What to Do After a Golf Cart Accident in South Carolina
Medical care comes first. A family member or friend can handle the report, photos and insurance calls while you're in the hospital.
- Get prompt medical attention. Call 911 for serious injuries or emergencies. After that, keep each surgery, therapy and doctor visit, and save the records.
- Report the crash. Ask whether an officer will prepare a collision report, which agency is handling it and how to get a copy.
- Get names and insurance. That means the cart driver's name and license details, the cart owner's name, and any insurance information. Do the same for any car driver involved.
- Note whether it was a rental. Record the rental company's name and anything painted or stickered on the cart.
- Take photos. Photograph your injuries, then the cart, any car involved, the road or path, signs and lighting.
- Find witnesses. Get names and phone numbers of anyone who saw it.
- Take your time before you sign. Many people get their questions answered by a lawyer first.
What Are South Carolina's Golf Cart Laws?
South Carolina has specific rules for operating golf carts on public roads. Depending on the location and circumstances, these rules address permits, insurance, licensed drivers, permitted roadways and when golf carts may be operated.12 Under the current law:
- Driver: a driver on a public road must be at least 16 and hold a valid driver's license.
- Cart: the golf cart must be permitted, registered and insured.1
- Roads: operation is generally limited to roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, though carts may cross faster roads at intersections.
- Hours and distance: without a qualifying local ordinance, the default rules generally limit operation to daylight hours and within four miles of the registered address. Local governments may allow nighttime operation under specified conditions.2
- Children: passengers under 12 generally must wear seat belts on public roads, with a specific golf-course exception.6
A violation of a safety rule may be relevant to determining responsibility for an accident, but it does not automatically establish who is legally at fault. Different rules may apply to golf carts operated on private property.3
How Long You Have to File
Most personal injury claims in South Carolina must be filed within three years.4 The deadline is for a lawsuit, and an insurance claim does not stop it.5
Claims against South Carolina state or local government entities generally must be filed within two years. A qualifying claim filed under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act may extend the lawsuit deadline to three years.7 Special liability rules and limits on damages may also apply.8
A lawyer can explain how this works for you.
Want someone to look at your situation?
Talk with our team about what happened and ask the questions on your mind.
Talk With Us
A golf cart crash often involves neighbors, friends or a vacation gone wrong. We understand that can make a claim feel awkward, and we keep those relationships in mind. We talk with you about your options.
Our firm is based in Charleston, and we take golf cart accident cases from across South Carolina. If the injury affects thinking, memory or mood, see our page on brain injury claims. If a car or truck hit you, our page on car accident claims in South Carolina may help too.
Tell us where the cart was headed, who was driving and whether a car was involved.
South Carolina Law on This
- To drive a golf cart on public roads in South Carolina, the golf cart must be registered with the DMV, have a valid permit decal, and be covered by liability insurance. The driver must be at least 16 years old, hold a valid driver's license, and carry their license, golf cart registration certificate, and proof of insurance while driving.1
- South Carolina generally limits permitted golf carts on public roads to those with speed limits of 35 mph or less, although carts may cross faster roads at intersections. Unless a local ordinance or another statutory exception applies, golf carts may be operated only on secondary roads during daylight hours and within four miles of their registered address. Special rules apply to gated communities and certain events.2
- A violation of a golf cart safety rule may be relevant to determining responsibility for an accident, but it does not automatically establish who is legally at fault. Different rules may apply to golf carts operated on private property.3
- Most personal injury claims in South Carolina must be filed within three years.4
- South Carolina's statute of limitations generally sets the deadline for filing a lawsuit in court. Simply opening a claim with an insurance company or negotiating with an insurance adjuster does not stop the statute of limitations from running.5
- Golf cart passengers under 12 generally must wear seat belts on public roads in South Carolina, with a specific exception for golf courses.6
- Lawsuits under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act generally must be filed within two years after the loss was or should have been discovered. A three-year deadline may apply if a qualifying verified claim was first filed under the Act.7
- Claims against a South Carolina state or local government agency have their own filing deadline, which can be shorter, and there could be caps on damages under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, depending on the facts of the case.8
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover a golf cart accident?
Possibly. Coverage may come from insurance associated with the golf cart, an automobile policy, a rental company's coverage or another applicable policy. The answer depends on the circumstances and the policy terms. Do not assume that a homeowner's or automobile policy automatically covers the accident.
What if the golf cart was a rental?
A rental golf cart accident may involve questions about the driver's conduct, the condition of the cart, maintenance and the rental company's responsibilities. Save the rental agreement, payment records, safety instructions and any communications with the rental company. Whether the rental company shares legal responsibility depends on the facts.
Should I call the police after a golf cart crash?
Report a crash involving injuries to law enforcement and request emergency assistance when needed. Ask whether an officer will prepare a collision report and how to obtain it. Reporting requirements can depend on where the accident happened and the circumstances.
Does an insurance claim give me more time to file?
No. The filing deadline is for filing a lawsuit in court, and opening a claim with an insurance company does not stop it.5 Write down the date of the crash and keep it where you'll see it.
Sources
This page is general information about South Carolina law, not legal advice for your situation. Every case depends on its own facts.
