1. Make sure everyone is safe
Check yourself and your passengers first. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away. If the cars can be moved and no one is injured, move them out of traffic to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Stop and stay at the scene
California Vehicle Code § 20001 and § 20002 require drivers involved in a collision to stop. Leaving the scene can turn a fender-bender into a hit-and-run charge — even if the damage is minor.
3. Call the police when needed
Call 911 for injuries or if a driver seems impaired. For minor collisions with no injuries, police may not come out, but you can still file a report with the local police department or CHP later.
4. Exchange information
Get the other driver's:
- Full name and phone number
- Driver's license number
- Insurance company and policy number
- License plate, make, model and color of the car
- Vehicle owner's name if the driver isn't the owner
Be polite, but don't argue about who was at fault and don't admit fault — let the insurance companies sort that out.
5. Take photos and video
Photograph both cars from all four corners, close-ups of the damage, the other car's license plate, the intersection, skid marks, traffic signs and weather. Get names and phone numbers of witnesses. These photos are the strongest evidence your claim will ever have.
6. Report the accident to the DMV if required
In California you must file an SR-1 report with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured or killed, or if property damage is over $1,000 — regardless of who was at fault. Most body repairs today cost more than $1,000, so in practice most reported accidents need an SR-1.
7. Call your insurance company
Report the claim as soon as you can and write down the claim number. If the other driver was at fault, you can also open a claim with their insurance company.
8. Get your car to a shop you trust
If the car isn't drivable, you don't have to let a random tow company take it to a lot that charges storage by the day. Call a body shop you trust and have the car towed directly there. In California you have the right to choose your repair shop — your insurer can't force you to use theirs.
NewGen Auto Repair answers the accident line 24/7 at (820) 888-2888. We'll send a tow truck, bring your car to our shop in Santa Ana and help you open the claim.
9. See a doctor
Some injuries, like whiplash, don't show up until the next day. Getting checked also creates a record if you need to make an injury claim.
FAQ
Do I have to call the police after a minor accident in California?
Not always. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or a driver seems impaired. For minor property-damage accidents, you can file a report later, but you must still stop, exchange information and file an SR-1 with the DMV if damage is over $1,000 or anyone was injured.
How long do I have to file an SR-1 in California?
Within 10 days of the accident, if anyone was injured or killed or property damage exceeds $1,000.
This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Rules and policies change — check your policy and the official source, or ask us.