Myrtle Beach attracts millions of tourists to South Carolina each year. Whether on vacation or going about their daily lives, people in cars and trucks, on motorcycles, and on foot all converge on the Grand Strand.
You cannot control careless drivers who disregard Myrtle Beach speed limits and traffic laws, nor those who are distracted by the beach town’s sights and sounds when they should be focusing on the road. However, when a driver’s carelessness or negligence causes you serious injuries, you can control how to respond.
To hold the negligent driver fully accountable after a car crash, you need an experienced Myrtle Beach car accident lawyer whose guidance you can trust and who cares about you, not just their paycheck. Our Myrtle Beach car accident attorneys at Joye Law Firm are ready to help. Our injury attorneys have more than 300 years of combined legal experience, and we treat all our clients with the compassion and respect they deserve.
Our goal is to help you recover full compensation for the injuries and losses wrongly inflicted upon you and to help you put your accident behind you.
During a free, no-obligation consultation, we will listen carefully to your concerns and explain your legal options and how we can help. Contact us now at (888) 324-3100 or online if you are facing medical expenses due to car accident injuries someone else has caused.
Car Accident Statistics for Myrtle Beach
Horry County, which includes Myrtle Beach, has some of the highest counts of motor vehicle accidents in South Carolina. Statistics compiled by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety show that the S.C. Highway Patrol investigated 64 traffic fatalities in Horry County in 2023, a number topped only by much larger Greenville, Charleston, and Spartanburg counties.
Horry County traffic deaths in 2023 accounted for 6.4% of the state’s total 997 traffic fatalities. As recently as 2019, Horry County had the highest number of traffic deaths in the state, with 61 – 8% of the state’s total.
The types of motor vehicle accidents you are likely to encounter in the Myrtle Beach area that Joye Law Firm can help you with include:
- Drunk driving accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Drowsy driving accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Side-impact or T-bone collisions
- Sideswipe collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Accidents involving motorcycles
- Pedestrian accidents
Drunk driving, distracted driving, and drowsy driving are more common in tourist areas such as Myrtle Beach.
Vacationers who are partying in Myrtle Beach sometimes get behind the wheel while impaired and cause preventable, drug or alcohol-related accidents. Other drivers pay more attention to what is happening on the Grand Strand’s sidewalks than on the road ahead, and cause distracted driving accidents.
Drunk, distracted, and drowsy drivers jeopardize the safety of everyone they encounter. They should be held accountable for the accidents and injuries they cause. A personal injury lawyer at Joye Law Firm can help you understand your rights and hold the at-fault driver financially responsible for your injuries.
Common Car Crash Injuries in Myrtle Beach
People injured in car accidents often sustain injuries by being slammed against a safety restraint such as a seatbelt shoulder strap or the car’s hard interior surfaces such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or door panels. The rapid deployment of airbags during a collision also can cause injuries. Meanwhile, a driver or passenger not wearing seatbelts can be thrown into the windshield or ejected from the vehicle, resulting in serious and even fatal injuries.
Among the most common car accident injuries are:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injury (TBI): A blow, violent jolt, or penetrating injury to the head can cause bruising, tearing, bleeding, or other brain damage. A concussion is a mild TBI that usually heals over a few weeks. A severe TBI can cause a variety of long-lasting or debilitating problems.
- Neck injuries and whiplash: Whiplash is a traumatic injury to neck muscles, ligaments, and spinal disks that happens when the head is forced to move backward and then suddenly snap forward, such as by the force of the impact in a car crash. Rear-end collisions are the most common cause of whiplash injuries. A whiplash patient may suffer chronic pain and problems with memory, concentration, and sleep.
- Back injuries: A sudden blow to the back, or accidents that cause awkward bending or twisting of the spine, can damage vertebrae, spinal disks, or the spinal cord. A spinal cord injury that tears the spinal cord can cause loss of function or paralysis in one or more limbs (paraplegia) or over larger portions of the victim’s body (tetraplegia or quadriplegia).
