Key Highlights:
- When you hire an experienced Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer, you are protected from any insurance adjusters who demand recorded statements.
- According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there are over 11,000 car accidents that occur each year in Horry County.
- In South Carolina, there is no chance of financial compensation if the court finds you at 51 percent fault.
- Recently, there has been a law change requiring golf carts to have particular permits and only be used during daytime.
- Our professional legal team guarantees zero fees until your compensation is recovered.
After being affected by an accident in Horry County, the key step to take is to have aggressive legal representation from a Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer.
Grand Strand Collisions: The Truth
Myrtle Beach lives off its tourists. That tourism flood makes local car accidents entirely different from normal. Drivers unfamiliar with the Kings Highway will suddenly change lanes in unpredictable ways.Â
Visitors drive rented golf cars and mopeds down busy streets they’ve never even been down before. Hotel swimming pools and boardwalk parking lots will be bustling with pedestrians in July rather than February.Â
Regardless of how long you’ve lived here or if you’re just visiting for a week, the following questions will be just as pertinent. You’ll need to know who is paying the hospital bill. You’ll want to know if you’re able to go back to work. You need an expert Myrtle Beach personal injury attorney, or personal injury lawyer Myrtle Beach SC.Â
Shelly Leeke Law Firm has been advocating for the rights of injured people in South Carolina since 2007. We have a full team of Grand Strand injury lawyer professionals that handles civil litigation in all of coastal South Carolina. The initial consultation is completely free. The lawyer fees don’t start unless we get your money.
Injury Incidents in The Grand Strand Area
Horry County has one of the highest incidences of traffic crashes and fatalities in the state of South Carolina, making the case for hiring a Horry County personal injury lawyer. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety states that the fiscal year ending 2024 resulted in extremely high figures.
| Collision Type | Total Incidents (Collisions) | Persons Killed | Persons Seriously Injured | Persons with Other Injuries |
| Fatal | 58 | 59 | N/A | N/A |
| Serious Injury | 176 | N/A | 208 | N/A |
| Other Injury | 2,908 | N/A | N/A | 4,503 |
| Property Damage Only (PDO) | 7,961 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 11,103 | 59 | 208 | 4,503 |
From 2019 to 2024, Horry County saw 68,143 accidents leading to 366 deaths and 1,335 severe injuries.Â
The roadways that lead to the majority of Grand Strand injury lawyer-handled claims are precisely the same roadways that residents avoid. The US-17 Kings Highway and the US-17 Bypass are still highly dangerous corridors. The SC-31 Carolina Bays Parkway and US-501 to Conway carry heavy congestion. SC-544 and SC-9 regularly witness violent side collisions. Ocean Boulevard creates a hazardous situation by bringing pedestrians and angled parking into proximity with the slowly moving rental cars.Â
There are two unique factors that distinguish coastal roads from the rest of the state. Traffic volume varies tremendously during the year. A road that can easily accommodate local traffic in March is fully overloaded in July. Moreover, there is a huge percentage of drivers who do not know the roads at all and act unpredictably in unfamiliar intersections.
Cases that Our Firm Manages in Myrtle Beach
There are numerous ways that corporations can be negligent in their actions and engage in irresponsible activities in the Grand Strand. Our experienced trial lawyers have the necessary statutory expertise to deal with cases across several legal disciplines.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
A determined Myrtle Beach car accident lawyer handles complicated motor vehicle accidents for victims who involve out-of-state drivers and uninsured rental cars. Our trial lawyers litigate complicated truck accidents and motorcycle accidents. We represent vulnerable clients in pedestrian and bicycle accident lawsuits.
