Where Can I Legally Drive a Golf Cart in South Carolina?

You can legally drive a golf cart in South Carolina during daylight hours:

• Within four miles from an entrance to a gated neighborhood
• On roads that allow speeds of 35 mph at most and within four miles of the golf cart owner’s residence or establishment
• On any path or secondary road on land that is inaccessible by a path made for vehicle use

Golf cart owners can also pass a road at an intersection where the road has a given speed limit of at least 35 mph. Take note that municipalities and counties may let golf cart drivers drive at night on designated parts of barrier islands as long as the vehicle has working rear lights and headlights.

In addition, your golf cart must be permitted, insured, and registered with the SCDMV. You cannot be 16 years old or below and need a valid driver’s license. It is unlawful to drive any vehicle, including golf carts, under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Otherwise, you may face DUI charges and serious criminal penalties.

These laws are crucial to ensure your safety and other people and drivers on the road. But not everyone may be as careful and law-abiding as you are. If you suffered an injury in a crash due to another driver’s negligence, you may have a claim against them. Reach out to a local Conway golf cart accident lawyer to explore the compensation options available to you.

Who Should Be Held Liable in a Golf Cart Collision?

Establishing liability is an important step in a golf cart accident investigation. Sometimes, liability is simple to determine. At other times, however, it can be more difficult. For instance, if you were on a road, you shouldn’t be driving on and got into a collision with a distracted driver, the other motorist’s insurance company will work to ensure that you share no less than 50 percent of the liability for the accident.

On the other hand, if you operated a golf cart and abided by traffic laws or the local golf cart laws and were hit by a driver who was distracted or under the influence, the driver is undoubtedly the one who is responsible. Golf carts are smaller in size compared to the average vehicle. Their safety features are also more limited, meaning that an accident between a golf cart and another car can be especially hazardous. Golf cart collisions can result in injuries such as lacerations to broken bones and even brain or spinal cord injuries.

Depending on the specific circumstances of the golf cart accident, the following parties may be held liable for the resulting damages:

• If the collision occurred on the road, other motor vehicle operators or the golf cart’s manufacturer (if the cart or a component was defective) may be held liable.
• If the crash happened on a golf course, the liable party could be other golfers, the golf course’s manager or owner, or staff members.

A Conway golf cart accident lawyer can help you find out who should be held responsible for the injuries or damages you sustained because there may be more than one liable party involved.

Speak to Our Conway Golf Cart Accident Lawyer

If a loved one was killed or you suffered an injury in a golf cart accident, reach out to our Conway, SC, golf cart accident lawyer to explore your legal options. Book your free consultation by calling the Law Offices of L. Morgan Martin, P.A. at 843-248-3177 or contact us online.