Key Highlights:
- Rideshare Accident Liability: Liability depends on who caused the crash, your role in the accident, and the rideshare driver’s app status. Securing legal help from a Myrtle Beach Uber and Lyft accident lawyer can help you deal with these complex factors.
- Uber and Lyft Insurance: South Carolina requires different insurance coverage depending on whether the driver is offline, awaiting a ride request, or transporting a passenger.
- What to Do After a Crash: Call 911, seek medical care, document the scene, and collect the at-fault driver’s information.
- Compensation Available: You may seek damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and other accident-related losses.
- Three-Year Deadline: South Carolina generally gives injured individuals three years to file a personal injury claim, although exceptions and additional deadlines may apply.
Rideshare services offer a convenient way to navigate the Grand Strand, but booking an Uber or Lyft does not eliminate the risk of a serious collision. Whether you suffered injuries as a passenger during a ride or had your personal vehicle struck by a careless rideshare driver, you have the right to hold the responsible parties accountable.
In either situation, our Myrtle Beach personal injury team can step in to investigate the crash, establish liability, and pursue the full financial compensation you deserve.
When searching for a Myrtle Beach rideshare accident lawyer near me, keep in mind that with heavy traffic along major corridors like Kings Highway (US-17 Business), Ocean Boulevard, and Robert M. Grissom Parkway, especially during peak summer tourist season, rideshare accidents in Myrtle Beach frequently involve complex multi-vehicle collisions and out-of-state drivers.
In fact, a University of Chicago Booth School of Business study found that the introduction of ridesharing services was associated with an approximately 3% annual increase in motor-vehicle fatalities and fatal accidents.
Shelly Leeke Law Firm serves injured clients throughout South Carolina and recognizes the legal complexities of rideshare accidents. Our firm has almost two decades of experience helping clients seek the compensation they deserve when tragedies strike.
To learn how financial recovery can support your physical and financial healing, contact our Myrtle Beach car accident lawyer today or visit our nearby office for a free case evaluation.
Determining Fault and Liability in a Myrtle Beach Rideshare Crash
Pinpointing fault after a collision involving Uber or Lyft presents unique legal hurdles compared to standard traffic accidents. Establishing who is financially responsible for your medical bills and losses demands a detailed investigation led by our Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyers with decades of personal injury experience in fighting for victims across Horry County.
Key questions that determine liability after a crash on heavily traveled local roads, such as Kings Highway, Ocean Boulevard, or US-501, include:
- Is the rideshare driver, another driver, or an entity at fault in the accident?
- Were you traveling as a rideshare passenger, or were you driving a personal vehicle hit by a rideshare driver?
- Was the rideshare driver logged into the mobile platform and available for trips at the time of the crash?
- What specific app status phase was active when the impact occurred?
Auto insurance is a requirement for all drivers in South Carolina, according to the state’s Department of Insurance (DOI). If an Uber or Lyft driver causes your accident, they may be liable. You may pursue damages as part of a claim against the driver or their rideshare company.
If you are injured as a rideshare passenger, another driver, the rideshare company, or the rideshare driver will typically be responsible for your losses. If a negligent driver’s insurance policy limits fall short of your total losses, additional legal options, such as underinsured motorist coverage, may help bridge the gap.
If you were driving another vehicle and partially contributed to a rideshare crash in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rule applies. Your financial recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault, and you will be completely barred from recovering compensation if you are found to be more than 50% at fault.
Uber and Lyft Insurance Policies
South Carolina law establishes specific insurance requirements for transportation network companies (TNCs). If you are involved in a collision in Myrtle Beach or anywhere along the Grand Strand, the coverage that applies depends substantially on the rideshare driver’s app status when the crash occurred.
South Carolina’s Transportation Network Company Act addresses requirements for TNC operations and insurance, including provisions under S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-1610 and S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-1630. Uber and Lyft also maintain insurance policies that correspond with different stages of a driver’s activity on their platforms.
Phase 1: App Off and Personal Use
When a rideshare driver is not logged into the rideshare platform and is driving for personal purposes, the driver’s personal automobile insurance generally applies. The rideshare company’s transportation network coverage does not ordinarily apply to this period.
Phase 2: App On, Awaiting a Ride Request
When a driver is logged into the rideshare platform and is available to receive a ride request but has not yet accepted a prearranged ride, South Carolina requires qualifying primary automobile liability coverage of at least:
- $50,000 for death or bodily injury to one person
- $100,000 for death or bodily injury in one incident
- $50,000 for property damage
The required coverage may be satisfied through insurance maintained by the driver, the rideshare company, or both, depending on the circumstances and applicable policy terms.
