After a collision in Greenville, evidence disappears quickly. The FR-10 is one of the first documents that can anchor your claim. South Carolina officers issue this insurance verification form at the scene. It is short, but it contains details that help identify the at-fault driver’s insurer, link your medical treatment to the crash date, and set up access to the full collision report later.
What the FR-10 Is and Why It Matters
The FR-10 records the basics of the crash. It lists the drivers, vehicles, VINs, policy numbers, and the investigating agency with an incident number. South Carolina requires drivers to submit the FR-10 to SCDMV, typically 15 days. While the FR-10 is not a fault-finding tool by itself, it is the key that opens the claim with the correct carrier and preserves an early paper trail that adjusters take seriously.
How to Use the FR-10 Right Away
Act quickly once you receive the form. Confirm that your name, plate number, and policy information are accurate. Photograph the form as a backup. Send a copy to your insurer and then submit the form either electronically or mail to SCDMV
Use the incident number on the FR-10 to order the full TR-310 collision report when it becomes available and to locate body-worn camera, dashcam, or traffic camera footage from the Greenville Police Department or the responding agency.
Linking the FR-10 to Fault Evidence
The FR-10 helps you identify the other driver’s carrier so you can send a preservation letter immediately. That letter should ask the insurer to keep recorded statements, phone data, vehicle telematics, and any third-party video.
If the officer issued a citation, the FR-10 will point to the agency and case number that tracks that charge. When paired with the TR-310 diagram, witness names, and photographs of the scene, the FR-10 helps build a clear story about lane position, right of way, and the sequence of impacts.
Common Mistakes That Hurt Claims
Several avoidable errors weaken fault arguments. Some drivers never submit the form to their insurer, which delays coverage decisions and complicates medical billing. Others misplace the FR-10 and lose the incident number that ties later records together. A third mistake is calling the other driver’s insurer without legal guidance and providing a broad recorded statement before your injuries are fully understood.
Protect yourself by keeping copies, meeting all deadlines, and letting your lawyer communicate with carriers.
When the Other Driver is Uninsured or Underinsured
If the FR-10 verification shows no valid liability policy, your Uninsured Motorist coverage can step in. If the at-fault driver’s limits are too low for your losses, Underinsured Motorist coverage may apply. Because the FR-10 confirms insurance status tied to the crash date, it helps your lawyer open UM or UIM claims early and coordinate benefits so medical bills do not pile up while liability is sorted out.
How Our Firm Uses The FR-10 in Greenville Car Accident Cases
At David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers, we use the FR-10 as a roadmap. We contact the correct carrier, demand preservation of evidence, and track down the TR-310, citations, and video linked to the incident number. We match those records with your medical timeline to prove causation and damages. The goal is simple. Turn a basic form into a foundation for full and fair compensation.
If you were hurt in a Greenville crash, as your attorneys, we can request your accident report and use it as evidence for your case. We are ready to help you move forward. Call us at (803) 258-6199 for a free, confidential consultation today.