Cape Coral Golf Cart Accident Lawyer

What are the Florida Laws on Golf Carts and Low Speed Vehicles

To make things simple for our Cape Coral clients, Florida Department of Highway Safety has four basic categories golf carts fall into: Golf Carts, All-Terrain Vehicles, Converted Golf Carts and Low Speed Vehicles. There are two different categories for those vehicles: If a cart can be operated over 20 MPH but less than 25 MPH, Florida designates the cart as low-speed vehicle (LSV). FDHS states LSVs must be registered, titled and insured with personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance just like an automobile. Anybody operating an LSV in Cape Coral must have a valid driver license. Section 316.2122 Florida Statutes states LSVs can only be operated on roads/streets where the posted speed limit is 35 MPH or less (you can cross a road where the speed limit is over 35 MPH). Your LSV is required to have quite a bit of safety equipment: headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers.  Golf carts are not as complicated: a vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour. There is no seatbelt requirement, no requirement for registration or insurance to be held on the golf cart.  Yes, this is quite a lot of information, for a free consultation, contact us online, or call 239-500-4878 today!

Golf Cart Accident Lawyer in Cape Coral

Golf here in Cape Coral Florida is a billion dollar industry.  With more than 1,200 courses, and 48 million rounds played annually, Florida leads the USA with the most golf courses. Having been in SW Florida and Cape Coral since 1962 we know that Golf is a part of life here, regardless if you are a full time resident, or if you are an annual snow bird. Being involved in an Golf Cart accident can be overwhelming, leaving you with injuries, cart damage, and medical bills. At Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A., we understand the challenges you face and are here to help you navigate what to do in the complicated legal process. With five locations right here in SW Florida, our dedicated and experienced legal team provides guidance to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. If you're in Cape Coral Florida and need legal support, we're here to fight for your rights. For a free consultation, contact us online, or give us a call at 239-500-4878 today!

Do Insurance Policies Cover Golf Cart Accidents?

There are a few areas of coverage to explore. One example is homeowners’ or renters’ insurance. This insurance might cover claims against a negligent golf cart driver, but only under certain conditions—such as when the driver doesn’t own the cart. Many insurance policies now explicitly exclude golf carts from coverage, making it essential to carefully review the terms and conditions. There is also first-party coverage options, including health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits, and Tricare.

While golf carts can be considered dangerous instrumentalities and owners can be held vicariously liable for permissive use, they are not classified as motor vehicles under Florida’s financial responsibility law. This was confirmed in the 1990 case Am. States Ins. Co. v. Baroletti, decided by Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal. As a result, golf cart owners in Florida are not required to carry $10,000 in bodily injury liability coverage or provide proof of $10,000 in assets to cover potential losses. Additionally, since golf carts are not categorized as motor vehicles, they are not subject to Florida’s no-fault law, which provides personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. The exception to this would be if a golf cart passenger or driver were struck by someone operating a motor vehicle.

The language of the applicable insurance policy plays a crucial role in determining the priority of coverage and the insurer’s obligation to defend the golf cart operator.

How Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A. Helps Golf Cart Accident Victims in Cape Coral

Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A. implores you to check on your personal insurance policy to see if you have elected coverage for your own personal golf cart. You need to add a specific rider to your policy to cover a recreational vehicle like a golf cart. Many policies do not automatically cover your golf cart since it is not required to be insured here in Florida, like a LSV. If a catastrophic accident occurs, having the right insurance in place can make all the difference in making a recovery. From Fort Myers to Cape Coral, up to North Port, to Naples and everywhere in between, our legal team has helped countless clients recover from devastating golf cart accidents. We work diligently to investigate your case, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies to secure fair settlements. Our humble beginnings over sixty years ago in the Cape Coral community allow us to offer personalized, client-focused legal representation. For a free consultation, contact us online, or call 239-500-4878 today!

