When You Must Report a Car Accident, by State (2026)
When each state requires you to report a crash to the police or DMV, the dollar threshold, and the deadline.
| State | Reporting a crash to police | Crash report to the DMV |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside a city or town, otherwise the county sheriff's office or the state highway patrol. Code of Ala. § 32-10-5(a) | Under Alabama's Motor Vehicle Safety-Responsibility Act, the operator of a vehicle in a crash where anyone is killed or injured, or any one person's property damage (including the operator's own) is more than $250, must report it in writing to the director within 30 days, on the director's form. The report is used to decide whether the operator must post security, so it asks mainly about insurance. If the operator is physically unable, the owner must report within 10 days after learning of the crash. Code of Ala. § 32-7-5 |
| Alaska | A driver in a crash causing bodily injury, death, or apparent total property damage of $2,000 or more must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside a municipality, otherwise the Alaska Department of Public Safety (State Troopers). If the driver cannot, another capable occupant must give the notice. AS 28.35.080(a), 28.35.090(a) | For a crash causing bodily injury, death, or apparent total property damage of $2,000 or more, the driver must send a written or electronic report within 10 days to the Department of Administration (which includes the Division of Motor Vehicles), and to the local police if the crash was inside a municipality. No driver report is needed if a peace officer investigated. The form is available on the department's website, from local police, or from the Department of Public Safety. If the driver is incapacitated and is not the owner, the owner must report within 5 days of learning of the crash. Failing to report leads to license suspension until the report is filed and is a misdemeanor (up to $200 fine and/or 90 days). AS 28.35.080(b)-(d), 28.35.090(b), 28.35.110(b) |
| Arizona | A driver in a crash that injures or kills someone must notify police immediately, by the quickest means available (oral or written): the local police department if inside a city or town, the county sheriff, or the nearest highway patrol office. A.R.S. § 28-666 | Arizona's written crash report is completed by the investigating officer. Officers must complete a full written report for crashes with injury, death, a citation, or property damage over $2,000 (a shorter partial report for $2,000 or less), within 24 hours after finishing the investigation, and the agency forwards a copy to the Arizona Department of Transportation. A.R.S. § 28-667 |
| Arkansas | A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or apparent total property damage of $3,000 or more must notify the nearest law enforcement agency immediately, and everyone involved must make themselves available to the investigating officers. Drivers of taxis, buses and other vehicles carrying passengers for hire must also report injury or death crashes immediately. Failing or refusing to comply is punishable by a $100 to $1,000 fine, and willful refusal leads to license revocation. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 27-53-202, 27-53-201 | Under Arkansas's motor vehicle safety responsibility law, the driver of a registrable vehicle in a crash causing bodily injury, death, or damage to any one person's property in excess of $1,000 must report it to the Office of Driver Services within 30 days, on an electronic or paper form approved by the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration, unless an exemption applies. The form asks for information about insurance so the office can decide whether a security deposit is required. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 27-19-501, 27-19-502 |
| California | If anyone is injured or killed in a collision, the driver must report it to law enforcement within 24 hours; an insurance agent, broker, or legal representative may file the report for the driver. The DMV advises calling 911 right away if anyone is hurt. After hitting a parked car or other property when the owner cannot be found, the driver must leave a note and report the collision to law enforcement. California Driver's Handbook, Section 10 (California DMV); Cal. Veh. Code § 20008 | Each driver in a collision must file a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (form SR-1) with the DMV within 10 days if anyone was injured (even slightly) or killed, or if property damage was more than $1,000. This applies whether or not the driver caused the collision and even on private property. The SR-1 is required in addition to any police, CHP, or insurance report; law enforcement will not file it for the driver. An insurance agent, broker, or legal representative may file it. The driving privilege is suspended if a required report is not filed. California DMV, Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1); Cal. Veh. Code § 16000 |
| Colorado | A driver in a traffic crash causing injury, serious bodily injury, death, or any property damage must, after stopping and exchanging information, give immediate notice of the crash location and their information to the nearest police authority. If police direct it, the driver must return to and stay at the scene until officers finish their investigation. If the driver is physically unable, another capable occupant must give the notice. Violations are a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense. C.R.S. §§ 42-4-1606(1), (6), 42-4-1607 | Colorado's former requirement for drivers to file their own written crash report (C.R.S. § 42-4-1606(2)) was repealed in 2004. Law enforcement officers who are notified of or investigate a crash submit reports to the Department of Revenue on its form, including drivers' insurance information, within 5 days. The department may still require a driver in a reportable crash to file a supplemental report if the original is insufficient. C.R.S. § 42-4-1606(2) (repealed), (3), (4)(a) |
