Hit and Run Accident Lawyer | South Carolina

Injured in a Hit and Run? We Can Help You Recover Compensation


Even if the driver fled the scene, you may still be entitled to compensation through insurance claims or other legal options.

How We Help Hit and Run Victims

Our hit and run accident lawyers will begin the process with a case review during a free consultation. If we proceed forward, we’ll investigate the scene of the accident and gather evidence, including traffic camera footage, medical records, the police report, and witness statements. We can rely on expert testimonials, too, to prove liability.

Our legal team will handle all communications and negotiations with insurance adjusters. Our goal is to obtain the highest possible compensation. If the injury claim negotiations are not effective, we may be able to pursue a lawsuit.

Compensation Available in Hit and Run Cases

Our hit-and-run accident attorneys can help you obtain different types of compensation after an auto accident. There are three options: economic, non-economic and punitive. Economic compensation addresses your medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. South Carolina does not place a cap on economic damages. Non-economic damages, which address your pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. There are no caps for these damages in motor vehicle accidents, either. With help from our hit-and-run accident lawyers, you can fight for compensation for all of your losses.

Accident victims may, in some narrow instances, receive punitive damages. These do have a cap in South Carolina. These damages cannot exceed $500,000 or three times the economic damages you receive. Punitive damages are usually awarded for reckless behavior. The majority of car accident claims are resolved in settlements. If that’s not possible because the insurance company refuses to make an appropriate offer, the legal process allows us to pursue a lawsuit against the hit-and-run driver.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

Our personal injury lawyers recommend acting as soon as possible after a hit-and-run accident. Evidence can quickly vanish, and finding the negligent driver can become much more difficult as time passes.

Insurance companies will look for any reason to minimize your claim. Not beginning a personal injury lawsuit as soon as possible can lead them to claim the accident was not as severe as you state. To make matters even more complicated, there are strict reporting guidelines for automobile accidents involving hit-and-run drivers. As soon as the accident occurs, you need to contact one of our personal injury attorneys for guidance.

 

Why Work With J.R. Battle Law Firm?

Decades of Experience

Our hit-and-run lawyers have decades of experience helping people who have suffered serious injuries in Horry County.

Local Knowledge

Our law firm was founded by James Battle after spending 20 years practicing law as a prosecutor and private attorney. We grew up in the area, giving us unique insight into how the local system works. This allows us to offer the legal advice you can depend on.

Contingency Fee Basis

We understand how difficult it can be to undertake a claim against auto insurance companies, and we’re here to help.  We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you so, don’t wait to reach out. Contact our car accident lawyers for a free case evaluation

Auto Accident Cases

Our Approach

Thorough Investigation:

We conduct detailed investigations into auto accidents, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, accident reconstruction, and medical records.

Expert Analysis:

Our team works with experts in accident reconstruction, medical professionals, and economists to assess the full extent of our clients’ injuries and losses.

Insurance Negotiations:

We handle negotiations with insurance companies on behalf of our clients, aiming to secure fair settlements that cover medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Litigation:

If necessary, we are prepared to take cases to court to pursue maximum compensation for our clients. We are experienced trial attorneys ready to advocate for your rights in the courtroom.

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t hesitate to seek legal representation. Contact the J.R. Battle Law Firm for a confidential consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.

FAQs About Hit and Run Accidents

What Is Considered a Hit and Run Accident Under South Carolina State Law?

Throughout South Carolina, a hit and run can involve:

  • Vehicle-to-vehicle collisions
  • Pedestrian or bicyclist crashes
  • Damage to parked cars
  • Accidents involving property damage only

Even if the driver faces criminal charges, that does not automatically compensate you. A separate civil claim must be pursued to recover damages.

Under South Carolina law, a driver involved in a crash must:

  • Stop immediately at or near the scene
  • Provide their name, address, and vehicle information
  • Render reasonable assistance if someone is injured
  • Notify law enforcement when required

Failing to stop and provide this information can result in criminal charges under South Carolina statutes governing leaving the scene of an accident and is considered a hit and run. 

Yes. Not having the license plate does not automatically prevent you from filing a claim.

In South Carolina, hit and run victims often pursue compensation through their own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. To strengthen your claim, it is especially important to

  • File a police report as soon as possible
  • Seek medical attention promptly
  • Gather witness information, if available

Insurance companies may scrutinize these claims more closely when the at-fault driver is unknown. An experienced Myrtle Beach hit and run attorney can help document the claim properly and push back against unfair denials.

Your actions immediately after the crash can directly affect your ability to recover compensation.

  • Call 911 and request law enforcement
  • Seek medical care, even if injuries seem minor
  • Document the scene with photos and video
  • Get names and contact information from witnesses
  • Notify your insurance company
  • Speak with a local hit and run accident lawyer before giving recorded statements.

In tourist-heavy areas like Myrtle Beach, SC, surveillance footage from nearby businesses, hotels, or traffic cameras may be available, but it can be erased quickly. Acting fast is critical.

Yes. South Carolina requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage as part of their auto insurance policy.

In most hit and run cases where the driver cannot be identified, the law treats the at-fault driver as “uninsured.” That means your UM coverage may pay for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage (subject to policy terms)

If you believe you do not have UM coverage, your attorney can:

  • Review your policy
  • Determine whether coverage applies
  • Identify other potential sources of compensation

Most personal injury lawyers in South Carolina work on a contingency fee basis. That means:

  • No upfront fees
  • No hourly billing
  • No payment unless compensation is recovered

The attorney’s fee is typically a percentage of the settlement or verdict. During your free consultation, the firm should clearly explain the fee structure and any case-related costs.