Vehicle Code § 16000: reporting a crash to the DMV

What the law says

California requires the driver or owner to report a crash to the DMV within 10 days when it causes property damage over $1,000 to any one person, any injury or any death. This DMV report is separate from the police report and is required no matter who was at fault.

Official text (excerpt)

that has resulted in damage to the property of any one person in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or in bodily injury, or in the death of any person shall report the accident, within 10 days after the accident

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Why it matters in an injury claim

Missing the DMV report can create problems with your own license that have nothing to do with fault. Keep a copy of what you submit; it also records the insurance information for each driver.