Car accident in California? Here's what the law requires, step by step.
Crash Help California explains the reports, deadlines and insurance rules that apply after a crash: what to do at the scene, the 24-hour and 10-day reports, MedPay, uninsured motorist coverage, claims against government agencies, and the time limits for injury claims. Every guide links to the California statute or official agency page it relies on.
General information, not legal advice. Who publishes this site · Disclaimer
Guides
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What to do at the scene
Stopping, helping anyone who's hurt, the information you have to swap, and the reports due within 24 hours and 10 days, all tied to the Vehicle Code.
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SR-1 report to the DMV
The 10-day DMV report that's required after any injury crash, no matter how minor, and after crashes with more than $1,000 in damage. Here's who files it and what happens if you don't.
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Getting a copy of the crash report
Who can get the CHP or police report (VC §20012), how the CHP's online portal and CHP 190 form work, and where the big city police departments take requests.
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MedPay (Medical Payments coverage)
The optional coverage on your own auto policy that pays crash medical bills no matter who was at fault, and how it fits with health insurance, Medi-Cal, Medicare and UM.
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Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
When your own policy pays for your injuries because the other driver had no insurance, too little, or drove off, and the hit-and-run, consent, and 2-year rules in Insurance Code §11580.2.
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Claims against a government agency
If a city bus, county truck, state vehicle or dangerous public road was involved, a written claim is usually due within 6 months, before you can sue. Here's how the Government Claims Act works.
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Injury statute of limitations
The 2-year rule for injury lawsuits, the extra time minors get (and when they don't), and the shorter deadlines for government claims and uninsured motorist claims.
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Who pays your medical bills
Health insurance, MedPay, the at-fault driver's insurer, Medi-Cal and Medicare, plus the California rules that cap hospital and health plan liens on an injury recovery.
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Do you need a police report?
When the Vehicle Code requires a report within 24 hours, when a minor crash doesn't need one, and why a hit-and-run victim should report within 24 hours no matter what.
Resource directory
Official links for CHP offices, police report requests, the DMV, small claims courts in Southern California and the Bay Area, towing rules, and the Bureau of Automotive Repair. Open the resource directory.