St. Andrews Public Service District Passes Crash Tax

On Monday May 5 th, officials from the St. Andrews Public Service District voted unanimously to approve a “crash tax” that charges out-of-district drivers additional fees if they are involved in car accidents that require emergency response. The crash tax, which was proposed in March, has stirred up controversy across the state. Fees for drivers who are not residents of the area the St. Andrews Public Service District and its fire department serves can cost more than $1,000 per incident.

The crash tax was passed to increase revenue and recover costs for emergency services, which have increased because the St. Andrews Public Service District now handles more emergencies from neighboring cities. Drivers may face these fees if they are involved in a car accident to which the St. Andrews PSD responds in any of the following areas:

• St. Andrews Public Service District
• James Island Public Service District
• Charleston
• North Charleston
• Saint John’s Fire District

Known officially as a Motor Vehicle Service Fee, the crash tax has been seen as an unwelcome way to address budget concerns. For many, including our legal team here at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, the service fees are an extra burden on victims who’ve been involved in accidents. They are also a double tax on individuals who already pay their fair share. The fees are not covered by most auto insurance policies.

Although similar crash taxes are in place in more than two dozen districts across South Carolina, a number of states in America ban them. One representative from the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America who was present when the vote was taken said that passing the St. Andrews crash tax was a setback for drivers across the Charleston area. According to WCBD News 2, the crash tax will take effect in 30 days.

At George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, we believe that the new tax adds insult to injury to motorists who have had the misfortune of being in a car wreck. While the law has already been passed, it remains our mission to represent car crash victims and fight for the compensation they need to pay expenses that resulted from the accident.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident and would like to know how a South Carolina personal injury lawyer from our firm can help, call 888-612-7001 for a FREE case evaluation. We have offices located across the state, including Charleston.