First Steps After a Golf Cart Crash in North Charleston
Care first. Family can make the calls.
- Call 911 for serious injuries.
- Keep every therapy and surgery date.
- Ask which agency has the report.
- Get the cart driver's and owner's names.
- Rental? Write down the company and cart number.
- Photograph injuries, the cart, the street, signs.
- Get witness numbers.
- Read before signing.
Carts in North Charleston
Golf carts turn up on the side streets around Park Circle, in planned neighborhoods off Dorchester Road, and on private grounds like campuses and large properties. In North Charleston, the trouble spots tend to be where a cart path spills into a parking lot or a cart tries to cross a busy road like Montague Avenue or Rivers Avenue.
South Carolina Law on Golf Carts
Rules for Carts on Public Roads
- Driver: must be at least 16 and hold a valid driver's license.
- Cart: must be registered with the DMV, have a valid permit decal and be covered by liability insurance.1
- Roads: 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.
- Hours and distance: 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.2
- Kids: golf cart passengers under 12 generally must wear seat belts on public roads, with a specific exception for golf courses.6
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
Time to File
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, and opening an insurance claim does not stop it.5 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 could face caps on damages, depending on the facts of the case.8
More on golf cart accident claims in South Carolina.
Want someone to look at your situation?
Talk with our team about what happened and ask the questions on your mind.
Talk With Us
Cart wrecks often involve neighbors. That can feel awkward. We keep it in mind. If you hire us, the insurers can usually deal with us.
We take cases across South Carolina, including North Charleston. Our office is on King Street in downtown Charleston. Hit by a car instead? See our North Charleston car accident page.
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
Whose insurance covers a cart crash?
It depends. Coverage might come from the cart's policy, a car policy, a rental company or something else. Never assume a homeowner's or auto policy pays automatically.
We rented the cart. Does that matter?
It might. Questions can arise about the driver, the cart's brakes and upkeep, and the rental outfit's duties. Keep the rental contract, receipt, safety sheet and any messages. Who shares blame depends on the facts.
Do police come out for golf cart wrecks?
Call 911 if anyone's hurt. Ask the officer about a collision report and how to get it. Reporting rules can vary by location.
Does an insurance claim give me more time?
No. South Carolina's statute of limitations generally sets the deadline for filing a lawsuit in court, and simply opening a claim with an insurance company does not stop it.5 Circle that date.
Do I have to come downtown to talk?
The first conversation can happen by phone. Our office is on King Street in downtown Charleston, south of North Charleston by way of I-26 or Rivers Avenue. If getting downtown is hard, we can come to you, at the hospital, at your home or wherever works best.
Sources
This page is general information about South Carolina law, not legal advice for your situation. Every case depends on its own facts.
