How to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident in Charleston, SC

Car accidents often require police intervention. The authorities may render emergency aid while waiting for medical personnel to arrive at the scene, and they can investigate the crash to determine what went wrong. Their findings may be described in an official police report. Your lawyer can help you get a copy of the report as soon as possible.

We may contact the Charleston Police if local authorities responded to the crash. Alternatively, we may contact the South Carolina Highway Patrol if state authorities investigated the accident. Still, you may be able to request a copy of the report from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). We may use the report to find evidence uncovered by the police, including witnesses and other information.

For a free, private legal assessment, call our Charleston, SC car accident lawyers at the Graves Injury Law Firm at (305) 614-2767.

How Do Drivers Obtain Copies of Police Reports After Car Accidents in Charleston, SC?

A police report will be written only if you contact the police about your accident. You should call them immediately after the accident. Otherwise, there might not be much left to investigate by the time the police get there.

The Charleston Police

Who we contact for a copy of the police report depends on which police department responded to your call for help. If your accident happened in or around Charleston, the Charleston Police Department likely investigated and wrote a report.

You can request a copy of your accident report from the Charleston Police by calling for assistance or visiting the Records Office in person. Copies may be issued for a $5 fee.

South Carolina State Law Enforcement

If the accident occurred on a state highway around Charleston, it may fall under the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s jurisdiction.

You may request a copy of your report by submitting an online form to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). If you cannot find a copy of your report, our Charleston, SC car accident lawyers can contact the Troop in charge of the accident.

The South Carolina DMV

The SCDMV is the central repository for accident and crash reports across South Carolina. It is not only the main way to get copies of reports from the state authorities, but you may also find copies of reports from local authorities, like the Charleston Police or other local law enforcement agencies.

You can submit requests online, by mail, or in person at your local SCDMV. Be sure to have as much information about the accident as possible to make it easier to locate your accident report.

Why is a Police Report Important After a Car Accident?

Police reports are important for several reasons. Not only can they be used to support insurance claims, but they may also contain information about evidence we need to support a lawsuit.

Official Record of the Accident

The police report acts as an official record of the accident. When filing insurance claims, insurance companies often demand proof of the accident so that they know they are not dealing with a fraudulent claim.

Important Information About Evidence

When filing a personal injury lawsuit for a car accident, we need evidence to meet our burden of proof. Unfortunately, police reports are generally inadmissible as evidence because they are compiled by officers who did not actually witness the accident, making them hearsay.

However, the report may contain information about evidence the police uncovered during their investigation. The report may serve as a guide to help us find the evidence we need.

Witness Information

Witnesses can be difficult to find if we do not have their names or contact information. If your accident was serious, you might not have been able to talk to potential witnesses before being taken to the hospital.

The police may have spoken to witnesses when they arrived at the scene, and their names and contact information may be included in the report.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Copy of a Police Report for a Car Accident?

Getting a copy of the police report about your car accident might take more time than you think. If the report is still unavailable, an attorney may help you obtain it sooner rather than later.

Typical Accident Reports

A typical police report after a car accident may be available within a few weeks. Reports for less complicated accidents that require less intense investigation may be ready in only a few days. Other accidents might take a week or a bit longer.

Accidents Involving Death or Serious Injuries

When accidents are more complicated or involve serious injuries or death, they tend to require more extensive investigations by the police. If the accident is especially complex, the police might investigate for weeks before drafting a formal report.

Accidents Involving Criminal Charges

When criminal charges are on the line, the police will conduct very thorough investigations, including questioning the drivers and witnesses, reviewing security camera footage, and reviewing medical records about injuries.

In such cases, you might not see a police report for quite some time. While this can be frustrating, your civil lawsuit will likely take a backseat to criminal prosecution, so your case likely will not get started for a while anyway.

FAQs About Getting Police Reports After Car Accidents in Charleston, SC

Are Police Reports Created for All Car Accidents?

Police reports are generated only for accidents where the police are called to the scene. If the police do not investigate, there can be no report. As such, it is important that you involve the police immediately after a collision, especially if it is serious or if people are injured.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Copy of a Police Report After a Car Accident?

The time it takes for a report to become available depends on the extent of the investigations by law enforcement. Reports for more typical accidents may be ready in a few days or a couple of weeks. More complex accidents that require greater investigation may take longer, especially if drivers face criminal charges.

What Information is Contained in a Police Report for an Auto Accident?

Police reports about car accidents often contain details about the drivers and vehicles involved, descriptions of the accident scene, and possibly the names of witnesses interviewed by the police. The more the police investigate, the more information there may be in the report.

How Can You Use Police Reports About Auto Collisions?

Police reports are generally inadmissible in court as evidence because they violate the rule against hearsay. However, they may still be useful, depending on what information they contain. Police reports are often used to lead plaintiffs to evidence uncovered by the police that is admissible in court.

Call Our Charleston, SC Car Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Case Now

For a free, private legal assessment, call our Charleston, SC personal injury lawyers at the Graves Injury Law Firm at (305) 614-2767.