A 3-minute lesson from the Alaska course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Your legal duties begin the instant a crash happens. The handbook lists steps for every crash, and several come with exact dollar and day limits you need to know.
At the scene of every crash:
Stop at once; if you're blocking traffic, move your vehicle out of the way if possible
Warn other traffic; at night place flares or other signals, and don't walk in front of vehicles
Help anyone hurt; don't move an injured person unless necessary
Arrange for an ambulance if needed, stop serious bleeding, and keep the victim warm
Exchange information with everyone involved and get as many witnesses' identities as you can
Report online at the DMV website or through My Alaska, or mail a 12-209 Crash Report. The report is not required if a police officer investigated the crash.
If you hit an unattended vehicle or private property such as a fence, stop and try to find the owner. If you can't, leave a written note with your name, address, and telephone number.
A Certificate of Insurance is required for crashes with property damage of $501.00 or more and must reach DMV within 15 days, even if you showed proof to police.
Backing out in a lot, you dent an empty parked car. You stop and look for the owner but can't find them. Leave a written note with your name, address and phone number on the car.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Within how many days must a crash be reported to the Division of Motor Vehicles?
10 days
5 days
15 days
30 days
Answer: 10 days
Crashes must be reported to the DMV within 10 days.