Port Charlotte Golf Cart Accident Lawyer

Golf Cart Accident Attorney in Port Charlotte Florida

Golf here in Port Charlotte is a way of life.  In general, Florida is a billion dollar golf industry.  With more than 1,200 courses in Florida, and 48 million rounds played annually, Florida leads the USA with the most golf courses. Having been in Port Charlotte Florida 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, medical bills and time away from your passion. 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 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 Port Charlotte Florida and need legal support, we're here to fight for your rights and compensation. For a free consultation, contact us online, or give us a call at 239-500-4878 today!

Common Causes of Golf Cart Accidents in Port Charlotte Florida

Let's review golf cart accidents and the factors that contribute to them, including driver behavior, vehicle design, and environmental conditions. Exploring these causes is crucial for both preventing accidents and determining liability in injury claims.

Falls and ejections are the most common causes of golf cart injuries, accounting for about 47% of accidents, based on data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Because golf carts lack doors, seat belts, and roll bars, passengers are left unprotected. Sudden stops, sharp turns, or collisions can easily result in occupants being thrown from the cart. Children are especially vulnerable due to their smaller size, lower center of gravity, and difficulty holding on tightly. Research with crash test dummies has highlighted that children are particularly prone to ejection during left turns.

Rollover accidents, though less frequent at approximately 10% of crashes, often lead to severe injuries or fatalities. The design of golf carts, with their high center of gravity and narrow wheelbase, makes them unstable on slopes, uneven surfaces, or during sharp turns at higher speeds. In rollover situations, unrestrained passengers may be crushed under the cart or sustain serious head injuries from impacts with the ground or the vehicle itself.

Impaired driving. There’s a common misconception that DUI laws don’t apply to golf carts, but in Port Charlotte Florida, driving a golf cart under the influence is treated the same as operating any other motor vehicle. Drivers can face DUI charges if their blood alcohol level is over .08% or if they’re impaired by drugs. Golf carts are often used in settings like golf courses, beach communities, and retirement areas, where alcohol consumption is prevalent, increasing the likelihood of drunk driving incidents.

Excessive speed and reckless operation lead to a significant number of accidents. While standard golf carts are built for speeds between 15 and 20 mph, many owners remove the governor, allowing the carts to reach speeds of 30 to 40 mph. These modifications make the carts much more dangerous, as their braking systems, steering, and stability features aren’t equipped to handle higher speeds. High-speed sharp turns, sudden braking, and aggressive driving can result in loss of control.

Distracted driving impacts golf cart operators just as it does drivers of regular vehicles. Texting, eating, drinking, or engaging with passengers can prevent operators from noticing hazards, pedestrians, or oncoming traffic. The recreational nature of golf cart use often leads to a more relaxed approach, causing operators to pay less attention than they might when driving a car.

Underage and inexperienced drivers are involved in a significant share of golf cart accidents. Previously, Florida law allowed individuals as young as 14 to operate golf carts on designated roads without training or licensing. However, as of October 1, 2023, drivers under 18 must now hold a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license. Enforcement of this law, though, varies widely between communities. A study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, which analyzed data from 2012 to 2021, found that children account for 37% of all golf cart-related injuries—a rate nearly double that of adults.

Overloading is another frequent cause of accidents. Golf carts are typically designed to carry two to four passengers, but operators often exceed this limit. Overloading reduces stability, increases braking distances, and makes the cart harder to control. Passengers sitting on laps, standing on the rear bumper, or hanging off the sides face a high risk of falling or being ejected.

Poor weather and challenging road conditions can significantly heighten the risk of accidents. Rain, wet grass, and muddy terrain reduce traction, making it easier for carts to skid, slide, or become stuck. Navigating hills, particularly when reversing downhill, often leads to a loss of control. Darkness poses additional hazards, as many golf carts lack sufficient lighting, and their low profile makes them harder for other drivers to notice.

Mechanical issues and poor maintenance also play a major role in golf cart accidents. Problems such as worn tires, malfunctioning brakes, steering failures, and electrical defects can cause drivers to lose control unexpectedly. Rental companies and private owners who fail to maintain their carts properly not only endanger users but also expose themselves to potential personal injury lawsuits.

Collisions between golf carts and motor vehicles are particularly severe. When a lightweight, slower-moving golf cart collides with a heavier, faster vehicle like an SUV, the impact is devastating for golf cart passengers, who lack the protection of a sturdy structure. These incidents often happen at intersections, either because drivers of motor vehicles fail to yield or because golf cart operators misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic.

Pedestrian accidents are another common occurrence, especially in busy retirement communities, on golf courses, and at crowded events. Because golf carts are relatively quiet, pedestrians might not hear them approaching. Backing up accidents are frequent as well, often resulting from drivers neglecting to check behind them before reversing.

Understanding the cause of your golf cart accident is crucial in building a strong case. Our Port Charlotte 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 are the Florida Laws on Golf Carts and Low Speed Vehicles

To make things simple for our Port Charlotte 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 (golf) 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 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.  If this seems like a lot of information, don't worry, for a free consultation, contact us online, or call 239-500-4878 today!

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

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 Port Charlotte, Florida based 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 Cape Coral, down to Naples, up to Lehigh Acres, to Fort Myers 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 Port Charlotte Florida community allow us to offer personalized, client-focused legal representation. For a free consultation, contact us online, or call 239-500-4878 today!

What Compensation Can You Recover After an Golf Cart Accident in Port Charlotte?

After an 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 Port Charlotte 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 in Port Charlotte?

With strong local ties to Port Charlotte and Southwest Florida 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 Port Charlotte, Florida?

In 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 Port Charlotte, Florida, 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 Florida 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 Port Charlotte based 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 Port Charlotte 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.

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. Make sure to preserve the golf cart in its current condition without making any repairs or modifications, ensuring it can be inspected later if necessary. Also, request a copy of the incident report, particularly if Port Charlotte law enforcement is involved in your golf cart crash accident.

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 Southwest Florida. If you've been injured, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Let our dedicated legal team located right in Port Charlotte guide you every step of the way. For a free consultation, contact us online, or call 239-500-4878 today!