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When you’re involved in a car accident in Columbia, SC, you should obtain a copy of the accident report. There may also be a police report.
Our experienced Columbia car accident lawyers at Shealey Law Firm explains how to obtain a collision report or police report after a car accident in Columbia, SC.
Why Your Police Report Is Critical After a Columbia Car Accident
A South Carolina police report is critical after a Columbia accident for several reasons:
- It documents that an accident occurred, as well as when and where it occurred.
- The report documents who was involved in the accident.
- It may identify factors that contributed to the collision.
- The insurance company will likely need the accident report to process the claim.
- A report can be a starting point to investigate and build a compensation case.
- Errors in the report should be corrected to prevent confusion, delays, and injustice in any claims that follow.
- You need to know if the report accuses you of wrongdoing.
A Columbia, SC, car accident report is an official record of the collision. By themselves, accident reports are not admissible in court to prove fault. But the report can protect your rights and help you pursue compensation.
South Carolina Police Reports and South Carolina Car Accident Reports
When law enforcement investigates a car accident in South Carolina, they prepare SC TR-310, Traffic Collision Report Form. This form is routine to document car accidents in South Carolina.
If law enforcement suspects someone of a crime, they might also prepare a police report. For example, if one of the parties is charged with drunk driving, there could be a police report about the drunk driving investigation. If there’s a police report in addition to the car accident report, it’s important to get a copy of both documents.
When Is a Police Report Filed After a Car Accident in South Carolina?
Law enforcement must forward a car accident report to the SCDMV within 24 hours of completing the investigation. But an investigation may not be complete at the scene of the accident.
An official South Carolina car accident report may be available a few days after the collision. It can routinely take 10 days for accident reports to become available. If the investigation is complex, it may take about 30 days for the report to be available.
If law enforcement doesn’t investigate an accident, drivers have 15 days to submit their own reports.
See S.C. Code § 56-5-1270.
Where To Request Your Car Accident Police Report in Columbia, SC
You may request a Columbia, SC car accident report from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) or from the Columbia, SC police department. If a different law enforcement agency responded, you may ask them for the report.
The South Carolina DMV is a central repository for car accident reports in the state. You may make your request in person, by mail, or online.
How To Request a Police Report – Online vs. In Person
Ways to request a Columbia, SC car accident report:
Online – DMV
To request a Columbia, SC car accident report online:
Go to the SCDMV Request a Collision Report webpage.
You’ll need your license number or customer number, so if you have an out-of-state license, you may need to apply another way.
By Mail – DMV
Complete two copies of Form FR-50. Mail them, plus the $10 fee (check or money order) to:
SCDMV
Titles Mail-in Unit FR-50
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0050
In Person – DMV
Complete Form FR-50. Take it to any local DMV branch. Submit the form with the fee.
There are multiple locations in the Columbia, SC area, including:
- Columbia Shop Road – 1630 Shop Rd., Columbia, SC
- Columbia – O’Neil Court – 228-A, O’Neil Court, Columbia, SC
- Lexington – 122 Park Rd – Lexington, SC
- Irmo – Ballentine – 1016 Broad Stone Road, Irmo, SC
Check the DMV location finder for branch operating hours.
In Person or by Mail – Columbia PD
Request a car accident report from the Columbia Police Department Records Unit. Within 14 days of the request, you may submit a request for an incident report. Otherwise, you must submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
How to make a Columbia, SC Police Department Freedom of Information Act Request
Submit or Track a City of Columbia FOIA Request
City of Columbia, SC FOIA Request Form
Note: Media requests must go through the Columbia, PD Public Information Officer.
Accident reports cost $3.00, regardless of involvement. For incident reports, there is no charge for victims, and a $3.00 charge for everyone else.
You can request your report in person at 1 Justice Square in Columbia, SC, at the corner of Lincoln and Washington Streets. If you can’t pick up your request in person, you can ask them to mail it to you.
What To Do If There Are Errors in Your Accident Report
If there are clerical errors in your accident report, contact the law enforcement agency to correct them. Be prepared with documentation to show the mistake. Remember that the accident report itself isn’t a determination of fault, so if the law enforcement officer makes incorrect conclusions, you may challenge them with evidence and arguments.
Contact an Experienced Columbia Car Accident Lawyer
An experienced Columbia car accident lawyer knows how to obtain a police report.
They can use the police report to build your claim and protect your rights.
Shealey Law Firm represents car accident victims and their families. Contact us now.