It can be easy to forget about the paperwork when you are dealing with severe injuries and expensive medical bills after a South Carolina car accident. One key form you usually must complete after a collision is Form FR-10, which you must submit to prove your liability insurance meets South Carolina’s requirements.
If you do not file the South Carolina FR-10 form on time under South Carolina law, the state can suspend your driver’s license and vehicle registration, and you might hurt your legal case as well.
Who Is Responsible for Filing the FR-10 Form in South Carolina?
After a car accident in South Carolina, each driver involved must complete Form FR-10 if the crash caused any injuries, deaths, or property damage of at least $1,000.
The responding officer usually gives you the FR-10 form at the scene of the accident, and you have 15 days to file it with your insurance company. Your insurance provider then submits the form to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to confirm you had active liability coverage at the time of the crash.
You do not need to complete the form after a minor accident where no officer responds and the property damage falls below the reporting threshold.
What Happens if I Do Not Fill Out the FR-10 Form?
If you do not complete the FR-10 form after a qualifying accident in South Carolina, the DMV can suspend your driver’s license and vehicle registration. The suspension may last until you file the form and your insurance company verifies that you carried sufficient liability coverage during the crash.
Without valid proof of proper liability insurance coverage, you may also face additional hurdles before you can regain your driving privileges. The consequences can disrupt your ability to drive legally and increase your costs.
Deadline for Submitting an FR-10 Form in SC
The FR-10 form deadline in SC is 15 days from any accident that triggers the reporting requirements. The law enforcement officer who responds to the accident usually gives you the form at the crash scene, and you must take it directly to your insurance company within that deadline.
Common Mistakes When Filing an FR-10 Form
Common mistakes South Carolina drivers make when filing out an FR-10 form include:
- Missing the 15-day filing deadline and risking suspension of driving privileges
- Submitting the form directly to the DMV instead of through the insurance company
- Providing incomplete or inaccurate insurance details that delay processing
- Forgetting to confirm that the insurance company forwarded the form to the DMV
- Assuming the form is unnecessary after a crash that meets reporting requirements
Get Help with FR-10 Form Requirements – Schedule a Free Consultation
Failing to file an accident report or making mistakes on an FR-10 form can have significant consequences after a South Carolina car accident.
Jebaily Law Firm can explain whether the law requires you to complete this form, fill it out for you, make sure your insurer forwards the form to state officials, and handle any disputes that may arise. Our experienced car accident attorneys are also ready to represent you in your fight for maximum compensation and to hold whoever caused the collision accountable for your losses.
Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer at our firm.
