What to Do After a Car Accident in California — Step-by-Step

California Accident Checklist

1. 1. Check for injuries, call 911 if needed

   Your first priority is safety. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt — or if there is any chance of injury — call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger (e.g., from oncoming traffic). Emergency responders will document injuries, which becomes critical evidence for your claim.

2. 2. Move to safety if possible

   If the vehicles are drivable and no one is seriously injured, move them to the shoulder or nearest safe location. Turn on hazard lights and set up flares or reflective triangles if you have them. Staying in a traffic lane dramatically increases the risk of a secondary collision — one of the most dangerous types of California freeway accidents.

3. 3. Call local police to file a report

   California requires you to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Even if the damage seems minor, call the local police or CHP. An official police report creates an objective record of the scene, statements, and preliminary fault determination that insurers rely on heavily during claims investigation.

4. 4. Exchange info: name, insurance carrier, policy number, license plate

   California law requires drivers to exchange names, addresses, driver's license numbers, vehicle registration numbers, and insurance information. Use your phone to photograph the other driver's license, registration, insurance card, and license plate. If the other driver refuses to provide information, wait for police — do not escalate.

5. 5. Document everything: photos, witness info, exact location

   Photograph all vehicles from multiple angles, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, road conditions, and weather. Note the exact intersection or mile marker. Get contact information from any witnesses — their independent accounts are often the deciding factor in disputed-fault claims. Write down everything you remember while it is fresh.

6. 6. Report the claim to your insurer promptly

   Most policies require 'prompt' reporting — which means as soon as you are safe and have the basic facts. Do not delay waiting for a police report number; your insurer can add it later. Delayed reporting is one of the most common reasons insurers deny or delay claims. Have your policy number, date, time, location, and the other driver's info ready.

7. 7. Get a copy of the police report

   For CHP incidents, request the report through the CHP Collision Request Portal or by mailing form CHP 190. For local departments (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Orange, etc.), contact their records division with the incident number, date, and location. Expect a fee of $10–$25 and a processing time of 7–14 days. Your insurer may also obtain this directly, but having your own copy protects your interests.

8. 8. Watch for delayed injury symptoms before signing any release

   Soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and internal trauma can take 24–72 hours to fully manifest. Do not sign any bodily-injury release from the other driver's insurance until you have been medically cleared or are confident all symptoms have appeared and resolved. Once signed, the claim is closed permanently.

9. 9. Know your rights if the other driver is uninsured

   Roughly 1 in 6 California drivers is uninsured. If the at-fault driver has no coverage, your Uninsured Motorist (UM) bodily injury and property damage coverage steps in. If they carry the new state minimum ($30,000/$60,000/$15,000) but your losses exceed that, your Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage fills the gap. We recommend carrying UM/UIM limits that match your own liability limits for full protection.

Do I Have to Call My Own Insurance If the Accident Wasn't My Fault?

Frequently Asked