Sun City Center golf cart accidentFor many Florida families, golf carts are an affordable and fun way to navigate the neighborhood. Like many other communities, Sun City Center even allows the use of golf carts on many public roads. However, deprived of the safety features of larger automobiles, golf carts pose serious risks in the event of a collision. 

With the high costs of health care only continuing to rise, any accident—no matter its severity—poses a serious threat to victims’ physical health and financial well-being. If you or a loved one was injured in a Sun City Center golf cart accident that wasn’t your fault, our personal injury attorney can help you build a compelling case for recovery. 

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Driving Golf Carts in Sun City Center

Florida lawmakers have long recognized that the Sunshine State’s warm climate makes golf carts an attractive alternative to larger and less-energy-efficient motor vehicles. Under existing state law, golf carts can typically be operated on any roadway that permits their use.

However, individual towns, cities, and counties make their own rules, which can be more or less restrictive than the broad standard set by the state. In Sun City Center, for instance, golf carts can be driven on almost any public road, subject to the following guidelines.  

  • Highway Prohibitions. Golf carts are allowed on any public streets within Sun City Center, but they cannot be taken onto state highways. This includes State Road 674 and Highway 301. 
  • Use Restrictions. Golf carts can only be used between the hours of sunrise and sunset. They can never be driven at night, even if equipped with reflectors and lights. 
  • Operating Rules. Golf cart operators don’t need a driver’s license, but golf carts are still classified as motor vehicles and are therefore subject to Florida’s traffic code. 

Making Sense of Golf Cart Crashes

Florida law, and Sun City Center ordinances, delegate golf cart operators the same rights and responsibilities as other motorists. Unfortunately, these rights can come at a cost—accidents are surprisingly common, and they occur with alarming regularity. Here are just a few of the most common causes of Sun City Center golf cart accidents.

Right-of-Way Violations 

Since golf carts are categorized as motor vehicles, golf cart operators are afforded almost all the same rights as persons driving larger automobiles. However, some drivers see golf carts more as slow-moving obstacles than actual vehicles. Instead of yielding their right-of-way to a golf cart, they frequently try to execute dangerous maneuvers, endangering themselves as well as the golf cart occupants. 

Merging Accidents With Cars, Motorcycles, and Commercial Vehicles 

Golf carts may be a common sight in Florida, but many motorists—commuters and tourists alike—don’t look for smaller vehicles when merging into traffic. Any oversight, no matter how minute, could have life-changing repercussions for everyone involved. 

Other Acts of Negligence

There are various causes of golf cart accidents. Under certain circumstances, they can even be instigated by inattentive pedestrians and reckless cyclists. Other acts of negligence, like drunk driving, also cause or exacerbate the severity of a golf cart collision. 

Fighting for Your Rights After a Sun City Center Golf Cart Accident

Florida is one of several states with no-fault insurance laws, but only individuals with golf carts that meet the definition of a “low-speed vehicle” need to carry coverage. However, even if you have insurance on a golf cart, policy limits are often too low to compensate for the costs of a serious accident. 

However, Floridians have options beyond financial strain. Accident victims who suffer serious injuries often have a legal right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party who caused their collision. If successful, a personal injury lawsuit can help victims recover additional damages. These economic and non-economic damages include, but aren’t limited to:

While Florida doesn’t cap damages in most golf cart-related claims, the Sunshine State has a strict statute of limitations. If you wait too long to contact an attorney, you could forfeit your rights to a fair recovery. Don’t delay: contact DeLoach, Hofstra & Cavonis, P.A., as soon as possible. 

Let Our Proven Injury Attorney Help With Your Claim in Sun City Center

Our Sun City Center personal injury attorney can’t take away the pain or loss of your injury, but we can work to help you obtain the compensation you deserve to protect you and your family.

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Call us today at 727-777-6842 for immediate assistance or take a moment to fill out our online contact form by clicking the button above for a prompt response from a member of our legal team.