The four states side by side
| Notice to police | Written report to the state | Deadline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Injury or death: immediately (§ 32-10-5) | Injury, death, or over $250 to any one person's property (§ 32-7-5) | 30 days |
| Tennessee | Injury or death, or $50 or more apparent damage: immediately (§ 55-10-106) | Owner Operator Report: death, injury, over $1,500 property ($400 government property) | 20 days |
| Oklahoma | Injury or death: immediately (47 O.S. § 10-107) | Injury or death, or apparent damage over $3,000, if not settled within six months (47 O.S. § 10-108) | If not settled within 6 months (no filing deadline stated) |
| South Carolina | Injury or death: immediately (§ 56-5-1260) | Injury, death, or $1,000 or more apparent damage that no officer investigated; with proof of insurance (§ 56-5-1270) | 15 days |
Each of these is separate from the duty to stop, give your name, address and registration, and help anyone who is hurt, which every state also imposes. See the state pages for those: Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma and South Carolina.
Alabama
Section 32-10-5(a): "The driver of any motor vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or the death of any person shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of such accident to the local police department if such accident occurs within a municipality; otherwise to the office of the county sheriff or to the state highway patrol." [1]
Section 32-7-5: "The operator of every motor vehicle which is in any manner involved in an accident within this state, in which any person is killed or injured or in which damage to the property of any one person, including himself or herself, in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) is sustained, shall within 30 days after the accident report the matter in writing to the director." [2] If the operator is physically incapable, the owner must make the report within 10 days after learning of the accident [2].
Tennessee
Police notice, § 55-10-106(a): the driver of a vehicle in an accident resulting in injury or death "or property damage to an apparent extent of fifty dollars ($50.00) or more shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication, give notice of the accident" to the local police department inside a municipality, otherwise to the county sheriff or the nearest state highway patrol office [4]. The duty applies on highways and at shopping centers, trailer parks, apartment complexes and "any other premises that are generally frequented by the public at large." [4]
Written report: the Department of Safety says that if you were the owner or driver in a crash that "caused death or injury, or that caused more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) in property damage or more than four hundred dollars ($400) in damage to state or local government property, you must file an Owner Operator Report," and "within twenty (20) days of the crash." [3] [3] It warns: "Failure to file the report may result in the suspension of your driver license and registrations or nonresident operating privileges." [3] The state's page says to file online through e-Services or by mail.
Oklahoma
Notice, 47 O.S. § 10-107: the driver of a vehicle in an accident "resulting in injury to or death of any person shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication, give notice of such accident to the local police department, if such accident occurs within a municipality, or to the office of the county sheriff or the nearest office of the State Highway Patrol after complying with the requirements of Section 47-10-104." [5]
Written report, § 10-108(A): except for collisions on private property, the operator "shall forward a written report of the collision to the Department of Public Safety if settlement of the collision has not been made within six (6) months after the date of the accident" when the collision resulted in bodily injury or death or "it is apparent that damage to one vehicle or other property is in excess of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00)." [6] The same subsection adds that "if a settlement has been made a report of the settlement must be made by the parties." [6] Then: "No report is required when all parties involved agree to exchange information and there is no injury, no death, and no damage to property other than vehicles." [6]
On private property, § 10-108(B) says law enforcement "shall respond to and report collisions that occur on private property which involve a personal injury, a driver that may be under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance, or a vehicle that is the property of the state or a political subdivision of the state." [6] Section 10-108 was amended by House Bill 4143, effective November 1, 2026, which raised the damage figure from $300 to $3,000; the text above is the amended text.
South Carolina
Notice, § 56-5-1260: the driver of a vehicle in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person "shall immediately by the quickest means of communication, whether oral or written, give notice of such accident to the local police department if such accident occurs within a municipality, otherwise to the office of the county sheriff or the nearest office of the South Carolina Highway Patrol." [7]
Written report, § 56-5-1270: if an accident causes injury or death or "total property damage to an apparent extent of one thousand dollars or more" and "was not investigated by a law enforcement officer," the operator or owner, "within fifteen days after the accident, shall forward a written report and verification of liability insurance coverage of the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles." [7] Failure to do so "is prima facie evidence that the vehicle was uninsured." [7] If the driver is physically unable, another capable occupant makes the report, and if the driver is not the owner, the owner makes the written report within five days of learning of the accident (§ 56-5-1280) [7].
What this page does not cover
- Penalties for not reporting or for leaving the scene: see each state page and hit and run.
- Reporting a crash to your own insurer: policy terms, not state law; read your policy.
- Other states: only these four have been checked against their statutes.
- Tax reporting of settlement money: not covered here.
