Golf Cart Accident Lawyer in Florida

You may be entitled to compensation if you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness. However, if you are unsure whether or not you qualify for compensation, then you should seek advice from a golf cart accident lawyer who can help you determine whether or not you have grounds to pursue a claim against another party.

Driving Golf Carts in Florida 

There are several golfing communities throughout Florida, and many members enjoy using carts to get around locally. Some people even use motorized golf carts as their primary mode of transportation. There are usually designated areas where golf cars are allowed to be driven in neighborhoods with golf courses. However, golf cart drivers may find themselves amongst pedestrians and automobiles if there are no designated golf car areas. Injuries can occur when carts are mixed with automobiles and pedestrians.

Golf carts are mostly unregulated by state law and road rules, so many golf cart drivers don’t have strict laws to follow. This also makes it harder to quantify the number of accidents, injuries, and wrongful deaths committed by golf carts.

Florida Laws

Golf carts are defined in section 320.01(22) as a motor vehicle that is designed to operate on a golf course. It may be operated on roads designated for golf cars with a posted speed limit no greater than 20 mph. It may also cross a county road approved for golf cars or intersects a public golf course or mobile home community. Both examples should have signs that allow golf carts to use the roadways. Golf carts must comply with any more stringent ordinances enacted by local governments and should be verified before using them.

Golf carts are not subject to registration requirements and, therefore, are exempt from PIP and PDL requirements. Operators of golf carts are not required to have driver’s licenses, but they must be at least 14 years old to operate them on designated public roads.

Filing an Insurance Claim after a Golf Cart Accident

If the other driver caused the accident, you might be able to file a claim or civil suit against them for compensation. Before you can sue someone for damages, you must first prove liability. The process involves showing that the other party was negligent and that you were injured.

Average Settlement in a Golf Cart Accident Case

The amount you receive for your golf cart accident can depend on different factors. Every golf cart accident is unique, so we can’t estimate the compensation amount until we know all the details. Things that can affect your financial recovery are:

• Injuries sustained
• Severity of injuries
• The severity of property damage
• Amount spent on medical treatment

Golf Cart Injuries

Because golf carts lack similar standard features that cars include, such as airbags or seat belts, the passenger may absorb any impact from a crash. More than 15,000 golf carts are involved in accidents each year ranging from small collisions on courses to wrecked vehicles that kill passengers. A bad golf cart accident can result in death or even fatality for the passengers.

What Causes Golf Cart Accidents

Many causes result in injury for golf cart passengers. The most common reasons golf cart crashes occur are:

• Having too many passengers
• Putting arms and legs outside the cart
• Sharp turns that result in rollovers
• Sudden reversal while driving downhill
• Driving the cart on wet or uneven terrain
• Distracted or drunk driving

Damages for Victims of Golf Cart Accidents

Golf cart accident victims may be eligible for compensation. If their accident was due to someone else’s negligence, they might take legal action against the negligent party with the help of a golf accident lawyer. Golf cart accidents often result in settlements, including compensation for the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Punitive damages

Non-economic Damages

Compensation for non-economic damages such as pain, suffering, and inconvenience may be available if you’re involved in a golf cart accident. These damages include compensation for subjective, non-monetary losses such as pain, discomfort, inconvenience, emotional distress, and loss of society and companionships.

Possible Liability Parties

As we investigate your case, we will try to find out who is the liable party for your or your loved one’s injuries.

Possible liable parties include:

Golf Cart Manufacturer

Manufacturing issues occur during production, whereas design issues occur before production. The manufacturer could be held liable if a defective part was responsible for causing the accident. There may have been some kind of machinery malfunction or an error made by a factory worker.

The Country Club/Other Community

You can expect a community to inspect the golf carts they provide for you. If they did not do their job properly, they might be responsible for your accident and resulting injuries. It is possible that the golf cart had an issue that could have been fixed if discovered during an inspection.

Golf Cart Designer

If the golf cart was poorly designed, the designer could be held responsible for the accident. They might have known the vehicle wouldn’t work as expected, but they didn’t take any action to fix it.

Responsibilities of Golf Cart Operators 

Even if golf carts are allowed on streets, operators must still follow all applicable traffic laws when operating them. For example, Florida state law imposes a maximum speed limit of 35 miles per hour on golf carts. Many visitors and others unfamiliar with the area don’t know they must follow traffic laws like everyone else. If an operator of a golf cart behaves negligently, they could be held liable for the injuries and accidents they cause.

If a golf cart hits a car or truck on a city street, the driver could be held liable for any damage caused by the collision. Suppose a golf cart driver is speeding, driving a golf cart without a windshield, strikes a pedestrian, or doesn’t have lights on after dark. In that case, the pedestrian could sue the golf cart driver for medical bills, lost earnings, and other expenses related to the crash.

Finding a Good Golf Cart Accident Lawyer in Florida

Laws and regulations regarding golf carts differ from the laws dealing with auto accidents. Therefore, you should hire a golf cart accident lawyer familiar with the specific issues and laws relevant to golf carts.

For example, a lawyer specializing in golf cart accidents should know the differences between the laws applying to low-speed vehicles (LSVs) and golf carts because the laws applying to the different types of vehicles differ. The best attorney for you will have handled other golf cart accident cases.

How Can Denmon Pearlman Help With Your Golf Cart Accident Case?

You can count on the law offices of Denmon Pearlman to investigate your case thoroughly and get you fair compensation. Furthermore, we’ll fight for you on a contingency basis, so if we don’t win, you pay nothing! 

Contact Our Professional Team of Golf Cart Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one have suffered trauma due to a golf cart crash, you could be eligible to file a claim for financial compensation. Our experienced golf cart accident lawyers can help you with your case every step of the way. Call us today for a free consultation!

FAQs

How long do you have to contact a lawyer after an accident in Florida?

The Florida statute of limitations gives you a four-year time period before filing a personal injury claim.

Should I get a lawyer for a car accident that was my fault in Florida?

Florida law doesn’t require you to seek legal advice after a traffic accident in Florida. However, you can still hire a lawyer to get compensation for your injuries. 

Can you sue for bodily injury in Florida?

Florida law allows people injured in traffic accidents to file lawsuits against their insurance companies to obtain compensation for damages they suffered. Serious injuries include accidents that result in permanent injury or death.

Are golf cart injuries common?

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), there are around 15,000 serious golf cart injuries yearly. Florida has a higher risk of golf cart accidents because they’re so common.