| Connecticut | A driver knowingly involved in a crash that causes death, injury, or property damage must give their name, address, license number and registration number to the injured person, property owner, an officer, or a witness. If the driver cannot do so for any reason, they must immediately report the crash to a police officer, constable, state police officer, or motor vehicle inspector, or at the nearest police station, stating the location and circumstances and their identifying information. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-224(a)-(b) | Connecticut's former driver accident report statute (§ 14-108) has been repealed. Crash reports are now completed by the investigating police officer or agency on the uniform investigation of accident report and forwarded to the Commissioner of Transportation within 5 days after the investigation, for any crash with death, injury, or damage over $1,000 to any one person's property (including the driver's). Reports involving a school bus are forwarded to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-108 (repealed), 14-108a |
| Delaware | After stopping and exchanging information, a driver must immediately report a collision to the police agency for that location when it causes injury or death, when it happens on a public highway and causes apparent property damage of $2,000 or more, or when a driver appears impaired by alcohol or drugs. Other collisions may be reported voluntarily. 21 Del. C. § 4203(a)-(b) | Delaware law does not set a routine driver-filed crash report; the police complete the Uniform Traffic Collision Report. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security may require drivers (or police) to file supplemental reports on its forms when it finds the original report insufficient. Those reports are confidential and cannot be used as evidence at trial except to show the report was made. 21 Del. C. § 4203(d)-(e) |
| District of Columbia | A driver who knows or has reason to believe their vehicle was in a collision must stop immediately. If someone is injured, the driver must call (or have someone call) 911 or an ambulance if needed, stay until police arrive, and give identifying information to police and the injured person. If another person's property is damaged or a domestic animal is hurt and the owner is not present, the driver must give identifying information and the location to police or 911. If property or an animal left by the collision poses a risk to others, the driver must call 911 and describe the risk. D.C. Code § 50-2201.05c(a) | The D.C. Code subchapter that once required drivers to file accident reports (D.C. Code §§ 50-1301.10 to 50-1301.15) has been repealed. No current driver-filed crash report requirement to the DC DMV was found in the D.C. Code. D.C. Code §§ 50-1301.10 to 50-1301.15 (repealed) |
| Florida | A driver in a crash that causes injury or death, or apparent damage to a vehicle or other property of at least $2,000, must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Florida Highway Patrol office. Failing to do so is a noncriminal traffic infraction. Fla. Stat. § 316.065(1) | When a crash damages a vehicle or other property and no law enforcement report is required, the driver must send a written crash report to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 10 days after the crash, on a form the department approves. Crashes with injury, death, complaints of pain, a hit-and-run or DUI, a vehicle towed from the scene, or a commercial vehicle get a Long Form report from the investigating officer instead. Fla. Stat. § 316.066(1)(a), (1)(e) |
| Georgia | A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or apparent property damage of $500 or more must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Georgia State Patrol office. A driver in a crash with no personal injury and no second party or second party's property involved has no duty to stop or immediately report it. O.C.G.A. §§ 40-6-273, 40-6-274 | Not verified yet |
| Hawaii | A driver in a collision that causes injury or death, or total property damage that appears to be $3,000 or more, must immediately notify the nearest police officer by the quickest means available. If the driver cannot, another capable occupant must give the notice. A responding officer files a written report for collisions meeting those thresholds. HRS § 291C-16 | Under Hawaii's motor vehicle safety responsibility law, the driver of a vehicle in a crash causing death or injury, or apparent damage to any one person's property (including the driver's) in excess of $3,000, must report it in writing or in person to the chief of police as soon as practical and within 24 hours, on a form set by the chief of police and the administrator. If the driver cannot, a capable occupant must report; if no report is filed, the registered owner must report within 10 days after learning of the accident. A report made under another law or ordinance satisfies this requirement. HRS § 287-4 |
| Idaho | A driver in a crash that causes injury or death, or damage to any one person's property in excess of $1,500, must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if in a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Idaho State Police office. If the driver cannot, another capable occupant must give the notice. Idaho Code § 49-1305 | In Idaho the written crash report is sent by the investigating law enforcement officer, who must forward it to the Idaho Transportation Department within 24 hours after completing the investigation. Written accident reports must be made on forms approved by the department. Idaho Code §§ 49-1306, 49-1307 |
| Illinois | If no officer is at the scene, a driver must give notice by the fastest available means (to local police inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or nearest Illinois State Police headquarters) when a crash causes injury or death, causes property damage to anyone (including the driver) over $1,500 (over $500 if any vehicle involved is uninsured), or involves a school bus as described in the law. If the driver cannot, another capable occupant must give notice. 625 ILCS 5/11-407 | The former requirement that drivers file their own written crash report with the Illinois Department of Transportation (625 ILCS 5/11-406) was repealed effective August 20, 2021. The investigating officer now forwards a written crash report to the state Administrator on approved forms within 10 days after the investigation. 625 ILCS 5/11-406 (repealed by P.A. 102-560), 5/11-408 |