- Broken bones: Fractures, such as broken arms, legs, collarbones, or ribs are frequent injuries suffered from the type of blunt-force trauma experienced in car crashes. Often people with simple fractures typically heal in six to eight weeks in a cast and may have difficulty working or performing basic tasks until they do. More complex bone fractures may require surgery and entail lengthy physical therapy.
- Internal organ injuries: The impact of being slammed against the steering wheel or dashboard in a car crash can fracture the sternum and ribs, rupture or tear the diaphragm (the muscle below the lungs that aids respiration), or injure the liver, spleen, kidneys, or other internal organs. Fractured ribs that become displaced can puncture the lungs or tear into internal organs. Injuries to internal organs may require surgery.
- Cuts: Minor cuts are soft tissue injuries that often heal quickly. Deep cuts, however, can damage deep muscle tissue or internal organs and pose a severe risk of blood loss and infection. Extensive blood loss from serious lacerations can cause the victim to go into shock. Cuts and bruises to the eyes can even result in permanent vision loss.
- Burns: Car accident victims may be burned by contact with hot parts of the vehicle, escaping liquids or steam, smoke, or flames in a serious crash. Burns are extremely painful and can cause deep tissue damage. Burn injuries can be fatal or require years of expensive treatment. In addition to injury from contact with fire or extreme heat, inhaling smoke from a car fire can cause lung damage.
- Facial Injuries: A driver or passenger who is slammed against the vehicle’s interior structure in a crash or who is struck by broken glass or metal shards may suffer facial cuts that cause scarring and disfigurement. Even the force of an inflating airbag could break a person’s jaw or other facial bones or cause severe bruising.
Long-Term Consequences of Severe Car Accident Injuries
Many car accident injuries lead to prolonged difficulties. For example, victims with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) might experience ongoing cognitive issues, affecting their work and social life, and potentially leading to depression. Spinal injuries can result in permanent disabilities, drastically altering one’s lifestyle and necessitating continuous care.
The financial burden of long-term injuries is substantial, including ongoing medical costs, lost earnings, and necessary home modifications. The emotional strain of adjusting to these changes can be overwhelming, often requiring psychological support. This financial and emotional toll extends to the victim’s family, who may face their own stresses and lifestyle adjustments.
You should not have to face overwhelming medical bills and financial losses because of injuries caused by another driver’s carelessness on your own. South Carolina law allows injured people to seek compensation for their losses when another’s negligence caused them harm.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident caused by someone else, you need a car accident lawyer who knows South Carolina law and can advocate strongly for your interests.
Steps to Take (and Mistakes to Avoid!) After a Car Accident in Myrtle Beach
In the chaotic moments following a car accident, it’s crucial to stay focused and take the right steps to protect your rights and yourself. Here’s a checklist of actions to take immediately:
- Ensure Safety: Move to a safe area away from traffic if possible. Turn on your hazard lights.
- Check for Injuries: Assess yourself and others for injuries. Call 911 for medical assistance, if needed.
- Call the Police: Report the accident to the police, even if it seems minor. A police report is a vital document for insurance and legal purposes.
- Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, contact, and insurance details. Provide your information as well, but avoid unnecessary discussions about the accident.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and your injuries. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information.
- Notify Your Insurance: Inform your insurance company about the accident, even if it wasn’t your fault. Stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault or giving a detailed statement without getting legal advice from an experienced car accident lawyer first.
- Contact a Car Accident Lawyer: Consulting with an attorney early can help you navigate the claims process and avoid pitfalls.
The 5 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid
Of course, in the aftermath of an accident and without the right knowledge, it’s easy to make mistakes that can jeopardize your claim. The following are some common pitfalls to avoid:
- Admitting Fault: Even saying “I’m sorry” can be misconstrued as an admission of guilt. Only discuss the accident details with the police and your lawyer.
- Not Calling the Police: A police report is a critical piece of evidence. Not having one can complicate the insurance claim process.
- Skipping Medical Attention: Failing to seek medical care can be interpreted as you not being seriously injured, reducing your claim’s credibility.
- Accepting a Quick Settlement: Early offers are often much lower than what you’re entitled torecieve. Never accept a settlement without consulting your attorney.
