Moses Alexander Yneges Automobile Accidents Law Blog on Lawyers.com

When you get into a car accident California law requires you to report the accident to the DMV within 10 days of the accident if there was an injury, death or property damage and the damages exceeded $750.  The report is made on a form SR-1, which you can find on the DMV's website.  In order to complete the form you will need to obtain the other driver's full name, address, telephone number, date of birth, vehicle make - model - year, vehicle owner's name - address - date of birth, and the driver's and/or owner's insurance information.  You will need to give the other driver the same information. 

In addition to what the law requires you should ask people around the accident site if they observed the accident and if you can get their name and telephone number, so they could be a witness for you if you should need a witness later on.  Get as many witnesses as possible, because a person may move or change phone numbers or may not want to be a witness for you later on.  People that were with you in your car and who also have a claim against the other driver do not make good witnesses, because they are typically a friend or a relative and have a stake in the case themselves.  If you or anyone that was in the car with you has been injured you should get medical treatment right away. 

If you have any visible injuries take pictures of your injuries as soon as possible, as well as pictures of the damage to your car.  You should also call a lawyer so that the lawyer can contact the other driver's insurance company and your insurance company to inform them of your claims.