Motor vehicle accidents happen suddenly and violently. Chances are, you will have to go to the hospital and won’t be able to stick around. Even in accidents where you can stay and get information, it is very easy for things to fall through the cracks. Fortunately, officers responding to accidents must fill out police reports detailing their findings. These reports can have information that plaintiffs want to help improve their claims.
To get a police report in Florence, you contact either the Florence Police Department or the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, depending on the department that responded to your accident and other factors. You can obtain your report in person, online, or by mail.
To start getting help with your claim, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras’s Florence car accident attorneys at the number (803) 219-4906.
How Can You Obtain Police Reports in Florence, SC
Your police report may be in one of several locations. Where the report for your incident is located will differ from case to case, generally depending on whether a state trooper or local police officer responded to your incident. If you are unsure of where your report is located, our Florence car accident lawyers can help you figure out where to find it. Additionally, there are several methods of obtaining your police report: in person, online, or through the mail.
Obtaining Your Report in Person
To get your police report in person, you will either go to the Florence Police Department or the DMV, depending on the type of officer who responded to your accident.
For accidents the Florence PD responds to, you will go to the Florence Police Department records division office located at 324 W Evans Street and ask for your report. Make sure you have a valid ID, like a driver’s license, on your person when you go there.
For accidents where a state trooper handled things, your report will be located at the DMV. To obtain your report in person from the DMV, you must fill out a form and take it to an SCDMV branch office. As with obtaining your report from Florence PD, be sure to have valid identification on your person.
If you have questions or concerns about getting your report in person, you can call the Florence Police Department at 843-665-3191 or call the SCDMV at 803-896-5000. Alternatively, you can ask our lawyers and we will assist you.
Obtaining Your Report Online
Obtaining your report online may be easier for many people, as it is often faster than taking time out of your day to go get your report in person. To get any police report for Florence or the surrounding area online, you go through the SCDMV. They have a webpage where you can enter the required information about your accident and get your police report. Be aware that not all accident reports will be online, as only reports made on or after March 22, 2012, will be stored online.
Obtaining Your Report Via Mail
Some individuals may prefer to get their police report via mail. You can get police reports through the mail by contacting the SCDMV and mailing them the relevant form to the address on their website. You will also need to mail a check for $6 alongside your completed request form.
How Long Does it Take to Get My Police Report in Florence, SC
While you will certainly be able to obtain your police report fairly quickly after your accident, there are many factors that can make the process take more or less time. Things like the complexity of the investigation, how much work the relevant police department has on their plate, and the need for further review of your claim can impact how quickly your report is made available for request. Generally, reports are available within a few days of an accident, but it can take longer. If you have concerns about getting your report in a timely fashion, we can help get things moving and get you your report as soon as we can.
Ways Police Reports Can Help Your Case in Florence, SC
In addition to knowing how to get a police report, you should know how it can help your case. Although police reports are rarely used as direct evidence for something, they can still be very useful to your claim in many ways.
They Have Details You May Have Missed
Police reports will often have details about your accident that you may have missed. Car crashes and other accidents are sudden events, and you may not have the time or capability to get all the information immediately. When there are information gaps, police reports can be used to flesh out our understanding of events surrounding your claim.
The Have Parties You Can Sue
Police reports will also have details about parties you may want to include as defendants in your case. Police reports will name all motorists involved in an accident, so you can track down and sue the driver who injured you by using a police report. Additionally, details in the report may lead you to include other parties in your claim. For example, if the driver who hit you told the police officer that their brakes did not work, that may mean it is worth investigating any repairs done on the defendant driver’s vehicle, as that can implicate other parties.
They List Potential Witnesses
Police officers will try to talk to anyone they can following an accident. This includes individuals who saw the whole thing happen firsthand. Police officers will record information about eyewitnesses in police reports, and you can use those police reports to track down individuals who may be able to provide details about your claim or testify on your behalf.
Get in Touch with Our Florence, SC Car Accident Lawyers Now
Rice, Murtha & Psoras’s Florence personal injury lawyers can start assisting you with your claim when you call us at (803) 219-4906.