What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in California
A collision is disorienting and stressful. The decisions you make in the minutes and days following a crash can dramatically affect your physical recovery and legal rights. Use this checklist to protect yourself and your family.
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Prioritize Safety and Call 911
If your vehicle is operable and on an active roadway, move safely to the shoulder or turn on hazard flashers. Check yourself and passengers for injuries. Call 911 immediately so police and paramedics are dispatched. Request that an official police report (CHP or local municipal police) be filed, and obtain the incident or collision report number before leaving.
Exchange Information Without Debating Fault
Exchange names, phone numbers, driver's license numbers, vehicle license plate numbers, and auto insurance policy details with every involved driver. Keep conversations polite and factual. Never apologize or say things like “I didn't see you” or “I'm fine.” Fault is a legal determination based on evidence and vehicle codes.
Take Comprehensive Photos and Identify Witnesses
Use your phone to photograph all vehicle damage from multiple angles, license plates, skid marks, street signs, traffic lights, roadway conditions, weather, and visible injuries. If bystanders or other drivers stopped, ask for their names and phone numbers. Independent witness statements often decide disputed liability.
California Reporting Requirement: DMV SR-1 Form Within 10 Days
Under California Vehicle Code § 20008 and § 16000, you (or your attorney or insurance representative) must report any collision to the California DMV using Form SR-1 within 10 days if anyone was injured (no matter how minor), if anyone died, or if property damage to any vehicle or property exceeds $1,000. This filing is required regardless of who was at fault, and failure to file can lead to driver's license suspension.
Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation
Adrenaline can mask severe soft-tissue trauma, concussions, and internal bleeding. Visit an urgent care, emergency room, or your primary physician within 24 to 72 hours even if symptoms seem mild. A medical evaluation protects your health and creates the essential treatment documentation that connects your injuries directly to the crash.
Notify Your Insurance Company Carefully • What Not to Say
Notify your own carrier of the accident promptly, but stick strictly to factual basics (date, time, location, vehicles involved). Do not agree to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without consulting an attorney first. Adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize or deny your claim. Do not accept a quick settlement check before you understand the full scope of your medical needs.
Keep Detailed Records and Talk to an Attorney
Create a dedicated folder for all medical bills, prescription receipts, repair estimates, tow receipts, rental car invoices, and paystubs documenting lost wages. If you suffered injuries, consult an attorney before signing any medical authorizations or liability releases. Attorney Krystina Tran handles personal injury claims on a contingency-fee basis: no upfront costs, and no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Important Legal Information:
The checklist above provides general educational information regarding California motor vehicle accident procedures and does not constitute formal legal advice. Every accident involves unique facts, statutes of limitation, and insurance policies. Submitting an inquiry through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship until a formal written retainer agreement is signed.
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