Do You Have to Have a License to Drive a Golf Cart?

The dangers of driving a golf cart cannot be overstated. Each year, approximately 15,000 people visit the emergency room for golf cart-related injuries. Taking this into account, the South Carolina legislature has implemented strict regulations for those who decide to take a golf cart out for a spin.

In this article, our Conway personal injury lawyers discuss the laws surrounding golf carts, potential injuries, and the forms of compensation that you may be entitled to if you are involved in a golf cart accident.

South Carolina Golf Cart Laws

South Carolina law requires the following for anyone who chooses to drive a golf cart:

• The golf cart must have a valid permit, be insured, and be registered with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV)
• The golf cart must not travel further than four miles from the registered address
• The golf cart cannot be operated on roads with a speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour
• The golf cart can only be operated during the daytime
• The driver must be of legal driving age (16 years old) and have a valid driver’s license

If you have reason to believe that a golf cart driver was not following state regulations, a Conway personal injury lawyer will investigate to retrieve any supporting information or documentation.

Common Injuries Caused by Golf Cart Accidents

Anytime a golf cart exceeds 15 miles per hour, serious injuries can occur. Common golf cart-related injuries include:

Fractures

Each year, over 6 million people experience a fracture, more commonly known as a broken bone in the United States. A fracture caused by being thrown or struck by a golf cart can result in multiple breaks, often requiring surgery. Symptoms of a fracture include pain, swelling, tenderness, inability to move the affected limb, and bruising.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Most golf cart-related injuries are caused by a person being thrown from the vehicle. This commonly results in traumatic brain injuries (TBI), most notably skull fractures (break in the skull bone), intracranial hemorrhages (brain bleeds), and brain contusions (bruising to brain tissue). Symptoms of a TBI may vary, but include confusion, loss of consciousness, dizziness, inability to speak, and seizures. Left untreated, the condition can be life-threatening.

Disfigurement

Driving with your arms or legs hanging outside a golf cart places you at risk of limb amputation. While driving, it is always important to keep your body parts inside the cart. If you face a traumatic amputation, there is no guarantee that a surgeon will be able to reattach severed appendages.

Compensation for Golf Cart Injuries

If you have been injured due to another person’s negligence in a golf cart accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. These losses may be financial (economic) or non-financial (non-economic). Let us discuss the differences.

Economic damages are any losses that have a direct impact on your bank account. These may include:

• Lost wages
• Loss of future earnings
• Surgeries and procedures
• Emergency room care
• Prescriptions
• Rehabilitative treatments

In contrast, noneconomic damages are any non-pecuniary losses that impact your mental or emotional health but are not easily quantified. These may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Negligent infliction of emotional distress
• Loss of companionship and society
• Disfigurement and/or scarring

Reach Out to a Conway Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Free Consultation

As a golf cart accident victim, you deserve fair compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost income, and emotional hardship. At The Law Offices of L. Morgan Martin, P.A., our legal team is dedicated to getting you the compensation that is rightfully yours. To schedule your free consultation with a Conway personal injury lawyer, contact us online or give us a call today.