St. Petersburg Golf Cart Accident Attorney

Golf carts are an important mode of transportation throughout Florida, including in areas like St. Petersburg. These low-speed, easy-to-use vehicles are ideal for a short, social trip around the corner. No matter how common they are, it is critical to know your rights after an accident.

Our St. Petersburg car accident lawyers at Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner bring years of experience to your case. Speak with our golf cart accident attorneys in St. Petersburg today by calling (727) 761-0340 or visiting our contact page before you speak with the insurance company. Your first consultation is free.

Types of Golf Cart Accidents in St. Petersburg

Golf carts are everywhere in the city, from the golf courses to the apartment complexes and even the city streets. As a fairly common mode of transportation, these vehicles are also somewhat prone to accidents.

Some of the most common reasons golf court accidents happen in St. Petersburg include:

• Rollovers: Overcrowding, tight turns, or overloading are common causes of a golf cart overturning.
• Weather Conditions: Golf cart accidents are more likely to occur when conditions are wet or muddy, often making it hard for the driver to control the vehicle.
• Intoxication: The person behind the wheel of either vehicle could be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, increasing the risk of serious accident injuries.
• Improper turns: Sharp turns, especially at high speeds, are a common cause of accidents in golf carts.
• Distractions: Either driver could be distracted, such as by updating the GPS or answering a text message.
• Inexperience in operation: Some accidents occur when drivers fail to use the vehicle properly. Reversing downhill, hitting other objects, failing to secure gear, and improper turns are often caused by a lack of experience.
• Lack of safety: For example, the absence of seat belts and other restraints makes accidents more likely to be serious.

Our St. Petersburg golf cart accident attorneys work with victims, whether that is a driver or rider of the golf cart, or another vehicle or person struck by the golf cart. These accidents often result in serious injuries but can be legally complex. Let our golf cart accident lawyers navigate them for you.

Key Florida Laws Impacting Golf Court Accidents

Several Florida laws govern the use of golf carts and the determination of fault in accidents. Under Section 320.01(22), it is legal to operate these vehicles on roads designated for golf carts that have a posted speed limit of 20 mph or lower. Some county roads, mobile home communities, and other designated areas may also allow golf cart use.

Golf carts do not require registration under Florida law. This, then, means they are exempt from personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) laws. The operator does not need a driver’s license, but they must be at least 14 years of age to operate them on public roads.

While these laws can seem to make it impossible to seek financial compensation, that is not the case. When someone causes an accident that injures you, it is still your right to seek fair compensation. With the help of a golf cart accident attorney in St. Petersburg, you gain the legal guidance necessary to take action.

Determining Fault in Golf Cart Accident

One of the most important reasons to hire a St. Petersburg golf cart accident lawyer is to prove fault. Victims of such accidents may seek financial compensation for any losses they can determine against the at-fault party, depending on the severity of those losses and the cause.

Here are some of the most common parties our golf cart accident attorneys see at our firm:

• The community: The country club, golf course association, or other community that encourages the use of golf carts could be at fault if it failed to maintain roadways, inspect the golf carts it rents, or otherwise put people at risk.
• The driver of the car: If a car strikes a golf cart, the risk of serious injuries is very high. If that driver caused the accident, and the golf cart driver does not have coverage otherwise, it may be possible to seek action against the driver. Golf cart drivers may be held accountable if they cause an accident.
• Manufacturers: Golf carts continue to see upgrades and modifications, but they may also be dangerous if a defective part causes an accident. We seek action against golf cart manufacturers.

These are some of the most common examples we see, but there are many others. Let our St. Petersburg golf cart accident lawyers investigate your accident, determine who caused it and why, and then pursue legal action against anyone who put you at risk. We’re here to help you.

What Your Golf Cart Accident Claim May Be Worth

The value of your St. Petersburg golf cart accident claim depends on the situation and severity of your losses. In our experience, the following are some of the types of damages we seek. We will always provide a full investigation to outline your losses in detail.

• Medical costs: Document all care you receive at a hospital, medical center, or other facility for your injuries. This includes future medical costs.
• Loss of earnings: If you cannot work for a period of time due to your injuries, you can seek recovery of those losses.
• Pain and suffering: You likely suffered serious pain and mental anguish from the accident, and that can result in ongoing financial implications.
• Loss of earning capacity: In serious accidents, you may be unable to return to work at all, limiting your future ability to earn.
• Loss of life: It is very unfortunate when this happens, but family members have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim for their financial losses if their loved one dies in an accident.

Our golf cart accident attorneys fight for full and fair compensation. Depending on the cause and type of accident, that may mean pursuing a claim for financial losses against your own insurance company or the other party’s.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our St. Petersburg Golf Cart Accident Lawyer

Request a free consultation with Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner now. Let us pursue fair compensation under the law. You can rely on our golf cart accident attorneys in St. Petersburg as a trusted advocate.