In California, you must report a crash to the DMV within 10 days on form SR-1 if anyone was hurt or killed or property damage was over $1,000 (Vehicle Code 16000). If anyone was hurt, a written report to the CHP or city police is due within 24 hours. Texas requires an immediate call, and Washington gives four days.
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What are the reporting deadlines in California?
California has two separate reports, and one does not replace the other.
- Police or CHP, within 24 hours. When a crash injures or kills anyone, each driver must make or cause to be made a written report to the California Highway Patrol, or to the city police if the crash happened inside a city, within 24 hours (Vehicle Code 20008).
- DMV, within 10 days. The SR-1 is due when anyone was injured, no matter how minor, or killed, or when damage to any one person’s property is over $1,000. The DMV says the SR-1 is required in addition to any report made to the police, the CHP or your insurer (California DMV). You, your insurance agent, broker or lawyer can file it.
The SR-1 applies whether or not you caused the crash, and it also covers reportable crashes on private property (California DMV).
What happens if I report late or not at all?
The DMV can suspend the license of a driver who does not file the SR-1 or who had no insurance at the time of the crash (California DMV). That is why drivers who were not at fault should still file on time.
Not stopping is a separate and serious problem. A driver in a crash that injures someone must stop at the scene and give information and help, and leaving can be a crime (Vehicle Code 20001).
A late report also makes a claim harder to prove. Witnesses move, video is erased and the other driver may change the story. Reporting early puts the date, place and names on paper while they are fresh.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Texas?
Texas does not give days. When a crash injures or kills someone, or damages a vehicle so it cannot be driven normally and safely, the driver must give notice “immediately by the quickest means of communication” to the city police, the sheriff or the nearest state office, depending on where it happened (Transportation Code 550.026). In practice, that means calling 911 or the police from the scene.
An officer who investigates a crash with injury, death or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more files the written report with the Texas Department of Transportation within 10 days (section 550.062). TxDOT no longer keeps the driver’s own crash report, Form CR-2, since September 1, 2017, so keep your own copy of anything you filled out (TxDOT).
How long do I have to report a car accident in Washington?
Washington gives four days. Unless an officer investigates and files the report, each driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone, or damages one person’s property at or above the state threshold, must file a report within four days (RCW 46.52.030). The State Patrol set that threshold at $1,000 starting January 1, 2015 (WAC 446-85-010).
The Washington Department of Licensing explains that you can file the collision report online or pick up forms at a police department, sheriff’s office or State Patrol office (Washington DOL).
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Can my accident report be used against me?
In California, the written report a driver files with the CHP or police under section 20008 cannot be used as evidence in any civil or criminal trial about the crash (Vehicle Code 20013). Washington has a similar rule for its accident reports (RCW 46.52.080). Insurance adjusters still read them, so stick to facts: time, place, vehicles, injuries. Do not guess about speed or blame.
Are there other deadlines after a crash?
Yes, and they are longer but strict.
| Deadline | California | Texas | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawsuit for injuries | 2 years | 2 years | 3 years |
| Claim against a government driver or road | 6 months | 6 months notice; a city charter may set its own period | Claim first, then a 60-day wait |
Sources: CCP 335.1, Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.003, RCW 4.16.080, Government Code 911.2, Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 101.101 and RCW 4.96.020.
Your own insurance policy likely asks you to report a crash promptly. Read the policy’s notice section for its terms.
What to do now
- Call 911 from the scene if anyone is hurt. Ask for the report number.
- Write down the other driver’s name, license, plate and insurance.
- In California, file the SR-1 within 10 days. Keep a copy and the date you sent it.
- In Washington, file the collision report within four days if no officer took one.
- Tell your own insurer, in writing, with facts only.
- Get medical care the same day or the next, and keep every record.
- Mark the claim and lawsuit deadlines on a calendar, and call a lawyer before the first one.
Questions about reporting your accident
Call Beverly Law at (310) 552-6959 for a free case review in English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win. Read more in our personal injury questions section and on our car and truck accident questions page.
Common questions
Do I have to report a minor accident with no injuries?
In California, only if damage to any one person’s property is over $1,000. If you are not sure whether the damage is over $1,000, file the SR-1.
What if the police came to the scene?
An officer’s report does not replace the California SR-1. In Washington, a report by the investigating officer does replace the driver’s report.
Can I report an accident days later?
Yes. A late report is better than none. Call the agency, explain the delay and ask how to file.
Does reporting the crash mean I admit fault?
No. The DMV records the crash whoever caused it. Report facts and let the evidence show fault.
Who can file the report for me?
In California, your insurance agent, broker or lawyer can file the SR-1 for you.
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Related pages
Personal Injury Questions · How to get a police report for a car accident · No police report after a car accident · How long after a car accident can you sue? · What to do after a car accident in California · How long does a car accident lawsuit take? · Law Blog
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Sources
- Cal. Vehicle Code 16000
- California DMV, Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1)
- California DMV, Driver's Handbook Section 10, Collisions
- California DMV, Financial Responsibility (Insurance)
- Cal. Vehicle Code 20008
- Cal. Vehicle Code 20001
- Cal. Vehicle Code 20013
- Tex. Transportation Code chapter 550 (550.026, 550.062)
- TxDOT, Crash reports and records
- RCW 46.52.030
- WAC 446-85-010, accident-reporting threshold
- Washington DOL, Reporting collision damage
- RCW 46.52.080
- Cal. Code of Civil Procedure 335.1
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code chapter 16 (16.003)
- RCW 4.16.080
- Cal. Government Code 911.2
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code chapter 101 (101.101)
- RCW 4.96.020
Important: This page is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Beverly Law. Laws change and every case is different; talk to a lawyer about your own situation. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. You owe no fees or costs unless we win. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Last reviewed: 2026-11-12.