| Indiana | If a crash injures or kills another person, the driver must, as soon as possible, make sure law enforcement (local police, sheriff, or state police) is notified. After hitting an unattended vehicle or other property, if the owner cannot be found, the driver must call a law enforcement agency to provide their information. Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 8 (Indiana BMV); IC 9-26-1-1.1 | After a crash, if the Indiana BMV requests it, the driver must provide proof of financial responsibility. The driver's insurance company must electronically file a Certificate of Compliance (COC) showing the driver had insurance meeting the state minimums at the time of the crash. Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 8 (Indiana BMV) |
| Iowa | A driver in a crash that causes injury or death must immediately notify, by the quickest means available, the county sheriff, the nearest Iowa State Patrol office, or another peace officer as near the scene as practical. Iowa Code § 321.266(1) | A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or apparent total property damage of $1,500 or more must send a written report to the Iowa Department of Transportation within 72 hours after the crash. No driver report is required if a law enforcement agency investigated the crash; in that case the officer sends a report to the department within 24 hours after completing the investigation. Iowa Code § 321.266(2)-(3) |
| Kansas | If no police officer is at the scene, the driver (or any occupant 18 or older) must immediately report the crash to the nearest police authority by the quickest available means when there is apparent property damage of $1,000 or more, when anyone is injured or killed, or when the people entitled to the driver's information are not present or able to receive it. K.S.A. 8-1604(b) | Kansas does not set a routine driver-filed crash report by statute; the state division may require a driver or owner to file a written accident report whenever it considers this necessary to meet another legal requirement. The investigating officer's written report goes to the Kansas Department of Transportation within 10 days after the investigation for crashes with injury, death, or apparent total property damage of $1,000 or more. K.S.A. 8-1607, 8-1611 |
| Kentucky | A driver in a crash on a Kentucky highway that causes a death, any personal injury (or a known or visible injury), or damage that leaves a vehicle inoperable must immediately notify a law enforcement officer or agency with jurisdiction (or a 911 public safety answering point), if physically able and if they have a working phone or other device. If the driver does not or cannot, the owner or any occupant must make the report. The officer then investigates and files a written report. KRS 189.635(3); KRS 189.580(6) | If no law enforcement officer investigates the crash, a driver in a crash on a Kentucky highway involving injury, death, or property damage over $500 must file a written report with the Kentucky State Police within 10 days, on forms the department provides. These driver reports are confidential, but are available to the parties, their insurers, their lawyers and certain others. KRS 189.635(5)-(6); KRS 189.580(7) |
| Louisiana | A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or property damage over $500 must immediately notify the local police department if inside an incorporated city or town, or otherwise the nearest sheriff's office or state police station. If the crash happens in an area under an evacuation order or a declared state of emergency, the driver has 72 hours to give notice and exchange information. La. R.S. 32:398(A) | In La. R.S. 32:398 the written crash report is made by the investigating law enforcement agency on electronic forms approved by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Within 48 hours after completing the investigation, the agency forwards a copy (or the crash data) to the Department of Transportation and Development (and, for crashes inside a city, to the city police department). Crash reports are confidential and are available only to the parties, their insurers, healthcare providers, lawyers, certain family members and news organizations, within 7 working days after the investigation is complete on request. La. R.S. 32:398(C), (G), (I) |
| Maine | A 'reportable accident' is one on a public way or a place where public traffic is expected that causes bodily injury, death, or apparent property damage of $2,000 or more (based on the market value of needed repairs). It must be reported immediately, by the quickest means, to a state police officer or field office, the county sheriff's office or a deputy, or the local police department or officer. The operator, someone acting for the operator, or (if the operator is unknown) an owner who knows of the accident must make the report. 29-A M.R.S. § 2251(1)-(2) | Maine does not require a separate driver-filed written report to the Secretary of State; the former 48-hour report was repealed. The State Police receive accident reports and send them to the Secretary of State. An owner or operator must give the Secretary of State any additional information it requires to decide whether proof of financial responsibility is needed. 29-A M.R.S. § 2251(3), (5) (repealed), (6) |
| Maryland | In the sections reviewed, Maryland requires a driver to report a crash to police in two situations: when no officer is present and no injured person, driver or property attendant is able to receive the driver's information (the driver must then immediately report to the nearest police office and give that information), and when a vehicle strikes and injures a domestic animal (the driver must immediately notify state or local police). A driver must also give name, address, registration and license on request to any police officer at the scene or investigating. Md. Code, Transp. §§ 20-104(c)-(d), 20-106 | Each driver in a crash that causes bodily injury or death must report it in writing to the Motor Vehicle Administration within 15 days, and file with it evidence of liability insurance (carrier name and address, policy number, and local insurance producer). No driver report is required if a police officer investigated and filed a report with the Department of State Police, or while the person is physically unable to report. If the driver cannot or will not report, the MVA may require the owner to do so. The MVA may suspend or revoke the license and vehicle registrations of a person who fails to file a required report. Md. Code, Transp. §§ 20-107, 20-109 |
