South Dakota driving lesson · Emergencies and Crashes
Reporting a crash
A 3-minute lesson from the South Dakota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Once everyone is safe, the law requires you to share information and report certain crashes. Damaging an unattended car or other property comes with its own specific duties.
Reporting the accident:
Get names and addresses of everyone involved and any witnesses, including the injured
Exchange name, address, license number, vehicle info, insurance company and policy number
Record the damage to the vehicles involved
Give information to police or emergency officials if requested
You must contact the police if there is an injury or a death, and give them information about the accident at the time it happens. If you're injured and can't complete the report, someone may file it for you.
If you damage an unattended vehicle or other property and can't find the owner, contact the nearest law enforcement agency, leave the note where it can be seen, and wait for law enforcement. Leaving the scene of an accident is against the law.
In a parking lot you dent a parked car and can't find the owner. Contact the nearest law enforcement agency, leave a visible note with your name, address, phone, license and plate numbers, the date and time, and the damage, then wait for an officer.
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.
If you cannot locate the owner of a parked vehicle you damaged, what should you do?
Leave a note with your name only
Leave a visible note with your contact information
Report it at your next license renewal
Call a tow truck to move the vehicle
Answer: Leave a visible note with your contact information
If you cannot find the owner, leave a note with contact information and the date and time of the accident.