legal finding. Whether your conduct contributed to the injury, and whether any exception applies, depends on the evidence and the claim. Preserve what you can and get a fact-specific review before deciding the case has no value.

If you were injured in a crash on US-80, Highway 14, or another Dallas County road, the Law Offices of Elliott Owen Lipinsky can review the circumstances and discuss possible next steps. Call (334) 230-7986 or request a free case review.

After an injury crash, begin with the Selma car-accident guide, use the Selma crash-report guide to understand what the report may show, and consult the West Alabama court and 2024 crash-data resource for county links and regional context.

Reviewed by Elliott Owen Lipinsky • October 28, 2026.