California SR-1 Form: Reporting a Car Accident to the DMV
California requires you to report a traffic accident to the DMV within 10 days when anyone was injured or killed, or when property damage runs over $1,000. It applies regardless of fault, it applies on private property, and it applies even if police already wrote a report and you already called your insurer. Skip it […]
Car Accident Police Report: When You Need One in California
California requires you to report a crash to police or the CHP within 24 hours when someone is injured or killed. For a damage-only fender bender, no report is legally required, though it’s still worth getting one. Call the CHP for crashes on freeways, state highways, and unincorporated areas, and call city police for crashes […]
Car Accident Photos and Info to Get at the Scene
Once everyone at the scene is safe, use your phone to take photos of the whole crash: both vehicles and where they ended up, close-up photos of every dent, the other driver’s license, insurance card, and plate, plus skid marks, traffic signs, and road conditions. Take far more than you think you need, keep the […]
Car Accident Checklist: What to Do at the Scene
The short version. At the scene of a crash in California, switch on your hazard lights, check for injuries, and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if the cars are drivable, then exchange names, license, and insurance details with the other driver, photograph everything, and get a police report when one is […]
What to Do After a Car Accident in California: A Complete Guide
Right after a crash in California, get to safety and check whether anyone is injured, call 911 if someone is hurt, exchange information with the other driver, and photograph the accident scene. Within 10 days, file an SR-1 form with the California Department of Motor Vehicles if there was any injury or more than $1,000 […]
Tips for Choosing the Right Collision Center
After an accident, choosing the right collision center is one of the most important decisions you will make. The quality of the repair affects not only how your car looks, but also how safe it is to drive. Many people rush this step because they want to get their vehicle fixed quickly, but taking a […]