Golf carts are no longer just for the golf course, and when an outing turns dangerous, a Tampa golf cart accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options. More people are purchasing these leisure vehicles for casual neighborhood rides, which unfortunately increases the risk of accidents. That’s why we’re using our legal experience to explain everything you need to know about golf cart accidents.
If you were recently injured in a golf cart accident and need to speak to a lawyer right away, then call us at (813) 915-1110 to speak with one of our experienced attorneys today.
Are Golf Carts Street Legal In Florida?
Are golf carts street-legal in Florida? The answer is: that it depends. You can drive your golf cart on streets with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less.
Thus, you could enjoy a golf cart outing around places like your neighborhood or a country club. However, you couldn’t legally drive your golf cart on a street with a speed limit higher than 30 miles per hour, such as on a highway or main road.
Can I drive my golf cart at night in Florida?
You may only use a golf cart between sunrise and sunset by law. In other words, if the sun is out, then you’re free to use your golf cart. Yet, Florida law makes an exception to this limitation if the vehicle has added safety equipment like headlights, brake lights, and a windshield.
Who Can Operate A Golf Cart?
There’s no need for you to have a driver’s license to use a golf cart. But you do need to be over the age of 14 if you are going to drive a golf cart on public streets. This poses an issue, as parents often let children as young as 14 operate golf carts, with little to no adult supervision.
What About Golf Carts Makes Them Dangerous?
Many people underestimate the danger that golf carts pose. A golf cart can be just as dangerous as a car, as it can reach speeds that even a car can reach.
Also, golf carts lack standard safety equipment that you would find in cars, such as airbags, windshield wipers, and mirrors. Many golf carts don’t even come with seat belts. Such a lack of safety equipment standards for golf carts directly leads to injury.
The Doctrine of Dangerous Instrumentality in Law
Dangerous instrumentality is a legal doctrine that imposes strict liability on the owner of a motor vehicle who voluntarily entrusts that motor vehicle to an individual. Suppose that an individual’s negligent operation causes damage to another. In that case, the operation of a vehicle falls within the strict liability doctrine because a vehicle is dangerous to others when used for its designed purpose.
In 1984, the Supreme Court of Florida determined in the Meister versus Fisher case that a golf cart, whether driven on a public roadway or a private golf course, meets all the qualifications of a dangerous instrumentality. As such, golf cart owners may be held liable for damages if the person to whom they entrust their golf cart has an accident in which someone is injured or killed.
Alarming Statistics About Golf Cart Accidents
According to data shown at the virtual AAP National Conference and Exhibition, more than 6,500 adolescents experience a golf-cart-related injury every year. Many allow children as young as 14 to drive golf carts, many times with even younger children in passenger seats, with little to no adult supervision, running the risk of injury.
Reference: Marchioli M, et al. Nationwide Injury Trends Due to Motorized Golf Carts Among the Pediatric Population: An Observational Study of the NEISS Database from 2010-2019.
Common golf cart-related injuries include:
- Concussions
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Fractures and broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Face and neck injuries
- Wrist and hand injuries
- Wrongful death
When golf cart accidents happen, they often result in injuries due to passenger ejection, as golf carts are typically not equipped with seatbelts. Passengers are most often ejected during sharp turns. Children are especially vulnerable to seat ejection from the cart because of their small stature. Moreover, because golf carts often don’t come with seatbelts, there isn’t that extra layer of protection to keep children from falling out of the vehicle.
Types Of Golf Cart Accidents
Like other types of motor vehicle accidents, there can be many reasons that an accident occurs. In many instances, a crash is due to the negligence or wrongful acts of another person.
For example, a driver could be operating their golf cart while on their phone and accidentally rear-end your parked golf cart. This is an example of someone’s negligent actions directly leading to another person’s injuries and damage to their personal property.
Common types of golf cart accidents include:
- Single cart crashes
- Multi-cart pileups
- Rollovers
- Pedestrian collision
- Bicyclist collision
- Collisions between other types of motor vehicles and golf carts
Negligence may be difficult to prove, which is why our lawyers at Hancock Injury Attorneys can help you determine whether and to what extent another person could be at fault.
So, if you’re pursuing a personal injury claim for a golf cart accident, call our offices at (813) 915-1110 to schedule a phone call with one of our lawyers today.
Understanding Negligence
In legal terms, reasonable care refers to the level of care that a reasonable person would exercise in a specific circumstance. All individuals are expected to exercise reasonable care in all circumstances. The law defines negligence as a failure to use reasonable care, resulting in damage or injury to another person.
To get compensation, you must prove that the at-fault party’s negligent actions directly led to your accident-related damages and injuries. The defendant could argue that they acted with reasonable care and thus didn’t cause your injuries and can’t be held liable.
Or, they can argue that you share partial responsibility, so your recovery should be reduced by the percentage you're at fault for. And in Florida, if you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault, you won't be able to make a recovery of your damages at all.
For this reason, if liability is in question, it’s imperative that you get an experienced Tampa golf cart accident lawyer to aid in establishing the defendant’s negligence and help get the highest compensation possible.
Florida Statute Of Limitations For A Golf Cart Injury Lawsuit
The statute of limitations in Florida for an injury resulting from a golf cart is 2 years from the date of the accident. This means that your claim against the appropriate party must be filed in the correct court within two years of the accident. Otherwise, you may lose your chance to seek compensation for your damages and injuries.
What should I look for in a Tampa Golf Cart Accident Lawyer?
When searching for a personal injury lawyer, keep these five C’s in mind: communication, cost, capability, case, and care. The bottom line is you need an experienced lawyer whose priority is to look out for your best interests. If your lawyer doesn’t have your well-being at the top of their mind, then start looking for a better lawyer.
Injured By Reckless Golf Cart Driving?
If you were injured in a golf cart accident caused by someone else’s negligence, then you’re entitled to take legal action. By filing a personal injury claim against the responsible party, you can seek compensation for your injuries. At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we have the experience, skill, and knowledge to win your case.
Call Tampa golf cart injury lawyer Mike Hancock for your free and confidential case consultation at (813) 915-1110. We answer our phones and chats 24/7/365.