If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident in South Carolina, you might pursue a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your losses. When you decide to file your claim, one of the first documents you will be asked for is your official South Carolina Uniform Traffic Crash Report.
Your official crash report contains specific details regarding your accident which will be used as a critical piece of evidence during the insurance company’s investigation. That is why you need to understand every aspect of your crash report to ensure all information presented is accurate and truthful.
Although reading these reports comes second nature to some legal professionals, it can be challenging to decipher for the regular driver. In order to help you better understand the claims process and your crash report, we have broken down each individual section of the South Carolina Uniform Traffic Crash Report. Read more below!
Regardless of how familiar you are with the South Carolina traffic crash report, there are a few things to keep in mind as you navigate the layout of the report. The document is made up of ten sections, divided amongst five pages.
The first unit of your report is where the reporting officer will take down all specific details regarding the location. Next, they will list the precise address of the crash, noting any nearby intersections and geographic coordinates.
Here, the investigator will take down all identifying information for any drivers or pedestrians involved in the crash. These details include:
● Full name.
● Address.
● Gender.
● Age.
● Race.
● Driver’s license information.
The third unit will include all pertinent information for the vehicles involved in the crash. The investigating officer will list the vehicles’ make, model, and year. They will also record identifying and contact information for the vehicles’ owners if they are different from the driver.
If speed was a contributing factor in the accident, that will be documented in this section as well.
The narrative and diagram are key elements to any traffic crash report. This is where the investigator will be able to provide what transpired at the scene in their own professional opinion. Through the narrative, the investigator will document in writing who they believe is at fault, the extent of any property damage, and what caused the collision.
The investigator will use the diagram to put information in the narrative into context. The officer will draw the location of all vehicles involved in the crash and any nearby road markings, traffic signals, and structures.
Here, the officer who filed your crash report is required to list all of their personal information in this section, including:
● The officer’s name and badge number.
● The officer’s rank.
● Reporting agency information.
If anyone was injured due to your crash, the investigator would record those details in this section. The investigator will take down the victim’s identification information, the extent of their injuries, and any EMS or hospital information, if applicable.
If any occupants were ejected or pinned inside their vehicle, that would be recorded here as well.
Using numeric codes, the investigator will take down all of the specific elements contributing to your crash in this section. They will take note of any driver error such as negligence, recklessness, distraction, fatigue, improper turning, and any other factors.
If driver impairment played a role in your crash, those details would be documented in this section as well.
If your collision involved a commercial vehicle such as a tractor-trailer or a city bus, the law enforcement official should detail that here. They will make a note of the driver’s name and CDL license information. They will also get the commercial carrier’s licensing information.
If the commercial vehicle was hauling hazardous materials, the type and quantity of the material will be listed in this unit.
It is always a good idea to contact local law enforcement after a crash. However, if a law enforcement official does not respond to the scene of your accident, you can fill out your crash report and submit it to the South Carolina DMV.
Unfortunately, your insurance company will not consider your opinion nearly as much as the opinion of a completely objective police officer.
In short, no. You do not need a crash report to file a claim with your insurance company. However, having access to your South Carolina traffic crash report could significantly increase your chances of getting the appropriate settlement in a shorter amount of time.
You can seek reimbursement for a number of expenses brought about by your crash. These expenses include but are not limited to:
● Pain and suffering.
● Medical bills.
● Loss of earnings.
● Future loss of earnings.
● Damaged property.
You are required to report any collision in South Carolina that resulted in the following:
● Injury to any person.
● Death.
● Property damage over $1,000I
If your accident does not fall under these parameters, you should still contact the police as soon as possible. This will ensure an official South Carolina Uniform Traffic Crash Report is recorded.
Car crashes can be stressful, but recovering your crash report doesn’t have to be. We’re here to provide you with access to a FREE copy of your official South Carolina crash report today! Just fill out our simple 2-minute questionnaire to begin.