You must file your own report
- When
- Injury, death, or more than $1,000 of damage to any one person's property (including your own).
- Report to
- Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (and police immediately)
- Deadline
- Within 21 days
Official source: RI DMV — What to do after a collision
What to do after a car accident in Rhode Island
- 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 with Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (and police immediately) — within 21 days .
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
How Rhode Island compares with bordering states
Rules change at the state line. What applies is usually the state where the crash happened.
| State | Rule | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | You must file your own report | Within 21 days |
| Connecticut | Confirm with your state | — |
| Massachusetts | You must file your own report | Within 5 days |
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 Rhode Island'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 Rhode Island?
Yes. In Rhode Island you must file your own written crash report when: injury, death, or more than $1,000 of damage to any one person's property (including your own).
How long do I have to report a car accident in Rhode Island?
Within 21 days — to Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (and police immediately).
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.