Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed January 18, 2023
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There’s never a good time to be in a car accident. Fortunately, if the drivers are all from South Carolina, your damages should be covered since the state requires everyone to carry liability insurance. Before making a claim, you’ll need to get up to speed on South Carolina car accident reporting basics. The following overview will help you get back on the road.
This chart provides a summary of South Carolina laws and procedures for filing a car crash report.
| State Accident Statutes |
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| Reporting an Accident |
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| Filing a Crash Report |
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| Crash Report Forms |
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Note: Laws are subject to change. It’s important to verify the information you read about by conducting your own research or consulting with a South Carolina attorney.
South Carolina does not ask you to report every accident. In fact, you are only required to immediately notify police after a vehicle accident resulting in injury or death. Remember, the quickest way to reach the proper authorities is to call 911.
Even though you don’t have to report a fender bender, it’s a good idea to call the police after any accident. When the police arrive, you can ask them to file an accident report. This impartial record may be useful later on if one of the parties tries to change their story. Plus, your insurance company may require you to report all accidents to the police before you can make a claim.
According to South Carolina Law, the driver or owner of a vehicle involved in an accident not investigated by law enforcement -- resulting in total property damage of $1,000 or more, bodily injury, or death -- must self-report the accident to the DMV. This is accomplished by completing form FR-309 within 15 days of the accident and sending it to:
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
Attn. Financial Responsibility
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0040
The purpose of this report is to verify that all vehicles were properly insured at the time of the crash.
When the police respond to the scene of your accident, it may be tempting to let them draft the accident report. However, it’s a good idea for you to create your own accident report. It’s not unusual for the at-fault party to accept responsibility right after the accident, only to change their story later. A personal accident report will also be useful to your car insurance company. Record the following information when drafting your accident report:
Getting your life back on track after an accident can be a lengthy process. The road to recovery is even more difficult if you have suffered serious physical injury or property damage. An experienced South Carolina injury law attorney can help you through the claim process and help you in court if necessary.
Contact a qualified attorney.
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