Who do you report an accident to if damages exceed $1,000?

When an accident occurs and damages exceed $1,000, it is essential to report the incident to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). California law requires that when a motor vehicle accident results in injury or damages to property exceeding this amount, the involved parties must submit a report to the DMV within 10 days of the accident. This reporting is crucial for record-keeping and insurance purposes, and it helps ensure compliance with state regulations regarding accidents.

While notifying the local police and insurance company is important for immediate response and claims processing, they do not fulfill the specific legal requirement of reporting to the DMV for accidents that meet the damage threshold. The county clerk is not typically involved in this process either, as they handle different administrative functions that do not pertain directly to traffic accidents and their aftermath. Thus, reporting to the DMV is the required and proper step when damages exceed $1,000.