A car accident caused by negligence is traumatic. For some victims, severe injuries or the loss of a loved one make it difficult to manage basic daily tasks. For most, it is too overwhelming to contemplate their next step.
The pursuit of a personal injury or wrongful death claim and lawsuit begins with an accident report. Understanding the where, when, and how is crucial for proving negligence.
South Carolina law limits your time to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Time can fly by, and before you know it, the statute of limitations expires. Obtaining a copy of your car accident report as soon as possible is best for your case.
Yes. Reporting your South Carolina car accident is critical for documenting the time, place, and parties involved. This information and other factors can be valuable evidence in a personal injury case.
Failure to report a car accident can lead to license suspension or criminal charges. A South Carolina car accident must be reported if one or more of the following occur:
Calling 911 from the accident scene can save lives. Fast-responding Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) provide the help needed to treat and transport patients promptly. Not all injuries exhibit outward symptoms. For example, internal bleeding can lead to organ damage or death if untreated. Only a medical professional can properly diagnose and treat such a dangerous injury.
Documented medical attention is vital for personal injury claims and lawsuits. If your loved one initially survived their crash, only to die of their injuries later, a collision report may still help you. Wrongful death claims and lawsuits are possible in cases involving loss and negligence. Reporting your South Carolina car accident immediately can result in documentation that serves as the foundation for civil legal action.
Yes. A South Carolina accident report is public record. While collision reports are public records, access to them typically involves some type of form. Paperwork is a mundane yet necessary part of all civil cases. An incomplete or wrong form can delay access to the report and delay your pursuit of the compensation you deserve.
If you suffered severe injuries or lost a close loved one due to a dangerous driver, you have a right to access the accident report. Should you be denied access or you are physically unable to complete the task, an attorney can assist you.
Piecing together what happened following a car crash involves a skillfully trained and experienced eye. Accident victims are too shocked, confused, overwhelmed, and in pain to fully understand the traumatic event they just experienced.
Accident or collision reports are completed by responding law enforcement. Accident details often included in a collision report include:
An official collision report serves as a roadmap for building your civil case. It contains the primary factors in a timeline sequence of events that led to dramatic and unfair changes in your life.
If your life has been upended by a distracted or drunk driver, consider contacting a South Carolina car accident attorney for a free case evaluation today.
You can request a copy of your collision report from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) by completing form FR-50. The form is available online, and a $6.00 fee per report is charged.
It is important to note that the FR-50 form differs from the FR-10 form provided to you at the scene. An FR-10 form is an insurance verification form that verifies you have liability coverage. However, the FR-50 form provides detailed information about the accident collision — documentation that may help your civil case.
You may also submit the form in person at your local DMV office or submit it by mail. The DMV requires two copies of the FR-50 form.
Gathering the documents you need is challenging as you recover from your injuries. Navigating forms and various agencies and reviewing data is what a South Carolina car accident attorney does best. By leaving the details of your case in the hands of an experienced attorney, you can focus on your recovery. Your attorney can provide timely updates as they fight to protect your best interests.
At Whalen Montalvo Attorneys at Law, we understand that car accident victims face new, daily challenges as they adjust to injuries or loss. Our compassion and care with victims are just one core value of our customer service.
You have a right to your official collision report. Obtaining it and other evidence to support your case can be challenging to get done when you are dealing with pain and stress. Attorneys James Whalen and Eric Montalvo gather the forms needed for each client they represent. They then use the information to determine the best approach to pursuing compensation for client damages.
The statute of limitations clock is ticking. Start pursuing justice for your significant life changes by contacting Whalen Montalvo Attorneys at Law for a free consultation. Call us today at (864) 770-7710
I grew up right here in Greenville, South Carolina. Following highschool, I attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, where I was an NCAA Scholar-Athlete for the Rhodes Lynx soccer program.
I completed my law degree at University of South Carolina School of Law, where I was on the mock trial team and an editor for the Journal of Law and Education. Following graduation, I served as a judicial law clerk for Senior Judge Robert H. Hodges, Jr. on the Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. My experience in D.C. trial courts solidified my desire to become a trial lawyer.
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Get the best legal representation possible. Give the Greenville, SC attorneys at Whalen Montalvo a call today at (864) 770-7710 or use our online form.