How to File a Car Accident Report in South Carolina
What you need to do after a car accident in South Carolina
If you are in a car accident in South Carolina, you must report it to law enforcement if anyone is injured, if there is significant property damage, or if either driver leaves the scene. The police officer who responds will create an accident report, which becomes the official record of what happened. You can obtain a copy of this report from the South Carolina Highway Patrol or the local police department that responded, depending on where the accident occurred.
If the accident causes only minor damage and no injuries, and both drivers remain at the scene, you may not be legally required to call police — but getting a police report is still the safest approach. A report protects you if the other driver later claims you were at fault or if injuries appear days later.
Key Takeaways
- Call 911 or the local police non-emergency line immediately if anyone is injured, if there is significant damage, or if either driver leaves the scene.
- The responding officer will file an accident report with the South Carolina Highway Patrol or local police department, which you can request within days.
- You can obtain your accident report online through the South Carolina Highway Patrol website, by mail, or in person, depending on which agency responded.
- The report costs a small fee and typically takes one to two weeks to become available after the accident date.
- Keep the officer's name, badge number, and case number at the scene so you know which agency to contact later.
When to call police at the accident scene
Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured, if a vehicle is blocking traffic, or if either driver leaves the scene without exchanging information. You must also report the accident if there is damage to property beyond the two vehicles involved — for example, if a car hit a fence, utility pole, or building.
For accidents with only minor damage and no injuries, you can call the non-emergency police line instead of 911. The dispatcher will tell you whether an officer needs to respond. In some cases, the police department may direct you to file a report online or in person at the station rather than sending an officer to the scene.
South Carolina law does not require you to report an accident to the police if it involves only your own vehicle and no other people or property — for example, if you hit a parked car and the owner is not present. However, you should still leave a note with your contact information on the other vehicle.
What information to collect at the scene
Before you leave the accident scene, write down the names, phone numbers, and addresses of all drivers and passengers involved. Get the other driver's insurance company name and policy number, driver's license number, vehicle make and model, license plate number, and the vehicle identification number (VIN) if possible.
Take photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles, the accident scene, traffic signs or signals, and road conditions. If there are witnesses who are not passengers in either vehicle, ask for their names and phone numbers. Write down the exact location of the accident, the date and time, and the weather conditions.
When the police officer arrives, get their name, badge number, and the case or report number. Ask which agency filed the report — the South Carolina Highway Patrol handles accidents on state highways, while local police departments handle accidents on city streets and county roads. This information tells you where to request the report later.
How to request your accident report from the South Carolina Highway Patrol
If the South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to your accident, you can request the report online through the Highway Patrol's website. You will need the case number or the date and location of the accident. The online system allows you to order the report and pay the fee using a credit card, and the report is typically mailed to you within one to two weeks.
You can also request the report by mail by sending a written request to the South Carolina Highway Patrol Records Section with the accident date, location, and case number if you have it. Include a check or money order for the report fee. Mail requests take longer than online requests — usually two to three weeks.
If you need the report urgently, you can visit the Highway Patrol office in person during business hours. Bring your driver's license and the case number or accident details. Some offices can provide a copy the same day, though this varies by location.
How to request your accident report from a local police department
If a city or county police department responded to your accident, contact that department's records division directly. Call the non-emergency line and ask how to request an accident report. Most departments accept requests by phone, email, or in person at the station.
You will need to provide the date and location of the accident, the case number if you have it, and your name. Some departments require you to show a driver's license in person. The fee varies by department but is usually between five and fifteen dollars. Processing time is typically one to two weeks, though some departments offer expedited service for an additional fee.
A few larger police departments in South Carolina allow you to request reports online through their websites. Check the department's website first to see if this option is available before calling.
What the accident report contains and how to use it
The accident report includes the names and contact information of all drivers and passengers, insurance information, vehicle details, the officer's description of how the accident happened, and any citations issued. It also notes weather and road conditions, whether anyone was injured, and the estimated cost of damage.
You will need this report to file an insurance claim with your own insurance company or the other driver's insurance company. Insurance adjusters use the police report to determine fault and decide how much to pay. If you are disputing fault or if the accident resulted in injury, the report becomes important evidence.
Keep a copy of the report for your records. If you later need to file a lawsuit or if questions arise about the accident weeks or months later, the report is the official account of what happened.
What to do if you cannot get a police report
In rare cases, police may not have filed a report even though they responded to the scene. This sometimes happens with very minor accidents or if the officer determined that no violation occurred. If you cannot locate a report after checking with both the Highway Patrol and the local police department, contact the department that responded and ask why no report was filed.
If no police report exists, document the accident yourself by writing down everything you remember about what happened, the other driver's information, and any witness contact details. Take photos of the damage if you have not already. Provide this information to your insurance company along with a written statement explaining that no police report was filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an accident report cost in South Carolina?
The fee varies by agency. The South Carolina Highway Patrol typically charges between five and ten dollars per report. Local police departments charge similar amounts, though some may charge more for expedited service or additional copies. Call the agency that responded to your accident to confirm the exact fee before you request the report.
Can I get an accident report if I was not the one who called police?
Yes. You do not need to be the person who called 911 to request the report. Provide the date, location, and your involvement in the accident, and the agency will locate the report. You may need to show a driver's license or provide other proof that you were involved.
What if the police report says I was at fault but I disagree?
The police report is one piece of evidence, not a final information of fault. Your insurance company and the other driver's insurance company will investigate independently. If you disagree with the officer's account, provide your own statement and any evidence — photos, witness statements, or video — to your insurance adjuster. You can also request that the police department review the report if you believe it contains factual errors.
How long after an accident can I request the report?
You can request the report immediately after the accident, though it typically takes one to two weeks to process. The report remains available indefinitely, so you can request it months or years later if needed. However, requesting it soon after the accident is better because details are fresher and you may need it for insurance claims.
Do I need the case number to get my accident report?
The case number makes the request faster, but it is not required. You can request the report using the date, time, and location of the accident instead. If you have the officer's name or badge number, that also helps the agency locate the correct report.