Cape Coral Common Causes of Golf Cart Accidents

Golf Cart crashes happen for many reasons, but some of the most common causes include:

• Distracted driving, such as spilling your favorite beverage, dropping your lit cigar, texting or having your new clubs fall over
• Speeding or reckless driving making sharp turns 
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Overloading the cart with too many occupants
• Passengers accidently falling out or being ejected out of the golf cart
• Collisions with another cart, car, or sign
• Wet turf and uneven terrain
• In rare cases a manufacturing defect with the golf cart

Understanding the cause of your golf cart accident is crucial in building a strong case. Our Cape Coral legal team is here to help assess the circumstances and determine liability. For a free consultation, contact us online, or call 239-500-4878 today!

What Compensation Can You Recover After an Golf Cart Accident?

After a Golf Cart accident occurs, the injured parties might be able to recover compensation for their injuries by filing a personal injury claim. If the cart was designated as an LSA (Low-Speed Vehicle), the owner of the cart is required by Florida law to have insurance. In Florida, LSA golf carts are covered by the state’s insurance requirement for (PIP) personal injury protection. Florida deems this type of coverage no-fault insurance, which means it can be possible for the injured parties to file a PIP claim in the event of a LSA golf cart accident. If a golf cart is found to be defective and that defect directly caused an accident, it might be possible to pursue a claim against the manufacturer as well. This could allow for compensation to cover any resulting damages.

Victims of golf cart accidents may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including hospital stays and rehabilitation
• Lost wages due to time away from work
• Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
• Property damage and cart repairs

Each case is unique, and our team will work to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible. For a free consultation, contact us online, or call 239-500-4878 today!

Why Choose Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A. for Your Golf Cart Accident Case?

With strong local ties to Cape Coral for over sixty years, our firm is committed to serving our neighbors in need. We have built a reputation for providing compassionate, aggressive legal representation. Whether negotiating with insurance companies or taking your case to court, we stand by your side every step of the way. For a free consultation, contact us online, or call 239-500-4878 today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a golf cart accident claim in Florida?

In Cape Coral, Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after a golf cart accident is typically two years. However, specific circumstances may affect this timeframe.

What if the at-fault driver or cart operator is uninsured?

When an accident happens, those who are injured might have the opportunity to seek compensation for their injuries by pursuing a personal injury claim. If the golf cart involved is classified as a LSV (low-speed vehicle), the cart's owner is required to carry insurance. In Cape Coral, these low-speed golf carts fall under the state's insurance mandate for personal injury protection (PIP). Since PIP is a form of no-fault insurance, it could allow someone to file a PIP claim following a golf cart accident. Many golf carts in the Cape don’t meet the criteria for low-speed vehicle classification, which often means they might not be insured. When accidents happen under these circumstances, the injured party may need to file a claim against the at-fault individual to seek compensation for damages caused by their negligence. In some of these situations, other forms of insurance coverage may also become relevant which makes this an even more complicated case.  Make sure to get an experienced golf cart injury law firm involved as soon as possible, like Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A..

What happens if an accident occurs and the operator was someone who was renting the golf cart?

The Florida Supreme Court established in Meister v. Fisher that liability is upon the owner of a dangerous agency (someone who rented the golf cart to another person), when he intrusts it to someone who negligently operates it, applies to golf carts. In less legal terminology: the owner of the golf cart is liable for any accidents caused by the renter of the golf cart.

Will my golf cart case go to trial?

Most golf cart accident cases settle out of court, but if a fair settlement cannot be reached, our team is prepared to fight for you in court right here in Lee County.

What should I do immediately after an golf cart accident?

Please seek medical attention right away, call the police, document the scene with photos, and avoid speaking to insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney.

Your Road to Justice Starts Here

At Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith, P.A., we believe in fighting for the rights of golf cart accident victims in Cape Coral, Florida. If you've been injured, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Let our dedicated legal team guide you every step of the way. For a free consultation, contact us online, or call 239-500-4878 today!