If you've seen any action movies from the 80's or 90's, chances are you've seen fictionalized police chases. On the big screen, they often involve big, fiery explosions and speeding cars, which inevitably screech through intersections and cause havoc before the bad guy is caught and the damage is forgotten. And while these fake high-speed pursuits are fun to watch from the comfort of a movie theater, in real life, police chases can be devastating. That's true not only for the people involved in the chase but for the innocent bystanders whose lives change as a result. Often, these innocent bystanders are doing nothing more than minding their business. And then, in the blink of an eye, their life in the Palmetto State is changed forever.
Unfortunately, South Carolina is one of the leading states in terms of police crash fatalities, with 59 drivers killed in vehicle crashes during police pursuits between 2014 and 2018. This alarming statistic highlights the serious risk that being involved in a police chase poses to drivers. While police chases can sometimes be necessary, they should always be handled with extreme caution.
It is essential that law enforcement officers operate their vehicles with due regard for the safety of all persons, particularly when in pursuit and traveling at excessive speeds, as required by South Carolina law. If an uninvolved driver or pedestrian is injured as a result of a police chase, they have the right to seek just compensation for their losses through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. It's important to remember that police chases are a threat to road users, even if they are sometimes necessary. If you or a loved one has been injured in a police pursuit, it's time to contact a high-speed chase attorney Near Me Myrtle Beach, SC, from Lauren Taylor Law.
It's a well-known fact that high-speed police pursuits and chases can pose a significant threat to bystanders, as evidenced by numerous documented incidents across the country. Shockingly, over one-third of chase-related fatalities involve innocent individuals who happen to be near the scene. They're not even involved in the chase.
To hold someone accountable for such tragedies, restrictions on police pursuits have been put in place by nearly every state, city, and local jurisdiction, including South Carolina. Nonetheless, high-speed chases continue to occur, and innocent bystanders continue to suffer injuries and fatalities as a result. If you find yourself in such a situation, a skilled police pursuit attorney Near Me Myrtle Beach, SC, can help investigate the circumstances of your crash and determine who is responsible for your financial recovery.
Parties that may be responsible for your compensation may include the following
Unlike many law firms in South Carolina, at Lauren Taylor Law, our seasoned high-speed police chase lawyers focus on our clients first, and work tirelessly to fight for your or your loved one's rights and compensation. If you have been injured or you have lost a relative due to injuries sustained in a police pursuit, we're here to help with every aspect of your lawsuit, including:
The simple truth is that obtaining compensation for your injuries and preparing for litigation is a complex process. Your high-speed chase lawyer from Lauren Taylor Law will help explain the next steps in your case and walk you through how to proceed next. That way, you can move forward with your life as soon as possible. When it's time to fight for the compensation you rightly deserve, our team is here to help lead the charge.
Based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 2.5 million emergency room visits in the United States were caused by car accidents in 2012. Many of these accidents were due to speeding. When you combine speeding with a driver who is attempting to evade police and officers who are in pursuit, the likelihood of an accident increases significantly.
Accidents can occur in high-speed police chases for many reasons. Some of the most common include the following
When evading the police, vehicles are subjected to tremendous stress, which can lead to the wear and tear of different components. For instance, tires often fail due to overheating and the intense pressure they are subjected to during a chase. When a tire blows on the highway while driving at high speeds, crashes are likely.
At high speeds, drivers have less time to react, which can leave them unable to respond to other drivers on the road and keep everyone safe. Unfortunately, accidents are likely to occur when one of the drivers in a police pursuit makes a mistake.
Drivers who exhibit aggressive behavior on the road, such as abruptly cutting off other vehicles or weaving between lanes excessively, are at an increased risk of causing an accident. This can occur due to a loss of control during maneuvers or misjudging the distance between cars, resulting in a collision. Unfortunately, some drivers intentionally cause these accidents as a means of eluding or obstructing law enforcement.
Police officers and departments often restrict pursuits to unpopulated areas or terminate them prematurely to safeguard pedestrians, bystanders, and other drivers. The risk of causing an accident is simply too high to pursue most fleeing drivers effectively.
Accidents caused by police chases can result in severe injuries and significant expenses in the short term. Emergency medical care and ongoing treatment might be necessary to address your injuries, and the amount of assistance you receive from your insurance will depend on your coverage. It is crucial to prioritize your health by seeking proper care to avoid developing more serious or life-threatening conditions.
Additionally, dealing with car repairs can be a challenge, and your insurance company may only offer the depreciated value of your vehicle, which might not be enough to pay off the car and purchase a new one. Dealing with these issues can be life-changing, which is just one reason why police pursuit accident victims seek compensation.
