How Do I Get A Copy of My Traffic Accident Report in SC?
At David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers in South Carolina, we understand that when you are involved in an accident, the adrenaline can cloud your ability to ask all the right questions, which is why it is important to confirm a police report is completed at the crash scene.
After a crash occurs, calling 911 to ensure a law enforcement officer arrives at the scene to complete an accident report is one of the important steps you can take to ensure the crash is fully documented.
Initially, you will be given a preliminary police report at the accident scene that contains the fundamental information about the crash, including who was involved, and the time and date of the collision.
While useful, we advise all our clients to obtain a final copy of the police accident report that provides a detailed account of the collision, so we can pursue their case with facts on our side.
How Do I Request a Copy of My South Carolina Police Accident Report?
There are four ways to request a copy of the comprehensive police report for your records.
The first way is to complete the Request for Collision Report Form FR-50 and return it to any South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles branch,
The second way is to mail the completed Request for Collision Report Form FR-50 to:
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
Titles Mail-in Unit FR-50
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0050
The third way is to log on to the South Carolina DMV online accident reports page and request a copy to download or print. Accidents that occurred before March 2012 may not be available online.
There is a $6 fee to obtain a copy of your comprehensive police report.
Finally, if you know which police department or sheriff’s office completed your police report at the scene of the crash, you can request a copy of your report directly from their facility.
The exact procedure for obtaining your accident report directly from law enforcement officials will vary from agency to agency, so we would recommend contacting the proper location by phone first to help ensure the process is completed efficiently.
Our South Carolina personal injury lawyers represent individuals and families who have been hurt or have lost a loved one in:
- Auto Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Boat Accidents
- Dog Bites
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Negligent Security
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Sexual Abuse
- Slip and Fall Injuries
- Truck Accidents
- Workers’ Compensation
- Wrongful Death
What Information Appears on the Final Police Accident Report in South Carolina?
Depending on where the accident occurred, and whether the report was completed by a county or city law enforcement officer, the information will differ.
The official report will include:
- Date, time, and location of the crash
- Each driver’s name, address, and driver’s license number
- Contact and insurance information of all drivers
- Witness information, including the names and contact information of people that the officer interviewed at the scene
- Information regarding seat belt use, and whether any of the involved vehicle occupants were injured
- Sequence of events
- Alcohol or drug test results if testing was done at the scene of the crash
- Possible contributing factors that led to the crash, including speeding, distracted driving, or other observed actions
- Estimated property damage
- A diagram of how the officer believes the accident occurred
In some cases, the police officer will list an opinion about which driver was at fault or what proportion of the blame each driver should share.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Resources
- Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office
- Bluffton Police Department
- Charleston Police Department
- Chester Police Department
- Conway Police Department
- Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office
- Fort Mill Police Department
- Gaffney Police Department
- Greenville Police Department
- Greenville County Sheriff’s Office
- Horry County Sheriff’s Office
- Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office
- Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
- Lexington Police Department
- Mount Pleasant Police Department
- Myrtle Beach Police Department
- Rock Hill Police Department
- Simpsonville Police Department
- Spartanburg Police Department
- Summerville Police Department
- York County Sheriff’s Office
Contact Our Experienced David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers in South Carolina Today to Schedule a consultation
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, contact our experienced South Carolina personal injury attorneys at the David W. Martin Accident and Injury Lawyers today by calling 803-258-6199.
We provide consultations for all South Carolina residents and never charge any legal fees unless we deliver a positive outcome for your unique case.