The SR1 form, officially known as the "Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California," is a crucial document mandated by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This form serves as an official report of a traffic accident and is required by California law when an accident involves injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.
The necessity to file a Form SR1 applies regardless of fault in the accident and whether or not you had the proper auto insurance. It is important to note that this requirement is independent of any police or insurance reports that may also be filed.
By law, you are required to submit the Form SR1 in the following situations:
If the accident results in injury to any party involved, regardless of the severity, or if there is a fatality.
If the accident causes property damage exceeding $1,000.
The form must be submitted to the DMV within 10 days of the accident. Failure to meet this deadline can lead to severe consequences, including the suspension of your driver's license and driving privileges until the report is filed. It's important to understand that filing an SR1 form is not an admission of fault; it is merely a notification to the DMV that an accident occurred.
In the context of pursuing uninsured motorist benefits, the SR1 form is a prerequisite for filing an SR19 form. The SR19 form is used to obtain information about the insurance status of parties involved in a traffic collision or to confirm the presence or absence of insurance coverage. Therefore, not filing an SR1 can not only subject you to penalties but also impact your ability to recover compensation in your personal injury case, especially when dealing with an uninsured motorist scenario.
For your reference, a printable copy of the SR1 form is available on the California DMV website here: www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/forms/sr/sr1
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