Car accidents caused by police chases can have serious and long-lasting effects. From financial debt to physical pain and emotional trauma, the impacts can be devastating. Severe injuries can also result in extended time away from work, causing further financial strain. In some cases, injuries can even lead to permanent disability, making it difficult to return to work at all. However, seeking compensation through a lawsuit can help alleviate the financial burden and provide a sense of closure. That's why having a trustworthy high-speed chase attorney Near Me Myrtle Beach, SC, to oversee your case is so important.
The answer to this question is not always black and white and often involves a great deal of investigation and research. Generally speaking, law enforcement agencies, such as police departments, sheriff's offices, and highway patrols, have specific policies and procedures in place to govern the initiation and termination of vehicle pursuits.
When seeking a high-speed chase lawsuit, it's important to determine whether the injured party was a "First Party" participant actively fleeing the police or a completely innocent "Third Party" bystander or motorist. While some lawyers may not take on first-party cases, there may be rare exceptions when the conduct of law enforcement is shockingly egregious.
Typically, third-party cases have strong grounds for lawsuits, but general negligence principles will still play a role in South Carolina police pursuit cases. Furthermore, third-party cases may include passengers in the suspect's vehicle, especially if they are minors and were not involved in any illegal activity that prompted the police pursuit.
When pursuing a police pursuit lawsuit in South Carolina, it is crucial to understand the state's Tort Claims Act. This law enables the government and its subdivisions to be held accountable for their actions, just like any other private person, but with certain exceptions. To navigate this complex legal terrain, it is advisable to seek the assistance of an experienced attorney.
The Tort Claims Act governs the circumstances under which the police agency may be held liable and sets limits on potential recovery, with a cap of $300,000 per claim against a governmental entity. It is important to note that additional claims under federal law and constitutional rights violations may also be pursued.
While determining liability in a high-speed chase case is a nuanced task, you shouldn't be burdened with such tasks, especially if you're an innocent victim. At Lauren Taylor Law, we believe it's our job to analyze the situation and understand the law, not yours. However, when you reach out to our office for representation, it's imperative we find out what happened and gather details to see if your case is valid.
To do so, we'll ask some common questions, which may include one or more of the following
One of the key pieces of information our police pursuit attorneys require is whether you were directly involved in the chase as the first party or if you were an innocent bystander or passenger as a third party. If you were the person fleeing from the police and sustained injuries in a crash, it's unlikely that you would have a valid claim against the officer. However, if you were an innocent bystander or motorist who was hit during the chase, you may have grounds for a viable case. This is especially true for innocent passengers, particularly children, who were in the vehicle being pursued and may have a claim against the officer involved.
When it comes to lawsuits involving gross negligence and recklessness, governmental entities in South Carolina do not have absolute immunity under the Tort Claims Act. While this means an officer can be sued for damages in certain situations, there are exceptions to the waiver of immunity, and lawsuits against government entities can be subjected to a monetary cap. To ensure the best possible outcome in your case, it's crucial to work with a knowledgeable high-speed chase attorney Near Me Myrtle Beach, SC, who knows how to navigate relevant laws.
When a police car is in pursuit with its lights and sirens on, it's crucial to pull over to the side of the road or stop at the intersection. Failure to do so could result in a crash, and in such a case, you may be held responsible for the accident and wouldn't have a case against the officer driving.
Determining whether the officer violated their department's policies during a high-speed pursuit is a crucial factor in these cases. Pursuits following routine traffic stops, non-violent property offenses, and unconfirmed suspicions are often prohibited in many municipalities. However, if the officer who hit you was pursuing a violent criminal and adhering to departmental policies, it may be challenging to build a case against them.
Many law enforcement agencies in South Carolina have strict regulations in place when it comes to the location and speed of police chases. Typically, speeding through busy urban areas is prohibited, but pursuing a suspect at high speeds on a highway or in a remote region may be deemed appropriate.
Are you curious about what type of compensation you may qualify for if you're the victim of a high-speed chase in South Carolina?? As you probably guessed, financial compensation varies from case to case, as each injury victim and the circumstances of their situation are unique.
Depending on the details of your police pursuit case, you may qualify for one or more of the following types of compensation
Remember - to determine the full extent of the compensation you deserve, it's crucial that you reach out to a trusted police chase attorney, like those you'll find at Lauren Taylor Law. Working with a pro is the best route to take if you're looking to receive the maximum amount of money you deserve.
