What to do after a car accident in California

1. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Don't move someone who may have a neck or back injury unless they are in immediate danger.
2. Get out of traffic if you can. If the vehicles are drivable and no one is injured, move to the shoulder or a nearby lot and turn on your hazard lights.
3. Stay at the scene. California Vehicle Code sections 20001 and 20002 require drivers involved in a collision to stop. Leaving can turn a fender-bender into a hit-and-run.
4. Exchange information: names, addresses, driver's license numbers, license plates, vehicle registration, and insurance companies and policy numbers.

Hit a parked car or someone's property with no one around? California law requires you to leave a written note with your name and address, and to report the collision to the local police — or, in unincorporated areas, to the CHP.

• Photos of every vehicle from all four corners, plus close-ups of the damage
• The other car's license plate, and the other driver's license and insurance card
• The scene itself: lanes, signals, signs, skid marks, debris and weather
• Names and phone numbers of any witnesses
• The time, the exact location, and the nearest cross street or freeway exit

Stick to facts when you talk to the other driver and to officers, and avoid guessing about fault. Your photos and notes will matter more than anything said in the moment.

Which agency responds depends on where the collision happened. Collisions on freeways and state highways are handled by the California Highway Patrol. On city streets, it's the city's police department — or the county sheriff, in cities that contract for police services. In unincorporated county areas, the CHP handles traffic collisions on all public roads.

Our collision report lookup shows the right agency for each of the cities and communities we serve. If no one is injured, officers may not come to the scene; you can usually still file a report afterward.

Separately from any police report, California requires you to report a collision to the DMV on form SR-1 within 10 days if anyone was injured or killed, or if property damage was more than $1,000. That threshold is easy to exceed — a modern bumper with sensors can cost more than that on its own — and the requirement applies no matter who was at fault.

Your insurance agent or broker can help complete the form, but making sure it gets filed is your responsibility.

• Report the claim promptly, even if you believe the other driver was at fault.
• If the other driver was at fault, you can claim against their insurance, or use your own collision coverage and let your insurer pursue them.
• Ask about rental car coverage and towing or roadside benefits on your policy.
• Write down your claim number and your adjuster's name and contact details.

California's minimum liability limits rose on January 1, 2025, to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for injuries, and $15,000 for property damage. If the at-fault driver carries only the minimum, a serious repair can exceed their property damage limit — which is when your own collision or uninsured motorist coverage matters.

Your insurer may suggest a shop in its network, but it can't require you to use one — California Insurance Code section 758.5 protects your right to choose. Pick a shop you trust, tell your insurer where the car is, and let the shop work with the adjuster. We explain how in your right to choose a body shop.

At Top Tier Auto Collision we write a free estimate, document hidden damage during teardown, and get approval for anything extra before continuing — so there are no surprises on the final bill.