| Massachusetts | When a crash kills or injures anyone or causes damage over $1,000 to any one vehicle or other property, the operator must, within 5 days, send a copy of the written crash report to the police department for the place where the crash happened (the original goes to the Registry of Motor Vehicles). Police must accept a report from an owner or operator whose vehicle was damaged by a driver who unlawfully left the scene. M.G.L. c. 90, § 26 | The operator of a vehicle in a crash where anyone is killed or injured, or where damage to any one vehicle or other property is more than $1,000, must file a written report with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles within 5 days, on the registrar's approved form, and send a copy to the local police. No report is required while the person is physically unable to make one; if the operator is unable and is not the owner, the owner must report within 5 days. The registrar may demand a supplemental report and may suspend or revoke the license of anyone who violates this section. M.G.L. c. 90, § 26 |
| Michigan | A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone, or damages property to an apparent total of $1,000 or more, must immediately report it at the nearest or most convenient police station or to the nearest or most convenient police officer. MCL 257.622 | Michigan's crash report is completed in full by the investigating officer and forwarded to the Director of the Michigan State Police, who analyzes the reports. Local copies are kept for at least 3 years by the police agency that made the report. MCL 257.622 |
| Minnesota | A driver in a collision that causes bodily injury or death must, after stopping and giving information, notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside a city, a State Patrol officer if on a trunk highway, or the county sheriff. Hitting an unattended vehicle or roadside fixtures also requires either leaving the information with the owner or reporting it to a peace officer (for fixtures, the report to an officer is required). Minn. Stat. § 169.09, subds. 4, 5, 6 | The former rule requiring drivers to file their own written crash report (subdivision 7) was repealed in 2021. Now the peace officer who investigates a reportable crash must submit an electronic or written report to the Commissioner of Public Safety within 10 days. Reportable crashes on public rights-of-way include those with a death, an injury treated with immediate medical care, a vehicle towed away because of disabling damage, or damage to roadside property or infrastructure. Minn. Stat. § 169.09, subds. 7 (repealed), 8 |
| Mississippi | A driver in a crash causing injury, death, or apparent total property damage of $500 or more must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside an incorporated city, otherwise the nearest sheriff's office or highway patrol station. If the driver is physically unable, another capable occupant must make the report. Police, sheriffs or the highway patrol investigate these crashes and forward a written report within 6 days. Miss. Code Ann. §§ 63-3-411, 63-3-413 | Not verified yet |
| Missouri | Missouri's leaving-the-scene law requires a driver in a crash causing injury, death, or damage to another's property to stop and give their name, home address, vehicle registration or plate number, and driver license number to the other party or to a law enforcement officer, or, if no officer is nearby, to the nearest law enforcement agency. RSMo § 577.060.1 | Under Missouri's motor vehicle financial responsibility law, a written report must be made to the Director of Revenue within 30 days after a crash on a street, highway, or public parking lot or facility that involves an uninsured motorist and in which someone is killed or injured or any one person's property damage exceeds $500. An owner or operator who does not carry liability insurance must also report any crash within 30 days. The report is on the director's form. If the operator is physically unable, the owner must report within 30 days after learning of the crash (a late report due to incapacity needs a doctor's certificate). RSMo § 303.040 |
| Montana | A driver who knows or reasonably should know they were in a crash that caused injury or death, struck the body of a deceased person, or caused apparent property damage of $1,000 or more must immediately, by the quickest means available, notify the local police (inside a city or town) or otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Highway Patrol office. Mont. Code Ann. § 61-7-108 | If a person is killed or injured, or property damage is more than $1,000, the driver must report the crash in writing to the Department of Justice within 10 days — unless a law enforcement officer investigated and reported it. The department can ask for supplemental reports. The driver's written report cannot be used as evidence at trial. Mont. Code Ann. § 61-7-109 |
| Nebraska | A driver who hits an unattended vehicle or other unattended property must leave a written note with their information and must also report the collision to a peace officer, by phone or otherwise, without unnecessary delay. The statutes we reviewed do not set a separate general rule requiring a driver to call police after every injury crash; drivers in injury or death crashes must stop, exchange information and help the injured (see leaving the scene). Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-696(2) | If a crash causes injury or death, or apparent damage to any one person's property (including the driver's own) of $2,000 or more, the driver must send a crash report to the Nebraska Department of Transportation within 10 days — unless a peace officer investigated the crash. If the driver is physically unable, the vehicle owner must report within 10 days of learning of the crash. The report has two parts: Part I (crash details, Department of Transportation form) and Part II (insurance information, Department of Motor Vehicles form). Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-699 |
