Is it illegal in SC to move your car immediately after a wreck? Here’s what state law says
It can be stressful enough just driving on South Carolina roads and highways. But that’s nothing compared to being in a vehicle accident.
Immediately after an accident — if you’re not seriously injured or otherwise too freaked out — you may wonder what you should do about your vehicle.
Should you move your car out of the road so as not to block traffic? Or maybe you should leave the vehicle where it is so authorities can have an easier time investigating what happened?
As it turns out, what drivers should do with their vehicles after an accident in South Carolina is a bit situational. Here’s what state law says on the matter.
SC traffic laws
According to Brewer Law Firm in Mount Pleasant, drivers involved in a car accident must stop and remain at the scene. South Carolina Code of Laws Section 56-5-1210 states that drivers are required to provide their name, address and vehicle information to others involved. They must also offer assistance to anyone who may be injured.
“Failure to do so can result in serious legal consequences,” Brewer Law Firm states.
When is it illegal to move your car after an accident in SC?
SC Code Section 56-5-1210 states that if someone is seriously injured or killed in an accident, any driver involved must immediately “stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to it as possible. The stop must be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.”
A person involved in such an accident may, however, leave the scene temporarily to report the incident, the law adds.
Any person who fails to follow the above requirements, if convicted, could face between 30 days and 10 years in prison and be fined between $5,000 and $10,000.
When is it legal to move your car after an accident in SC?
South Carolina does not have a specific statute requiring drivers to move their vehicles out of the roadway after minor crashes, Kahn Law Firm in Charleston states.
However, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety recommends that, in accidents involving only damage to vehicles, “the driver of the vehicle shall make every reasonable effort to move any vehicle that is capable of being driven safely off the roadway … so as not to block the flow of traffic.”
The department notes that the driver who moves a vehicle to help with the flow of traffic won’t be considered liable or at fault for the accident solely by moving the vehicle before the arrival of law enforcement.
What to do after an accident
Here are some good tips to follow after a vehicle accident in South Carolina, once you’ve checked for injuries and evaluated vehicle damage, according to Kahn Law Firm.
- Photograph the damage to all vehicles involved, as well as debris, skid marks and impact points on the road.
- Collect names and contact information from any witnesses who saw the crash. Their statements may provide evidence later on.
- Write down any details about weather, road conditions, visibility and any apparent hazards that might have contributed to the wreck.
- Before you leave the scene, exchange insurance and contact details with the other driver or drivers in the accident.
This story was originally published May 22, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
