How Old Do You Have to Be to Drive a Golf Cart?

While Conway, South Carolina, is a great golf destination, it is not a free-for-all when it comes to driving golf carts. We have all seen children driving golf carts – as if they were toys – a time or two, but it’s important to know that this practice is against the law in the State of South Carolina. To drive a golf cart in the state, you must be at least 16 years old and must have a valid driver’s license – and this isn’t where the legal regulations end. If you’ve been harmed by another driver’s negligence, reach out for the skilled legal guidance of an experienced Conway traffic accident attorney.

The Legal Basics

In South Carolina, all the following regulations apply to driving golf carts:

• The driver must be at least 16 years old and must have a valid driver’s license.
• The golf cart itself must be registered, insured, and permitted.
• The driver can’t take the golf cart out on roads with posted speed limits that exceed 35 miles per hour.
• The driver can only operate the golf cart on roads during daylight hours.
• The driver must keep the golf cart within four miles of the address listed on its permit.

Further, the person driving the golf cart must have all the following in their possession:

• Their own driver’s license
• The golf cart’s registration certificate
• Proof of liability insurance for the golf cart

The Statistics

According to Gitnux – an independent market research platform – all the following statistics apply to golf cart accidents in the United States:

• Over 15,000 people sustain injuries in golf cart accidents each year.
• More than 11 percent of these injuries affect the head or neck, which makes them serious injuries.
• In a recent year, legal cases involving golf cart accidents increased by 8 percent.

Golf cart accidents happen, and they are often very dangerous.

Your Legal Damages

If you suffered an injury because of someone who is driving a golf cart outside the parameters of the law, you can seek compensation for the legal damages – or covered losses – you experience, including:

• Property damage to your vehicle and its contents
• Your current and ongoing medical expenses
• Your lost income, including any losses related to earning potential
• The physical and emotional pain and suffering you experience

Critical elements of successful traffic accident claims, including those involving golf carts, are proving the other driver’s negligence and carefully demonstrating the extent of your physical, financial, and emotional losses, and a seasoned traffic accident attorney can help you with that.

Consult with an Experienced Conway, SC, Traffic Accident Attorney Today

The formidable Conway, SC, traffic accident attorneys at the Law Offices of L. Morgan Martin, P.A., have a wealth of experience successfully handling challenging traffic accident claims. If you’ve suffered an injury in such an accident, it’s time to reach out and contact us online or call 843-248-3177 for more information about what we can do to help you today.