West Palm Beach Golf Cart Accident Attorneys Seeking Justice For Injured Victims

Many in West Palm Beach County mistakenly believe golf carts are safe due to their low speeds. However, 150,000 golf cart injuries have been reported, with one-third involving children under 16. Florida law requires operators to be at least 14 years old to drive a golf cart on public roads. Seeking assistance from a Florida golf car accident lawyer is important in golf car accident cases, including wrongful death in a golf car accident in Florida.

Tighe Law‘s golf car accident attorney in Florida, Patrick Tighe, brings his unique background as a former senior insurance claims adjuster to fight for golf cart accident victims throughout West Palm Beach and South Florida. His insider knowledge of insurance company tactics helps secure maximum client compensation, as demonstrated by his track record of multimillion-dollar settlements.

Can You Sue For A Florida Golf Cart Injury?

Survivors of golf cart accidents in Florida may be eligible to seek financial compensation for their injuries. In some cases, filing a lawsuit may not be necessary, as insurance settlements may cover damages. However, having an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer on your side can influence your case if your injuries are severe.

Most golf cart injury cases hinge on proving one or more of the following:

• Negligent operation: The golf cart was driven recklessly, causing harm.
• Negligent entrustment: The cart’s owner allowed an unqualified or unsafe driver to operate it.
• Vicarious liability: The owner permitted someone to use the golf cart, and that driver was negligent.
• Collisions with other vehicles: Another driver’s negligence resulted in a crash.
• Product liability: The golf cart was defectively designed or manufactured.
• Premises liability: The property owner failed to address hazards that contributed to the accident.

As much as many personal injury cases center around negligence, golf cart accidents present unique legal and factual issues not typically found in other personal injury claims. Consulting with our West Palm Beach golf cart injury lawyer, Patrick Tighe, can help determine the best legal strategy for your case.

Golf Carts As A Dangerous Instrumentality In Florida

Under Florida Statute 320.01(22), golf carts are considered motor vehicles designed for sporting or recreational use, typically not exceeding speeds of 20 mph. While they are permitted on certain public roads with speed limits under 30 mph, operators do not need a driver’s license to operate them but must be at least 14 years old. However, due to the risks they pose, golf carts are classified under Florida law as a “dangerous instrumentality.”

In the 1984 Florida Supreme Court case Meister v. Fisher, golf carts were ruled as dangerous instrumentalities even when used on golf courses. This designation means that a golf cart owner can be held legally responsible for injuries caused by the cart, even if someone else was driving it with their permission.

Does Insurance Cover Golf Cart Accidents?

The answer varies based on the specific policy. In some cases, a homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy may cover the negligent driver’s actions, but many policies now explicitly exclude golf cart-related incidents. Additionally, golf carts are not subject to Florida’s financial responsibility law, meaning owners are not required to carry bodily injury liability coverage. This differs from regular motor vehicles, which must carry at least $10,000 in bodily injury coverage.

However, if a golf cart is struck by a registered motor vehicle, the accident may qualify for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. Because insurance coverage can be complex, consulting a skilled golf car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida, is essential to determine what policies may apply to your case.

Our Florida Golf Cart Accident Attorney Can Help

You need a golf car accident law firm you can trust in West Palm Beach, Florida. Call Tighe Law, via 561-363-3947 or contact us online for free consultations to discuss your case with our West Palm Beach golf car accident attorney.