What to Do After a California Car Accident: Legal & Insurance Checklist

# What to Do After a California Car Accident: Legal Checklist Taking the correct steps immediately following a motor vehicle collision in California protects your health and your legal rights to fair compensation. ## Immediate Action Steps at the Scene: 1. **Ensure Safety & Call Emergency Services**: Contact California Highway Patrol (CHP) or local police. 2. **Exchange Driver & Insurance Info**: Collect name, phone, driver license number, license plate, insurer name, and policy number. 3. **Photograph the Scene**: Capture vehicle damage, street signs, weather, skid marks, and visible injuries. 4. **Obtain Witness Statements**: Get names and contact info for any eyewitnesses. 5. **Seek Immediate Medical Attention**: Many internal and soft-tissue injuries manifest hours or days later. ## Mandatory California DMV SR-1 Form: Under California Vehicle Code § 16000, you **must file an SR-1 form with the DMV within 10 days** if the accident caused injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000, regardless of who was at fault. ## Understanding California Comparative Fault: California applies pure comparative fault: even if you are deemed 20% responsible for an accident, you can still recover 80% of your total allowable damages from the other party.