Uber and Lyft may also provide coverage during this stage under their respective insurance policies. Because company policies and state requirements can differ, the applicable coverage should be verified for the specific accident.
Phase 3: Accepted Ride or Passenger On Board
Once a rideshare driver is engaged in a prearranged ride, South Carolina law requires primary automobile liability coverage of at least $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage. Uber and Lyft likewise identify at least $1 million in third-party liability coverage for covered accidents occurring while a driver is en route to a passenger or during a ride.
This distinction can be particularly important when a passenger is injured because the driver’s precise status in the rideshare application may affect which policy or policies are available.
If a rideshare driver causes your accident, you may be able to pursue compensation through applicable insurance coverage and, depending on the facts, claims involving the driver or other responsible parties. Determining the correct source of coverage is often one of the first important steps in evaluating a rideshare accident claim.
Because insurance policies and legal requirements can change, coverage amounts should be confirmed against current South Carolina law and the applicable Uber or Lyft policy before relying on a particular figure.
What to Do After a Ridesharing Accident
A ridesharing crash can be a traumatic experience for all involved. Regardless, it may be in your best interests to try to remain calm in the moments after your collision. Before you search for a “rideshare accident lawyer near me’, here are things you can do to get through the incident without putting yourself or anyone else in further danger:
- Call 911 for Emergency Services: Request law enforcement, such as the Myrtle Beach Police Department, Horry County Police, or South Carolina Highway Patrol, to secure the scene and file an official police report.
- Seek Immediate Medical Care: Go directly to an emergency department or trauma facility, such as Grand Strand Medical Center or South Strand ER. Prompt medical documentation links your injuries directly to the crash.
- Screenshot the Rideshare App Immediately: Take screenshots of your active Uber or Lyft trip screen, driver profile, fare receipt, and vehicle information before the ride session closes or resets.
- Document the Scene: Capture photos and videos of vehicle damage, road conditions along major thoroughfares (like Kings Highway or Ocean Boulevard), traffic signals, and visible injuries.
- Exchange Driver Information: Obtain the full name, contact details, driver’s license number, personal auto insurance information, and vehicle license plate number for every driver involved.
- Gather Witness Details: Collect contact information from passengers, bystanders, or nearby business owners who witnessed the collision.
In addition to these immediate steps, consulting a local legal team by searching for a “Myrtle Beach Uber and Lyft accident lawyer near me” helps safeguard your rights early in the process.
How a Myrtle Beach Rideshare Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Our firm guides you through every stage of the insurance and legal process, providing the steady support highlighted in our client reviews. When you work with us, a skilled Myrtle Beach rideshare collision lawyer handles the complex investigative work and negotiations; allowing you to focus on your health while we advocate for you in Horry County and across the Grand Strand. Our team assists by:
- Questioning eyewitnesses to gather clear, multi-angle accounts of the crash.
- Calculating total financial losses, covering past medical bills, current expenses, and future care needs.
- Preserving critical digital evidence through legal actions—including dashcam and surveillance video, vehicle black box data, driver app logs, and mobile phone records.
- Handling insurance communications directly to protect your rights and shield your claim from bad-faith tactics.
- Advising on common missteps to ensure you avoid actions that could compromise your financial recovery.
- Collaborating with reconstruction specialists and expert witnesses to construct a compelling argument if your case goes to trial.
Discover how our dedicated legal team tailors our representation to pursue the best possible outcome for your claim.
Settling Your Myrtle Beach Rideshare Claim Out of Court
Negotiating an out-of-court settlement with an auto insurance carrier is often possible after an Uber or Lyft crash, and it generally resolves much faster than pursuing formal trial litigation. If an initial settlement proposal falls short of covering your full damages, it is vital not to delay in exploring every additional legal option available to secure adequate compensation.
While our legal team cannot guarantee a specific outcome in any individual case, having dedicated representation:
- streamlines the claims process
- prevents insurance adjusters from stalling negotiations and
- helps injury victims across Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand move forward as efficiently as possible.
Ridesharing Accident Claim Statute of Limitations
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5), South Carolina enforces a strict three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims resulting from a Myrtle Beach rideshare collision.
Important Note: Deadlines can vary, and there are exceptions, so speak directly to an attorney. For example, statutory tolling rules under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-40 may pause deadlines for minors or legally incapacitated individuals. Conversely, if your claim involves a city, county, state agency, or public transit entity, the South Carolina Tort Claims Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 15-78-110) shortens the filing deadline to two years.
If settlement negotiations fail, personal injury lawsuits for collisions occurring in Myrtle Beach are filed in the Horry County Circuit Court (Fifteenth Judicial Circuit).
You may request economic and non-economic damages in a rideshare crash claim.
