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At the scene of a fender bender
Move the cars out of traffic if it is safe. Check yourself and your passengers. Exchange names, phone numbers, license numbers, plates and insurance details. Take photos of both vehicles from several angles, including the plates and close-ups of the damage, plus the road and any signals. A dent that looks small can hide damage to the bumper frame or sensors.
If anyone is hurt, the rules are stricter. A driver in a crash that causes injury must stop, share information and give reasonable help, and leaving is a crime (Vehicle Code 20001). Avoid deciding fault on the spot or agreeing to handle it without insurance. Get witness names in case the other driver changes their story later.
When a minor crash still needs a DMV report
In California, any crash that causes injury or death, or more than $1,000 in property damage, must be reported to the DMV on form SR-1 within 10 days by each driver, whether or not they were at fault (Vehicle Code 16000). Repair costs add up fast. A cracked bumper with sensors behind it can pass $1,000 easily, so get an estimate before you decide you do not need to file.
The SR-1 is separate from a police report and from your insurance claim, and filing it does not admit fault. If you are unsure whether you meet the threshold, filing is usually the safer choice. If no officer came to the scene, read what to do with no police report for how to build your own record.
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Minor crash, real injuries
Low-speed crashes can still jolt your neck and back. Stiffness, headaches or numbness may show up the next morning or several days later. If that happens, see a doctor and tell them about the crash. A record made soon after the crash helps show what caused the problem. See how long injuries can take to appear.
Insurers sometimes argue that a small dent means no one could have been hurt. Your medical records show your injury far better than photos of a bumper. If you bought MedPay, it pays reasonable medical expenses from the crash up to your limit, regardless of fault (California Department of Insurance). Read whiplash claims after a car accident.
Be careful with a fast settlement
After a minor crash, the other insurer may offer a quick check for your car and a small amount for your trouble. Read the paperwork before you sign. A release can end every claim from the crash, including injuries you have not felt yet. Once signed, it is usually very hard to undo. Related: should you accept the first offer.
Deadline: you generally have two years to file an injury lawsuit in California (Code of Civil Procedure 335.1) and three years for property damage (Code of Civil Procedure 338(c)(1)). In Washington, the general injury deadline is three years (RCW 4.16.080). There is usually no reason to sign a release in the first week, while you are still finding out how badly you were hurt.
What to do now
Get checked by a doctor if anything hurts, and go back if symptoms change. Keep the photos, the other driver’s information and the names of witnesses. Get a written repair estimate. Report the crash to your insurer and write down every claim number. Save receipts for medical visits, medicine, rides and rental cars, even small ones.
Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer or sign a release before you talk to a lawyer. Even a small case can have rules that trip people up. Call Beverly Law at (310) 552-6959 or use the form on this page, and we can tell you where your claim stands and what it may need.
- Get medical care and follow up if symptoms change.
- Take photos of the vehicles, the scene and your injuries.
- Write down witness names and phone numbers.
- Keep every claim number and adjuster name in one place.
- Do not sign a release or give a recorded statement before talking to a lawyer.
- Save receipts for medical care, medicine, rides and car rentals.
Common questions
Do I need to call the police for a minor accident?
Call police if anyone is hurt, or if the other driver leaves, seems impaired or refuses to share information. For a small crash with no injuries, many people simply exchange information. Either way, if the crash meets California’s injury or $1,000 damage threshold, the DMV SR-1 report is still due within 10 days.
Should I settle a minor accident without insurance?
Paying cash can seem simpler, but it carries risk. The other driver may later claim injuries, or the repair may cost more than expected. Exchange insurance information anyway and keep your photos. If you agree on anything, put it in writing, and do not sign away injury claims.
Can I get hurt in a minor car accident?
Yes. Neck and back injuries happen in low-speed crashes, and symptoms can take a day or more to appear. See a doctor if you notice pain, stiffness, headaches or numbness. Tell the doctor about the crash so it goes into your medical record from the start.
Is a minor accident worth calling a lawyer?
If you were hurt, a short call with a lawyer can help you understand your claim and avoid signing a release too early. If only your car was damaged, you may be able to handle it yourself. Beverly Law can tell you which situation you are in.
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If you were hurt in a car or truck crash in California and Washington, talk to a personal injury attorney. Free, confidential, English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Related pages
Car accident not my fault: what to do · Car accident not my fault: do I call my insurance? · Do I pay my deductible if the accident wasn’t my fault? · Will my insurance rates go up if I wasn’t at fault? · What to do after a car accident in California · All car and truck accident questions
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Important: This page is general information about California and Washington law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Last reviewed: November 5, 2026.