You must file your own report
- When
- Injury, death, or more than $1,000 of damage to any one person's property — regardless of who was at fault.
- Report to
- Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Safety Responsibility
- Deadline
- Within 30 days
- Form
- SR-1 Motor Vehicle Accident Report
Official source: Arkansas DFA — Safety Responsibility
What to do after a car accident in Arkansas
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police for any crash with injuries or significant damage. Ask for the report number.
- Exchange names, contact, license, plate and insurance details with every driver involved. Use our accident information worksheet.
- Photograph every vehicle, the plates, the damage and the scene, and get witnesses' names and numbers.
- File your own report (SR-1 Motor Vehicle Accident Report) with Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Safety Responsibility — within 30 days .
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Arkansas compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | You must file your own report | Within 30 days |
| Louisiana | Call police — no driver form | Immediately |
| Mississippi | Confirm with your state | — |
| Missouri | Only if a driver was uninsured | Within 30 days |
| Oklahoma | Call police — no driver form | Immediately (injury or death) |
| Tennessee | You must file your own report | Within 20 days |
| Texas | No driver form accepted | — |
If your car was totaled or damaged
Reporting the crash is only the first step. If your insurer says the car is a total loss, check Arkansas's total-loss threshold and run the offer through the Total-Loss Offer Audit. If it was repaired, you may have a diminished-value claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a car accident in Arkansas?
Yes. In Arkansas you must file your own written crash report when: injury, death, or more than $1,000 of damage to any one person's property — regardless of who was at fault.
What form do I use to report a crash in Arkansas?
SR-1 Motor Vehicle Accident Report, filed with Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Safety Responsibility. Download it from the official source: Arkansas DFA — Safety Responsibility.
How long do I have to report a car accident in Arkansas?
Within 30 days — to Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Safety Responsibility.
Does reporting the crash to the state start my insurance claim?
No. A police or state crash report and an insurance claim are separate. Notify your own insurer promptly as your policy requires, and file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer if someone else caused the crash.