How Long Do You Have to Report a Car Accident in California?

Updated: June 13th, 2025

Regardless of perceived fault, car accidents that result in injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 must be reported to the California Highway Patrol or local police within 24 hours and to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days.

However, there are other important conditions to keep in mind when considering: How long do you have to report a car accident?

Here’s a breakdown of the requirements for when and how to file an official report to the DMV, police, and insurance companies. For a more in-depth overview of your particular situation, please do not hesitate to schedule a free consultation with our California car accident lawyers.

Reporting a Car Accident to Law Enforcement in California

If you have been involved in a car accident in California, it is sometimes required to report it to law enforcement, even if you were not at fault. To demonstrate transparency and avoid repercussions like fines, increased insurance premiums, imprisonment, or driver’s license suspension, timely reporting is crucial.

When a Police Report Is Required

Under California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 20008, if you’re involved in a car accident that results in injury or death, you are legally required to report it to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) or the local police department within 24 hours. This applies regardless of who was at fault.

How to File a Police Report

• Call 911 and request CHP assistance. The responding officer will speak with all parties involved and record the accident details in a police report. This car accident report should be accessible within 45 days following the accident.
• If the driver is incapacitated or unable to report, any present passengers at the accident scene must file the police report on behalf of the driver. 
• Another police report does not need to be filed if law enforcement has already created one at the accident scene.

Failing to file a police report with law enforcement can result in criminal penalties, including jail time and significant fines.

Reporting a Car Accident to the DMV in California

Filing this crash report is mandatory regardless of fault; failure to do so may result in the loss of driving privileges. Even without an SR-1 filing, an accident may still appear on your driving record, particularly if there were injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage.

When a DMV Accident Report Is Required

Under California Vehicle Code Section 16000, California law requires drivers to report accidents to the DMV under the following conditions:

• Anyone was injured, even if the injury was minor
• A person was killed
• Property damage exceeded $1,000

A Form SR-1 must be submitted to the DMV within 10 days of the car accident. If the vehicle involved was a company vehicle, the employer must submit the SR-1 form within five days under Section 16002.

How to File a DMV Accident Report

If law enforcement reports to the DMV on your behalf, the collision will show up on your driving record unless the law enforcement officer reporting says you were not at fault. An SR-1 form is required to report an accident to the DMV and can be obtained from: CHP Offices, DMV Field Offices, or the DMV Website.

Even if a police report was filed, submitting an SR-1 form is still required if anyone was injured, a person was killed, or if property damage exceeds $1,000. Failure to submit this form can result in driver’s license suspension until the form is received.

Reporting a Car Accident to Your Insurance Company

Insurance policies vary, and some require prompt notification–sometimes as soon as 24 hours after the crash. Therefore, review your policy to ensure you are not breaching its terms.

When an Accident Report with Your Insurance Provider Is Required

Unlike filing a DMV or police report, California law does not impose a legal deadline for reporting a car accident to the insurance company. 

Even in the case of a minor accident, it is strongly advised to notify your insurance carrier as a precautionary measure. Doing so will prevent future complications when trying to recover damages from the car accident.

However, it is best to first consult with a car accident attorney to understand what information should be disclosed, as any details shared could negatively impact the auto insurance claim.

Why Filing an Accident Report with Insurance Matters

• Delays in reporting an accident can negatively impact the car insurance claim, resulting in out-of-pocket expenses that will not be reimbursed  
• Insurance companies require adequate time for a proper investigation and assessment of sustained damages listed in the insurance claim
• Late reporting can weaken your car accident case, particularly if injuries or damages worsen over time. 
• A delayed report can make it more challenging to establish a direct link between the car accident and the resulting injuries or vehicle damage.

Can Insurance Companies Deny Late Claims?

Yes, failing to report a car accident can result in the claim being denied in the future.

This is especially true for bodily injury damages, as there needs to be a clear connection that the accident caused the injuries. Other reasons your insurance company could deny your claim may include:

• There’s no sufficient evidence linking the injuries or damage to the motor vehicle accident.
• You exceeded the timeline defined by your insurance policy.
• The costs of repair or medical bills are lower than your deductible.
• The type of damage isn’t covered under your plan.

In California, there is generally a two-year statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit and a three-year limit to file a property damage claim. However, insurance providers may have shorter filing periods, so always carefully review your policy.

What Happens if You Don’t Report a Car Accident?

Neglecting to report a car accident can lead to serious consequences under California law. The repercussions of not reporting an accident may include the following:

DMV Penalties

California Vehicle Code Section 16004 mandates that the DMV has the authority to suspend your driver’s license if you fail to submit the SR-1 form within the stipulated 10-day timeframe.

