What Is an FR-10 Form?

One of the most common questions we get from South Carolina car accident victims is whether they need to file a written accident report after a car accident. The answer, as is often the case with legal questions, is “it depends.”

No accident report is necessary for minor accidents that did not result in any injuries or damage to a vehicle of more than $1,000. For accidents that result in an injury or damages of more than $1,000, a written accident report must be filed. The major exception to that general rule is if police are called and respond to the accident scene, the officer will fill out Form TR-310. In this case, the responding officer will file the report with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

The FR-10: Essential Insurance Paperwork

After most South Carolina car accidents, one or more of the parties involved call the police. When a police officer arrives at the accident scene, they must complete certain paperwork to document the accident. Among the post-accident paperwork is an FR-10 form. This form is filled out by the police officer at the scene, and a copy is given to each driver involved. The officer will collect the driver’s license and insurance information from each driver and provide a copy of the FR-10 to each driver.

The FR-10 is a green form that proves those involved in an accident maintained the appropriate amount of insurance coverage on their vehicles. The responding officer fills out the FR-10. 

The FR-10 must be completed and sent back to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days of the accident. Drivers may also turn it into their insurance company.

What Happens If I Don’t Fill Out the FR-10 Form?

If a driver fails to arrange for the completion of the FR-10 form, under the South Carolina Code of Laws section 56-5-1270, it is considered “prima facie evidence that the vehicle was uninsured.” This can result in the suspension of someone’s driver’s license and vehicle registration. In addition, this can have wide-ranging repercussions on an accident victim’s ability to recover for their injuries.

The process motorists must follow after being involved in a serious Charleston car accident is not always explicitly clear. As the above discussion illustrates, even a small misstep can not only result in the suspension of driving privileges but it can also jeopardize an accident victim’s ability to recover fair compensation for their injuries. For help dealing with the complexities of the post-accident recovery process, accident victims should consider reaching out to a dedicated South Carolina personal injury attorney for assistance.

How Does My Car Accident Lawyer Use the FR-10 Form?

Your personal injury attorney uses the FR-10 form in several ways. The form itself is included in the initial contact by your attorney with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Your attorney will send it along with an initial letter of representation, initiating a request for compensation. 

The FR-10 form identifies other parties involved in the crash. This identifying information allows your attorney to contact these parties, speak to their attorneys and insurance companies, and investigate whether those parties were at fault for your injuries. 

The FR-10 form communicates key insurance information. As noted above, failing to file your FR-10 can be treated as evidence that you had no auto insurance in the accident. This evidence may be used to delay or deny your claim for coverage, either from your own insurance company or from another insurer. 

In addition, the FR-10 may contain key insurance information about others involved in the collision. Your attorney can use this information to contact the other party’s insurer and negotiate for the coverage you deserve if the other driver is at fault. If the other party has no insurance or doesn’t fill out an FR-10, your lawyer can use this fact to argue that your own uninsured/underinsured (UI/UIA) coverage should apply. 

The FR-10 form demonstrates that you’re doing your part. Insurance companies love to argue that delays or denials are your fault. They look for excuses to claim that they aren’t doing anything wrong. Instead, they argue that you did something wrong by failing to turn in paperwork or missing a deadline. When you fill out and file your FR-10, your attorney can end such arguments before they begin 一 moving your claim toward a faster resolution. 

Have You Been Injured in a South Carolina Car Accident?

If you or a loved one has recently been seriously injured in a South Carolina car accident, contact the dedicated injury advocates at the Steinberg Law Firm. Our team of experienced attorneys is intimately familiar with all the procedures that accident victims must follow to preserve and protect their rights. From the moment you bring us on your case, we will provide you with upfront, honest guidance and diligently advocate on your behalf. Our compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys have been helping accident victims and their families pursue the compensation they deserve for more than 95 years.
To learn more and to schedule a free consultation with an attorney, call 843-720-2800. You can also reach us through our online form.