A car accident is stressful enough without wondering what you are supposed to do next. This checklist walks through the steps California law expects, in the order you will likely need them, for drivers in Long Beach and across the state.
Right After the Crash: Safety First
If you can, move your vehicle out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries before stepping out, and watch for traffic as you do. If anyone is hurt, or you are not sure, call 911 right away — do not wait to see how you feel later. Even for a minor, no-injury fender bender, staying calm and getting everyone to a safe spot comes before anything else on this list.
What California Law Requires You to Do at the Scene
California's vehicle code requires every driver involved in an accident to stop and exchange information with the other driver or drivers. At minimum, that means your name and current address, your driver's license number, your vehicle registration, and your insurance company and policy number. If you damage an unattended vehicle or property and cannot find the owner, you are required to leave a note with the same information in a visible place.
In Long Beach, as in most California cities, officers may not respond in person to a minor crash with no injuries unless a driver cannot produce a license, registration or insurance, or unless the roadway needs to be cleared. If you are unsure whether to request police, you can call the non-emergency line, or ask responding officers to document the scene if they do arrive.
Documenting the Accident
Before you leave the scene, take photos of both vehicles from several angles, the license plates, any visible damage, the road and intersection, traffic signs or signals, and skid marks if there are any. Note the time, weather and road conditions while they are fresh in your mind. If there were witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers — they can matter later if the other driver's account does not match yours. Avoid discussing who was at fault at the scene; that determination comes later, from the insurance companies and, if needed, the police report.
When You Must Report to the DMV
Separately from any police report, California requires you to report certain accidents directly to the DMV using form SR-1, within 10 days. You must file an SR-1 if anyone was injured or killed, however minor the injury, or if property damage appears to exceed $1,000. This applies even if the police came to the scene and even if you also report the claim to your insurance company — the SR-1 is its own, separate requirement. Your insurance agent can help you complete and send it.
Filing Your Insurance Claim
Report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as you reasonably can, even if you believe the other driver was at fault. Have your policy number, the other driver's information, your photos, and the police report number (if one was taken) ready when you call. Barua Insurance does not handle claims directly — once your policy is in place, your claim goes to your carrier — but your agent can help you understand your coverage and what to expect from the process.
How Barua Insurance Can Help
If you are not sure what your policy covers after an accident, or whether you need to file an SR-1, a quick call to your agent can save a lot of guesswork. We help California drivers understand their coverage before something happens, not just after, and can point you toward the right next step once it does.
Review your coverage on our auto insurance page, or if the DMV has asked you for an SR-22 following an accident, see our SR-22 filing page. More common questions are answered on our FAQ page.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do I have to call the police after every accident in Long Beach?
A: Not always. Officers may not respond in person to a minor, no-injury crash, but you should still call if anyone is hurt, a driver cannot provide a license, registration or insurance, or the road needs to be cleared.
Q: What is an SR-1, and when do I need to file one?
A: It is a report California requires you to send the DMV within 10 days of an accident involving injury, death, or property damage estimated over $1,000 — separate from any police report or insurance claim.
Q: What information am I required to exchange with the other driver?
A: Your name and address, driver's license number, vehicle registration, and insurance company and policy number, and the same from the other driver.
Q: Should I admit fault at the scene?
A: No. Describe what happened factually, but let the insurance companies and, if needed, the police report determine fault.
Q: Where can I find the official SR-1 form?
A: The California DMV's accident reporting page has the current SR-1 form and instructions.
Have questions about your coverage? Call (562) 273-3989 or visit 1310 Pine Ave, Suite D, Long Beach. We speak English and Español.
Rates vary by driver, vehicle and carrier. Coverage is subject to policy terms.