THE STEINBERG LAW FIRM BLOG
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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. However, for those accidents that resulted in injury or damage 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 scene of the accident. In this case, the responding officer will file the report with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

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 that accident. Among the post-accident paperwork is an FR-10 form. However, unlike other post-accident paperwork, the FR-10 is a form that must be filled out by drivers and their insurance companies.

The FR-10 is a green form that a responding officer will provide to every driver involved in the accident. The one-page document is used to prove that those involved in an accident maintained the appropriate amount of insurance coverage on their vehicles. The responding offer fills out portions of the FR-10. However, the bulk of the form is completed by a driver’s insurance company. The FR-10 must be filled out and sent back to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days of the accident. Most insurance companies will submit the form electronically, rather than send in a paper copy.

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 are 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.

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.

Updated on April 27, 2022

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