Car Crash

California Accident Laws – Know Your Reporting Time Limits

After an accident, a driver of a vehicle involved in the incident, or their legal representative, must report the accident to not just one but three different entities. Failure to do this can result in serious consequences. Let's look at how much time you have to make a report and who you are required to report to.

Reporting an Accident to Law Enforcement

It is critical to understand California car accident laws. According to the California Vehicle Code, you have 24 hours to report the motor vehicle accident to the California Highway Patrol or a local police department if the accident happened within their jurisdiction. This is mandatory if anyone was injured or killed in the accident. Don't worry if you send it to the wrong place. The receiving agency will send it on to the proper authority.

If an officer investigated the accident when it happened, he or she will file a report, eliminating your responsibility to do so. Make sure you learn the police person's name for your files. If you drive a common carrier, such as a taxi or a group transportation vehicle, the reporting time changes. In these cases, the accident report should be done by the 10th of the month after the date of the accident.

Reporting the Accident to the DMV

The next requirement is reporting the accident to the DMV. You need to do this within 10 days if another person was injured or killed in the accident or if property damage exceeded $1,000. This requirement stands whether the accident happened on private property or someone else caused the accident. The way you report it is on a Report of a Traffic Accident Happening in California form. This SR-1 form is available online as a PDF.

SR-1 Reporting to the DMV

This form requires identifying information about both the reporting driver and the other party or parties involved in the accident as well as anyone injured or killed in the accident.
The identifying information you will need about the other party's vehicle includes:

  • Contact information such as name and address of the vehicle owner and the name of the insurance policy holder
  • The year and make of the vehicle and whether the damage was over $1,000
  • The license plate number
  • Contact information about the vehicle owner
  • The insurance company name, policy number and the dates for which the policy is good

Information you will need about anyone hurt or killed in the accident or property damage includes:

  • The name and address of anyone injured or deceased. There is a checkbox to indicate whether the person was another driver, a passenger, pedestrian or bicyclist.
  • A section devoted to property damage that asks what object or animal (if livestock was involved) was damaged and whether the damage exceeded $1,000.
  • A space is included for the owner of the property's name and address.

The insurance information about your vehicle required includes:

  • The name of the insurance company
  • The policy number and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) number
  • The date of the accident and where it happened
  • Identifying information about the vehicle
  • Names of the driver, owner and insurance policy holder

The SR-1 form is mailed to:

The Department of Motor Vehicles
Financial Responsibility
Mail Station J237
P.O. Box 942884
Sacramento, California 94284-0884

Reporting Your Accident to the Insurance Company

Accidents should be reported to your insurance company as soon as you can. Even an accident that does not look serious can become a significant financial drain. Making sure your insurance company knows ensures the company will be able to defend the accident claim. In addition, if the accident is not reported, it is possible that coverage may be denied.

Attorney David Azizi
Attorney David Azizi

Always Be Prepared For The Unexpected

A thorough way to be ready in uncertain moments is to download, print, and keep a car accident checklist with your vehicle's registration so that you can know what essential steps should be taken after a wreck.

Why You Might Need a Car Accident Attorney's Help

Depending on the accident, you might require the experienced assistance an attorney can provide. If you've been hurt, removing the stress of reporting an accident and talking to insurance agents is even more important.

David Azizi has helped many clients deal with what needs to be done after an accident. He is adamant about getting things done correctly and making sure medical and other expenses are covered. Call David at (800) 991-5292 for a no-obligation, free review of your accident.