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SR-1 DMV Accident Report Formsby: Rich Harris, Esq.
Posted: 10-11-2015 
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What you ought to know regarding SR1 DMV Accident Reports
If you were the driver or owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident which resulted in property damage in excess of $750, bodily injury or death, regardless of who was at fault, you must report the accident and provide evidence of financial responsibility to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The report must be made on the Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California form (SR-1) and the report is due within 10 days of the accident. This is in addition to any other report made to the police, California Highway Patrol, or your insurance company.
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If you are involved in a reportable accident while driving your employer’s vehicle, you must report the accident to your employer within 5 days. Your employer is then required to file a Traffic Accident Report (form SR-1) with the department within 10 days of your report. The employer’s report is not needed if the vehicle is owned or operated by a government agency, a department approved self-insurer, or the holder of a department-issued Employer Insurance Certificate.
Possible Suspension of License
If you were uninsured, your driving privilege will be suspended. You will not be eligible for reinstatement until one year from the date the suspension begins. Thereafter, for a period of three years, proof of financial responsibility is required as a condition of reinstatement. If proof is canceled for any reason during the three-year proof requirement, your driving privilege will be suspended, effective upon notice. If you change insurance companies, be certain your new proof is on file before canceling the old policy.
Owner Suspension
If a vehicle is involved in an accident and the driver of the vehicle cannot be identified, any required suspension will be taken against the registered owner. If the owner adequately identifies the driver, the suspension will be removed from the owner and placed against the driver (§§16020-21 and 16070a VC). If a parked vehicle rolls away and causes an accident, the registered owner is subject to suspension if the vehicle is uninsured (§16001 VC).
Electronic Reporting of Insurance
Insurance companies are now required to electronically report insurance information to DMV for vehicles that are insured and registered as private passenger automobiles. • Effective October 1, 2006, your vehicle registration is subject to suspension if the liability insurance is cancelled; if your insurance company has not electronically provided evidence of insurance when you purchase and register your vehicle; or if you provide DMV with false insurance information.
Do you have questions about auto accidents and/or this form?
Call our office at 951-354-5700 and we will do what we can to answer your auto accident report questions.
Excerpts of information from DMV form (SR 104)
