Do You Need Both an SR1 Form and a Police Report in California?
When an accident happens, your mind goes into overload — Who do I call? What do I fill out? Do I need a report? Did I forget a step?
If you’ve ever felt that quiet panic after a crash, you’re not alone. California has specific rules about reporting collisions, and two documents get mixed up:
- The SR1 form California requires you to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) about certain accidents.
- The police report California documents what law enforcement observed at the scene.
They sound similar, but they serve completely different purposes, and skipping one can slow down your insurance claim, delay compensation, or even lead to penalties from the DMV.
This guide breaks everything down in a simple way so you can feel confident about what to do, when to do it, and why these reports matter after a traffic accident occurs in California.
Do you need compassionate support and effective representation?
No fees until we win. Available 24/7.
SR1 Form California
First, let’s clear up the big question: What is the SR1 form in California, and why does the DMV care?
The SR1 is a mandatory collision report that must be submitted to the California DMV whenever an accident involves:
- More than $1,000 in property damage
- Any injury, no matter how small
- Any death
It doesn’t matter who was at fault. It doesn’t matter if the police came or if the driver’s insurance already knows. If one of these three conditions applies, the state expects the SR-1 form to be submitted to DMV within 10 days.
The DMV uses it to track accidents, insurance compliance, and to determine whether any financial responsibility issues require review. In simple terms:
- It protects your driver’s license
- It verifies that you had insurance at the time of the crash
- It helps prevent administrative penalties.
Police Report California
This is the second document drivers tend to confuse with the SR 1 form. The responding CHP officer creates a police report in California. It includes:
- The officer’s observations
- Diagrams of the scene
- Witness statements
- Damage descriptions
- Weather and road conditions
- Citations (if any)
While the SR1 goes to the DMV, the police report in California typically goes to the law enforcement agency and your insurance agent and company (once you request it).
Even though a police report is not required by the DMV, it is incredibly helpful because:
- It provides objective details from a third party
- Insurance adjusters rely on it during claims
- It helps clarify conflicting stories
- It can support your version of events.
Think of it as your accident’s “official record”.
Do You Need Both an SR1 Form and a Police Report After a Car Accident in California?
Many people assume they only need to complete either the SR1 form or a police report after a traffic accident in California. In reality, these two reports serve very different purposes — and in many cases, you need both.
A police report of traffic accident occurring in CA documents what happened at the scene. It’s used by insurance companies, investigators, and sometimes by courts to understand the circumstances of the crash. It includes details such as statements, roadway conditions, traffic violations, and the officer’s observations. While not always required to file a claim, a police report often strengthens the reliability and accuracy of your case.
The SR1 form, on the other hand, is a legal requirement set by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Anytime an accident results in property damage to $1,000 or more, injury or death, the SR1 must be filed within 10 days to DMV regardless of fault. This report updates the DMV on the incident and helps determine insurance information status and compliance.
So, do you need both? In most cases — yes.
Submitting both reports ensures you are covered on all sides: legally, administratively, and for purposes of documenting the crash. Even if the accident felt “minor”, completing each step can save you from delays, complications, or unnecessary issues with your insurance or the DMV down the line.
What Happens If You Don’t File SR1?
Filing the SR1 form is mandatory for anyone involved in a California car accident. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has streamlined the process, allowing you to send an SR1 form online. This method is not only convenient but also ensures that you avoid potential delays that could impact your driving record or insurance claims. Whether you are completing the form SR-1 as an addition to any other report, such as a police report or an insurance claim, you can easily submit everything on the California DMV website.
The online filing system grants access to the SR1 form in various formats. You can download the SR1 PDF, keep a printable copy for your records, or send it directly to your insurance company upon their request for documentation. It is important to submit the DMV form within 10 days of the accident; failure to do so may lead to complications you would prefer to avoid.
Neglecting to file the form can result in significant and unforeseen issues, even if the auto accident appeared minor or the property damage was not extensive at the time. California Vehicle Code requires that the SR1 form be submitted as a legal obligation, and not adhering to this requirement can result in automatic administrative penalties.
The most common consequence of failing to file is the suspension of your driver’s license. The DMV may suspend your driving privileges if it cannot confirm that you maintained the minimum insurance level at the time of the accident. This suspension can occur even if you were not at fault in the collision. Once the DMV categorizes your record as “non-compliant,” reinstating your license can become a cumbersome and time-intensive process.
Additionally, you may face a registration hold. Without a completed SR1, the DMV could prevent you from renewing or updating your vehicle registration until the report is submitted. This situation can lead to extra late fees, delays, and the possibility of inadvertently driving with expired tags.
There are also financial implications to consider. If the other party or their insurance company argues that you did not follow the mandatory reporting steps, it may complicate the processing of your claim. Insurance adjusters depend on accurate documentation, and failing to provide a legally required form can slow down your case or create disputes regarding coverage, timelines, or the severity of the accident.
Can You File An Insurance Claim Without A Police Report In California?
Yes — you can file an insurance claim without a police report, but doing so may make the process slower, more complicated, and – in some cases – harder to prove. A police report isn’t legally required for your claim to move forward, yet it often acts as a key piece of documentation that supports your version of events.
Insurance companies rely heavily on evidence. Without a police report, adjusters must depend on photos, statements, and whatever information each driver provides. This can open the door to disagreements about fault, damage, or what actually happened during the accident. When stories change or details are unclear, the absence of a police report can work against you.
When a police accident report is missing, an insurance provider may request additional proof, ask more detailed questions, or require a recorded interview to verify the claim. These extra steps can extend the timeline and create stress at a moment when you’re trying to move forward.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
- Check for injuries: Ensure that everyone involved in the car accident is safe and call emergency services if needed.
- Move to safety: If possible, move vehicles out of traffic to prevent further accidents and ensure compliance with California law.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any relevant road signs to support your report of the traffic accident occurring.
- Exchange Information: Collect names, contact details, insurance information, and license plate numbers from all parties involved in the accident.
- Report the accident: Notify your insurance company and file a police report if required by California law; ensure to complete the SR-1 form and submit to the DMV within 10 days of the accident.
- Follow Up on Medical Care: Seek medical attention for any injuries, even if they seem minor, and consider filling out the SR-1 medical report form if necessary.
- Keep Records: Maintain a file of all documents related to the car accident in California, including medical bills, repair estimates, and the completed DMV SR-1 form.
Ready for Guidance? RTM Law Is Here to Help!
Navigating the steps after an accident can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with paperwork, insurance deadlines, and report forms you’ve never heard of before. At RTM Law, the goal is simple: make the process clearer, calmer, and more manageable so you can focus on moving forward.
If you have questions about the DMV SR-1 form, a police report, or what happens next in your situation, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our personal injury attorneys offer personalized guidance, straightforward answers, and support that puts your peace of mind first.
Reach out to our car accident attorney today and get the clarity you deserve. FREE consultation. Hablamos Español.
Do you need compassionate support and effective representation?
No fees until we win. Available 24/7.
