Rock Hill Golf Cart Accident Lawyer

When it comes to golf cart accidents, Auger & Auger understands just how life-changing they can be. Unfortunately, people don’t always take these mini-sized vehicles as seriously as they should. As it turns out, head injuries are the most common injuries incurred in golf cart passenger ejections and rollovers (which happen more frequently than all other incidents).

TMIs (traumatic brain injuries) can cause many severe complications; a victim can lose their memory, become comatose, and potentially need lifelong assisted care. Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers has represented hundreds of victims, who have been hurt due to driver horseplay, impaired driving, and just a basic lack of experience with golf carts and low-speed vehicles.

Golf Carts are Not Toys

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First of all, golf cart passenger injuries are much more common than those of their drivers. The drivers have two things going for them — their grip on the steering wheel and centrifugal force. For instance, while making a sharp left turn at maximum speed, both the driver and riders would be pulled to the right, but the operator has the wheel to hold onto.

Hip restraints are too short to hold anyone inside the vehicle and instead, serve more to give you support while sitting or entering the cart. In fact, when a rollover takes place and the cart has no seat belts, everyone is coming out. Even with the standard golf cart speed between 12-15 mph, making a sudden turn or running into a fixed object can even be fatal.

Why Golf Carts Need Laws

It may seem reasonable that golf carts are just an accessory to golf courses and their communities, but that is just not the case. All motorized vehicles (whether gas or electric) must be permitted and require a driver’s license to operate. The fact that these carts are mostly seen in gated neighborhoods doesn’t excuse their owners from following the rules individually defined by every state in the U.S.

Clearly, without laws in place for leisure and recreational vehicles — whether on land or water — there would be nothing to stop reckless behavior from being accountable. The fact that many golf courses are frequented by senior citizens makes perfect sense for a slower, more relaxing pace of activity. Even more, the reason to show respect for everyone behind the wheel who is sharing the green, or roads, with others.

SC Golf Cart Rules & Regulations

There are several laws in place to regulate South Carolina golf cart use. We would like our clients to know the rules because awareness broadens your commitment to safely share the roadways with others. You will see in Section 56-2-105 it is specified that carts must only be operated within daylight hours. A few other points we would like to bring to your attention are:   

  • Drivers must be at least 16 years of age or more.
  • Drivers are required to have a valid driver’s license.
  • A golf cart owner must renew the permit every five years.
  • Your golf cart is only allowed on paved roads and drives that have a posted speed limit maximum of 35 mph.
  • All vehicles, including golf carts, which are operated on a street are required to have liability insurance coverage.
  • Your local government is free to adopt more stringent ordinances than what is contained in the South Carolina code of laws.

You may be interested to know that DuPont offers an online course which focuses on golf cart safety. Though not required by law, all golf cart drivers should realize that driving within safe parameters is a responsibility to take seriously.

Time is of The Essence!

If you or a loved one has just been injured in a golf cart collision, realize that the statute of limitation began the moment the injury was incurred; i.e., the clock is already ticking. You can reach out to us right now because Auger & Auger’s Rock Hill golf cart accident attorney is always here for you and prepared to fight for justice. And, because we never want to add to your financial burden from an injury, our clients all receive the A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™.

Call (803) 992-8878 for your free consultation, with no fees due until recovery!