Call 9-1-1 immediately to report the collision to the police or California Highway Patrol (CHP). You must show your driver's license, vehicle registration card.The DMV requires that accidents be filed using the SR-1 Accident Reporting Form. If you meet with a severe car accident in California, the law requires you to fill out and submit Form SR1 with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In this article, we explain PTSD in the context of California personal injury law and describe the various challenges associated with making a PTSD claim. Drivers have 24 hours to file a written report with the local police department or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for injury or fatal accidents. If someone was injured or killed, remain at the accident scene until the police come unless you need immediate medical assistance. Where can you file a car accident report in California? For reporting car accidents in California, you must complete and submit the Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California, also known as Form SR-1. For reporting car accidents in California, you must complete and submit the Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California, also known as Form SR-1.