What Is a Boating Accident Lawyers in Myrtle Beach, SC Case?

Roden Law represents people injured in boating accidents along the Grand Strand — Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Conway, Surfside Beach, Pawleys Island, and Georgetown. The Intracoastal Waterway, coastal inlets, and the Waccamaw River see some of the heaviest recreational boating traffic in South Carolina, and a crash in a busy, narrow channel can cause serious […]

— Reviewed by Graeham C. Gillin, Partner, COO at Roden Law

Key Takeaways

If you were injured in a boating accident in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you generally have 3 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit (S.C. Code § 15-3-530). South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule — you can still recover as long as you are Modified — recover if less than 51% at fault, with your award reduced by your percentage of fault. There is no cap on compensatory damages in an ordinary South Carolina injury case. Roden Law represents Myrtle Beach injury victims on a contingency fee: the consultation is free and there is no fee unless we win.

Roden Law represents people injured in boating accidents along the Grand Strand — Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Conway, Surfside Beach, Pawleys Island, and Georgetown. The Intracoastal Waterway, coastal inlets, and the Waccamaw River see some of the heaviest recreational boating traffic in South Carolina, and a crash in a busy, narrow channel can cause serious injuries. We take every claim on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we win. Roden Law has recovered more than $300 million for injured clients across Georgia and South Carolina and holds a 4.9-star average from hundreds of client reviews. Call (843) 612-1980 for a free, confidential case review.

Why Choose Roden Law for a Grand Strand Boating Accident Claim

Boating cases are different from car crashes: there are no lane markings, no traffic cameras, and often no independent witnesses, so proving how the crash happened takes fast investigation. What separates Roden Law is moving quickly to secure the S.C. Department of Natural Resources incident report, locate witnesses, and preserve evidence before it disappears. We serve boaters and passengers throughout Horry and Georgetown counties, with Grand Strand cases heard in the Horry County court in Conway.

  • No fee unless we win — free consultation and no out-of-pocket cost to pursue your claim.
  • Fast investigation — we secure the DNR report and witness statements before evidence is lost.
  • Direct attorney involvement — you work with your attorney, not a rotating desk of case managers.

How Grand Strand Boating Accidents Happen

South Carolina consistently ranks among the states with the most boating incidents, and the Grand Strand cases our attorneys handle most involve:

  • Intracoastal Waterway collisions — crashes in a busy, narrow channel shared by powerboats, personal watercraft, and larger vessels.
  • Operator inattention and inexperience — the most common causes of recreational boat crashes.
  • Boating under the influence (BUI) — alcohol remains a major factor on the water.
  • Charter, tour, and passenger-vessel injuries aboard fishing charters and sightseeing boats.

South Carolina Boating Law You Should Know

Recreational boating in South Carolina is regulated by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources under S.C. Code Title 50, Chapter 21, and boating under the influence is illegal. Most in-state recreational boating injury claims follow ordinary South Carolina negligence rules: the deadline to file is generally three years from the date of injury under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, South Carolina’s 51% modified comparative-fault rule lets you recover as long as you are not more than 50% at fault, and there is no cap on compensatory damages in ordinary injury cases. Because Grand Strand crashes can happen on navigable coastal waters or involve commercial vessels, federal maritime law can apply instead, with different deadlines — so it is worth having the facts reviewed promptly. Learn more from our South Carolina comparative negligence guide.

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What to Do After A boating accident in Myrtle Beach, SC

  1. Ensure safety and call 911. Move to a safe location if possible. Call emergency services to report the accident and request medical attention for anyone injured.
  2. Seek immediate medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, get examined by a doctor. Some injuries — such as traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding — may not show symptoms immediately.
  3. Document the scene. Take photos of all vehicles, injuries, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible damage. Collect names and contact information from witnesses.
  4. Exchange information with all parties. Get the other driver's name, insurance information, license plate number, and driver's license number. Do not admit fault or apologize.
  5. Report the accident to police. South Carolina law requires accident reports when there are injuries or significant property damage. Request a copy of the police report.
  6. Notify your insurance company. Report the accident to your insurer promptly. Provide factual information only — do not speculate about fault or the extent of your injuries.
  7. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can protect your rights, handle communications with insurance companies, and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve. Roden Law offers free consultations — call today.

South Carolina Personal Injury Law

Statute of Limitations 3 years (S.C. Code § 15-3-530)
Comparative Fault Modified — recover if less than 51% at fault

Filing a Personal Injury Case in Myrtle Beach

Filing a personal injury case in the Myrtle Beach market means filing in Horry County Court of Common Pleas at 1301 Second Avenue in Conway, where civil complaints are submitted through South Carolina’s mandatory Tyler Odyssey e-filing system and most cases are routed to mediation before trial under SC ADR Rule 3.

The Grand Strand draws roughly 17–20 million visitors a year, and that seasonal surge reshapes the local crash picture: US-17 Business and Ocean Boulevard see heavy pedestrian and golf-cart traffic, while drivers choose between the slower, congested US-501 and the faster but higher-severity SC-22 Conway Bypass to reach the beach. Golf carts add a wrinkle unique to coastal SC — under S.C. Code § 56-2-100, a permitted cart may only operate in daylight, within four miles of the owner’s address, on roads posted 35 mph or less, by a licensed driver. Crashes outside those limits open the door to negligence-per-se and rental-property claims. Severe-injury victims are routed to Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach or stabilized at Tidelands Waccamaw in Murrells Inlet.

South Carolina applies a three-year statute of limitations under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, a 51% modified-comparative-fault bar, and allows stacking of UM/UIM coverage — often the largest recovery source when an out-of-state tourist is hit by a minimum-limits driver.

Do I Have a Boating accident Case in Myrtle Beach?

Boating cases sit at the intersection of state recreational-watercraft statutes and federal admiralty jurisdiction (when on navigable waters). Operator negligence is commonly built on BUI laws. South Carolina prohibits boating under the influence under S.C. Code § 50-21-112 to -114. On navigable waters, the Limitation of Liability Act, 46 U.S.C. § 30501, lets a vessel owner cap liability to the post-casualty value of the vessel — a frequent defense in fatal recreational-boat cases. Choosing between admiralty and state-court forums materially affects recovery.

Types of Compensation in South Carolina Boating accident Cases

On navigable waters in death cases, DOHSA limits recovery to pecuniary losses for non-seamen passengers — barring noneconomic loss-of-society claims entirely (a major trap for the unwary). State-water cases follow ordinary tort damages with full noneconomic recovery available, including pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and disfigurement. Coverage analysis frequently involves the boat’s policy, the operator’s homeowners’ policy (often excluding watercraft over a length threshold), and any commercial liability policy.

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Roden Law Boating Accident Lawyers in Myrtle Beach, SC Results at a Glance

$300M+ Recovered for injured clients across Georgia and South Carolina
4.9 / 5.0 Average client rating across hundreds of verified Google reviews from our six offices
5,000+ Cases successfully handled since 2013
62 years Combined attorney experience across 5 office locations

Source: Roden Law firm records and verified Google Business Profile reviews, updated July 2026.

Our Myrtle Beach Attorneys

Recent Case Results

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Results shown are gross settlement/verdict amounts before fees and costs. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

About the Author

Graeham C. Gillin, Partner, COO at Roden Law

Graeham C. Gillin

Partner, COO

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Our Myrtle Beach Office Today

If you were injured in Myrtle Beach and believe another party is at fault, contact us for a free, no-obligation review. Call (843) 612-1980 — no upfront cost.