What is a SR-1 form?

After a traffic accident on a Californian street or highway, the victims will have a lot to sort out in the coming days. Unfortunately, those hurt in accidents aren’t always given time to focus on their recovery. There’s the battle with insurance companies to gain support for paying for medical care. There’s also the effort to get damaged vehicles replaced or into the shop for repairs. While the aftermath of a car accident can be frustrating and overwhelming, it is important for victims to remember that they have an obligation to report auto accidents to the proper authorities The best lawyer for car accident will provide sound legal guidance and advice on when to submit your SR-1 form as well as the possible legal consequences if it isn’t completed promptly.

What is an SR-1 form?

 With the hustle and bustle of California’s city streets and byways, especially in cities like Los Angeles, the best lawyers for car accidents in the state manage thousands of cases every year that result in personal injury, wrongful death or property damage. No one is immune to such a tragedy.  It can happen to anyone at any time.

When you or a family member are in an accident, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires that you submit an SR-1 form. This document is essential for not only recording your car crash but also of any injury claims. Also known as a Driver’s Accident Report, this vital paperwork provides the DMV with comprehensive information regarding your collision.

When Do You Need to Fill Out an SR-1?

California law dictates that if you experience a severe auto accident anywhere in the state, then you must complete an SR-1 form with the DMV within ten days. To satisfy this mandatory requirement, you will have to provide information about liability insurance policies, vehicle registration, and traffic accident reports. This is where hiring one of the best car injury lawyers can be extremely beneficial.  The filing of an SR-1 form is applicable if:

• You are culpable for the accident.
• You lack the proper car insurance.
• Your driver’s license and/or vehicle registration are not current.
• No police report was filed.
• There IS a police report because authorities were called to the scene of the accident.

Completing the SR-1 form, which is only 3 pages long, won’t take more than 15 minutes of your time if you have all necessary information from the car accident. It does not ask for any confidential data but rather requires details like:

• Names and contact information of all parties involved.
• Information of the vehicles involved (license plates, makes, models, and colors of vehicles, etc.)
• A vivid recounting of the accident
• Details regarding property damage
• Insurance information

Why bother filing a report if the episode is already recorded by officials? Do I still have to submit an SR-1 form even though police conducted an examination on this incident? Yes, you do. 

Apart from gathering data concerning the unique and specific car crash, these forms serve as evidence when uninsured or underinsured motorists are involved in a vehicular collision (An uninsured motorist has no auto insurance while one who is underinsured lacks sufficient liability coverage.)

Exceptions to filing an SR-1 form

Do you need to complete the DMV SR-1 for every car accident? Fortunately, the answer is NO. 

The DMX states that if property damage does not exceed $1000 or the incident occurs on private property with no personal injury or wrongful death claims, then filing an SR-1 form isn’t necessary. To clarify: You must submit an SR-1 only when there are costly damages and/or someone has been harmed by your vehicle in some way—otherwise, it’s not required.  A general rule of thumb for filing an SR-1 is when an accident meets one or more of the below conditions.

• Property damage can be financially devastating, with the costs of repair and replacement often reaching a minimum of $1000.
• Any individual involved in the auto accident experienced physical harm or injury.
• The devastating car accident claimed the life of one of its participants.

How the best car injury lawyers can help?: Failure to report

If you don’t submit a “reportable accident” or SR-1 report, your driving privileges can be suspended. In addition to that, it is also an infringement of California Vehicle Code 20002 concerning accidents and their respective reports.

California Vehicle Code 20002 outlines that after being involved in an accident which damages property, a driver must immediately stop their vehicle at the closest safe place. Ignoring any part of this law will lead to:

• Jail time up to six months
• $1,000 fine.

With an SR-1 form that has not been filed, unpleasant legal repercussions could occur. From an insurance company denying your claim to the other party placing all fault upon you, these issues can quickly escalate and leave one feeling frightened and overwhelmed. That is why it’s vital that—if a “reportable accident” happens—you submit an SR-1 to the DMV immediately. And hiring one of the best car accident injury lawyers you can find will be extremely advantageous.  Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Hiring the Best Lawyer for Car Accident

If you or someone you love has been the unfortunate victim in a car accident, it is absolutely essential that you hire one of the best car accident injury lawyers you can find right away to ensure your rights are adequately protected and that fair compensation is achieved. By enlisting the services of an experienced auto injury lawyer, you can rest assured that all aspects of your case will be handled professionally with skillful care for maximum return.

At The Point Law Group, we are committed to upholding your rights after an accident and identifying all parties accountable for the crash. Our knowledgeable attorneys and staff strive to bring justice by ensuring that you receive fair financial compensation. We deeply care about our clients’ needs, providing them with personalized legal services throughout their ordeal.

Let us take the weight off your shoulders and fight for what is rightfully yours. We are committed to delivering justice with a proper monetary settlement to cover all medical expenses and property damage. Don’t wait another minute—contact us today for a free consultation.  For more information on hiring the best lawyers for car accidents in Los Angeles and neighboring counties, contact The Point Law Group today.