X1 Law | Professional Association

Get Experienced Legal Advice About Your Personal Injury Claim. Free Consultation 561-363-3947

X1 Law Professional Association

To get experienced legal advice about your personal injury claim. Call​ 561-363-3947

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An Experienced West Palm Beach Golf Cart Accident Lawyer

Florida’s sprawling golf courses make carting a popular mode of transportation, but golf cart accidents can leave victims with serious injuries.

At X1Law, P.A., West Palm Beach injury attorney Patrick Tighe offers unique insight into injury claims and 100% free consultations. His prior experience in the insurance field taught him how to deal with insurance companies and unfair offers. Now, he stands ready to put that experience and insurance claim savvy to work for you.

Who Is Legally Allowed To Drive A Golf Cart In Florida?

Any competent adult with a valid government ID can drive a golf cart in Florida, even without a license. If you are 18 or younger, you need a driver’s license or learner’s permit to operate a golf cart legally.

What Is The New 2023 Florida Golf Cart Law?

A new golf cart law, HB 949, went into effect in Florida on October 1, 2023. Previously, 14-year-olds could drive them, but now minors need a learner’s permit (15-plus) or driver’s license (16-plus) to operate them on public roads. Aside from the age restrictions and ID requirements, the law also designates roads for golf carts with posted speed limits of 30mph. Florida implemented these restrictions as a solution to the rising number of accidents involving golf carts in the state, some of which were fatal.

What Are The Common Causes Of Golf Cart Accidents?

Even though golf carts are relatively easy to drive, they are not immune to accidents. Here are some examples of the causes of golf cart accidents:

  • Distracted driving
  • Drunk or drugged driving
  • Golf cart overloading
  • Lack of seatbelts
  • Lack of safety features
  • Lack of doors

Golf carts may be smaller than regular cars, but these are still motorized vehicles and can cause serious injuries.

What Types Of Injuries Are Typical In Golf Cart Accidents?

Common injuries in golf cart accidents can range from minor to severe. You could be thrown off from a golf cart or hit by it. Here are examples of the types of injuries a person can suffer from a golf cart accident:

  • Lacerations
  • Bruises
  • Broken bones
  • Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Neck injuries

If you have been involved in a golf cart accident, seek medical attention immediately. Our personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation later.

Where Do Golf Cart Accidents Commonly Occur?

Public courses are obvious crash zones. But they also happen in other places. For example, retirement and gated communities see many crashes because residents use golf carts for transport. Other areas where golf cart accidents may happen include parks, airports, grocery stores and parking lots.

Can Someone Drive A Golf Cart In Florida Without Insurance?

Florida does not require insurance for golf carts, but those classified as low-speed vehicles (LSV) must have liability insurance. Additionally, golf courses and private communities often enforce their own insurance requirements, which is an important consideration when seeking compensation.

Are Golf Cart Owners Liable For Accidents Caused By Their Vehicles?

It depends. A golf cart owner could be liable for accidents caused by their vehicles if they were negligent in operating or maintaining their golf cart. Furthermore, suppose the golf cart owner allowed someone who was unlicensed, underage or unfit to drive the cart, and an accident occurred. In that case, the owner might also be liable under the legal principle of negligent entrustment. Liability will depend on the specifics of the accident and Florida law. Again, it is a matter of proving the golf cart owner’s negligence.

Who Is Liable For Golf Cart Accident Injuries?

Determining liability in a golf cart accident depends on the specifics of the incident. Generally, the party found negligent, whether the operator, owner or manufacturer (if a defect caused the accident), carries liability. Factors like speeding and violating traffic rules can all play a role in determining liability.

How Can I Determine Liability In A Golf Cart Accident?

Negligence is the primary basis for determining liability in any accident, even a golf cart accident. To find out if another party’s negligence caused the accident, you must first prove that they owed you a duty of care, which may include:

  • Driver liability: If the golf cart driver was operating the vehicle in a careless or reckless manner, such as driving while distracted, intoxicated or violating traffic laws, you may hold them liable for any resulting accidents. They breached their duty to you, another fellow road user, by driving negligently.
  • Owner liability: Golf cart owners who rent or entrust their golf carts to others may be responsible for an accident caused by negligent maintenance and entrustment. A driver should drive safely, but the vehicle should also be safe to drive. The owner should also refrain from allowing inexperienced or intoxicated drivers to operate their golf carts.
  • Premises liability: If the accident happened due to poorly maintained pathways or common areas used for golf cart traffic, the property owner could be responsible for damages arising from their negligence in maintaining the property. In such cases, the property owner’s failure to ensure a safe environment for golf cart operation may constitute negligence under premises liability law.
  • Product liability: A manufacturer becomes liable for a golf cart accident when a defect in the golf cart, which originated during the manufacturing process, causes the accident. This includes problems with the design or manufacturing of the golf cart and its parts.

Remember, you can share legal responsibility for an accident in Florida with another party. In fact, multiple parties could be liable. The attorney at X1Law, P.A., will assess your golf cart accident and help you determine liability.

What Damages Can I Claim If I Have Been Injured In A Golf Cart Accident?

How you seek compensation for your losses may reveal what damages you can recover from the accident. Whether you decide to sue the driver or pursue a third-party claim with the insurance company, recoverable damages may include the following:

  • Medical expenses
  • Loss of income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Rehabilitation expenses
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional trauma
  • Golf cart repairs
  • Property damage
  • Diminished quality of life

The firm’s personal injury attorney, Patrick J. Tighe, will review all your expenses and incurred damages to see what course of legal action is most suitable for you.

Act Now To Preserve Your Injury Compensation

Insurance companies prefer not to pay whenever possible, but attorney Tighe can fight for fair compensation on your behalf. If the insurance company refuses to be reasonable, he’s unafraid to take your claim to court.

Protect your rights by calling Patrick Tighe at 561-363-3947 to schedule a free consultation with a Palm Beach golf cart accident attorney who can get results or contact him online.