From 911 to settlement: the essential Myrtle Beach car accident checklist

Myrtle Beach roads get busy—tourist traffic on Highway 17, Ocean Boulevard, Kings Highway, and neighborhood streets means fender-benders and serious crashes can happen in an instant.

If you’ve been injured in a wreck, the choices you make in the first hours and days can make a big difference in your health, your stress level, and the outcome of your claim.

Below is a practical, step-by-step guide that our team gives family and friends. Keep it handy, and if you need help right now, call 843-448-HELP (4357) for a free consultation.

Step 1: Call 911 and Get an Official Report

Even if the vehicles seem drivable or the damage looks minor, call 911 and wait for law enforcement.

Ask the officer for the incident/report number before you leave. That report anchors your claim to facts, protects you if the story changes later, and keeps the paper trail clean.

Pro tip: If anyone suggests “handling it between us,” decline politely. Insurance carriers—and future you—will want the official documentation.

Step 2: Photograph Everything (Really—Everything)

Your phone is your best witness.

• Vehicle damage (all sides), license plates, VIN stickers
• The wider scene: intersection, lanes, traffic lights/signs, weather, skid marks
• Close-ups: deployed airbags, broken glass, transferred paint
• Your injuries, bruising, and torn clothing
• Landmarks: Highway 17 Bypass/Business, Ocean Blvd, Kings Hwy, Robert Grissom Pkwy—anything that situates the crash in Myrtle Beach

Shoot both wide and tight angles. Take a quick video walking the scene; audio-narrate the date, time, and what you’re capturing.

Step 3: Exchange Complete Information

Collect for every driver and witness:

• Full name, phone, and email
• Driver’s license and license plate numbers
• Insurance company and policy number
• Vehicle make, model, year, color

Don’t rely on a single snapshot of someone’s insurance card. Double-check numbers for typos before you leave.

Step 4: Get Medical Care Within 24–48 Hours

Adrenaline can mask injuries. ER or urgent care is the safest first stop, followed by your primary care doctor or a specialist.

Tell providers exactly how the crash happened and every symptom you feel—even if it seems small (headache, neck stiffness, dizziness, numbness).

That early documentation ties the injury to the wreck and speeds proper treatment.

If symptoms worsen later—especially neck, back, head, or shoulder pain—go back. Delayed symptoms are common.

Step 5: Notify Your Insurer—Keep It Short

You should report the crash promptly, but stick to the facts (who, when, where).

Do not guess about fault, speed, or injuries, and do not give a recorded statement to another driver’s insurer before you’ve received legal guidance.

A polite response, such as “I’m still receiving medical care and prefer to speak after consulting counsel,” is sufficient.

Step 6: Don’t Post About the Crash

It’s normal to want to update friends, but social content is often used in claims.

Photos of weekend activities, gym check-ins, or smiling selfies can be twisted to minimize injuries.

Tighten privacy settings and pause posting until your case is resolved.

Step 7: Track Every Expense and Impact

Create a simple folder (digital or paper) and log:

• Medical bills and co-pays
• Prescriptions and over-the-counter supplies
• Mileage to appointments and parking fees
• Tow, storage, and rental car costs
• Missed work and lost income (keep employer notes/pay stubs)
• Out-of-pocket help (childcare, lawn care, rides)

Also, keep a daily symptoms journal. Note pain levels, sleep issues, how injuries limit work, hobbies, or caregiving. These details make your claim more human—and provable.

Step 8: Special Myrtle Beach Situations (Tourists, Rentals, Golf Carts & Rideshare)

• Out-of-state drivers / rental cars: Tourist traffic means multiple policies may be in play. Coverage rules and contact points may differ from those in typical South Carolina claims.
• Uber/Lyft or delivery vehicles: Coverage can depend on whether the app was on and the stage of the trip. Screenshot ride screens and driver info.
• Golf carts / low-speed vehicles: Treat it like a car crash—photograph the scene, collect information, and ask if the cart was street-legal where it was being driven.

These cases involve overlapping insurers and finger-pointing. Local counsel helps you avoid delays and lowball offers.

Step 9: Be Careful With Medical Release Forms

Insurers may send broad medical authorizations that open your entire history. Before signing anything, have an attorney review the request to ensure that only crash-related records are shared.

Step 10: Property Damage Basics

• Take photographs of the car before the repairs and keep copies of all estimates.
• Ask the body shop to save damaged parts if possible.
• Where available, request OEM parts (original equipment manufacturer) for optimal performance.
• Keep receipts for towing, storage, and rental vehicles.

“Am I Out of Luck If I’m Partly at Fault?”

Not necessarily!

Being partly responsible does not automatically end your case. South Carolina uses a comparative-fault system, which means your compensation can be adjusted by your share of responsibility.

The key is not to assume the worst—get specific advice before you give statements or accept blame.

“Will I Have to Go to Court?”

Many cases settle out of court once the whole picture—medical treatment, wage loss, and future needs—is documented.

However, if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, a trial may be the best course of action.

The right firm prepares from day one as if a trial is possible, which often leads to stronger settlements.

A Simple, Saveable Checklist

• ✅ Call 911 and get the report number
• ✅ Photograph vehicles, plates, scene, and injuries
• ✅ Exchange full info with drivers and witnesses
• ✅ Seek medical care within 24–48 hours (and follow up)
• ✅ Notify your insurer—facts only, no recorded statements yet
• ✅ Pause social media posting
• ✅ Track bills, mileage, lost wages, and daily symptoms
• ✅ Consult a local attorney before signing releases or accepting an offer

Why Local, Experience-Driven Help Matters

Myrtle Beach collisions often involve visitors, rental cars, rideshare policies, and crowded corridors like Highway 17 and Ocean Boulevard.

Navigating multiple insurers while you’re hurt is a lot to ask.

A car accident attorney in Myrtle Beach who knows the local roads, adjusters, and timelines can move your case faster, protect you from common pitfalls, and build the strongest claim possible.

Talk to a Myrtle Beach Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash, get answers before you sign anything or speak on a recorded line. Free consultation. No recovery, no fee.

Call 843-448-HELP (4357) or contact us through our website to initiate your complimentary case review.

This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Every case is different; consult an attorney about your specific situation.