Golf Cart Accident Litigation in South Carolina
Golf carts are governed by statute in South Carolina, per golf cart accident South Carolina law. More injuries from golf carts occur in the Grand Strand compared to any other place in the state. It is essential to have a Myrtle Beach golf cart accident lawyer.Â
According to the S.C. Code 56-2-105, a golf cart operating on public roads should have the permit decal and the registration of the same from the SCDMV. The driver of the golf cart should be at least 16 years old and should have a valid driver’s license. Operation is limited only to daylight hours and only on secondary highways which are posted at 35 mph or less.Â
An important amendment that took place in 2024 was the extension of the allowed four-mile radius, which also covers the temporary vacation address of the permit holder. This act was recently updated by Act No. 64 in 2025. All passengers under 12 years must have their seat belts on.Â
Two major considerations in the local municipal ordinance are significant:
- Political subdivisions are allowed to limit the four-mile radius to a two-mile radius on certain designated streets.Â
- In the case of Myrtle Beach City, daylight hours are defined as after 6 a.m. and not later than 6 p.m.
Violation of these limitations raises the comparative fault argument instantly, because there is no occupant protection offered by the golf cart. The insurance scenario will be complex with the rental company’s policy and the liability golf cart coverage.
Dealing with a Moped Accident Myrtle Beach
Motorbikes or mopeds are widely used in the Grand Strand. These are regulated under special provisions in the state laws. Each city has its own ordinances dealing with the installation of safety devices and areas where mopeds can travel. In a recent devastating moped accident in Myrtle Beach, whether the operator of the rented moped had obeyed all local ordinances is a live legal issue.
Complicated Premises Liability Issues
The owner of a property owes the highest standard of care. Our skilled hotel injury lawyer Myrtle Beach has proven expertise in defeating the open and obvious doctrine in a case involving corporate defendants. We routinely handle cases of pool deck injuries and broken stairs. You can learn more about Myrtle Beach slip and fall lawyer services at our South Carolina premises liability page.Â
In cases of injuries sustained in municipal and county premises, the South Carolina Tort Claims Act directly applies to the situation. There is a capped compensation limit in such cases.
Additional PI Claims
Our company strongly supports those suffering from a traumatic experience with an added layer of bureaucracy.
- Dog Bites: Strict liability claims are enforced by a Myrtle Beach dog bite lawyer.
- Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect: Our attorneys pursue nursing homes that negligently take care of their residents.
- Catastrophic Personal Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury: Our lawyers work on estimating tremendous lifetime medical expenses.
- Wrongful Death: Our specialized Myrtle Beach wrongful death lawyer helps families meet tough probate court regulations.
- Workplace Injuries: We assist our local clients with their workers’ compensation and Social Security disability claims.
Fault Determination in South Carolina
For liability determination, there is a need for an accurate comprehension of the tort laws of that state. There is a great effort by insurance adjusters to try to place responsibility on victims to reduce their liability.
Comparative Negligence in South Carolina
South Carolina adopts the rule of modified South Carolina comparative negligence. This was recognized by the Supreme Court of South Carolina in the case of Nelson v. Concrete Supply Co.Â
You will be able to claim money for any damage provided that your portion of liability is 50 percent or less. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault, and when it is above 50 percent, then your recovery will amount to zero.Â
Use the following online calculator to get a better insight into the mathematical formula used here.
Proof of Fault
The police collision report and citations provide the basic ground. The fault of disputed cases is determined by independent witnesses. It is important to send out preservation letters promptly since the boardwalk business camera system overwrites footage for July by August.
Change as of January 1, 2026
The South Carolina legislature enacted sweeping tort reform in 2025. Act No. 42 of 2025 (H.3430) modified South Carolina’s tort laws for causes of action occurring on or after January 1, 2026. The defendants can now request that the jury consider nonparty tortfeasors on the verdict form. The defendants are blaming a “phantom driver” sitting in an empty chair.
What You Can Recover in Your Personal Injury Claim in Myrtle Beach
In South Carolina, economic and non-economic damages are awarded in personal injury cases.Â
Economic damages include:
- cost of emergency hospital care and medical treatment in addition toÂ
- lost earnings and property damage.Â
Non-economic damages include:
- payment for your pain and sufferingÂ
- and permanent disfigurement.
The South Carolina Damages Caps 2026
Most injury cases do not have any cap on compensatory damages. There are only three categories that have a cap on the same.Â
Claims against government entities are capped at 300,000 dollars per individual based on the South Carolina Tort Claims Act. Claims against charitable organizations also have the same statutory cap.
