By the Awan Insurance Team · Reviewed by Shahbaz Awan, Licensed California Insurance Agent (CA Lic #0H95098)
Your hands are still shaking and someone is asking for your insurance card. This car accident checklist for California covers what to do at the scene, what to do in the first 24 hours, the deadlines that come with a crash and the mistakes that cost people their claims.
After a car accident in California, stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move out of traffic if it's safe, exchange license, VIN and insurance details, photograph the scene and get witness contacts. Don't admit fault. Report injury crashes to the CHP or police within 24 hours, file a DMV SR-1 within 10 days if anyone was hurt or damage tops $1,000, see a doctor, and notify your insurer right away.
Nobody thinks clearly right after a crash, which is why a checklist helps. California adds rules most drivers have never heard of, like a DMV report you file even when it wasn't your fault. Below: 10 things to do at the scene, 5 for the first 24 hours, the claim timeline, and what a crash does to your premium. Save this page on your phone.
What Should You Do at the Scene of a Car Accident in California?
Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt, get out of traffic if it's safe, then trade information, take photos and find witnesses before anyone leaves.
The DMV handbook is blunt: you must stop, and leaving is a hit-and-run. Call 911 if anyone is hurt; if no one is, move out of traffic (Source: California DMV Driver Handbook →). The checklist we'd hand you:
- 1. Stop. Driving off, even after a fender-bender, turns a claim into a crime.
- 2. Check on everyone. If anyone is hurt, the law expects you to help, including arranging a ride to a doctor if they need one.
- 3. Call 911 if anyone is injured. Even if they say they "feel fine."
- 4. Get out of traffic. If nobody is hurt, pull to a spot that doesn't block traffic. Vehicle Code section 20002 says moving doesn't affect fault.
- 5. Turn on hazards. Stay well away from moving lanes while you wait.
- 6. Exchange information. The legal list is in the next section.
- 7. Photograph everything. Every side of each car, the plates, the road, signals and any visible injuries.
- 8. Find witnesses. Get names and numbers. Witnesses leave fast, and they settle fault disputes.
- 9. Don't admit fault. Say "are you okay?", not "that was my fault."
- 10. Note the details. Time, place, weather, and the officer's name and report number if police respond.
If you can't find the owner, leave a visible note with your name, address and what happened, then report it to the city police, or the CHP in unincorporated areas, without unnecessary delay (Source: Cal. Vehicle Code §20002 →).
What Information Does California Law Require You to Exchange?
Every driver must give the others at the scene their name, current address, driver's license number, vehicle identification number, the registered owner's address, and their insurer's name, address and policy number.
That list comes from Vehicle Code section 16025, and skipping it is an infraction on its own (Source: Cal. Vehicle Code §16025 →). When someone is injured, section 20003 adds the vehicle's registration number, the owner's name and address, and the names and addresses of any injured passengers in your car (Source: Cal. Vehicle Code §20003 →). Collect a little more than the minimum.
| Information | Required by law | Smart to collect |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's name and current address | Yes | Yes |
| Driver's license number | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle identification number (VIN) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered owner's address | Yes | Yes |
| Insurer name, address and policy number | Yes | Yes |
| License plate number | Injury crashes (§20003) | Yes |
| Phone number | Not listed | Yes |
| Witness names and phone numbers | Not listed | Yes |
The fastest way: photograph each other's license, registration and insurance cards, with permission.
When Do You Have to Report an Accident to the Police or the DMV?
Report to the CHP or city police within 24 hours if anyone was hurt or killed, and file an SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was hurt or property damage tops $1,000.
The police report comes from Vehicle Code section 20008. A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone must file a written report with the CHP, or with the city police if the crash was inside city limits, within 24 hours (Source: Cal. Vehicle Code §20008 →).
The DMV report is separate, and it's the one people miss. Under Vehicle Code section 16000, each driver files an SR-1, and your agent, broker or attorney may file it for you (Source: Cal. Vehicle Code §16000 →). The DMV adds three surprises: you file whether or not you caused the crash, minor injuries count, and police won't file it for you.
