How to Get a Car Accident Report in South Carolina

You can get your car accident report in South Carolina through your local South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles office in person or by mail. This report is also known as a police accident report or a collision report.

Getting a copy is an essential part of proving your negligence claim. Without a crash report, the insurance company may not recognize your claim. To get your report, you must fill out SCDMV Form FR-50 and pay the fee for your copy.

Getting copies of collision reports can also help you when you seek a car accident lawyer in Summerville to handle your case. They can use the report to see what the police department thought about what happened and judge your chances of success.

Getting Your Car Accident Report

In some states, you get your auto accident report through the police. That isn’t the case in South Carolina. Instead, the SCDMV is the government entity you need to contact. The simplest way to order your collision report is online, but you can also request it by mail or in person.

If you want to get your report in person or by mail, you must fill out SCDMV Form FR-50 and pay the processing fee. The form can be found here.

When filing a claim, you’ll need an official copy of your car accident report in South Carolina. The DMV won’t automatically provide you with an official copy. You must request it, so double-check to ensure you aren’t receiving an unofficial copy.

Why Is a Car Accident Report Important?

Car accident reports written by a law enforcement agency prove that your car accident happened, identify the parties of interest, give the exact location of the accident, and include the opinion of the police department about who was responsible for the accident. 

Without a police report that documents your accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, property damage, etc., it can be extremely difficult to prove that the at-fault driver was the driver who caused your damages.

Thus, we recommend getting your car accident report as quickly as possible. Don’t wait too long or until the last minute to organize all your evidence. You must begin building a strong case so that you can claim what you’re owed from the insurance company.

What Kind of Information Is in a Car Accident Report?

In conjunction with your medical reports, car accident reports can prove your damages and how much compensation you deserve. Your police report contains all sorts of information, including: 

• The approximate date and time of when your accident occurred
• The common parties involved in the accident, including third-party property owners
• Contact, liability, driver’s license information, and insurance information for all drivers involved
• Names and contact information for any witnesses to the accident interviewed by the police
• Any witness statements
• A basic diagram of the accident and what happened
• A summary of the property damage in the accident
• The officer’s description of the scene of the accident (lighting, weather, time of day, etc.)
• Documentation of any driver actions that may have potentially caused the accident such as intoxication, texting, speeding, etc. 

In addition, sometimes police officers will provide their own remarks or opinions on the accident if applicable. They’ll usually write about who they think was at fault for the car accident. All of this information will go into the official crash report and be sent to the SCDMV for processing.

It’s the Law to Report a Car Accident

After an accident, you must report it to the local police or highway patrol under the Official Code of South Carolina Annotated (OCSA) § 56-5-1260. Once the police arrive at the scene, they’ll take down statements and information to build the report. Afterward, they will assist with the cleanup and submit their report to the DMV within 24 hours.

 What Is the Next Step After Obtaining My Car Accident Report?

After obtaining your South Carolina car accident report, you should get all the evidence you have organized. You should collect: 

• Witness testimonies
• Medical records
• All images related to your car accident

Once you’ve got as much evidence as possible, you should take them all to a seasoned car accident attorney. Your car accident report is also very useful in painting a general overview of your accident to someone who didn’t go through it.

A lawyer will review your car accident report, medical records, and other evidence to help you win your insurance claim.

Talk to a Lawyer As Soon as Possible

Knowing the steps to take after a car accident is critical. You should consult with an attorney as soon as you can. Time is against you, and you’ll want to file a claim before the statute of limitations expires.

Many people let time pass them by, leading to them paying out of pocket for their damages. Don’t wait until the last minute to get help. A reputable attorney like The Thumbs Up Guys at MDSW can provide a free consultation and help you understand all the legal options available to you.