| Nevada | If no police officer is at the scene, a driver in a crash that injured or killed someone, or that happened on a highway, must — after stopping, exchanging information and helping the injured — immediately report the crash to the nearest police office or the Nevada Highway Patrol. A driver who damages an unattended vehicle or other property on a highway must immediately notify the nearest police office or the Highway Patrol by the quickest means available (a capable passenger must do it if the driver cannot). Violations are misdemeanors. NRS 484E.030(2), 484E.050 | If a crash causes injury or death, or apparent damage of $750 or more to any vehicle or item of property, the driver must send a written or electronic crash report to the Department within 10 days, attaching a repair estimate or total-loss statement for vehicle damage. No driver report is needed if a police officer investigated and the officer's report lists each person's insurance company, policy number and coverage dates. If the driver is physically unable and is not the owner, the owner must report. Willfully failing to report can lead to suspension of driving privileges (generally for 1 year unless the report is received); knowingly giving false information is a gross misdemeanor. NRS 484E.070, 484E.080 |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire's crash statute does not set a general rule that drivers must call police after every crash. But if the injured person, the other driver or the property owner cannot receive the driver's information (because of injury, absence or another reason), the driver must give it to a uniformed police officer who arrives at the scene, or immediately to an officer at the nearest police station. Police who investigate an injury, death or property-damage crash file their own report with the Division of Motor Vehicles within 5 days after finishing the investigation. RSA 264:25, I; RSA 264:26, II | If anyone is injured or killed, or property damage is more than $1,000, the driver (or the owner of an illegally parked vehicle involved) must file a written report with the Division of Motor Vehicles within 15 days, on the form set by the director — unless a police officer investigated the crash, in which case the officer's report satisfies the requirement. If the driver is physically or mentally unable, the vehicle owner must report promptly. Failing to file is a misdemeanor for an individual. The report generally cannot be used as evidence against the reporting person in a criminal trial. RSA 264:25, I–II; RSA 264:29 |
| New Jersey | A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone, or damages any one person's property by more than $500, must give notice by the quickest means available to the local police department, the nearest county police office, or the State Police. If a passenger is able and the driver is not, the passenger must give the notice. A knowing violation carries a fine of $30–$100, and the MVC can suspend or revoke license and registration privileges. N.J.S.A. 39:4-130 | For the same crashes (injury, death, or more than $500 in damage to one person's property), the driver must send a written report to the Motor Vehicle Commission on its forms within 10 days — unless a law enforcement officer submits a written report of the crash to the Commission. If the driver cannot, a passenger or (for a non-owner driver) the vehicle owner must report. These reports are not open to public inspection and cannot be used as evidence except to prove the report was made. Knowingly failing to file carries a $30–$100 fine and possible license and registration suspension or revocation. N.J.S.A. 39:4-130 |
| New Mexico | The driver in a crash causing bodily injury or death, or apparent property damage of $500 or more, must immediately, by the quickest means available, notify the police department if the crash is inside a city or town, or otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest New Mexico State Police office. If the driver cannot, a capable passenger must give the notice. For a driverless autonomous vehicle, the owner (or someone acting for the owner) must give the notice. N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 66-7-206, 66-7-208 | The driver in a crash causing bodily injury or death, or total apparent property damage of $500 or more, must send a written report of the crash to the New Mexico Department of Transportation within five days. The department may require supplemental reports and reports from witnesses. Officers who investigate such crashes also send their reports to the Department of Transportation within 24 hours after finishing the investigation. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 66-7-207 |
| New York | If anyone is injured or killed, police must be notified immediately. By statute, a driver who knows or has cause to know someone was injured must give their information to a police officer, or — if no officer is nearby — report the incident to the nearest police station or judicial officer as soon as physically able. If only property is damaged and the owner is not present, the driver must report the damage to the nearest police station or judicial officer as soon as physically able. N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law § 600(1)(a), (2)(a) | A driver involved in a New York crash in which anyone is killed or injured, or in which property of any one person (including the driver) is damaged by more than $1,000, must report it in writing to the DMV commissioner within 10 days, using the Report of Motor Vehicle Crash (form MV-104), which can also be submitted online. This is required even if police took a report, and reporting to an insurer does not replace it. Failing to report, or giving incorrect information, is a misdemeanor and can lead to suspension or revocation of the license and registrations. N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law § 605 |
