Pursuant to California Vehicle Code section 16000, a driver involved in a motor vehicle collision is required to file a written Traffic Accident Report, Form SR-1, with the California Department of Motor Vehicles when the collision results in injury or death, or when property damage to any one person exceeds one thousand dollars.

The report must be submitted within ten days of the date of the accident and may be completed by the driver or by an authorized representative, including an insurance carrier or legal counsel.

This reporting obligation applies regardless of whether law enforcement responds to the scene and is separate from any report provided to police or to an insurance provider.