Skip the SR-1 and the DMV suspends your license (Source: California DMV Driver Handbook →). An uninsured crash is usually where an SR-22 comes in; our SR-22 guide explains it.
What Should You Do in the First 24 Hours After the Accident?
Get checked by a doctor, call your insurer or agent, back up your photos, file any police report the law requires, and start your SR-1 so the 10-day clock doesn't catch you.
The adrenaline wears off overnight, and that's often when the stiff neck shows up. The Department of Insurance says to get checked even if you feel fine (Source: California Department of Insurance →).
- 1. See a doctor. A prompt visit ties any injury to the crash.
- 2. Notify your insurer or agent. The Department of Insurance says to notify your agent or insurer immediately (Source: California Department of Insurance →). Do it even if you weren't at fault.
- 3. File any required police report. Injury crashes need one within 24 hours, and so does a hit-and-run if you want uninsured motorist coverage to respond.
- 4. Start the SR-1. Ten days goes fast.
- 5. Back up your evidence. Save photos to the cloud, write down what happened, and keep every receipt.
The other driver's insurer may call asking for a recorded statement. You can call back after talking to your own insurer. The Department of Insurance advises giving your account only to police and your insurer (Source: California Department of Insurance →).
What If the Other Driver Fled or Has No Insurance?
Your own uninsured motorist coverage can pay for your injuries, but for a hit-and-run you must have had physical contact, reported it to police within 24 hours and filed a sworn statement with your insurer within 30 days.
Those three conditions come from Insurance Code section 11580.2(b)(1)–(2). The report goes to city police, or the sheriff or CHP in unincorporated areas (Source: Cal. Ins. Code §11580.2 →). A driver who runs you off the road without touching you usually doesn't qualify. For your car, it depends on your policy:
You carry collision
Repairs your car, minus your deductible, whoever caused it.
Collision deductible waiver
Pays that deductible when an identified, at-fault uninsured driver hits you. Report within 10 business days (Source: Cal. Ins. Code §11580.26 →).
UMPD, no collision
Pays for your car if you don't carry collision: a $3,500 limit, and only if the driver is identified (Source: California Department of Insurance →).
UM bodily injury
Pays for injuries to you and your passengers, within the rules above.
A plate number changes everything
A fleeing driver is still "identified" if someone caught the plate.
Two-year UM deadline
Within two years: sue, settle with your insurer, or start arbitration.
Our guide to uninsured motorist coverage in California covers the injury side, and our collision deductible waiver explainer covers when the waiver pays.
How Long Does Your Insurer Have to Handle the Claim?
Under California's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, your insurer must acknowledge the claim within 15 calendar days, accept or deny it within 40 days of proof of claim, and pay within 30 days of accepting.
Section 2695.5(e) covers acknowledging the claim, sending forms and starting the investigation. Section 2695.7(b) sets the 40-day decision, and a denial must be in writing with reasons. Needing more time means written notice every 30 days, and section 2695.7(h) sets the 30-day payment (Source: California Department of Insurance, Fair Claims Regulations →).
On towing, the Department of Insurance says that unless your insurer named a tow company beforehand, it must pay reasonable towing costs (Source: California Department of Insurance →). A rental is covered only if rental reimbursement is on your policy, up to a daily amount for a set number of days.
Not sure whether you even have collision or rental coverage? Our full coverage vs. liability-only guide shows what each piece pays after a crash.
Which Mistakes Cost Drivers Their Claims?
The costly ones are admitting fault, skipping the doctor, settling at the curb, missing a reporting deadline, giving a careless recorded statement and letting the lawsuit clock run out.
Most come from people trying to be reasonable:
- Promising to pay or signing anything at the scene. The Department of Insurance says not to sign fault statements or promise to pay (Source: California Department of Insurance →).
- "Let's keep insurance out of it." Until the other driver's neck hurts a week later.
- Waiting weeks to see a doctor. Gaps weaken injury claims.
- Missing the hit-and-run report or the SR-1. One costs your UM claim; the other, your license.