- Posting on Social Media: Insurance companies may monitor your social media for any posts that can undermine your claim. It’s best to stay quiet about your accident online.
Taking the right steps and avoiding common mistakes can significantly impact the outcome of your claim. Our Myrtle Beach car accident attorneys at Joye Law Firm are committed to guiding you through each step, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Comparative Negligence in South Carolina
In South Carolina, the concept of comparative negligence plays a crucial role in determining compensation after a car accident. This legal principle acknowledges that more than one party can be at fault in an auto accident. Under the state’s modified comparative negligence system, each party involved is assigned a percentage of fault. Your ability to recover damages is contingent upon your percentage of responsibility for the crash.
If you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still receive compensation. However, the total amount you’re eligible to receive, if your case goes to trial, will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but are found to be 30% responsible for the accident, that compensation would be reduced by 30% to $70,000.
It’s important to note that if you are more than 50% at fault, you will be barred from recovering any compensation. Insurance companies often use this rule to their advantage, attempting to shift more blame onto you to reduce or deny your claim. This means it’s essential to have a knowledgeable attorney who can effectively represent your interests, challenge unfair fault assessments, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Understanding and navigating the comparative negligence rule can be complex, but it’s a critical aspect of your car accident claim. At Joye Law Firm, our experienced attorneys have a deep understanding of South Carolina’s laws and will work to ensure a fair evaluation of fault and secure the compensation you need to recover.
Why You Need an Attorney Following a Car Accident in Myrtle Beach
A Myrtle Beach auto accident lawyer at Joye Law Firm can help in several ways if you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident.
Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the car accident and identify all the potentially responsible parties. We will help make sure you get all the medical treatment you need, especially if you have been seriously injured and need specialized care. Because prompt medical attention is important to achieve the best recovery, we can help you get a referral to a specialist, if your injuries require it.
You may be eligible to claim compensation, even if you were partially responsible for causing the crash. We will identify all insurance policies that may provide compensation for your injuries and file claims on your behalf.
Most people injured in a car accident have no idea what the fair value of their claim is. We can stop insurance adjusters from trying to take advantage of your lack of familiarity with the claims process. Our car accident attorneys will track your expenses and losses, and provide guidance based on our years of experience. We will determine what a fair settlement should be based on the extent of your injuries, your lost income, and the impact of the injuries on your present and future.
We can also submit demand letters to all insurers that have liability for the accident. We will negotiate aggressively for a fair and proper settlement and, if necessary, be prepared to pursue a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. Most car accident claims can be settled appropriately through negotiations, but we have a strong track record of court verdicts and settlements.
You do not need the stress of dealing with a car accident injury claim in Myrtle Beach. We can take care of everything for you, and keep you informed of our progress on your case. Our car accident attorneys at Joye Law Firm place a priority on good client communication. If we receive a settlement offer on your behalf, we will discuss it with you.
How We Help Our Clients
We have a track record of success in car accident cases. It’s our goal to help victims of negligence get the compensation they deserve.
Attorney Tommy Terrell of Joye Law Firm adeptly navigated a personal injury case for a 60-year-old Myrtle Beach resident with a pre-existing condition, who was severely injured in a rear-end collision caused by a reckless driver. Through negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance and the client’s own underinsured motorist coverage, Terrell secured a $450,000 settlement, significantly mitigating the financial impact of over $300,000 in medical bills from the accident.
The case demonstrates the importance of updated medical evidence, such as a post-accident MRI, in proving the worsening of pre-existing conditions due to the accident, which was instrumental in achieving the policy limits from both insurance providers. This settlement not only alleviated the client’s financial strain, but also highlighted the value of underinsured motorist coverage and the crucial role of skilled legal representation in personal injury claims.
Check out our case studies to learn more about the work we’ve done for our clients.
Contact a Myrtle Beach Car Accident Attorney from Joye Law Firm
If your life has been shattered by a car accident in Myrtle Beach, Horry County or anywhere in South Carolina, let our car accident lawyers help you get the care you need and an insurance settlement that makes you financially whole.
Reach out to Joye Law Firm by calling (888) 324-3100 or by using this online contact form for a free case review.
