Detailed answer: steps to get the crash report you need

If you were involved in a motor vehicle collision in South Carolina and need the official collision report for an insurance claim, medical records, or possible legal action, you can usually obtain a copy from the law-enforcement agency that investigated the crash or from state record offices. Below are the practical steps, legal context, and what to expect.

1. Identify who prepared the report

Most crash reports are prepared by the investigating agency. That is typically one of the following:

• City or municipal police department (if the crash occurred inside city limits).
• County sheriff’s office (if outside city limits).
• South Carolina Highway Patrol or another state law enforcement unit (for state highways or when they responded).

2. Contact the records or evidence division

Visit or call the agency’s records unit or evidence section. Ask for their process to request an accident report (some agencies call it a Traffic Collision Report or Uniform Crash Report). Provide as much identifying information as possible: date, location, names of involved parties, and the report number if you have it.

3. Request methods and fees

Agencies commonly provide reports by:

• In person at the records office.
• By mail with a written request and copy of photo ID.
• Online through the agency’s or South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) portal, if offered.

Most agencies charge a small fee for copies and for certified copies. Ask about acceptable payment methods and turnaround time.

4. What information is available and what may be redacted

Generally, the factual sections of a collision report (date, time, location, drivers, vehicle descriptions, chargeable violations, and narrative) are available. However, certain sensitive personal data (for example, Social Security numbers, juvenile identities in some situations, or ongoing-investigation details) may be redacted under public-records rules or state privacy laws.

5. When a report is not available directly

If the agency refuses to release a report or says the report is part of an open or ongoing criminal investigation, you have options:

• Ask the agency for the legal basis for denial and whether a redacted copy can be provided.
• File a formal public-records (Freedom of Information) request with the agency. South Carolina’s public records and FOIA rules govern public access to many government records; see the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act: S.C. Code Ann. Title 30, Chapter 4.
• If needed, consult an attorney to pursue release through the courts when an agency improperly withholds records.

6. Using the report for insurance claims and legal matters

An insurance company will accept a copy of the crash report as part of a claim file. For court or litigation matters you may need a certified copy; ask the agency whether they provide certified copies and how to request one. Keep a copy of any request and receipts showing you requested the report.

7. If the crash was investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol or statewide office

Some statewide reports or databases are managed or indexed by SCDPS. Check the Department of Public Safety website or contact them for state-level crash information and for directions about obtaining reports prepared by the Highway Patrol: South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

8. Timing and preservation

Request the report as soon as possible. Evidence and witness information can change. Even if you do not have a report number, request the record by date, location, and parties involved.

Key legal references

For public-records requests and the legal framework that controls access to government records in South Carolina, see the state’s Freedom of Information Act: S.C. Code Ann. Title 30, Chapter 4. For information about motor vehicle laws and reporting duties, refer to Title 56 (Motor Vehicles) of the South Carolina Code of Laws available at the South Carolina Legislature website (search Title 56 at https://www.scstatehouse.gov/).

Helpful Hints

• Start with the investigating agency. The agency that handled the scene is the record holder.
• Gather identifying details before you call: date, time, street names, and names of drivers or witnesses.
• Ask for a certified copy if you anticipate litigation. Certified copies are often required in court.
• Keep records of every request: emails, forms, postage receipts, and payment confirmations.
• If an agency declines release, request a written denial and the legal reason. That helps if you need to file a formal FOIA request or appeal.
• Use the report to compare facts with your insurance adjuster. Do not sign waiver releases without understanding how they affect your claim.
• When in doubt about access or redactions, consult an attorney experienced in insurance or personal-injury matters for guidance.
• Be mindful of deadlines for insurance claims and for preserving evidence; act promptly.