In the end, a police pursuit case will ultimately be decided by a Jury unless a settlement is reached. Jurors will be expected to apply negligence principles and carefully review the policies and procedures of any police force accused of wrongdoing. Additionally, jurors may scrutinize the training and resources provided to on-duty officers, as a lack of proper training can contribute to officers wrongly initiating high-speed chases.
Thankfully, if you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a police chase in South Carolina, a high-speed chase attorney Near Me Myrtle Beach, SC, can help. Our team of police pursuit lawyers at Lauren Taylor Law has the expertise and resources necessary to investigate your case, no matter how complex. Don't hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step towards justice.
We’ve reached the semifinals of the 2025 S.C. High School League football playoffs. The winners of the games below advance to next week’s state championship games.Class 5A Division IUpper StateDutch Fork 30, Dorman 10Lower StateSummerville 45, James Island 16Next week: State championship gameSummerville vs. Dutch Fork, 7:36 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 6)Class 5A Division IIUpper StateNorthwestern 51, Indian Land 19Lower State...
We’ve reached the semifinals of the 2025 S.C. High School League football playoffs. The winners of the games below advance to next week’s state championship games.
Upper State
Dutch Fork 30, Dorman 10
Lower State
Summerville 45, James Island 16
Next week: State championship game
Summerville vs. Dutch Fork, 7:36 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 6)
Upper State
Northwestern 51, Indian Land 19
Lower State
Irmo 44, Berkeley 6
Next week: State championship game
Irmo vs. Northwestern, 7:36 p.m. Friday (Dec. 5)
Upper State
South Pointe 40, Westside 0
Lower State
South Florence 55, Gray Collegiate 14
Next week: State championship game
South Florence vs. South Pointe, 12:06 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 6)
Upper State
Belton-Honea Path 35, Powdersville 7
Lower State
Oceanside Collegiate 38, Loris 7
Next week: State championship game
Oceanside Collegiate vs. Belton-Honea Path, 12:06 p.m. Friday (Dec. 5)
Upper State
Strom Thurmond 15, Fairfield Central 13
Lower State
Hampton County 43, Central 22
Next week: State championship game
Hampton County vs. Strom Thurmond, 4:06 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 6)
Upper State
Lamar 48, Lewisville 27
Lower State
Bamberg-Ehrhardt 29, Cross 26
Next week: State championship game
Bamberg-Ehrhardt vs. Lamar, 4:06 p.m. Friday (Dec. 5)
A beloved East Coast convenience store and popular fast food burger chain are set to open new North Carolina locations less than a mile from Horry County.They will join two other major retail chains that also announced new stores in the same area.Philadelphia-based store chain Wawa and Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers are building new locations in Carolina Shores, North Carolina, near Calabash.Wawa has spread across the East Coast with more than 1,100 stores. Currently, the Wawa store nearest the Grand Stra...
A beloved East Coast convenience store and popular fast food burger chain are set to open new North Carolina locations less than a mile from Horry County.
They will join two other major retail chains that also announced new stores in the same area.
Philadelphia-based store chain Wawa and Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers are building new locations in Carolina Shores, North Carolina, near Calabash.
Wawa has spread across the East Coast with more than 1,100 stores. Currently, the Wawa store nearest the Grand Strand is in Lumberton, about 90 miles away from Myrtle Beach.
But the planned Carolina Shores location will be less than 30 miles from Myrtle Beach, just over the North Carolina state line.
Publix announced in 2023 a new location opening on the northwest coroner of Calabash Road and Highway 17, The Sun News previously reported. A new Walmart also will be built in the same area. Construction has already begun for those stores.
The Brunswick Planning Department approved site plans to build a Wawa and Freddy’s in September, according to the Wilmington StarNews.
Although there are no plans to expand into South Carolina, the Calabash-area Wawa isn’t the only new location opening closer to Horry County. Over the summer, Wawa broke ground on a new store at South 17th St. and Wellington Avenue in Wilmington.
While there are Freddy’s restaurants in the Palmetto State, the closest location is out in Florence. Like the name suggests, the vintage-inspired chain is known for its frozen treats and hamburgers.
However, there are currently at least two Freddy’s that are planned for the Myrtle Beach area, The Sun News previously reported. One will be along S.C. 544 and the other along U.S. 501.
Wawa sells a variety of snacks and drinks, but devotees especially love the coffee and sandwiches. Other prepared food options include soups, salads and pizzas.
While opening dates haven’t yet been announced, fans will have to wait a while to visit. The Sun News has reached out to Wawa and Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers for comment.
