Oregon requires you to report accidents to the DMV within 10 days if there is injury, death, or property damage over $1,500
In Oregon, you must report a motor vehicle accident to the Department of Transportation (ODOT) — not the DMV — if the crash meets certain thresholds. The report is due within 10 days of the accident. You file it using the Accident Report Form CR-3, which you can submit by mail, in person at an ODOT office, or online through the Oregon DMV website.
The accident must be reported if anyone was injured, anyone died, or property damage exceeded $1,500. If damage was less than $1,500 and no one was hurt, you do not have to file with ODOT, though your insurance company may still require a report for their own records.
Filing late or not filing when required can result in license suspension. Oregon also uses accident reports to track your driving record, which affects your insurance rates and your ability to renew your license.
Key Takeaways
- You must report accidents to ODOT (not DMV) within 10 days if there was injury, death, or property damage over $1,500.
- The form you need is the Accident Report Form CR-3, available online or at any ODOT office.
- You can file by mail, in person, or online; online filing is the fastest option and gives you when ready confirmation.
- Failure to report a required accident can lead to license suspension and a mark on your driving record.
- Accidents under $1,500 with no injuries do not require an ODOT report, but your insurance may still need documentation.
When you must file an accident report
Oregon law requires an accident report to ODOT if any of these conditions are met: someone was injured, someone died, or property damage totaled $1,500 or more. The $1,500 threshold includes damage to all vehicles and property involved in the crash, not just your own vehicle.
If you were in a minor fender-bender with less than $1,500 in damage and no injuries, you do not have to file with ODOT. However, you should still exchange information with the other driver and report the incident to your insurance company if you plan to file a claim.
The 10-day important date starts the day of the accident. If you miss this window, ODOT may suspend your driving privileges. If you were injured or hospitalized and unable to file within 10 days, you can request an extension, but you must contact ODOT as soon as you are able.
How to get and complete the Accident Report Form CR-3
The Accident Report Form CR-3 is the official document Oregon requires. You can read it from the Oregon DMV website, pick one up at any ODOT office, or request one by mail. The form asks for basic information about the crash: date, time, location, weather conditions, vehicles involved, driver information, insurance details, and a description of what happened.
Fill in all sections completely and legibly. If you do not know certain details — for example, the other driver's insurance information — write "unknown" rather than leaving it blank. Incomplete forms may be rejected, which resets your filing important date and puts you at risk of suspension.
You do not need a police report number to file the CR-3, but if police responded to the accident, include the report number if you have it. If no police report was filed, you can still submit the form on your own.
Where and how to submit your accident report
Oregon offers three ways to file the CR-3. The fastest is online through the Oregon DMV website, where you can upload the completed form and receive when ready confirmation. Online filing also creates a timestamped record that proves you filed within the important date.
You can also mail the form to the ODOT office address listed on the form itself. Mail typically takes 5 to 10 business days to arrive, so if you are close to the 10-day important date, mailing is risky. Include a cover letter with your name, driver's license number, and the accident date.
In-person filing at an ODOT office is another option. Bring the completed CR-3, your driver's license, and proof of insurance. ODOT offices are located in Salem (headquarters) and in regional offices throughout the state. You can find the nearest office on the Oregon DMV website.
What happens after you file
ODOT reviews your accident report and adds it to your driving record. This record is used by insurance companies to calculate your rates and by ODOT to determine whether you are may be able to access to renew your license. An accident report itself does not automatically raise your rates or cause suspension — that depends on fault information and your insurance company's policy.
If you were found at fault, the accident may stay on your record for three years. If you were not at fault, it typically remains visible but may not affect your rates as much. Oregon does not use a points system like some states; instead, ODOT looks at the pattern of your driving record as a whole.
If you do not file a required accident report, ODOT will suspend your license. The suspension remains in place until you file the report and pay any associated fees. You will receive a notice of suspension by mail, which will include instructions for reinstatement.
Accidents involving hit-and-run or uninsured drivers
If the other driver left the scene or you do not know who hit you, file the CR-3 anyway and note that it was a hit-and-run. Include as much detail as you can about the other vehicle — color, make, model, partial license plate — and any witness information. Report the hit-and-run to local police as well; the police report number helps ODOT process your claim.
If the other driver was uninsured, you can still file the accident report. Your own uninsured motorist coverage (if you have it) will handle the claim. File the CR-3 with ODOT regardless of insurance status; the report is required by law if the damage threshold is met.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I was not at fault for the accident?
You still must file the accident report within 10 days if the damage or injury threshold is met. Filing does not mean you are admitting fault. ODOT records the accident on your driving record, but fault is determined by insurance companies or police investigation, not by ODOT.
Can I file the accident report online if I do not have a printer?
Yes. You can fill out the CR-3 form online on the Oregon DMV website and submit it electronically without printing. You can also call an ODOT office and ask them to email or mail you a blank form, or visit in person to pick one up.
What if the other driver refuses to give me their information?
Write down their license plate number, vehicle description, and any witness information you have. File the accident report with whatever details you collected. If you have a police report, include that number. ODOT can work with incomplete information if you document what you were unable to obtain.
Does filing an accident report with ODOT affect my insurance rates?
ODOT's report itself does not set your rates — your insurance company does. However, insurance companies access your ODOT driving record and use accident history as one factor in rate calculations. The impact depends on fault information and your policy terms.
What if I miss the 10-day important date?
Contact ODOT when ready to explain the delay. If you have a valid reason — hospitalization, military deployment, or other hardship — you may be able to request an extension. If you miss the important date without an extension, ODOT may suspend your license until you file the report.