Guide to Filling Out an DMV SR-1 Form After a California Car Accident (2024)

Reporting an Accident to the California DMV

You’ll want to alert your auto insurance agent as soon after a collision as possible. Then it’s important to notify the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the days that follow. THE INVESTIGATING POLICE OFFICER OR CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER WILL NOT FILE YOUR ACCIDENT WITH THE DMV FOR YOU.

You are given 10 days to report your accident by filling out what’s known as an SR-1 form. You must file when the crash totals at least $1000 in property damage to one person, including yourself. If anyone is injured, even slightly, a report must be filed with the DMV.

TheReport of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1)form is available online. The SR-1 can also be picked up at any DMV field office or CHP office. The California DMVwebsitedetails the requirements further.

Who Can Fill Out the SR1 Collision Form After a California Accident?

You are ultimately responsible for making sure California’s SR-1 form is accurately filled out and submitted to the DMV. However, you could rely on others to take care of this form for you.This is a list of the other parties who may help you complete this form:

• The accident victim or a family member fills it out.
• The victim’s car insurance representative fills it out. Many auto insurance companies report accidents to the DMV and fill out the SR-1 form for their policyholders. Not all insurance carriers perform this task. It’s important to make sure they are taking care of it so you don’t face a penalty when the deadline is missed.
• The California car accident attorney for a client. This is only possible when the attorney is notified immediately about the accident and is retained within a few days of the collision. You could turn your case over to a personal injury lawyer after the 10-day deadline is up. In this case, you’d have to take care of the SR-1 yourself.

What Happens if I Miss the DMV SR1 Form Deadline?

The penalties for not filing out an SR-1 form are laid out in California Vehicle Code §16004. The code allows the state to suspend your driver’s license and take other actions against your driving privileges. If you didn’t report an accident due to criminal intent you can face fines and even go to jail.

The biggest threat to you if you don’t promptly complete an SR-1 is the inability to file a claim over your injuries. You won’t be able to file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver’s insurance provider until you complete an SR-1.

Reporting an Accident to California Police

In most California accidents, a police officer or a CHP officer is one of the first people on the scene. However, in the rare case that an officer doesn’t come out to the scene of your accident, you may be required to file an accident report with law enforcement.

When an officer isn’t on the scene of an accident involving an injury or death, a written report is required to be submitted within 24-hours. It’s a good idea to call the nearest police station or CHP office and report what happened and find out how to submit your report.

It’ll be up to you or a family member to make this report. Your insurance carrier or your California car accident lawyer likely won’t be able to help you with this task.

What to Do on the Scene of a California Traffic Accident

While making these reports on time is an important duty, there are other tasks you should complete. There are things you can do to back up your case when it comes time to ask for financial support over an injury. You’ll want as much evidence as you can gather when filing a claim with an at-fault driver’s insurance company.

The most convincing evidence will come directly from the scene after an accident. If you are physically strong enough you should try to collect these details in the moments after your collision:

• Tell responding officers everything you can remember about what happened. Have paramedics check out every pain you are experiencing.
• Take pictures with your cellphone. Document the scene. Show the car that hit you, damage to your car, and traffic signs. Take photos of any injuries that are visible and any damage to clothing.
• Ask witnesses for contact information.
• Exchange information with everyone involved but don’t make any statements about the fault in the accident or how serious your injuries are. Insurance companies can use these statements against you later.
• See your own doctor. Get every injury documented. Do everything the doctor recommends and see any specialists suggested. Keep your medical invoices.
• Keep any damaged clothing and personal items. Don’t throw evidence out.