In California, you’re generally required to call the police if there’s an injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. Even when it’s not legally required, calling the police creates an official record that can protect you if a dispute arises later. If you’ve been hurt in a crash and aren’t sure what to do next, a San Luis Obispo car accident attorney at Ernst Law Group can walk you through your options.
When does California law require you to report a car accident?
According to the California DMV, you must report a car accident in California if it results in bodily injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more. These are two separate obligations. Calling the police doesn’t satisfy the SR-1 requirement, and filing an SR-1 doesn’t replace calling the police. You have 10 days from the date of the accident to file the SR-1 with the California DMV.
However, calling 911 will typically trigger dispatch to send medical services if necessary, and it means that someone is there to investigate what happened.
Should you call the police after a minor car accident or fender bender?
You may have an accident that clearly does not meet the legal requirements for reporting once you get out to investigate the damage. However, it can be difficult to assess the extent of the damage at a glance, and the injuries often don’t show up right away. This is especially true of head injuries, which can take hours or days to produce noticeable symptoms.
While you can choose to report the accident in the days following the incident, calling the police to obtain a police report often offers important protection if you are injured, or even if the other person claims to be injured.
What information should drivers exchange after a crash?
Regardless of whether you call the police, you should collect the other driver’s license number, their contact information, and the name and policy number of their insurance company. Write down the license plate number and the vehicle identification number (VIN) if you’re able to access it. Gather contact information for any witnesses as well.
If you do call the police, most of this information will appear on the police report, but it’s still a good idea to collect it yourself at the scene, and you can request a copy of the report from the responding agency afterward.
What happens if you don’t report the accident or call law enforcement?
Failure to report an accident or leaving the scene may result in a license suspension or criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. If you leave the scene of an accident with severe injuries or a fatality, you may face felony hit-and-run charges.
How can a police report help support your injury claim?
A police report can act as key evidence in an injury claim. When you call law enforcement to the scene of an accident, you can expect them to take pictures of the scene and vehicles. They will speak with the involved parties and often take statements from witnesses. If the officer finds that someone violated traffic laws, they’ll likely issue a citation, which you can use as evidence of the other driver’s negligence.
The responding officers should then compile this information into their police report, which you can request later. This information can be integral to your injury claim, whether you’re negotiating a settlement or presenting your case at trial.
Speak with a San Luis Obispo car accident attorney about your next steps
After an accident, it can be hard to know what to do, especially if you or someone you love is dealing with pain, confusion, or injuries that weren’t apparent at first. You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
At Ernst Law Group, we’re here to help you understand your options and what comes next. If you have questions about whether to call the police, file a report, or how to protect your claim, we’re ready to listen. Call us at (805) 541-0300 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.