Accidents happen all the time, and the police respond to a lot of them. For every accident law enforcement responds to, they must draft a formal report explaining the results of their investigation. While some reports are longer than others, they tend to be important when injured drivers take legal action to get fair compensation for their damages.
When accidents happen in South Carolina, including Myrtle Beach, reports are usually sent to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). Drivers can submit requests to their local DMV to get copies of accident reports online, by mail, or in person. However, filing such a request is not so simple. We need all the information we can get about your accident so the authorities can locate the report, including which police department responded to the crash. This might seem like a lot of work for one report, but it might be an important part of your case and help you get the compensation you deserve.
For a free initial case assessment from our Myrtle Beach car accident attorneys, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (803) 219-4906.
Where to Find the Police Report for Your Myrtle Beach Car Accident
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can feel chaotic and overwhelming, and the last thing on your mind might be the police report. While you should take time to rest, recover, and come to terms with what has happened to you, it is in your best interest to seek legal help and work on getting copies of the police report. The report may be necessary for various legal actions to get you the fair compensation you deserve.
Accident reports in South Carolina are typically sent to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles when they are completed. The SCDMV maintains these reports and may provide them to drivers in need once they receive the necessary paperwork. Specifically, you must fill out SCDMV Form FR-50 and submit it to the SCDMV. You may do so online, by mail, or in person.
When submitting your request, our Myrtle Beach personal injury attorneys must include details about the accident and the people involved. If you are still fuzzy on the details, we can help you piece together what happened so we can get the report as soon as possible.
Which Police Department Has the Report for Your Myrtle Beach Car Accident?
To get a copy of the police report from your accident, we need as much information about the accident as possible. Remember, accidents happen all the time, and the authorities write a lot of reports. Finding yours might be like finding a needle in a haystack if we do not have the right details. One of the first details we need is which police department drafted the report.
Myrtle Beach Police Department
Maybe your accident happened within the city limits of Myrtle Beach. If that is the case, there is a good chance that the local authorities, the Myrtle Beach Police Department, handled the accident. If you cannot remember where exactly the accident happened, talk to your attorney. If your accident occurred on a city street or local road, it likely falls within the jurisdiction of the local police department.
South Carolina Highway Patrol
You might have been in a car accident while you were leaving Myrtle Beach after a vacation or on your way to the beach to begin your holiday. If that is the case, you might have been in an accident while one of the numerous highways that connect to Myrtle Beach from other cities and states. Generally, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the state authorities, have jurisdiction over major highways and state routes. If you are still unsure which law enforcement agency responded to your crash, we can help you contact different police departments to ask about your accident.
Why You Might Need a Copy of the Police Report for Your Myrtle Beach Car Accident Case
While the accident report might seem like just another piece of paperwork, it is much more important than that. Drivers often need official copies of police reports about their accidents when they pursue legal action for compensation. For example, if you file an insurance claim after a car accident, many insurance companies want to see a police report so they know the accident really happened and the claim is not fraudulent. Some insurance companies might require a police report to process the claim.
You might also need the report if you file a civil claim against the other driver or other responsible parties. While police reports are generally inadmissible evidence under the rule against hearsay, they might contain important information about evidence collected by the police during their investigation. We might use the police report to guide us to evidence that can be admitted into court.
When You Can Get a Copy of the Police Report for a Myrtle Beach Car Accident
Copies of accident reports are typically not available right away. The police must complete their investigation and actually draft the report, which can take some time. Copies are available to drivers after they are received and reviewed by the SCDMV. Exactly how long it takes for the SCDMV to receive the report from the police may vary.
Some accidents require little investigation, and reports may be completed faster and ready for drivers sooner. Other accidents are more complicated and require a more thorough investigation by law enforcement. For example, if an accident involves serious injuries, death, or multiple vehicles, the police are far more likely to take their time investigating. If a driver might be criminally charged in relation to the accident, the police will also likely investigate more extensively, and the report might not be ready for some time.
If you need the report now to file an insurance claim or to have it for your records, there might be something the police can provide you. Perhaps a brief preliminary report or something of that nature. We can contact the authorities to see how they can help while we wait for them to complete their investigation.
Speak to Our Myrtle Beach Car Accident Attorneys for Help
For a free initial case assessment from our South Carolina car accident attorneys, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (803) 219-4906.