| North Carolina | The driver in a "reportable" crash must immediately, by the quickest means available, notify law enforcement — the city or town police inside a municipality, or otherwise the State Highway Patrol, sheriff's office or other rural police. A reportable crash is one causing death or injury, total property damage of $1,000 or more, or any damage to a vehicle seized under G.S. 20-28.3. In a reportable crash the driver must generally stay with the vehicle at the scene until an officer finishes the investigation or allows them to leave. N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-166.1(a), 20-4.01(33b), 20-166(c) | Law enforcement must investigate every reportable crash; the officer writes a report within 24 hours, and it is forwarded to the Division (local agencies forward it within 10 days). The Division may ask the driver for proof of financial responsibility (insurance). A driver who hits a parked or unattended vehicle must report to its owner within 48 hours; if that report is written and not handed over at the scene, it must be sent by certified mail with a copy to the Division. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1(b), (c), (e) |
| North Dakota | The driver of a vehicle in a crash causing injury or death, or apparent property damage of at least $4,000, must immediately notify the local police department (inside a city) or otherwise the county sheriff or the State Highway Patrol. The driver must give the investigating officer their insurance carrier and policy number (or the owner's). The fine for not giving notice is $50, and the license can be suspended until the duties are met. A crash with a wild animal that damages only the driver's own vehicle is exempt. If the driver is physically unable, a capable passenger must give the notice. N.D. Cent. Code §§ 39-08-09, 39-08-11 | The investigating law enforcement officer must promptly send a crash report to the Department of Transportation director electronically. A driver who did not have insurance information to give the investigating officer must provide it to the driver's license division within 5 days of the crash. If the driver is incapacitated and is not the owner, the owner must give the notice and insurance information within 5 days of learning of the crash. N.D. Cent. Code §§ 39-08-09(1), 39-08-10, 39-08-11 |
| Ohio | Ohio's hit-skip statute does not set a general dollar threshold for calling police. A driver must give their name, address, owner information and plate number to any police officer at the scene. If an injured person cannot understand and record the driver's information, the driver must notify the nearest police authority of the crash location and their name, address and plate number, and stay at the scene until an officer arrives (unless taken away by an ambulance or emergency vehicle). Ohio Rev. Code § 4549.02(A) | Anyone involved in a crash (a driver, a property owner, or an injured person) may, within six months, send the Registrar of Motor Vehicles a written report on the Registrar's form claiming that another driver or owner was uninsured. The Registrar then mails a notice to the accused driver and owner, who must send proof of financial responsibility (insurance) within 30 days. Ohio Rev. Code § 4509.06 |
| Oklahoma | A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone must, after stopping and giving information and aid, immediately notify police by the quickest means available — the local police department inside a city or town, or otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Oklahoma Highway Patrol office. The statute does not set a dollar threshold for calling police about property-damage-only crashes. 47 Okla. Stat. § 10-107 | For a crash (other than on private property) that causes injury or death or apparent damage of more than $300 to one vehicle or other property, the driver must send a written report to the Department of Public Safety if the crash has not been settled within six months; if it has been settled, the parties must report the settlement. When a report is filed, the Department notifies the other parties, who must give it the information it requests within 20 days so it can check whether they were insured. The Commissioner of Public Safety can suspend the license of a driver who fails to report until the report is filed. 47 Okla. Stat. §§ 10-108, 10-114 |
| Oregon | A driver who is physically able must immediately notify a police officer or law enforcement agency, by the quickest means available, after a collision that causes injury or death (anywhere), or a collision on a highway or premises open to the public that causes more than $2,500 in property damage — specifically when the driver's own vehicle has more than $2,500 damage, when non-vehicle property is damaged, or when any vehicle must be towed. If the collision causes serious injury or death, calling the emergency communications system (9-1-1) immediately satisfies this duty. If the driver cannot report, a passenger must. Failing to report is a Class A traffic violation. ORS 811.745, 811.748, 811.750 | For a collision causing injury or death, or more than $2,500 in property damage (the driver's own vehicle over $2,500, damage to non-vehicle property, or any vehicle towed from the scene), the driver must complete a collision report on a form approved by the Oregon Department of Transportation (DMV) and submit it within 72 hours, along with proof of insurance (financial responsibility). This is required even if police were notified. Failure is a Class B traffic violation. If someone else was driving and does not report, the owner must report as soon as they learn of the crash; a passenger may have to report if the driver cannot. Cities may require additional reports. ORS 811.720, 811.725, 811.730, 811.735 |