- Letting the lawsuit deadline pass. California generally gives you two years to sue for personal injury under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 (Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §335.1 →), and three years for damage to personal property, such as your car, under section 338(c) (Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §338 →). Other deadlines can apply, so talk to an attorney early if you were seriously hurt.
Will an Accident Raise Your Car Insurance in California?
It can if you were at least 51% at fault, but California limits when an insurer can call you at fault and gives you the right to challenge that finding in writing.
The Department of Insurance says a driver at least 51% at fault can see a higher premium at renewal (Source: California Department of Insurance →). Under 10 CCR §2632.13, the crash must also involve injury, death or over $1,000 in damage, and you're presumed not principally at fault when (Source: 10 CCR §2632.13 →):
- Your car was lawfully parked.
- You were rear-ended, with no moving-violation conviction.
- Only the other driver was convicted of a moving violation.
- A hit-and-run driver hit you and you reported it promptly.
- An animal, falling object or unavoidable hazard caused it.
A fault finding must come in writing with the reason and your right to reconsideration; you have 30 days to ask. It also affects the Good Driver Discount. Under Insurance Code section 1861.025, being principally at fault in an injury or fatal crash in the last three years disqualifies you, and a property-damage-only at-fault accident counts as one point (Source: Cal. Ins. Code §1861.025 →).
Surcharges vary by carrier, which is why comparing carriers after a claim matters. Our California auto insurance guide explains the rating factors, and our California auto insurance team can re-shop your policy with Farmers and the wider market we reach through our brokerage.
The Bottom Line
The first hour after a crash decides a lot. Stop, help anyone who's hurt, trade the information section 16025 requires, take more photos than you think you need and keep apologies to "are you okay?" Then watch the clocks: 24 hours for an injury or hit-and-run police report, 10 days for the DMV's SR-1, and prompt notice to your insurer.
Want to be sure your policy has the uninsured motorist coverage, collision deductible waiver and rental reimbursement that make a bad day easier? Start a quote or call our team at (909) 864-3200.
Related Questions
Do I need to call the police after a minor car accident in California?
If anyone is injured or killed, the driver must report the crash to the CHP or city police within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008. If you hit an unattended car and can't find the owner, you must leave a note and notify police. For a no-injury bump where both drivers exchanged information, police may not respond, but a report number can still help your claim.
How long does an insurance company have to pay a car accident claim in California?
Under the Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, the insurer must acknowledge your claim within 15 calendar days, accept or deny it within 40 days of receiving proof of claim, and pay within 30 days of accepting it. If it needs more time, it must tell you in writing and update you every 30 days.
How long do I have to sue after a car accident in California?
Generally two years from the accident for personal injury under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and three years for damage to your car or other property under section 338. Different rules can apply, for example to claims against a government agency, and an uninsured motorist claim has its own two-year rule, so get legal advice early if you were hurt.
Will my insurance go up if the accident wasn't my fault?
An insurer can surcharge you only if it finds you principally at fault, meaning at least 51% of the cause. California regulations presume you weren't principally at fault if you were lawfully parked, rear-ended without a moving-violation conviction, or hit by a reported hit-and-run driver, among other situations. If you get a surcharge notice you disagree with, you can ask for reconsideration.
Can I dispute my insurer's decision that I was at fault?
Yes. Under 10 CCR section 2632.13, your insurer must notify you in writing of an at-fault determination, explain the basis, and tell you about your right to reconsideration. You can request it within 30 days of receiving the notice, and the insurer must respond in writing within 30 days, with someone other than the original decision-maker reviewing it.
Last reviewed October 2026 by Shahbaz Awan, Licensed California Insurance Agent (CA Lic #0H95098). Legal points cited from California Vehicle Code sections 16000, 16025, 20001-20003 and 20008, Insurance Code sections 11580.2, 11580.26 and 1861.025, Code of Civil Procedure sections 335.1 and 338, California Code of Regulations title 10 sections 2632.13, 2695.5 and 2695.7, the California DMV Driver Handbook and the California Department of Insurance. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules were current as of publication; verify current requirements before relying on them.