Sources
- Ala. Code § 32-10-5, immediate reports of accidents (Alabama Legislature) (checked November 9, 2026)Official source“The driver of any motor vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or the death of any person shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of such accident to the local police department if such accident occurs within a municipality; otherwise to the office of the county sheriff or to the state highway patrol”“to the local police department if such accident occurs within a municipality; otherwise to the office of the county sheriff or to the state highway patrol”
- Ala. Code § 32-7-5, report required following accident (Alabama Legislature) (checked November 9, 2026)Official source“in which any person is killed or injured or in which damage to the property of any one person, including himself or herself, in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) is sustained, shall within 30 days after the accident report the matter in writing to the director”“If the operator is physically incapable of making the report, the owner of the motor vehicle involved in the accident shall, within 10 days after learning of the accident, make the report”
- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security: Submit an Owner Operator Report (checked November 9, 2026)Official source“more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) in property damage or more than four hundred dollars ($400) in damage to state or local government property”“You must submit an Owner Operator Report to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security within twenty (20) days of the crash”“Failure to file the report may result in the suspension of your driver license and registrations or nonresident operating privileges”“An Owner Operator Report is required regardless of who was at fault and in addition to any report filed by an investigating officer”
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-106, immediate notice to police (FindLaw, current as of Jan. 2, 2024) (checked November 9, 2026)Code text via FindLaw (unofficial copy)“property damage to an apparent extent of fifty dollars ($50.00) or more shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication, give notice of the accident”“any other premises that are generally frequented by the public at large”“property damage to an apparent extent of fifty dollars ($50.00) or more”
- 47 O.S. § 10-107, immediate notice of accident (Oklahoma State Courts Network) (checked November 9, 2026)Official source“resulting in injury to or death of any person shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication, give notice of such accident to the local police department, if such accident occurs within a municipality, or to the office of the county sheriff or the nearest office of the State Highway Patrol”
- 47 O.S. § 10-108, written report of accident (Oklahoma State Courts Network) (checked November 9, 2026)Official source“shall forward a written report of the collision to the Department of Public Safety if settlement of the collision has not been made within six (6) months after the date of the accident”“and provided that if a settlement has been made a report of the settlement must be made by the parties”“No report is required when all parties involved agree to exchange information and there is no injury, no death, and no damage to property other than vehicles”“law enforcement agencies shall respond to and report collisions that occur on private property which involve a personal injury, a driver that may be under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance, or a vehicle that is the property of the state or a political subdivision of the state”“is in excess of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00)”“if settlement of the collision has not been made within six (6) months after the date of the accident and provided that if a settlement has been made a report of the settlement must be made by the parties”
- S.C. Code §§ 56-5-1260 to 56-5-1290, accident reports (South Carolina Legislature) (checked November 9, 2026)Official source“shall immediately by the quickest means of communication, whether oral or written, give notice of such accident to the local police department if such accident occurs within a municipality, otherwise to the office of the county sheriff or the nearest office of the South Carolina Highway Patrol”“within fifteen days after the accident, shall forward a written report and verification of liability insurance coverage of the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles”“Failure to forward the accident report verified in the proper manner in respect to liability insurance coverage for the operation of the vehicle involved in the accident is prima facie evidence that the vehicle was uninsured”“then the owner of the vehicle involved in such accident shall within five days after learning of the accident make such report not made by the driver”“total property damage to an apparent extent of one thousand dollars or more”
Unofficial copies come from a legal publisher, not the state. They can lag the current code, so check the official code before relying on a date or amount.
Page last updated November 9, 2026. Attorney review pending. General information, not legal advice. Fees, hours and rules change; confirm on the official page. How we source.
Questions
Do I have to report a minor car accident?
Check the state. If nobody was hurt: in Alabama there is no police-notice duty under § 32-10-5 (it covers injury or death), but a written report to the state is due within 30 days if damage to any one person's property is over $250; in Tennessee the driver must notify police if damage appears to be $50 or more and file an Owner Operator Report within 20 days if damage is over $1,500; in Oklahoma notice to police is for injury or death, and a written report to the state is due only if damage is apparently over $3,000 and the collision has not been settled within six months (if it has been settled, the parties must report the settlement), with no report required when all parties exchange information and nothing but vehicles was damaged; in South Carolina police notice is for injury or death and a written report with proof of insurance goes to the DMV within 15 days for $1,000 or more of damage that no officer investigated. Each state's section below quotes the statute.
How much damage do you have to report?
Alabama: more than $250 to any one person's property, in writing, within 30 days [2]. Tennessee: $50 or more for police notice [4], over $1,500 (over $400 for state or local government property) for the Owner Operator Report [3]. Oklahoma: over $3,000, apparent [6]. South Carolina: $1,000 or more, apparent [7].
How long after an accident must it be reported?
Police notice: "immediately" in all four states when someone is hurt or killed (Tennessee also at $50 damage). Written reports: Alabama within 30 days; Tennessee within 20 days; South Carolina within 15 days of the accident (when no officer investigated); Oklahoma has no filing deadline stated: the duty to report to the state arises if the collision has not been settled within six months, and if it has been settled the parties must report the settlement [6].
Who do I call, police or highway patrol?
The local police department if the crash is inside a municipality, otherwise the county sheriff or the highway patrol, in all four states [1]. Call 911 first if anyone needs help.
Is the written report the same as a police report?
No. A police report (the officer's report) is made by the investigating officer and sent to the state. The written driver or owner report is a separate duty: in Tennessee it is called the Owner Operator Report and is "required regardless of who was at fault and in addition to any report filed by an investigating officer." [3] See how to get a police report.
CrashFirst is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. This checklist is general information. Every situation is different.
Keep reading
- Guide
How do I file a police report after a car accident?
How to file a police report after a car accident and get your copy: who to call, what to give, which agency holds the report, plus fees and waits in Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma and South Carolina.
Open - State reference
Do you have to report a car accident in Alabama?
Alabama requires immediate notice to police when anyone is hurt and a written report to the state within 30 days. Exact statute text, penalties, who to call.
Open - State reference
Do you have to report a car accident in Tennessee?
Tennessee's duties after a crash: stay, notify police, and file the Owner/Driver Report within 20 days. $1,500 threshold, with statutes. Nov 2026.
Open - State reference
Do you have to report a car accident in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma requires you to stop and give information, notify police if anyone is hurt, and file a written report in some cases. Statute text and how to get a report.
Open - State reference
Do you have to report a car accident in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires you to stop, give information, and notify police if anyone is hurt, plus a written DMV report in some cases. Statute text and penalties.
Open - Guide
What to do after a hit and run
Driver duties after a crash in Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma and South Carolina as the statutes read, who to report to, how uninsured motorist coverage treats a driver who left, and a checklist.
Open