South Carolina · Reporting a crash · Updated Oct 2026

Reporting a car accident in South Carolina: police, state report and crash report copies

When to call the police or file your own report, and how to get the crash report.

Short answer

If anyone is hurt or killed, you must tell police right away by the quickest means: the city police inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Highway Patrol office. Insurance proof is due to the SCDMV within 15 days.

Damage that requires a report
$1,000
Your own report is due within
15 days
Crash report copies
Can be ordered online (see below)
Law
S.C. Code §§ 56-5-1260, 56-5-1270

When to call the police in South Carolina

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police
If anyone is hurt or killed, you must tell police right away by the quickest means: the city police inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Highway Patrol office.
Damage amount
$1,000
Law
S.C. Code §§ 56-5-1260, 56-5-1270; SC Department of Insurance consumer alert on FR-10 and FR-309
Official text
Read the official text

Your own report to the state in South Carolina

Your own report
Insurance proof is due to the SCDMV within 15 days. If police came, the officer gives each driver a green form FR-10; your insurance company completes it (no matter who was at fault) and it goes back to the SCDMV within 15 days (insurers can file it electronically). If police did not investigate and anyone was hurt or killed or damage looks like $1,000 or more, you must send a written report (Traffic Collision Report, form FR-309) with proof of insurance to the SCDMV within 15 days. Not doing so is treated as evidence that the car was uninsured.
Deadline for your report
15 days

How to get a copy of the crash report in South Carolina

  • Request the officer's collision report from the SCDMV online, at any SCDMV branch, or by mailing two copies of form FR-50 with a $10 check or money order per report.
  • The report is available only after the SCDMV receives and processes it.
  • Online requests work only for crashes on or after March 22, 2012; if you have an out-of-state license or don't know your SCDMV customer number, call 803-896-5000.
  • Official page: https://www.dmv.sc.gov/vehicle-owners/collision-reports

South Carolina has an online way to get at least some crash reports. Reports written by a city police department or sheriff may have to be requested from that agency; our free request letter can help.

Step by step after a crash in South Carolina

  1. Stop, help anyone who is hurt and call 911 if needed. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime.
  2. Call the police when South Carolina law requires it. If anyone is hurt or killed, you must tell police right away by the quickest means: the city police inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Highway Patrol office.
  3. File your own report if the rule applies to you. Insurance proof is due to the SCDMV within 15 days.
  4. Exchange names, licenses, plates and insurance details, and take photos.
  5. Get a copy of the crash report. Request the officer's collision report from the SCDMV online, at any SCDMV branch, or by mailing two copies of form FR-50 with a $10 check or money order per report.
  6. Tell your insurer and keep the report or case number.

Free help in South Carolina

Questions about reporting a crash in South Carolina

When do you have to call the police after a car accident in South Carolina?

If anyone is hurt or killed, you must tell police right away by the quickest means: the city police inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the nearest Highway Patrol office.

How much damage has to be reported in South Carolina?

If police did not investigate and anyone was hurt or killed or damage looks like $1,000 or more, you must send a written report (Traffic Collision Report, form FR-309) with proof of insurance to the SCDMV within 15 days.

Do I have to file my own accident report in South Carolina?

Insurance proof is due to the SCDMV within 15 days. If police came, the officer gives each driver a green form FR-10; your insurance company completes it (no matter who was at fault) and it goes back to the SCDMV within 15 days (insurers can file it electronically). If police did not investigate and anyone was hurt or killed or damage looks like $1,000 or more, you must send a written report (Traffic Collision Report, form FR-309) with proof of insurance to the SCDMV within 15 days. Not doing so is treated as evidence that the car was uninsured.

How do I get a copy of a crash report in South Carolina?

Request the officer's collision report from the SCDMV online, at any SCDMV branch, or by mailing two copies of form FR-50 with a $10 check or money order per report. The report is available only after the SCDMV receives and processes it. Online requests work only for crashes on or after March 22, 2012; if you have an out-of-state license or don't know your SCDMV customer number, call 803-896-5000. Official page: https://www.dmv.sc.gov/vehicle-owners/collision-reports

What is the deadline for an accident report in South Carolina?

Insurance proof is due to the SCDMV within 15 days.

More for South Carolina drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.