| Pennsylvania | The driver must immediately, by the quickest means available, notify the nearest police department if the crash involves injury or death, or if any vehicle is damaged so badly it cannot be driven safely and must be towed. If the driver cannot, a capable passenger must. Police must investigate every crash reported under this rule and give each driver a signed statement that it was reported. Pennsylvania sets no dollar threshold for this notice. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3746 | If a crash required to be reported to police (injury, death, or a vehicle needing to be towed) was not investigated by a police officer, each driver involved must send a written report to PennDOT within five days. If the driver is incapacitated and is not the owner, the owner must file within five days. PennDOT may require supplemental reports. These driver reports are confidential and generally cannot be used as evidence at trial. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3747 |
| Rhode Island | The driver of a vehicle in a crash that strikes, injures or kills a person, or damages an attended vehicle, must immediately — by the quickest means of communication available — notify a nearby local or state police office. No dollar threshold applies to this notice. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-26-3(a) | If a crash causes injury or death, or more than $1,000 in damage to the property of any one person (including the driver), the driver must send a written report to the Division of Motor Vehicles within 21 days, on the Division's forms. If the driver is physically unable and is not the owner, the owner must report within 21 days of learning of the crash. The Division can require supplemental reports. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-26-6, 31-26-7, 31-26-8 |
| South Carolina | A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone must immediately, by the quickest means available (oral or written), notify the local police department if the crash is inside a city or town, or otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest South Carolina Highway Patrol office. A driver may briefly leave the scene to report the crash. S.C. Code Ann. §§ 56-5-1260, 56-5-1210(A) | If a crash causing injury, death or total apparent property damage of $1,000 or more was not investigated by a law enforcement officer, the vehicle's operator or owner must send the SC Department of Motor Vehicles a written report with verification of liability insurance within 15 days, in the manner the DMV and Department of Public Safety prescribe. Not sending the verified report is treated as prima facie evidence that the vehicle was uninsured. When an officer investigates such a crash, the officer files the report with the DMV within 24 hours after finishing the investigation. S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1270 |
| South Dakota | The driver of a motor vehicle in a crash causing injury or death, or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more to any one person's property or $2,000 or more for the whole crash, must immediately notify the nearest available law enforcement officer with jurisdiction, by the quickest means available. Failing to do so is a Class 2 misdemeanor. If the driver is physically unable, a capable passenger must give the notice. S.D. Codified Laws §§ 32-34-7, 32-34-9 | After receiving notice of a reportable crash, the investigating officer sends an investigator's report to the Department of Public Safety within three days after finishing the investigation. The Secretary of Public Safety may require drivers to file supplemental reports on department forms if the original report is insufficient. S.D. Codified Laws §§ 32-34-10, 32-34-11 |
| Tennessee | A driver in a crash causing injury or death, or apparent property damage of $50 or more, must immediately, by the quickest means available, notify the local police department (inside a city) or otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Tennessee Highway Patrol office. This applies on highways and on premises generally open to the public, such as shopping centers, trailer parks and apartment complexes. Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-106 | If you were the driver or owner in a crash that caused death or injury, more than $1,500 in property damage, or more than $400 in damage to state or local government property, you must file (or have someone file for you) an Owner Operator Report with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security within 20 days of the crash. It is required regardless of fault and in addition to any police report. Not filing may lead to suspension of your driver license and registrations (or nonresident driving privileges). It can be filed online through the department's e-Services. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, "Owner Operator Report" |
| Texas | The driver in a collision that causes injury or death, or damages a vehicle so it cannot be normally and safely driven (for example, it needs towing), must immediately notify police by the quickest means available: the local police department if inside a city; the police or sheriff if within 100 feet outside city limits; otherwise the sheriff's office or the nearest Texas Department of Public Safety office. Tex. Transp. Code § 550.026 | Texas drivers no longer file their own written crash report with the state; the former driver-report statute applied only before September 1, 2017. Instead, a law enforcement officer who investigates a collision causing injury, death or apparent damage of $1,000 or more to any one person's property must file a written report electronically with the Texas Department of Transportation within 10 days of the collision. People involved in the collision (and their representatives and insurers) can request a copy. Tex. Transp. Code §§ 550.062, 550.065 |
| Utah | In a crash involving injury or death, the driver must immediately, by the quickest means available, notify (or have someone notify) the nearest law enforcement office; if the driver cannot, a capable passenger must. In a property-damage-only crash, the driver must immediately notify the nearest law enforcement office if the apparent property damage is $2,500 or more. Utah Code §§ 41-6a-401.7(2)–(3), 41-6a-401(4) | Utah drivers do not automatically file a crash report with the state. The department may require the driver in a crash involving injury, death or total apparent property damage of $2,500 or more to file a report (and any supplemental report) within 10 days after it asks. If the driver is incapable and is not the owner, the owner must file within 15 days of learning of the crash. A driver who fails to file a required report has their license suspended until it is filed. A peace officer who investigates such a crash files an electronic report with the department within 10 days after finishing the investigation. Utah Code § 41-6a-402 |