The Myrtle Beach area has seen several renovations and closures of its golf courses over the last few years.However, it still remains one of the top golf destinations in the country with more than 90 courses across the Grand Strand.Many of those courses were named among Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.” The golf magazine also named its top 25 Myrtle Beach courses, both private and public, to play.While the magazine listed courses outside Myrtle Beach, such as in Pawleys Island...
The Myrtle Beach area has seen several renovations and closures of its golf courses over the last few years.
However, it still remains one of the top golf destinations in the country with more than 90 courses across the Grand Strand.
Many of those courses were named among Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.” The golf magazine also named its top 25 Myrtle Beach courses, both private and public, to play.
While the magazine listed courses outside Myrtle Beach, such as in Pawleys Island and Sunset Beach in North Carolina, we focused on the ones located in Horry County.
The private course at 9000 N. Ocean Blvd. in Myrtle Beach has oceanside dunes and was built in the 1940s. It was the only one to make Golf Digest’s top 100 courses, coming in at No. 79. It also made the magazine’s top 25 Myrtle Beach course list.
It’s dotted with lagoons, which pose a dangerous problem of alligators for golfers, especially on the 11th through 13th holes that is dubbed Alligator Alley. It has been the site for the PGA Tour’s Myrtle Beach Classic for the past two years.
It once was the host of the Senior PGA Tour Championship, but now hosts the Dustin Johnson’s annual World Junior Golf Championship.
Located at 1199 TPC Blvd. in Murrells Inlet, the public course is designed to challenge even the pros, the magazine said.
Known as the “Fantastic Four,” three of Barefoot Resort’s four courses made the top list. The public Dye Course is the highest-ranked of the four courses at Barefoot Resort, 4980 Barefoot Resort Bridge Road in North Myrtle Beach. It’s Love Course and Fazio Course also made the list. The Love Course is Love Golf Design’s only work in Myrtle Beach, according to the magazine, and features recreated ruins of an old plantation home on holes 3 through 7.
This public golf course is nestled between the Intracoastal Waterway and Cherry Grove Inlet in North Myrtle Beach. Located at 1400 Tidewater Drive, it offers golfers a scenic view and a high-ranking layout.
Grande Dunes, located at 8700 Golf Village Lane in Myrtle Beach, reopened in September 2022 after a complete greens and bunker renovation over the summer.
This golf course along U.S. 501 near downtown Myrtle Beach is home to three Arnold Palmer designed courses. King’s North previously has been on Golf Digest’s 100 greatest public courses list.
Three of this golf resorts’ courses made the list, Heathland, Parkland and Moorland. Heathland is designed in a Scottish links-style, with open, rolling terrain, the magazine said. The public golf course is located at 1500 Legends Road in the Myrtle Beach area.
This Myrtle Beach public golf course opened in 1974 at 701 Hilton Road. It was designed by renowned golf course architect Rees Jones.
Prestwick, 1001 Links Road, boasts that it has the look and feel of a private club but is open to the public. It’s located just a few miles from the Myrtle Beach International Airport.
Known as “The Granddaddy,” this is the first golf course in Myrtle Beach, opening in 1927. The course at 5603 Granddaddy Drive underwent an extensive renovation in 2021.
Situated on the Intracoastal Waterway, the magazine describes Glen Dornoch as having “terrific views and captivating design variety.” The public course is located at 4840 Glen Dornoch Way in Little River.
The Myrtle Beach golf course has three distinct nine-hole courses. The 27-hole golf course is located at 3433 Parkside Drive.
Water is a factor on nearly every hole at this Myrtle Beach area course, according to the magazine. The course that opened in 1995 is located at 5601 Leeshire Blvd.
Thomas Gordon has dreamed of being an author since he was 5 years old.Over the years, he could see the story he wanted to write forming in his mind. A lover of the ocean, his family’s trips to North Myrtle Beach, and an eventual relocation to the coastal city, helped solidify the book’s plot and its characters.But getting the book written, as well as published, became a challenge for the now 21-year-old. In 2014, he was diagnosed with the mitochondrial disease Kearns-Sayre syndrome, a rare neuromuscular condition in...
Thomas Gordon has dreamed of being an author since he was 5 years old.
Over the years, he could see the story he wanted to write forming in his mind. A lover of the ocean, his family’s trips to North Myrtle Beach, and an eventual relocation to the coastal city, helped solidify the book’s plot and its characters.
