Golf carts are considered street legal in Florida only in certain situations. They may operate on some public roads, usually on streets with speed limits of 30 miles per hour or less, where allowed. State law also limits where golf carts can drive and where they may cross larger roads.
Golf cart crashes can create several legal challenges. Many of these vehicles lack basic safety features, and insurance coverage is not always available. Our legal team reviews how the crash happened and looks at what options may exist for pursuing damages.
Questions often arise about whether the cart was allowed on the road and who may be responsible for injuries. If you or a loved one has been in a golf cart accident, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers can explain the rules that apply after a crash involving one of these vehicles during a free consultation.
Laws That Make Golf Carts Street Legal on Certain Florida Roads
Florida regulates golf carts under Florida Statutes § 316.212. This law explains when and where golf carts may operate on public streets. Under this statute, a golf cart may operate on public roads that have a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less.
Local governments may allow golf carts on certain roads through local ordinances or designated crossings. In some areas, golf carts may also cross larger roads at marked crossings. Cities and counties often post signs to show where golf carts may travel.
Local governments may also create additional rules for golf cart use within their communities. The rules around whether golf carts are street legal can vary from one Florida city to another, so drivers sometimes misunderstand where golf carts are allowed.
Where Golf Carts are Commonly Allowed in Florida’s Communities
Golf carts appear frequently throughout Florida and frequently operate in areas such as:
- Residential communities
- Retirement communities
- Golf course neighborhoods
- Beach towns and resort areas
- Planned developments with golf cart paths
Some Florida cities create special golf cart routes that connect neighborhoods with shopping centers, parks, or public facilities.
Is There a Difference Between a Golf Cart and a Low-Speed Vehicle?
Yes. In Florida, state law draws a clear line between golf carts and low-speed vehicles. The two vehicles look similar, but they fall under different legal categories. A golf cart generally travels below 20 miles per hour. Also, most traditional golf carts do not require registration, insurance, or a driver’s license when used in areas where they are allowed.
Low-speed vehicles typically operate at 20 to 25 miles per hour and must meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. These vehicles must be registered, insured, and driven by a licensed driver.
Because they meet additional safety requirements, Florida allows low-speed vehicles to travel on roads with speed limits of up to 35 miles per hour.
Who Can Drive a Golf Cart in Florida?
Florida doesn’t require someone to have a driver’s license if they are operating a golf cart in certain areas, such as a designated public road or roads within a golf cart community. Visitors and residents may be surprised to learn that the same rules apply to all vehicles.
Some communities require drivers to be at least 14 years old to operate a golf cart on public streets. These rules may be a bit more relaxed because golf carts frequently operate in communities where residents rely on them for short trips.
Still, some local governments may impose additional age restrictions if they deem them necessary.
Why Golf Cart Accidents Happen
While these vehicles make it easier to take short trips, their design creates several safety concerns when they share the road with much larger vehicles.
Golf carts don’t have features like airbags, reinforced frames, or advanced braking systems, which can keep cart drivers and passengers safe. Models can also lack doors or seat belts. These and other limitations may put a golf cart’s occupants at risk of injury should a crash occur.
Our injury lawyers see accidents result from:
- Driver inexperience
- Unsafe turns or lane changes
- Distracted driving
- Driving on roads where golf carts are not permitted
- A golf cart carrying more passengers than the cart allows
Many accidents occur when a golf cart collides with a standard vehicle at an intersection or when drivers misjudge traffic speeds. Passengers may also fall from golf carts during sudden turns or stops.
Not Everyone Who Gets Hurt in a Golf Cart Crash is a Driver or Passenger
People walking nearby can also suffer injuries when a golf cart loses control or strikes someone in a shared space. These incidents often occur in areas where golf carts travel close to pedestrians.
Because the vehicles are quiet, people nearby may not even notice or hear them until it’s too late to move out of the way. These accidents can also seriously injure people, even when they occur at lower speeds. The open design of these vehicles often exposes passengers during a crash.
Common injuries may include broken bones, injuries to the head, neck, and back, and cuts and lacerations. Children and older adults face a greater risk of serious injury because they often ride in golf carts within residential communities.
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Legal Challenges After a Golf Car Accident in Florida
When there is disagreement over who’s at fault for a golf crash, legal issues can get complicated quickly. One major difference is that insurance coverage does not always apply the same way it does in traditional car accidents.
Many golf carts are not insured, especially when people use them in private communities. Questions may arise about:
- Whether the golf cart was allowed on the road.
- Whether the driver followed local rules.
- Who owned the golf cart.
- Whether insurance coverage exists.
It is also possible that more than one party is at fault for the crash. A driver, property owner, vehicle owner, or even a rental company may share responsibility depending on the circumstances. A lawyer from our firm will examine traffic rules, local ordinances, witness statements, and accident reports to determine what happened.
How Our Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Florida Golf Cart Crash
Golf cart crashes can raise questions about road rules, liability, and insurance coverage. A lawyer from our firm will examine traffic rules, local ordinances, witness statements, and accident reports to determine what happened.
This review helps identify whether the golf cart was operating legally and who may be responsible for the injuries. Once we know what the facts are, we will handle communication with insurance companies and negotiate for damages related to medical care, lost income, and other crash-related losses.
If we must file a lawsuit to recover damages, we generally have two years from the date of the accident to do it under Florida Statutes § 95.11(5)(a). Acting quickly can help preserve evidence, especially in neighborhoods where golf cart crashes often occur. Our lawyer can review the timeline and take steps to protect the injured person’s rights.
Speak With Blakeley Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers About a Florida Golf Cart Accident
Golf cart crashes can raise questions about liability, road rules, insurance coverage, and street legality in Florida. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers will review how the crash happened, determine whether the golf cart was legally allowed on the road, and pursue damages for medical bills and other losses.
At Blakeley Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we have recovered more than $250 million for injured clients in Florida and bring 40 years of combined experience to personal injury cases. Our team has earned a reputation as South Florida’s most well-known Personal Injury Lawyer by standing up for people after serious accidents.
When you contact us, you speak with a lawyer, not layers of staff. We communicate clearly and call people back so that you always know where your case stands. To get started, call us today for a free consultation.
