Getting into a car wreck can shake you up and leave you unsure about what to do next. One thing many drivers forget about is reporting the accident. But knowing when and how to report a crash in South Carolina protects your rights and helps you get compensation for your injuries and damages.
Do You Need to Report Every Car Accident?
Not every fender bender requires an official report. South Carolina law only requires you to report certain accidents based on how serious they are.
You must report an accident to the police if:
- Anyone was injured, no matter how minor the injury seems
- Someone died in the crash
- Property damage totals more than $1,000
- The other driver doesn’t have insurance
If your accident involves any of these situations, call 911 right away. Even if you think your injuries are minor or you feel fine, let medical professionals check you out. Some injuries don’t show symptoms until hours or days later.
Calling 911 serves two purposes. First, it gets medical help to the scene for anyone who needs it. Second, it creates an official record of the accident, which you’ll need for insurance claims and any legal action later.
What Happens When Police Come to the Scene?
When law enforcement arrives, they’ll investigate the crash and fill out an accident report. This report includes basic information like:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Names and contact information for all drivers
- Insurance details for everyone involved
- A description of what happened
- Any citations issued
The police report gives you what you need to start an insurance claim. If the police don’t show up or can’t investigate for some reason, you’ll need to file your own report.
Filing Your Own Accident Report
Sometimes you need to file your own report with the state, even if police came to the scene. South Carolina requires drivers to file an accident report if police didn’t investigate and:
- Property damage exceeds $1,000, or
- Anyone was injured or killed
You have 15 days from the date of the accident to file this report with the DMV. The main form you’ll use is the SR-1 Accident Report Form, which you can find on the South Carolina DMV website. Some situations may also require Form FR-309 or Form FR-10.
Even when police file a report, making your own can help your case. Police reports sometimes leave out important details that matter for your insurance claim or lawsuit.
What Information Should You Include?
When you file your own accident report, include as much detail as possible:
- A complete description of how the crash happened
- The number of people in each vehicle
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers for all drivers and passengers
- Insurance information for everyone involved
- Contact details for any witnesses
- What each witness saw and heard
- Details about all damage to vehicles and property
- Information about injuries
- Photos and videos of the scene, vehicle damage, and injuries
- A diagram showing how the accident happened
The more information you provide, the stronger your case becomes. Keep everything factual and don’t admit fault, even if you think you might have caused the accident.
Reporting to the DMV
After a reportable accident, you must notify the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days. This applies whether police investigated or you filed your own report.
Send the following documents to the DMV:
- The police accident report or your SR-1 form
- Any additional forms you completed
- Proof of liability insurance for your vehicle
Mail these items to:
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
Attn. Financial Responsibility
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0040
The DMV needs this paperwork to verify that all drivers had the minimum required insurance coverage. If you don’t report within the 15-day window, you could face fines, penalties, or even suspension of your driver’s license.
Notifying Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. Give them copies of all reports, including both the police report and any forms you filed yourself.
Your insurer needs complete information to process your claim quickly. This step becomes especially important if:
- The other driver left the scene
- The at-fault driver didn’t have insurance
- The other driver’s insurance won’t cover all your damages
You might have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage that can help pay for your losses in these situations. Check your policy or ask your insurance agent about this coverage.
Why Accident Reporting Matters
Filing accident reports might seem like extra paperwork, but it serves several important purposes.
Legal compliance keeps you from facing penalties. If you don’t report an accident when the law requires it, you risk losing your license and paying fines.
Insurance claims need official documentation. Your insurance company uses accident reports to decide whether to approve your claim and how much to pay you. Without proper reports, processing your claim takes longer or might not happen at all.
Protection of your rights depends on accurate records. When you report an accident correctly and on time, you preserve your ability to file insurance claims and sue for damages if needed. Missing the deadline or leaving out important information can hurt your case.
The state uses accident reports to track crash trends, investigate serious wrecks, and make sure drivers follow insurance laws. This information helps improve road safety for everyone.
Additional Steps After an Accident
Beyond filing reports, take these actions to protect yourself:
- See a doctor even if you feel fine. Some injuries like whiplash or internal bleeding don’t cause symptoms right away. Get checked out and follow all treatment plans your doctor recommends.
- Make personal notes about the accident while the details are fresh in your mind. Write down everything you remember, including weather conditions, what you saw and heard, and how you felt.
- Keep all reports and statements factual. Stick to what happened without guessing or speculating. Never admit fault or apologize at the scene, as insurance companies can use your words against you.
- Don’t accept the first settlement offer from your insurance company. Initial offers are often lower than what you deserve. You have the right to negotiate or reject offers that don’t cover your full damages.
- Avoid talking to the other driver’s insurance company. They’ll try to get you to say things that hurt your claim. Let your own insurance company or lawyer handle these conversations.
- Save all documents related to the accident. This includes medical bills, repair estimates, pay stubs showing lost wages, and receipts for any accident-related expenses.
When Property Damage Includes More Than Vehicles
South Carolina’s $1,000 property damage threshold doesn’t just mean vehicle damage. It includes damage to any property involved in the crash.
This can include:
- Fences
- Buildings
- Mailboxes
- Road signs
- Traffic lights
- Landscaping
- Personal property inside vehicles
Add up all property damage when deciding if you need to report the accident. Even if your car only has a small dent, hitting a fence or sign might push the total over $1,000.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Going through the accident reporting process can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with injuries and vehicle damage. A car accident lawyer can guide you through each step.
An attorney can help you:
- Fill out accident report forms correctly and completely
- Meet all filing deadlines
- Gather evidence like police reports, medical records, and witness statements
- Deal with insurance adjusters who try to minimize your claim
- Calculate the full value of your damages
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit if the insurance company won’t offer adequate compensation
Having legal representation shows insurance companies you’re serious about your claim. They’re more likely to offer fair settlements when they know a lawyer is involved.
Get Help With Your South Carolina Car Accident
If you’ve been hurt in a car wreck, you don’t have to handle everything alone. Hart Law understands South Carolina accident reporting requirements and knows how to build strong injury claims. We’ll make sure you file all necessary reports on time and fight for the full compensation you deserve for your injuries, lost wages, and vehicle damage.
Call Hart Law at (803) 771-7701 for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you take the right steps to protect your rights after a car accident.