How to Request a CA DMV Accident Report Online

When a vehicle collides in California, it is essential to obtain a California DMV accident report as soon as possible. At best, this may seem like an inconvenience. Still, in the worst-case scenario, a car accident could turn into a life-altering event, and in confusion after such an event, knowing what to do and your next legal obligations can be complicated.

Having your report is crucial for processing insurance claims and legal purposes, but many still ask, “How do I get a copy of an accident report in California?”

Today, we remind you that you are not alone in navigating this problem. In this article, we’ll help you understand what’s required of you after an accident and share what critical steps you need to take to request your CA DMV accident report.

Understanding the CA DMV Accident Report Process

Laws differ between states, so knowing California’s driving statutes is necessary. No one wants to be in an accident, yet if you have one, the aftermath can seem overwhelming when you aren’t prepared. Knowing what you can expect after can help you have a better outcome.

The Important Role of the California DMV in Accident Reporting.

The usual laws you would expect in each state, such as having a valid driver’s license and registration and following traffic signals, are pretty much standard in California. However, if a car accident happens in California, the CA DMV accident report handles some aspects of the aftermath in unique ways:

• If a car accident in California results in injury, property damage, or death—with damages exceeding $1,000, the accident must be reported within 10 days to the DMV.
• You must also report the accident, even if a police officer or CHP (California Highway Patrol) was on the scene and write and file a police report.
• Failing to report an accident within 10 days could result in losing your driving privileges.

The Four Primary Laws in place the State of California has in place regarding reporting car accidents are:

1. CVC § 20008: The critical reporting requirement law.
2. CVC § 20010: If a driver cannot make the report, then the responsibility falls on any passengers in the vehicle at the time.
3. CVC § 16000: Any accident that results in injury, death, or property damages over $1,000 must be reported to the DMV within 10 days.
4. CVC § 16002: If a driver experiences an accident within a company car, the relevant employee must report it within 5 days.

What’s the difference between a CA DMV accident report and a Police report?

The most significant difference between a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) accident report and a police report is when they are filed and what information they contain.

Timing

A police report is filed at the accident scene directly after the accident, while a DMV report must be filed within 10 days of the accident.

Information

Police reports contain information about the people involved in the accident, contact information, witness accounts, and the police officer’s explanation of what happened. DMV reports are used to file the traffic accident.

What Happens If You Don’t Report an Accident to the DMV In California?

In the emotional, physical, and financial aftermath of a car accident, you may be tempted to give in to stress and feelings of frustration and forget to file a DMV, California accident report. While we understand how difficult recovering from a collision can be, you are required by law to submit an SR-1 form within 10 days.

An SR-1 can be filled out at the DMV’s field offices or online at the California DMV official website.

An SR-1 is an official report essential for complying with California’s regulations. If you do not file a report within the allotted 10 days, you may face:

• All driving privileges suspended.
• Complications if you attempt to file an insurance claim without the report
• Have extreme difficulty providing evidence to support an insurance claim
• In the worst-case scenario, you can be fined up to $1,000, sentenced to six months in jail, or both.

How to Request a CA DMV Accident Report Online

If you’re here with us today seeking clarity and assistance in requesting and filing an SR-1 form at the CA DMV to report an accident online, let us help. Below, we provide a brief but straightforward step-by-step process.

• Access California’s DMV website and the SR-1 form.
• Gather required information: Your driver’s license or identification card, vehicle license plate number or identification number, vehicle’s insurance, and your other party’s vehicle and insurance information if you have it.
• Begin filling out the required details about the accident, including driver information, vehicle details, and any incident specifics. If you have a reputable insurance agent, broker, or legal representative, they can complete your SR-1 online and send it to the DMV within 10 days.
• Submit the form within 10 days after your accident.

If, for any reason, you cannot access the DMV to report your accident in CA, here is a direct link to a free downloadable PDF version directly from CA’s DMV site, and here is the Spanish Version, which can be dropped off in person.

Important Tips for Filing Accident Reports in California

If you’ve never filled an SR-1 Form, you will be required to enter the following:

The number of vehicles involved in the accident.	Your telephone number
What date and time did the accident take place?	Your telephone number
The location of the accident, including city, town, and county.	The year and make of the vehicle
Whether or not it took place on private or public property.	The state the vehicle was registered in
The nature of the accident. (Was the vehicle in motion, parked, or stopped in traffic?)	Your date of birth
Whether or not any drivers were on duty for an employer.	Name of the insurance company under which the car or you have a policy for
Residential addresses of the driver	The policy number and terms of the policy

If you missed the 10-day deadline to fill out and file the SR-1 with the DMV, you must first check if the other driver involved in the accident filed the form. If you received no letter regarding the incident, the other driver has not filed either.

If you did not receive a letter, you can request information from the DMV online, by mail, or by completing a Request for a Record Information. Requests and their information come with fees, so check the official website to understand them.

Why You Should Seek Support for California Accident Reports

For many of us, our vehicles significantly impact our day-to-day lives. They aren’t just a means of transportation but have become increasingly essential for our routines. Our vehicles provide access to our jobs, healthcare, food, education, and social connections. No matter what make, model, or condition they are in—for some of us—they are our lifeline and a costly investment.

The emotional aftershock of a car crash, even without serious injuries or property damages, can often have mental and legal repercussions that can seem impossible to understand on your own.

But here’s why you should seek our support: you aren’t alone. With more than 1,500,000 and rising accident victims assisted since 2017, our understanding professional staff would love to work with you side-by-side to make all aspects of paperwork, bureaucracy, and easier and more straightforward than ever.

Don’t suffer alone.

Reach out to us and our services for the peace of mind we know you deserve.