| Vermont | Not verified yet | The driver in a crash in which anyone is injured, or total property damage is $3,000 or more, must make a written report to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles on the Commissioner's forms and mail it within 72 hours after the crash. The Commissioner can ask for more information. Separately, the owner and driver of an insured vehicle must tell any injured person or owner of damaged property, within five days, the names and addresses of all liability insurers that may cover the incident and the policy numbers. 23 V.S.A. § 1129 |
| Virginia | The driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone (or someone acting for the driver) must immediately notify a law-enforcement officer; willfully failing to do so is a Class 4 misdemeanor. In addition, a driver in a crash causing injury, death or damage to attended property must report their name, address, driver's license number and registration number to the State Police or local law enforcement. If an unattended vehicle or property is damaged and the owner cannot be found, the driver must leave a note and report the crash in writing to the State Police or local law enforcement within 24 hours. Va. Code §§ 46.2-371, 46.2-894, 46.2-896 | Anyone involved in a crash causing injury, death or property damage — or where a vehicle involved may have been uninsured — may file a written report with the DMV Commissioner on the department's form. When such a report is filed, the Commissioner requires the vehicle owner to provide insurance or bond certification, which the DMV verifies with the insurer. Va. Code § 46.2-372 |
| Washington | Unless a law enforcement officer is making the report, a driver in a crash causing injury or death, or property damage to any one person of $1,000 or more (the threshold set by State Patrol rule), must make a written report within four days to the city police chief (inside a city or town) or otherwise to the county sheriff or Washington State Patrol. Separately, if no one at the scene can receive the driver's information and no officer is present, the driver must promptly report the crash to the nearest police office. RCW 46.52.030(1), (5); WAC 446-85-010; RCW 46.52.020(7) | Washington does not have drivers file a separate crash report with the Department of Licensing. The driver's written report (filed with local police, the sheriff or the State Patrol within four days when required) is forwarded to the chief of the Washington State Patrol, which gives the Department of Licensing full access. Reports are made on the State Patrol's form, and the State Patrol may require supplemental reports. RCW 46.52.030(2), (4) |
| West Virginia | The driver in a crash causing injury or death, or total apparent property damage of $1,000 or more, must immediately notify police by the quickest means available — the local police department if inside a city or town, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest West Virginia State Police office. W. Va. Code § 17C-4-6 | West Virginia law places the written crash report on the investigating officer rather than the driver. An officer who investigates a crash on public roads causing injury, death or total apparent property damage of $1,000 or more must prepare a report within 24 hours after completing the investigation and submit it to the Division of Highways (a preliminary report is due on the 10th day if the investigation is not finished). Within 24 hours of the crash, the officer must give each involved party, on request and at no cost, the other parties' owner, driver and insurance information. W. Va. Code § 17C-4-7 |
| Wisconsin | The driver or a passenger of a vehicle in a crash must immediately, by the quickest means available, notify the local police department, sheriff's office, county or municipal traffic department, or a state traffic patrol officer if the crash causes injury (any injury needing first aid or a doctor's attention) or death; apparent damage of $200 or more to government-owned property other than a vehicle; or total apparent damage of $1,000 or more to any one person's property or to a government vehicle. A first violation can bring a forfeiture of $200–$500. Wis. Stat. §§ 346.70(1), 346.74(2g) | For a crash that must be reported to police, the driver must send a written report to the Department of Transportation within 10 days, on the department's approved form, unless a law enforcement agency makes the report. The department may accept or require the report from a passenger or the owner instead. If the driver is physically unable, the owner must make the notice and report. Violations can bring a forfeiture of $40–$200 for a first offense. Wis. Stat. §§ 346.70(2)–(3), 346.74(2) |
| Wyoming | The driver must immediately, by the quickest means available, notify the local police department (inside a city or town) or otherwise the nearest Wyoming Highway Patrol office or the county sheriff, if the crash causes injury or death, or damages a vehicle (other than a bicycle or other human-powered vehicle) so it cannot be driven normally and safely. Wyoming uses this disabled-vehicle test rather than a dollar threshold. If the driver cannot, a capable passenger must give the notice. Wyo. Stat. §§ 31-5-1105, 31-5-1107(b) | Wyoming no longer requires drivers to file their own written crash report; the driver-report provisions were repealed in 2013. Instead, a police officer who investigates a crash causing injury or death, or leaving a vehicle unable to be driven normally and safely, must send a written report to the state highway department within 10 days after the investigation. Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-1106 |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.