Golf Cart Accidents

Southwest Florida Golf Cart Accident Attorneys

There aren’t too many places in the country that have numerous golf courses around the corner from each other. There are fewer that have the warmth and sunshine to sustain play all year. Florida is home to as many as 1,200 courses, with only the state of California coming close in total courses. As such, there are many golfers that not only play year-round but often choose to live on course with the option to play daily. Of course where there’s golf, there are golf carts.

However, In the state of Florida golf carts aren’t just found on the golf course. Many places have opted to use golf carts as their primary means of transportation. Home communities, hospitals, theme parks, arena managers, and college campuses all use golf carts frequently for short distance travel.

Of course, as the number of carts have increased, so too have the number of accidents involving golf carts. According to research done by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, there were over 147,000 injuries due to golf carts from 1990 to 2006.  Every year, there are approximately 13,000 golf cart accidents that require emergency room visits, and according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, that number is rising.

Florida Law on Golf Carts

Florida defines golf carts in one of two different categories. This distinction is primarily dependent on the rate of speed in which a golf cart is able to travel. If a golf cart can be operated over 20 MPH but less than 25 MPH, Florida designates the cart as low-speed vehicle. These types of carts are required to be properly insured, registered, and titled. They may only be operated on streets where the speed limit is less than 30 MPH and must feature a seat belt.

Many golf carts, however, are not subject to these rules and regulations. In fact, in Florida golf carts may be operated by anyone over the age of 14 on a public road where the speed limit is under 25 MPH, with a cart that cannot reach speeds above 20MPH. There is no requirement to wear a seat belt, and the cart does not have to be registered.

Golf Cart Accidents and Liability

More often than not, golf cart accidents are the result of one of the following:

• Collisions between two golf carts
• Too many passengers on the cart
• Collisions between a golf cart and a car
• Sharp turns
• Wet roads or slippery surfaces
• Passengers falling out of a cart

In the event an accident occurs, the injured parties may be able to recover compensation for their injuries by filing a personal injury claim. If the golf cart was designated as low-speed vehicle, the owner of the cart must have insurance. In Florida, these types of low-speed golf carts are covered by the state’s insurance requirement for personal injury protection (PIP). As this is a type of no-fault insurance, it may be possible for a person to file a PIP claim in the event of a golf cart accident.

However, as stated above, a large majority of golf carts do not fall under Florida’s low-speed vehicle classification and which reflects a high probability that the golf carts may not be insured. In these cases, the injured person may have to pursue a claim against the person who was at fault for the accident in order to receive compensation for damages a result of the other parties negligence. Additionally in these complex cases, there may be situations where other types of insurance come into play.

Often times, the golf cart may be deemed an uninsured vehicle by the state, making it possible for the injured person to bring a claim under the Uninsured Motorist insurance policy. In some situations this may cover specific expenses which are the result of an accident. In other cases, homeowners insurance may cover some or all of the damages. These types of cases usually involve accidents that occurred within designated golf cart communities or on designated community streets.

What happens if an accident occurs and the negligent operator was someone who was renting the golf cart from the owner of the golf course? In these cases, the Supreme Court of Florida has ruled that it is the owner of the golf cart who is liable for any accidents caused by the renter of the golf cart.

In the event the golf cart itself was defective and ultimately led to the cause of the accident, it may be possible to file a claim against the manufacturer of the golf cart to receive compensation for damages.

In any case, it is always in your best interest to consult with an attorney if you find yourself injured in a golf cart accident. We welcome the opportunity to review your golf cart accident case and educate you of your options and rights. To schedule a complimentary consultation with an attorney, please contact our office directly at (239) 466-1161. Additionally, you may also fill out the form below and a member of our staff will contact you once your inquiry is received.