Leaving the Scene of Your Car Accident in South Carolina

After being involved in a car accident in South Carolina, you might be in trouble and face criminal charges if you flee the scene of impact.

If you are involved in a car accident in South Carolina and you leave the scene, which is also referred to as “hit and run”, you can face several charges, fines, jail time, or even criminal prosecution if the victim is badly injured or dead. Involvement in a car accident in South Carolina and leaving the scene can result in fines ranging from $5,000 to $25,000; also a jail time of up to 25 years if someone is killed or injured.

South Carolina law describes that leaving the scene of the crash to seek help from authorities is the only exception to this rule. Any reason other than this will be considered a punishable offense.

Importance of Not Leaving the Accident Scene

After leaving the scene of a car accident in South Carolina, you will not be able to figure out the reason for the car accident in South Carolina. There are several benefits for not leaving the car crash such as when you call the police and seek the car accident report to get the witness information; you might realize that the accident was not even your fault.

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there were 811 fatal crashes in 2021 which is a lot more than that of last year, which was 730. Around 877 people have lost their lives in a traffic accident.

You can also file a claim against the other driver if you are injured and still did not leave the scene of the crash. This can make a big difference in your complaint against the other driver. The other driver can face charges for the injury they caused.

It is impossible to keep track of the exact time of the car accident as it can be a little confusing. In this case, you need an experienced attorney to help you understand the nature of your accident and the things surrounding it. An initial traffic accident report will not indicate that who was at fault at the time of the accident. Therefore, a traffic accident attorney can investigate and reveal more information about the crash.

You can call an attorney for your car accident as soon as possible for the protection of your potential injury claim, but you have to stay at the scene to call a lawyer, it is always advised to be present at the scene.

Elements of the Offense Established by Greenville Car Accident Lawyers:

Each element of the crash must be carefully established without any doubt by your lawyer. This can help your lawyer prove that the defendant was at fault. The elements that should be considered for leaving the scene of the accident with damages to the vehicles are as follows:

  • The vehicle must be driven by the defendant
  • The defendant must be involved in the car accident
  • The other party’s vehicle that was involved must be occupied by a person
  • The other vehicle must not be empty
  • Only property damages are required to file a complaint against the driver
  • Every driver should keep in mind that leaving the premises temporarily is only allowed if they are leaving to call the authorities.
  • Otherwise leaving the scene can result in a felony and you will end up in jail or with heavy charges if you will not meet the requirements set in South Carolina Law 56-5-1230.

If you are involved in a car accident, the laws there require you to take the following steps:

  • Stop the vehicle at the site of the accident or as close as you can to the location
  • You should exchange your personal information with the other driver including your registration number and driver’s license number if required
  • Immediately rescue any person who is injured; you can also seek assistance from 911

Get a Consultation From Our Auto Accident Lawyers in Greenville, SC:

If the other driver leaves the scene of the crash with property damage, you need to consult with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney will help you analyze the case and help you guide through what steps you should take. We will also help you deal with the legal process of claiming compensation for your injuries and the costs of the accident.

We offer free advice for car accident victims. Call a South Carolina auto accident attorney for a free consultation session.