Every year millions of people travel to Myrtle Beach to enjoy the sun, sand, and attractions. With golf courses, family-friendly activities, shopping centers, and a lively nightlife scene, it is no surprise the area has become one of the top tourist destinations in South Carolina. But with large crowds come more opportunities for accidents. Tourists sometimes find themselves dealing with unexpected injuries during what was meant to be a fun and relaxing vacation. Some injuries are minor while others can result in serious consequences that follow them long after they return home.
If you are injured while visiting Myrtle Beach, you may wonder whether anyone can be held legally responsible. Understanding the most common tourist injuries and the laws that apply in South Carolina can make a big difference in protecting your rights.
Slip and Fall Accidents in Myrtle Beach 
Slip and fall accidents are among the most frequent injuries tourists experience. With busy hotels, crowded boardwalks, waterparks, and pools, it is common to encounter wet surfaces and uneven walkways. A simple fall may leave someone with bruises or sprains, but more serious falls can cause broken bones, back injuries, or head trauma.
South Carolina law requires property owners and businesses to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. This means cleaning up spills, repairing broken steps, and providing adequate lighting in hallways and stairwells. If a hotel, restaurant, or shop fails to maintain a safe environment and a tourist is injured, the property owner may be held liable for damages.
Car and Pedestrian Accidents in the Grand Strand
Myrtle Beach sees heavy traffic during peak tourist season. Visitors who are unfamiliar with local roads often struggle with navigation, which increases the chances of accidents. Add in congestion, distracted drivers, and the presence of many pedestrians crossing streets near attractions, and collisions become more likely.
When a car accident involves a tourist, the at-fault driver or their insurance company may be responsible for covering medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Pedestrian accidents are particularly serious, and drivers are required to exercise caution in crowded tourist areas. If a driver ignores crosswalk rules or fails to yield to a pedestrian, liability for the accident may rest squarely on them.
Water Related Injuries at the Beach and Beyond
The coastline is one of Myrtle Beach’s greatest attractions, drawing visitors for swimming, boating, and water sports. Unfortunately, water activities also come with risks. Tourists may suffer injuries while swimming in rough surf, using rental jet skis, or boarding commercial boats.
Liability in these situations depends on the circumstances. A rental company that provides faulty equipment or fails to give safety instructions could be found negligent. A boat operator who acts recklessly and causes an accident may also be held responsible. Even in swimming pool accidents, hotels and resorts must keep their facilities safe and properly supervised.
Injuries at Hotels and Resorts
Many tourists assume hotels and resorts are safe environments, but accidents happen there as well. Tourists may be hurt by broken railings, faulty elevators, unsafe stairways, or even inadequate security measures that fail to prevent assaults or thefts.
South Carolina law places responsibility on hotels and resorts to protect their guests from foreseeable dangers. If management fails to address hazards, they may be liable when someone gets hurt.
Theme Park and Entertainment Attraction Injuries
Myrtle Beach is home to amusement parks, arcades, mini-golf courses, and other attractions designed to entertain families and visitors. Mechanical failures on rides, poor supervision, or inadequate maintenance can all lead to serious injuries. In these cases, the owners and operators of the attraction may be held legally accountable for the harm caused to guests.
Food and Restaurant Related Incidents
Tourists also sometimes suffer injuries or illnesses connected to restaurants and food establishments. Food poisoning, allergic reactions due to improper labeling, or accidents caused by unsafe dining conditions can all impact a visitor’s trip. If negligence can be shown, the restaurant or food vendor may bear legal responsibility.
Determining Liability After a Tourist Injury
The central question in many tourist injury cases is who is legally responsible. Liability often comes down to negligence, meaning someone failed to act with reasonable care and that failure directly caused the injury. This could be a property owner, a driver, a business operator, or another party.
Establishing liability requires evidence such as witness statements, photographs of the scene, medical reports, and in some cases expert testimony. For tourists visiting from out of state, this process can be especially complicated because the claim must follow South Carolina law even if the injured person lives elsewhere.
What Tourists Should Do After an Injury
If you are hurt while visiting Myrtle Beach, there are important steps to protect your rights. First, seek medical care immediately. Some injuries do not appear serious at first but can worsen over time. Second, report the accident to the property owner, police, or business manager so there is a record of what happened. Third, gather evidence if possible by taking photos and noting the names of witnesses. Finally, contact a local attorney who is experienced in handling tourist injury cases.
Why Legal Help in Myrtle Beach Matters
Tourist injury claims are not always straightforward. Businesses may deny responsibility, insurance companies may delay or reduce payments, and out-of-state visitors may find it difficult to pursue a case from afar. Local attorneys understand the courts, the laws, and the common defenses raised by businesses and insurers in South Carolina.
Having an attorney in Myrtle Beach can make the difference between struggling alone and having someone fight for the compensation you deserve. Compensation may include medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages depending on the circumstances of the injury.
How McCutchen Vaught Geddie & Hucks, P.A. Can Help
At McCutchen Vaught Geddie & Hucks, P.A., we know how a vacation can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal when an injury occurs. Our firm has experience representing both locals and tourists who were harmed by the negligence of others in Myrtle Beach and surrounding communities. We understand the unique challenges of handling tourist cases and the importance of giving injured visitors peace of mind while they recover.
If you or a loved one has been injured while visiting Myrtle Beach, contact McCutchen Vaught Geddie & Hucks, P.A. for a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your legal options, and fight for your right to fair compensation. Call us today to get started.