Reporting an Accident!
To Your Insurance Company
If you have accident call the 800 number on your insurance card as soon as possible.
Claims processors will take your information and start the claim process right away. Here are some things you should do at the scene of the accident.
- Make sure everyone is safe.
- Protect your property from any further damage.
- Make sure the police are called to investigate the accident and insist on a copy of the police report.
- Do not dicuss the accident with anyone other than the police.
- Get license and insurance information of the other drivers involved.
- If you have a camera, take pictures of the vehicles and their locations.
To the Authorities
When you have an accident, report it to DMV within 10 days if:
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More than $750 in damage was done to the property of any person.
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Anyone was injured (no matter how slightly) or killed. Each driver (or the driver’s insurance agent, broker, or legal representative) must make a report to DMV using the Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California form (SR 1). The CHP or police will not make this report for you.
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Call 1-800-777-0133 and ask for the SR 1 or go online at www. dmv.ca.gov.
You must make this report:
Whether or not you caused the accident, and even if the accident occurred on private property.
Your driving privilege will be suspended: If you don’t make this report. For four years, if you did not have proper insurance coverage. During the last three years of the suspension, your license can be returned if you provide a California Insurance Proof Certificate (SR 22) and maintain it during this period.
What You Should Do if You Have An Accident
For some good information and answers to question about what to do if you have an accident, visit this informational site, posted by the State Bar of California