What if You Don’t Report a Car Accident in SC?

According to a report from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), there are four injury crashes every hour statewide. Every collision resulting in significant property damage or physical injury should be reported to law enforcement. If you do not report a car accident, it violates your responsibilities under the law and could even undermine your claim. Our auto accident lawyer in Florence, SC, can help determine what can happen if you do not report a crash in South Carolina.

Know the Law and Your Obligations

Knowing how the law operates in our state is helpful as a starting point. In South Carolina, drivers involved in a car accident are legally obligated to report the crash under most circumstances. If the accident results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000. You should call the police if you are still at the crash scene. That will fulfill your obligation. If you did not do that, you must file a report with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) within 15 days of the accident.

Three Things that Could Happen if You Fail to Report a Crash

One: Your Accident Will Not Be Investigated and Documented by Police

If you do not report a qualifying car accident in South Carolina, law enforcement will not investigate or document the incident. That is a problem. The lack of an official police report means no authoritative account of the events. You want a proper investigation (and documentation) of your crash, especially if you were not the one who was at fault for the accident.

Two: You May Struggle with an Insurance Claim

Who is on the other side of a car accident claim? It is generally an insurance company, either your insurer or the driver’s insurer. Unfortunately, insurance companies can be challenging to deal with after a crash. Insurance companies heavily rely on police reports to process claims accurately. You may struggle to get the compensation you deserve without an official report.

Three: You Could Face Legal Penalties

Finally, it is essential to clarify again that reporting a crash in South Carolina is the law. If any person was injured or there was more than $1,000 in total property damage, the incident must be reported to the authorities. Depending on the specific circumstances, you could face a fine, a suspension of your driver’s license, or—if you improperly left the scene of an accident—even a serious criminal charge. Protect your rights: Report the crash right away.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Top-Tier Florence Auto Accident Attorney

At D. Craig Brown, LLC, our injury lawyer has the professional experience you can rely on when it matters most. If you or your loved one was hurt in a crash, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free case review. We represent injured victims across the region with a law office in Florence.