What To Do After a Car Accident in South Carolina

In South Carolina, there is a traffic collision every 3.7 minutes, on average. It’s important to know what to do in the event of a car accident.

The Greenville car accident lawyers at Jordan Law Center explain.

What to Do If You Get Into an Accident

If you get into an accident, take the following steps:

• Seek medical attention.
• Arrange for emergency medical response for anyone injured.
• Report the accident to law enforcement.
• Gather information at the scene.
• Take photos of the scene.
• Report the accident to the insurance.
• Pursue compensation claims.

Immediate Steps To Take If You Get Into an Accident in South Carolina

Stop your vehicle

Immediately when a car accident occurs, stop your vehicle. The stop must be made without obstructing traffic more than necessary (S.C. Code § 56-5-1210). The law says to stop the vehicle at the accident scene or as close to it as possible.

As you stop your vehicle and as you exit, be aware of what’s around you. Don’t stop in a place where you may be struck by other vehicles. Look for traffic as you open your car door. Be careful of stopping on a slope where your car may not be secure.

Call emergency responders

If there is even a possibility that anyone is injured, call 911. Tell them where the accident occurred and that there may be injuries. Ask for emergency medical responders.

Injuries may be more serious than you may realize and can occur even when accidents are at relatively slow speeds. Prioritize medical attention above anything else.

Provide first aid

Follow 911 operator instructions to perform first aid until someone with more advanced training can take over.

Document the scene

Do what you can to document the accident scene. Take photos and videos of vehicles, including close-ups and from a distance. Photograph the greater accident scene. A lack of damage can also be evidence, so take photos of everything, even if it doesn’t seem important.

Get the other driver’s license, vehicle information, and insurance information. Note the names and contact information of witnesses and passengers. Keep calm when you interact with others involved, especially drivers. Be mindful of your safety. You can always wait for law enforcement to arrive and allow them to talk to the other driver.

Gather Key Information

After a South Carolina car accident, there is key information to gather.

• Identities of the drivers
• Whether the other driver was operating for a commercial purpose
• Who owns the vehicles involved
• Insurance policies and the specifics of those policies
• Any injuries
• Medical care that you receive, the cost, and the likely future cost
• Employment and pay information, and lost income due to the accident
• Other financial losses because of the accident
• Official accident report
• How the accident occurred and proof of fault

When and How To File a Police Report for a South Carolina Car Accident

In most cases, especially when there are injuries, law enforcement will respond to the scene. They will complete TR-310 (Traffic Report Form 310); be sure to obtain a copy. You will need to complete FR-10.

If law enforcement doesn’t respond, you must complete and submit FR-309 (Traffic Collision Report Not Investigated by Law Enforcement). See S.C. Code § 56-5-1270, requiring submission of Form 309 within 15 days of the accident.

Complete FR-10

The investigating officer should give you form FR-10, which verifies that you were insured at the time of the accident. You can give it to your insurance company for completion. It must be returned to the SCDMV, electronically or via mail, within 15 days of the accident.

The FR-10 form is not an admission of fault and is required regardless of fault.

Getting a copy of the traffic collision report

You can request a copy of the traffic collision report online, or you may also take Form 50 (Request for Copy of Collision Report) to an SCDMV branch. Review the car accident report. If there are clerical errors, you may contact the investigating officer and ask for an amendment.

What To Expect After a Car Accident in South Carolina

After a car accident in South Carolina, you will:

• Make and obtain reports, as needed.
• Report the accident to the insurance companies.
• Determine your losses and damages for physical injury.
• Obtain repair estimates and determine if the vehicle is totaled or repairable.
• Investigate insurance coverages and who has primary coverage.
• Calculate what the case is worth, considering economic and non-economic damages, fault, and other things that may impact case value.
• Negotiate an insurance settlement.
• Pursue legal action, if necessary.

South Carolina uses a modified comparative fault system for car accident compensation, meaning it matters who is at fault for the accident when it comes to monetary compensation.

Proof of fault is an important first step in receiving your compensation.

Remember that the insurance adjuster is not on your side. Even if it’s your own insurance company, they want to pay as little as possible. Knowing what your case is worth can help ensure you receive fair value for your claim.

If the insurance company won’t settle your case for a fair amount, it may be necessary to pursue legal action. You may have legal representation from a South Carolina car accident attorney.

How a Greenville Car Accident Attorney Can Help

A Greenville car accident attorney can get involved right away. They can help with reporting the accident and pursuing your claim. With their experience, you can have confidence in knowing what your case is worth. They can recommend whether to accept a settlement, take further action, and handle insurance company discussions.

If you need to take your claim to court, your attorney can represent you with everything. They prepare legal documents, follow procedural steps, and present your case in court.

Contact

Jordan Law Center is a team of experienced litigators. We know what to do after a car accident in South Carolina. We don’t just pursue results—we win.

For help following a South Carolina car accident, contact us now.