- In a rideshare claim, you may seek economic damages for quantifiable losses such as medical care at Grand Strand Medical Center, rehabilitation, and lost wages, as well as
- Non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
If your potential claim involves a city, county, state agency, or other governmental entity, additional notice requirements or shorter deadlines may apply. These claims should be reviewed promptly by an attorney.
Comparative Negligence in a Myrtle Beach Ridesharing Accident Case
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule recognized in Nelson v. Concrete Supply Co. (1991). Under this rule, an injured person may recover damages if they are not more than 50% at fault, but any recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault.
For instance, if a court assigns you 10% of the blame for an Uber or Lyft crash along Kings Highway or Ocean Boulevard, the defendant remains 90% liable. In this scenario, your total compensation award is reduced by your 10% share of fault, requiring the at-fault party to cover the remaining 90% of your financial losses.
Furthermore, because rideshare crashes often involve multiple at-fault parties, we navigate the South Carolina Contribution Among Tortfeasors Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 15-38-10) to ensure fault is properly apportioned and corporate adjusters cannot improperly shift the blame onto you.
Under South Carolina’s comparative fault rules, however, bearing primary responsibility for a rideshare collision completely bars you from collecting financial recovery.
Consequently, South Carolina’s comparative negligence rules dictate that your financial recovery decreases in direct proportion to your assigned percentage of fault. Partnering with a skilled personal injury attorney is vital to contest inaccurate police reports or insurance adjusters attempting to unfairly shift liability onto you.
Potential Compensation in a Myrtle Beach Rideshare Accident
Your financial recovery correlates with your injuries and the advocacy you receive. You may be led to believe your damages are worth far less than they are. Our Myrtle Beach rideshare accident attorneys identify critical costs, including treatment at local facilities like Grand Strand Medical Center, to restore you to your pre-accident financial state, accounting for:
- All medical and medication expenses, including ongoing therapies and care.
- Lost wages, bonuses, and income.
- Assistance with personal needs during your recovery, such as home maintenance, grocery shopping, or childcare.
- Other out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel costs or hotel stays for appointments.
- Pain and suffering.
- Home or vehicle modifications.
- Property damage.
These are only a few of the damages you may receive. When a rideshare accident causes the death of a loved one, a Myrtle Beach wrongful death lawyer provides the compassionate support your family deserves. Filing a civil wrongful death lawsuit under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-51-10 differs from a criminal case, allowing surviving family members to seek financial stability for the losses resulting from their loved one’s absence.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Rideshare Accident Attorney in Myrtle Beach
Firm Founder Shelly Leeke has over a decade of personal injury litigation experience serving clients across South Carolina. Admitted to the South Carolina Bar and dedicated to protecting injury victims, she offers a no-win, no-fee guarantee on all rideshare accident claims.
For more information or to request a free case consultation, contact us today at (843) 428-6934 or visit us in our office. We proudly serve clients throughout Myrtle Beach and the surrounding Grand Strand region from our nearby office location at 1012 16th Ave NW, Unit #126, Surfside Beach, SC 29575.
Shelly Leeke Law Firm is on your side when a rideshare accident threatens your health and financial security. Waiting to speak with a Myrtle Beach rideshare accident attorney may compromise your claim. Schedule a no-obligation case review now.
FAQs: Myrtle Beach Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyer!
What if my Uber or Lyft accident happened on Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach?
The location of the collision does not by itself determine who is liable. A crash on Kings Highway or another Myrtle Beach roadway still requires an examination of the drivers’ conduct, traffic conditions, available evidence, and insurance coverage.
What if I was visiting Myrtle Beach as an out-of-state tourist when my rideshare crashed?
South Carolina personal injury law governs any collision occurring within Myrtle Beach or Horry County, regardless of your home state. You can hire a local South Carolina personal injury attorney to handle insurance negotiations and filings in the Horry County Circuit Court on your behalf.
What if my Uber or Lyft accident happened at Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)?
Rideshare accidents on airport grounds are investigated by the Horry County Department of Airports Police or local law enforcement. Because airport authorities maintain extensive security camera coverage, your attorney can move quickly to subpoena airport surveillance footage to establish liability.
What if a rideshare vehicle hit my car?
If an Uber or Lyft driver hits your personal vehicle, liability depends on their app status at the moment of impact. If their app was off, their personal insurance applies. If they were logged in or transporting a passenger, the rideshare company’s commercial policy may cover your losses.
Can I sue Uber or Lyft directly?
Rideshare drivers are generally classified as independent contractors rather than employees, which often shields rideshare companies from direct vicarious liability. However, you can file a claim against the corporate commercial insurance policies provided by Uber or Lyft.