But getting the book written, as well as published, became a challenge for the now 21-year-old. In 2014, he was diagnosed with the mitochondrial disease Kearns-Sayre syndrome, a rare neuromuscular condition in which symptoms usually appear before the age of 20. Gordon was 12 when he diagnosed. There is no cure for the disease, but it can be treated.
The disease has robbed Gordon of his eyesight, and he relies on hearing aids. He can’t walk, hold a pen or type. But his mind remains sharp, and he maintains a clever wit whenever he speaks.
He managed writing the story through his mother, who became his ghostwriter of sorts. But every word and idea in “Pearl Tides and the Search for the Pahunas” is Gordon’s, his mother Missy Gibbons-Gordon said.
“I got inspired by the ocean,” Thomas Gordon said. The idea for the book actually started while Thomas and his mother were sitting on the shoreline in Crescent Beach, where they live.
Thomas would dictate to mom, and she would write it down. Gibbons-Gordon would try to make suggestions or give advice, and her son would shut it down, she said, laughing.
“It was a lesson in patience,” Gibbons-Gordon said.
“My wife tried to stick her 2 cents in there, and it wasn’t happening,” Thomas’ father, Neil Gordon, said.
It took about 10 years for the book to be finished and then published. The family chose to self-publish the book, which is available on Amazon and bookstores Beach Bookshop and Video, 225 Sea Mountain Highway, and Bookends, 753 Main St., in North Myrtle Beach.
“It was the best moment of my life,” Thomas said of his book being published.
The book is a children’s chapter adventure book that is set under the ocean. Four 12-year-olds are invited to attend the exclusive underwater school Pearl Tides Academy, where there are crabs, mermaids, dolphins and other sea creatures who are able to speak and interact with the students.
The four children eventually find themselves taking part in a mission of protecting an endangered species of oyster from a greedy entrepreneur who wants the oysters for himself. The kids soon learn that the oysters are important to the health of the ocean.
The book allows readers to learn about the ocean, as well as protecting the environment, something that is close to Thomas Gordon’s heart.
Pahunas are rare oysters that hold an exclusive pearl inside, called the infinity pearl, Gibbons-Gordon said. They also have the ability to filter more water than any other oyster in the world.
“If the oyster would die, all the sea creatures would die,” she said.
Thomas has named many of the characters in his book after family members and pets.
“I wanted to be a mermaid,” his mother said. But instead of Missy, Thomas chose the name Diana.
His father said that while Thomas’ body is giving out, his imagination has not. “He’s smart,” his father said.
Thomas graduated from high school by attending cyber school. He’s considering taking some college classes.
When he’s not writing, he listens to books on tape.
He’s currently working on a second book. And he might include his brother, who lives in Pittsburgh. If he does, he already knows what creature he will be. “A sea cucumber,” Thomas deadpans.
With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s time to focus on Christmas – although we know that many of you decked your halls and started shopping before that turkey was in the oven.The holiday also may be a time for you to take a break and get away from the hustle and bustle that comes with it.Myrtle Beach was ranked by Southern Living as one of the top Christmas-loving cities in the South with Southern hospitality that’s perfect for a holiday getaway. It also made the list of Only in Your State, a national online trave...
With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s time to focus on Christmas – although we know that many of you decked your halls and started shopping before that turkey was in the oven.
The holiday also may be a time for you to take a break and get away from the hustle and bustle that comes with it.
Myrtle Beach was ranked by Southern Living as one of the top Christmas-loving cities in the South with Southern hospitality that’s perfect for a holiday getaway. It also made the list of Only in Your State, a national online travel publication that highlights off-the-beaten path attractions and places across the country, for its Christmas charm.
Myrtle Beach was named among Southern Living’s list of 30 small town getaways for its coastal charm at Christmastime. The city has its month-long holiday festival, Winter Wonderland at the Beach, which features an oceanfront lights display along Myrtle Beach’s famed boardwalk. It begins Nov. 28 and ends Jan. 4, 2026.
Downtown is transformed into a festive retreat, drawing more than 100,000 visitors each year.
Southern Living also describes the many Christmas shows at Myrtle Beach’s theaters, such as Carolina Opry’s “The Christmas Show of the South.”
The article mentions “The Night of a Thousand Candles” at Brookgreen Gardens; however, the botanical park is located in Murrells Inlet, which is in neighboring Georgetown County, about 40 minutes from Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach also was recognized for its holiday spirit at Broadway at the Beach, as well as the Christmas activities on the boardwalk.
Other South Carolina towns that made the list were Rock Hill, Greenville, Newberry, Greenwood, Charleston, Aiken, Spartanburg, Columbia and Anderson.