How to Get a Crash Report in South Carolina

South Carolina calls its crash reports "collision reports," and they are maintained by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV)^[1]. You can request a copy of your collision report online through the SCDMV website^[2]. The online system allows you to search by report number, date, or the names of parties involved. The fee is $10.00 per report^[1].

You can also request a collision report by mail by completing the SCDMV Form FR-50 (Request for Copy of Collision Report)^[7] and mailing it with a $10.00 check or money order payable to "SCDMV" to the address printed on the form^[1]. Cash is not accepted for mail requests. The form is available for download on the SCDMV website^[2].

In-person requests can be made at any SCDMV branch office^[8] across the state. Bring identification and the details of the collision, including the date, location, and names of parties involved. The fee is the same $10.00^[1], and you may be able to receive the report on the spot if it is available in the system.

To request a collision report in South Carolina, you will need the date and county where the collision occurred, along with the names of the people involved^[1]. Having the collision report number makes the search process much faster. The report number is typically provided by the investigating officer at the scene.

If you do not have the report number, you can search using the date of the collision combined with the names of the drivers involved^[2]. Having additional details such as the driver license number of one of the parties can also help locate the report.

For mail requests using Form FR-50^[7], fill out all available fields completely. Incomplete forms may be returned, which delays the process. Make sure your check or money order is payable to "SCDMV" and that you include a valid mailing address for the report to be sent to.

South Carolina collision reports use a standardized format maintained by the SCDMV^[1]. The report includes detailed information about the vehicles involved, driver and passenger information, insurance details, and the circumstances of the collision. The investigating officer's narrative describes what happened based on their investigation.

The report includes a diagram showing the positions of vehicles, the direction of travel, and the point of impact. Contributing factors are documented, which may include speeding, failure to yield, distracted driving, impaired driving, or adverse road conditions. Citations issued at the scene are also noted on the report. Crashes investigated by the SC Highway Patrol^[3] are filed directly with the SCDMV.

South Carolina is an at-fault state that follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found to be 51% or more at fault for the collision, you cannot recover damages from the other party. The collision report is a key document in establishing fault percentages, as insurance adjusters and attorneys rely heavily on the officer's findings and the documented evidence.

After a collision in South Carolina, the investigating officer files the report with the SCDMV^[1]. Reports generally become available in the SCDMV system approximately 10 to 14 business days after the collision^[1]. Complex crashes involving serious injuries or fatalities may take longer to process.

Online requests through the SCDMV website^[2] provide the fastest access once the report is in the system. You can search for and download your report immediately upon payment. Mail requests using Form FR-50^[7] typically take an additional 2 to 3 weeks for processing and delivery after the report becomes available.

If your collision was not investigated by law enforcement, South Carolina law requires you to file a self-report using Form FR-309 within 15 days of the collision^[5]. This applies to collisions involving injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more^[4]. The FR-309 form is separate from requesting a copy of the collision report.

At the scene of the collision, make sure to get the report number and the name of the investigating officer and their agency. This information is essential for locating your report later. If the collision was investigated by the SC Highway Patrol^[3], the report will be filed with the SCDMV^[1]. If a local police department responded, confirm with them that the report will also be filed with the SCDMV.

If your collision report is not available online after 14 business days, contact the SCDMV^[1] directly or the investigating law enforcement agency. There may be a delay due to the complexity of the investigation or a processing backlog.

South Carolina's 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury and property damage claims^[6] gives you time to pursue a claim, but do not delay in obtaining your collision report. Early access to the report helps your insurance company process your claim and allows your attorney to begin building your case while evidence and witness memories are fresh.

Your collision report is a critical document for filing insurance claims and pursuing legal action after a car accident in South Carolina. As an at-fault state, determining who caused the collision is essential to establishing whose insurance pays for damages. The collision report provides the investigating officer's assessment of what happened and is given significant weight by insurance companies.

The report also documents injuries sustained, property damage estimates, and witness information that may be difficult to obtain later. If you plan to file a personal injury claim, the report serves as key evidence supporting the severity and circumstances of the crash. Keep in mind the 3-year statute of limitations^[6] for both personal injury and property damage claims.

South Carolina's modified comparative negligence rule means that if you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages. The collision report is often the primary document used to establish fault percentages, making it essential to review the report carefully and address any inaccuracies with the investigating agency as soon as possible.