Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
The recent death of an adolescent struck by a golf cart driven by a 3-year-old boy has highlighted the risk of golf carts and other vehicles often operated in our Southwest Florida neighborhoods.
CNN reported the 7-year-old was struck on private property in Fort Myers as the 3-year-old rounded a curve.
Florida has recently passed a law that will take effect October 1, requiring drivers of golf carts to have a permit or driver’s license, although the law will apply to public property.
Across the country, more than 6,500 children are hurt by golf carts every year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Just more than half those injured are children under 12.
SWFL Golf Cart Injuries
Reuters News reports there are more than 15,000 serious golf cart injuries and fatalities reported each year, many of them from rollovers or incidents in which pedestrians are victimized.
Our Fort Myers injury lawyers note there is much confusion around the laws and liability involving golf cart accidents in Florida. The issue is complicated by the rules of various homeowners associations, and legal maneuvers by lawmakers aimed at protecting golf courses from liability.
Golf cart injuries on golf courses are special cases. However, clear-cut rules of liability generally apply to injuries involving golf carts on public or private property.
Golf Carts and other types of LSVs (low-speed vehicles) have complex rules. The state does not require titles, registrations, or insurance for golf carts. However, they are technically not permitted to be driven on public roads. LSVs and golf carts converted to LSVs to be driven on public roads must pass inspection, be registered, and carry that necessary insurance. However, these rules are routinely ignored.
Those injured by an LSV or golf cart should speak to a Fort Myers injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. These are complex cases. Potential sources of recovery will include a homeowner’s insurance policy, an at-fault driver’s insurance policy, the insurance policies in place on other vehicles in an at-fault driver’s household and even your own insurance policy if you carry optional uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (which we believe is the most important coverage every driver can purchase).
Golf Cart Safety
Our injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral urge parents to set clear boundaries for the operation of golf carts and LSVs, and to never let those under driving age operate such vehicles on either public or private property. Other safety tips include:
- Never drink and drive.
- Keep your vehicle in proper working order by having it regularly serviced, at least annually.
- Don’t drive distracted.
- Yield to everybody! This means pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles.
- Never drive a cart overloaded with passengers or cargo.
- Don’t drive in bad weather or when adverse weather is forecast.
- Obey all laws, including rules and regulations of your homeowner’s association.
- Carry insurance on your golf cart or LSV.
National statistics continue to show that small children and teenagers are most likely to be seriously injured or killed in these accidents. It’s important to understand that you, as an owner, parent or property owner, are most likely to be held financially liable for any resulting injuries or death.
If you or a loved one is injured, call Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, at 1-800-646-1210.