Medical Malpractice Cap in South Carolina 2026
The medical malpractice cap South Carolina 2026 is set at 596,001 dollars against one defendant and 1,788,002 against all defendants. This number is updated every year by the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. The 350,000 dollars mentioned in the statute is only the 2005 base figure.Â
Punitive damages are subject to the following cap under 15-32-530. Punitive damages are capped at either three times compensatory damages or the statutory inflation-adjusted amount. No attorney can evaluate a case without first obtaining your medical records and evaluating your insurance coverage.
The South Carolina Statute of Limitations Personal Injury
In most cases of South Carolina personal injury claims, there is a time limit of three years from the date of injury for filing the claim according to S.C. Code 15-3-530(5). Failing to do so will result in the dismissal of the case.
- Standard Personal Injury Claim: You have exactly three years from the date of the injury to file your lawsuit.
- Wrongful Death Claims: You have exactly three years from the actual date of death and not from the injury date.
- Claims Against Government Entities: There is a short two-year time period which can be stretched to three years only if a verified petition is filed within one year.
- Medical Malpractice: 3 years from treatment or discovery, not to exceed six years from the occurrence (§ 15-3-545), plus the pre-suit Notice of Intent
- Minors and Legal Incapacity: May be tolled; the rules are narrower than most people assume
This time limit is the absolute limit. There may be rapid changes in ownership of businesses that operate on a seasonal basis. The employees who witnessed any incident tend to leave once the season is over. If you suffered injury while visiting, the evidence remains in Horry County.
Where a Myrtle Beach Case Can be Filed
Horry County’s county seat is located in Conway, not Myrtle Beach. Civil injury cases that are filed out of Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, or Murrells Inlet will be filed in the Horry County Court of Common Pleas Conway.Â
This courthouse is the home court for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. Federal claims that need filing will require the U.S. District Court Florence Division. A seasoned Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer determines the right venue at once.
How a Myrtle Beach Injury Case is Handled
Your first consultation is free, with no commitment. We conduct an aggressive investigation before we argue. We obtain the reports, photos, and the crucial surveillance footage.Â
The communication with the insurance company will be solely from our office. The incessant phone calls will cease immediately. We do not place any value on a case until we know your medical prognosis. It is the most costly common mistake to settle your case while still under treatment or before reaching maximum medical improvement. Once you sign the release, you cannot change your mind.Â
We always negotiate from a full documentation standpoint. Should the offer be unreasonable, we begin preparation for filing a lawsuit immediately. A company unwilling to litigate cannot negotiate effectively.
Reasons Why Myrtle Beach Clients Pick Shelly Leeke Law Firm
Our law firm has fought against big insurance companies since 2007. Our attorney, Shelly Leeke, was an insurance lawyer before handling cases for plaintiffs. She knows how they play the game in court.Â
We are the law firm you should call when you require a top-rated personal injury lawyer Myrtle Beach SC. We have offices in Myrtle Beach and in other parts of South Carolina, your personal injury attorney near me Myrtle Beach. Find your nearest office today. We practice only on a contingency fee system.
Meet With a Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been hurt as a result of blatant carelessness on the part of a corporation, we will assess your case free of charge as your dedicated Myrtle Beach personal injury attorney.
Contact us at (843) 428-6934 or request a free consultation. We work round the clock. Hablamos español! We will stand by your side.
FAQs: Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Lawyer!
What if I was injured on vacation in South Carolina?
You will not have to come back. Vacation injuries in South Carolina are processed from afar. It is more important to preserve the local evidence.
What is the exact Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer cost?
You do not have to pay anything in advance. The price for hiring a Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer is charged as a contingency fee only.
How long will my civil case take?
Cases where there is a liable party settle within just several months. Complex injuries and disputes over fault prolong the process significantly.
Who pays medical bills after an accident SC?
The responsible party’s insurance company does not make any payments until the settlement is finalized. The medical insurance pays the bills right away, and we negotiate the lien amounts once we settle the case.
The hotel asked me to sign an incident report. Should I?
Factual documentation is allowed, but you should never sign a release that would relinquish any of your claims. Do not make recorded statements until you have been diagnosed.
