Golf carts are everywhere in South Florida: gated communities, condominiums, resorts, golf courses, marinas, and neighborhood streets. They have no doors, few safety features, and little protection in a collision or rollover, so even a low-speed crash can cause serious injuries. Golf cart accident lawyer Tomas Robirosa helps injured people and families in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties understand who may be responsible and what insurance may apply. Se habla español.
What to Do After a Golf Cart Accident
Get medical care first. Head, neck, and back injuries from being thrown from a golf cart are not always obvious right away. Keep every record of your treatment.
If you are able to do so safely:
- Call the police or security and ask for a report. On private property, ask management for an incident report.
- Photograph the golf cart, the path or road, any vehicle involved, lighting, signs, and your injuries.
- Get the names and contact information of the driver, the cart owner, any rental company, and witnesses.
- Write down where the crash happened: public road, community street, golf course, resort, or parking lot. The location can change which rules and insurance apply.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.
Common causes of golf cart injuries
- Collisions with cars and trucks on shared roads and at crossings.
- Rollovers on sharp turns, slopes, or uneven paths.
- Passengers, including children, falling or being thrown from the cart.
- Underage, inexperienced, distracted, or impaired drivers.
- Poorly maintained paths, missing signs, or bad lighting.
- Defective brakes, steering, or seats, and unsafe modifications.
Common Golf Cart Accident Injuries
Even at low speeds, golf cart crashes can cause serious injuries. Get checked by a doctor and keep every record.
- Head and brain injuriesGolf carts have no doors and few restraints, so riders are often thrown out and strike their heads.
- Broken bonesWrists, arms, hips, and legs are commonly fractured in falls and rollovers.
- Neck and back injuriesSudden stops, collisions, and ejections can injure the neck and spine.
- Cuts, road rash, and scarringContact with pavement, gravel, or the cart itself can leave lasting scars.
How Florida Law Applies to Golf Cart Accidents
Where golf carts may be driven
Under section 316.212 of the Florida Statutes, golf carts are generally limited to roads that a city or county has designated for golf cart use, with limited exceptions such as crossing certain roads. Low-speed vehicles (LSVs) are different from golf carts and must be registered and insured.
Who may be responsible
- The driverof the golf cart or of a car that hit it.
- The ownerof the golf cart. Florida courts have treated golf carts as dangerous instrumentalities, which can make an owner responsible for how someone else drives it.
- A rental company, resort, or golf coursethat failed to maintain carts or paths, or let an unqualified person drive.
- A community or condominium associationresponsible for private roads and paths.
- A manufacturer or sellerif a defect caused the crash or injury.
Insurance can be complicated
Golf carts are generally not “motor vehicles” under Florida’s no-fault law, so coverage is often less clear than in a car accident. Depending on the facts, a claim may involve a golf cart policy, a homeowners or umbrella policy, a business liability policy, or the auto insurance of a driver who caused the crash. We identify every policy that may apply.
Deadlines and shared fault
For most negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023, the statute of limitations is two years. Florida uses modified comparative negligence: if you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages; at 50% or less, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault.
What compensation may be available
Depending on the facts, an injured person may seek medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses Florida law allows. We never promise a result, but we work to make sure no category of loss is overlooked.
Florida Law at a Glance- Deadline to sue: for most negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023, Florida’s statute of limitations is two years.
- Shared fault: Florida uses modified comparative negligence. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages; at 50% or less, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault.
- Where carts may be driven: golf carts are generally limited to roads a city or county has designated for golf cart use (section 316.212, Florida Statutes).
How We Handle Your Case
- Step 1Free consultationWe listen to what happened, answer your questions, and explain your options in plain language, in English or Spanish.
- Step 2InvestigationWe gather the police or incident report, photos, video, witness statements, and every insurance policy that may apply.
- Step 3Documenting your lossesWe organize your medical records and bills, lost income, and other losses so nothing is overlooked.
- Step 4Negotiation or lawsuitWe present your claim to the insurance company and negotiate. If a fair resolution is not offered, we are prepared to file suit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for a golf cart accident in Florida?
It depends on the facts. Responsibility may fall on the driver, the owner of the golf cart, a rental company, a golf course, resort, or community association that maintains the paths, or a manufacturer if a defect caused the crash.
Do I need a lawyer for a golf cart accident?
Not always, but golf cart cases often involve unclear insurance coverage and more than one responsible party. A free consultation can help you understand your options before you speak with an insurance company.
How long do I have to file a golf cart injury claim in Florida?
For most negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023, Florida’s statute of limitations is two years. Some claims have different deadlines, so it is best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Does PIP cover golf cart accidents?
It depends. Golf carts are generally not treated as motor vehicles under Florida’s no-fault law, so PIP may not apply the same way it does in a car crash. Coverage may come from a golf cart policy, a homeowners policy, a rental company, a property owner, or another driver’s auto insurance if a car was involved.
Can I speak to the lawyer in Spanish?
Yes. Tomas Robirosa and our team speak Spanish and English.
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