Getting into a car accident is stressful enough. When you are driving a rental car in an unfamiliar place like Myrtle Beach, it can feel even more overwhelming.
You may be wondering who to call, what information you need, whether your insurance will cover the damage, and what the rental company expects you to do.
If you were injured or are having difficulty with an insurance claim, a personal injury lawyer in Myrtle Beach can review the crash, explain how South Carolina law may apply, and help you understand your available options.
The best approach is to focus on safety first and handle everything else one step at a time. Here are some practical steps to take after a rental car crash in Myrtle Beach.
A typical minor traffic collision handling response on a busy tourist corridor in Myrtle Beach.1. Check For Injuries First
Before worrying about the rental car or insurance, make sure everyone is okay.
Check yourself, your passengers, and the people in the other vehicles. Call 911 right away if anyone is injured, experiencing severe pain, feeling dizzy, or showing signs that they may need medical attention.
If the vehicles are blocking traffic and can be moved safely, move them to a safer location nearby. Turn on your hazard lights and stay away from moving traffic while waiting for help.
This is especially important around busy Myrtle Beach intersections, hotel entrances, shopping areas, and beach access roads where traffic can be heavy.
You may also feel fine immediately after the crash but notice discomfort later. Headaches, neck stiffness, soreness, dizziness, and other symptoms can sometimes appear once the adrenaline from the accident begins to wear off.
Pay attention to how you feel in the hours and days that follow.
2. Call The Police
In many situations, calling law enforcement after a crash is a good idea, particularly when someone is injured, the vehicles are badly damaged, or the drivers disagree about what happened.
An officer can document important details about the collision, including where and when it happened, who was involved, the vehicles involved, and what was observed at the scene.
Before leaving, ask for the police report or incident number and find out how you can obtain a copy later.
South Carolina generally requires certain crashes involving injury, death, or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more to be reported. Collision reports can also be requested through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
When speaking with police, keep things simple and factual.
Tell the officer what you know, but avoid guessing about things such as speed or distance. Do not argue with the other driver or try to determine who was responsible while you are still at the scene.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, mention it to the officer as well.
3. Exchange Information With The Other Driver
Before everyone leaves, make sure you have the information you may need later.
This can be especially important in Myrtle Beach because many drivers are visiting from other cities or states.
Try to collect:
- Full name and phone number
- Driver’s license information
- Insurance company and policy information
- Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate
- Rental company information if another rental vehicle is involved
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Police report or incident number
Keep your conversation with the other driver polite and brief.
There is usually no need to argue about what caused the crash. You may not yet know all the circumstances, and statements made in the heat of the moment can create confusion later.
Focus on exchanging information and documenting what happened.
4. Take Plenty Of Photos
Your phone can be one of the most useful tools you have after an accident.
Take photos before the vehicles are moved, as long as you can do so safely. Once cars are towed away and debris is cleared, important details from the scene may be difficult to recreate.
Photograph:
- All vehicles involved
- Damage to each vehicle
- License plates
- The road and surrounding area
- Lane markings
- Traffic lights and signs
- Nearby construction
- Debris or skid marks
- Damaged property
- Weather and lighting conditions
- Any visible injuries
It is also helpful to photograph the entire accident scene from several angles rather than focusing only on close-ups of the damage.
Write down the time of the crash, the location, road conditions, and the direction each vehicle was traveling.
If you are unfamiliar with Myrtle Beach and do not know the name of the road, open the map on your phone and note the nearest intersection, hotel, restaurant, store, or other recognizable location.
5. Contact The Rental Car Company
Your next call should be to the rental company.
Look for the emergency or roadside assistance number on your rental agreement, rental app, or key tag. Let the company know that the vehicle has been involved in a collision and ask what they want you to do next.
Depending on the situation, they may provide instructions about towing, returning the vehicle, completing an accident report, or getting a replacement rental.
Keep copies of anything related to the rental, including:
- Your rental agreement
- Accident or incident forms
- Tow-truck receipts
- Vehicle inspection paperwork
- Emails from the rental company
- Text messages or other correspondence
Avoid arranging repairs yourself unless the rental company has specifically instructed you to do so.
Following their procedures can help prevent additional complications later.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company
You should also contact your own auto insurance provider and let them know about the accident.
Some personal auto insurance policies extend coverage to rental cars, although the exact coverage depends on your policy.
There may also be other sources of coverage involved, such as:
- Coverage purchased from the rental company
- Travel insurance
- Benefits provided by the credit card used to rent the vehicle
- The other driver’s auto insurance
Rental car accidents can involve several different insurance policies at the same time, which is one reason the process can become confusing.
When speaking with an insurance company, ask for a claim number and write down the name of the representative you spoke with.
Keep notes about any documents they request, deadlines they mention, and instructions they give you.
7. Save Every Document Related To The Crash
It is easy for paperwork to pile up after an accident, especially once you return home from your trip.
Create one folder, either physical or digital, where you can keep everything related to the collision.
Save:
- Photos and videos
- Police information
- Insurance correspondence
- Rental documents
- Medical records
- Receipts
- Tow bills
- Repair information
- Emails and text messages
It can also help to write down your own description of what happened while the details are still fresh in your mind.
Include where you were driving, what you noticed before the collision, road and traffic conditions, and what happened immediately afterward.
Small details can become difficult to remember several weeks later.
Be Careful About Posting On Social Media
You may be tempted to post photos of the damaged rental car or tell friends about what happened, especially if the crash interrupted your vacation.
It is usually better to keep the details private while insurance or other issues are being sorted out.
Photos, comments, check-ins, and even casual statements made online can sometimes be misunderstood or viewed without the full context of what happened.
You can always share the story later once everything has been resolved.
Staying Organized Can Make the Process Easier
A rental car accident can quickly turn a relaxing Myrtle Beach vacation into a stressful experience. You may be dealing with police reports, rental company procedures, insurance claims, transportation problems, and possibly medical care all at once.
If you need help understanding your legal options after returning home, you can find a lawyer near you through an online attorney directory.
You do not have to solve everything at the scene.
Start with safety. Call the police when appropriate, exchange information, take photos, contact the rental company, notify your insurer, and keep good records.
Taking those steps can make it much easier to handle follow-up questions and paperwork after you return home.
This article is provided for general educational purposes only and is not legal or insurance advice. Requirements, coverage, and procedures can vary depending on the circumstances of the collision and the policies involved.
The reminder to contact both the rental company and your insurer after a Myrtle Beach crash is especially helpful, since coverage and reporting requirements can vary. Keeping the accident details and insurance information organized should make the claims process less overwhelming.
The reminder to contact both the police and the rental company promptly is especially important in Myrtle Beach, where unfamiliar roads can complicate an already stressful crash. Checking your insurance and rental agreement right away can also clarify who may cover the damage and medical expenses.
The reminder to document the crash, notify the rental company, and gather insurance information is especially helpful for visitors unfamiliar with Myrtle Beach. It’s also useful to note that injured drivers may need guidance on how South Carolina law applies to their claim.