You would have to file a claim for compensation under your insurance policy if your vehicle was stolen and damaged in a car accident in South Carolina. The same will likely apply to accident victims, as the owner of a stolen vehicle is not responsible for any injury or damage caused by thieves.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau identifies car theft hot spots in South Carolina, occupying the cities and urban areas with the highest rates of theft. Colombia ranked first in the state and 34th in the country with 3,165 robberies or 390.71 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Speak with our licensed attorneys for car accidents to discuss the facts of your claim and to learn about the legal options that may be available to you. Victims of road accidents are reimbursed for the damage they endure.

A Greenville Car Accident Attorney Explains Liability for Damages Caused by Stolen Vehicle:

Vehicle owners have certain responsibilities when sharing the road with other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, including driving safely to avoid harming others. However, if your vehicle is stolen, your liability may be waived as no license is issued. Automobile owners can only be held accountable for accidents caused by someone driving their vehicle with actual or indirect permission.

Traffic accident victims may try to claim that the owner was negligent, such as leaving the keys in the car, but they often cannot successfully sue the owner of the car. Trying to sue a thief is also difficult, as most of them flee the scene and may not be found.

Stolen Vehicle and Insurance Claim:

Coverage for damage caused by a stolen vehicle will depend on the type of insurance you have. In the event of theft of your car, you will be provided with the most complete policies. These rules usually protect you and your vehicle from problems that are not caused by accidents, such as theft.

It is important to note that comprehensive coverage is an optional add-on that is not offered in most standard policies. Be sure to check with your insurance company if you are insured. If your policy only covers civil liability and liability for an accident, it will not protect you if your car is stolen.

What to Do if your Vehicle Gets Stolen:

If your vehicle is stolen, you can certainly take steps to protect your claim. You don’t want the insurance company to think that you were involved in the theft of your car. These steps include:

Verify that Your Car Was Stolen:

If your car is not parked where you think you left it, you may have parked elsewhere. Check your local stock to see if your vehicle was towed. Before calling the police, make sure that your car has actually disappeared. Otherwise, it is considered a false police report.

Report the Theft by Contacting the Police:

Once you have concluded that your vehicle has been stolen and not lost or towed, it is important to contact the police as soon as possible. You will need to submit a report indicating the make, model, and year of your vehicle, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), license plate, and where your vehicle was last seen.

If your vehicle has a tracking device, be sure to notify the police and keep a copy of the police report for your records.

Inform Your Insurance Company of the Incident:

Regardless of what your insurance policy covers, your insurance company needs to know that your car has been stolen and is no longer in your possession. Even if your policy covers theft, you will not get paid immediately. It might take several weeks.

Your insurer will also need this time to investigate your claim and rule out fraud. Once your claim has been paid, you will receive a cash refund of the actual value of the stolen vehicle.

A licensed car accident attorney from our firm is ready to assist you in the process of filing a claim for maximum compensation for your damages.

Our Greenville Car Accident Attorneys Are Here to Answer Your Questions:

Contact a South Carolina auto accident attorney if you are affected by a car accident in the state. We have helped many citizens review their insurance policies and evaluate their legal options.

Concluding a contract with our services does not require any prepayment. You only pay us if we get you compensation. We are available at any time of the day or night to answer your call, email, or chat.