Of concern for many Southern California drivers are the steps they need to take, or are required by law to do, when they are involved in a traffic collision. The most accurate guide to use is whether or not injuries were sustained in the traffic collision. If there are any injuries, including a complaint of pain, please notify the local police department by dialing 9-1-1.

Be aware, if you use a mobile telephone, dialing 9-1-1 will connect you to the California Highway Patrol. Tell the dispatcher your location and ask them to direct your call to the appropriate emergency response agency.

Here is an outline that you can use to help guide you through the aftermath of a typical traffic collision.

Injury Traffic Collisions:

If involved in an injury traffic collision:

• Notify the local police agency immediately
• Provide any reasonable assistance to any injured person involved in the collision
• Ask the police agency to take a collision report
• You are required to exchange information with the other driver(s), any passengers, and the owners of any property involved in the collision

Exchange of information must include:

• Driver’s/passenger's/property owner's name and current residence address
• Driver's license information
• Vehicle registration information (including vehicle license numbers, vehicle make, model, and color)
• Current residence address of the registered owner of the vehicle (if different from the driver)

Drivers are also required to present evidence of insurance to a police officer at the scene of a collision

It is advisable to exchange, if mutually acceptable, telephone numbers and contact numbers for each person's insurance company. This will aid in coordinating information at a later time.

You must submit a Department of Motor Vehicle’s (DMV) form #SR1, to the DMV within 10 days of the traffic collision. This is each driver's responsibility, however, you can arrange for a legal representative or your insurance company to complete this task for you.

Notify your insurance company that you were involved in a traffic collision and provide them with the police department’s case number.

Non-Injury Traffic Collisions – Damage Greater than $500:

If involved in a non-injury traffic collision, where the damage is greater than $500:

You are required to exchange information with the other driver(s), any passengers, and any owners of property, involved in the collision.

Exchange of information must include:

• Driver’s/passenger's/property owner's name and current residence address
• Driver's license information
• Vehicle registration information (including license numbers, vehicle make, model, and color)
• Current residence address of registered owner of the vehicle

Drivers are also required to present evidence of insurance to a police officer at the scene of a collision

It is advisable to exchange, if mutually acceptable, telephone numbers and contact numbers for each person's insurance company. This will aid in coordinating information at a later time.

You are not required to notify the local police agency, however, it is advisable to do so if assistance in exchanging information is needed or the vehicles remain in the roadway causing a hazard.

You must submit a Department of Motor Vehicle’s (DMV) form #SR1, to the DMV within 10 days of the traffic collision. This is each driver's responsibility, however, you can arrange for a legal representative or your insurance company to complete this task for you.

Non-Injury Traffic Collisions - Damage Less that $500:

If involved in a non-injury traffic collision, where the damage is less than $500:

You are required to exchange information with the other driver(s), any passengers, and any owners of property involved in the collision.

Exchange of information must include:

• Driver’s/passenger's/property owner's name and current residence address
• Driver's license information
• Vehicle registration information (including license numbers, vehicle make, model, and color)
• Current residence address of registered owner of the vehicle

Drivers are also required to present evidence of insurance to a police officer at the scene of a collision.

It is advisable to exchange, if mutually acceptable, telephone numbers and contact numbers for each person's insurance company. This will aid in coordinating information at a later time.

You are not required to notify the local police agency, however, it is advisable to do so if assistance in exchanging information is needed or the vehicles remain in the roadway causing a hazard.