Criminal Charges

Under Vehicle Code 20001 VC, failing to report an accident involving serious injury or death can lead to:

• A jail sentence of up to one year and fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, or both
• Two to four years in prison or 90 days to one year in jail
• Jail or prison time, along with fines of $1,000 to $10,000
• Penalties up to one year of jail time and comparable fines

Insurance Policy Rate Increases

If a car accident isn’t reported to an insurance company, individuals risk losing coverage for subsequent medical expenses or repair costs. Furthermore, they could experience higher insurance rates or even policy cancellation due to a failure to comply with reporting requirements.

Why Some Drivers Delay Reporting—and the Risks

Generally, a car accident should be reported to the appropriate parties if serious injuries, death, or damages are sustained. However, there are situations that may cause a delay in filing the car accident claim, such as:

• The misunderstanding that it wasn’t “serious enough”
• Damages, injuries, or symptoms not immediately apparent
• Unaware of the laws mandating when an accident must be reported
• Intending to settle the incident with the other party under the table

Regardless of the reasoning, anyone involved in a car crash who fails to report the incident is still subject to legal consequences.

Best Practice

Report a car accident soon after the incident takes place to avoid legal ramifications. Complying with the established time limitations for reporting car accidents ensures accuracy, prevents case complications, and promotes a firm foundation for the personal injury claim.

For questions, consult with a car accident lawyer. Most lawyers offer free consultations and can advise when to report the car accident, file a personal injury claim, and make other recommendations based on the circumstances.

FAQs About Reporting Car Accidents in California

What if the other driver is uninsured?

If you’re involved in a traffic accident with an uninsured driver or an underinsured driver, you can file a claim with your own insurance company. However, your policy must include uninsured motorist coverage/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).

Does a police report automatically go to your insurance?

No. Sometimes, the police report will be linked to a DMV report, but it is distinct from an insurance claim. Therefore, you will need to file a separate accident report directly with your insurance provider.

Who should I contact first: my insurance or the other driver’s?

Notify your insurance company. After you file a claim, your insurer will communicate with the other driver’s insurance company if needed. There is no need to speak with the other driver’s insurance; in fact, it is advisable to limit contact, as they might attempt to assign blame to you to avoid liability.

How a California Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, or disputes over determining liability. However, a California car accident lawyer streamlines the complex legal proceedings by providing several advantages.

Legal Compliance

A car accident lawyer plays a vital role in the claims process by helping clients adhere to all legal reporting deadlines with law enforcement, the DMV, and insurance companies. 

This is crucial because failing to meet even a single reporting obligation can lead to the suspension of your driver’s license, the loss of insurance coverage, and the right to seek compensation.

Insurance Claim Assistance

A dedicated legal team will help file car insurance claims, as well as handle communication with insurance agents. It’s important for an experienced car accident attorney to manage correspondence with insurance companies to safeguard client interests by avoiding tactics aimed at reducing or rejecting claim payouts.

When working with a personal injury law firm, clients will also receive assistance arranging doctor appointments and managing medical records, which will serve as crucial evidence for pursuing fair compensation.

Maximizing Compensation

An experienced attorney plays a crucial role in a car accident case by maximizing the case value. This can be accomplished by

• Conducting a thorough investigation to identify all liable parties involved
• Gathering evidence, such as surveillance footage and witness testimonies
• Aggressively pursue compensation for clients, accounting for medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering

Court Representation

If a settlement can’t be reached, a car accident attorney can initiate a personal injury lawsuit and provide courtroom representation to clients before a judge and jury to reach an optimal outcome.

While most personal injury cases settle out of court, lawsuits may be necessary in cases involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death to obtain the full and fair compensation the injured party and/or their family deserves.

For Help, Contact the Top-Rated Car Accident Law Firm

If you’ve been in a car accident in California, act fast. You typically have:

• 24 hours to report to the police if there are injuries or death
• 10 days to file with the DMV if the accident involves injuries, fatalities, or property damage over $1,000
• As soon as possible to notify your insurance company, depending on your policy

Even a minor delay could affect your right to recover compensation or get you into legal trouble. To protect your legal rights and secure the best possible outcome, consult a car accident lawyer as early as possible.

The legal team at Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer offers free consultations and can walk you through your reporting responsibilities, claims process, and legal options after a car accident.

Contact our award-winning law firm today to schedule your free case review and ensure your rights are protected. After an accident, Jeff’s got you.