ALABAMA AUTO INSURANCE GUIDE
Alabama Wrongful Death, Punitive Damages & Survival Claims
Alabama wrongful-death law is distinctive. Under Ala. Code § 6-5-410, the personal representative brings the wrongful-death action, and Alabama wrongful-death damages are punitive rather than compensatory in character. The action generally must be commenced within two years after death.
- Identify and appoint the proper personal representative before filing.
- Do not evaluate an Alabama wrongful-death claim using another state’s compensatory-loss model.
- Analyze separate survival or property claims independently where available.
- Coordinate liability, UM/UIM, estate and distribution issues before settlement.
Primary Alabama Source
Ala. Code § 6-5-410 — Wrongful Death
Current-law review: September 16, 2026. Alabama wrongful-death damages and procedure are unusually state-specific.
VictimsGuide 