Golf carts are a way of life for many Americans. You may be an avid golfer who spends a lot of time on the green, the owner of a large property that you traverse with a golf cart, or a member of the growing number of small-town residents who use street-legal golf carts to get around. 

Unfortunately, driving golf carts is not as safe as we think it is. 

People don’t usually think of golf cart injuries as very serious, and yet these accidents can be life-changing. Serious injuries from golf cart accidents occur every year, as do fatalities. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are over 6,500 golf cart injuries involving children every year. Based on data from the Consumer Products Safety Commission, that accounts for about half of the 15,000 golf cart-related injuries every year. 

If you have been injured or someone you love has been killed in a golf cart accident, you undoubtedly have questions about what to do next.

• Are my injuries and losses covered the same way that they would be if I were in a car accident? 
• Can I file a personal injury claim against someone whose negligence caused the accident? 
• What kind of legal representation do you need to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve? 

At Poynter & Bucheri, we help the victims of all kinds of accidents, including golf cart accidents. This article will provide an overview of everything you need to know about what to do if you were injured or someone you love was killed while operating or riding in a golf cart. 

Who is Liable for a Golf Cart Accident?

Determining liability is an essential part of the investigation into a golf cart accident. Sometimes, fault is very easy to determine; other times, it is more complicated. 

For example, if you were the driver of a golf cart and were acting in accordance with local and state golf cart laws and you were struck by an intoxicated or distracted driver of a motor vehicle, the fault clearly lies with the motorist. 

But if you were driving on a road where you were not allowed to drive and were struck by a distracted motorist, the other driver’s insurance company will do everything they can to argue that you share at least half of the responsibility for the accident. 

Sometimes, the at-fault party is not the driver of a car or golf cart. If a child was killed because they were visiting a friend and had access to a golf cart that should have been inaccessible to them, the person who allowed the child to access the cart may be responsible for the injuries or even wrongful death. 

On a golf course, the responsible parties could be: 

• Other golfers on the course
• Staff members at the golf course
• The owner or manager of the golf course

Both on golf courses and on the road, liable parties could be: 

• Other motorists
• The driver of the golf cart
• The manufacturer of the cart (if it was defective)

An attorney can help you determine who should be held liable for your injuries or losses because it may be one individual or multiple parties. 

Understanding Indiana’s Golf Cart Laws

If you want to drive your golf cart on Indiana roadways, you must convert it into a registered Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV). 

In most cities, this means: 

• Having your LSV inspected by local police
• Installing a red or amber flashing light
• Carrying insurance 

You also have to have headlights, taillights, brake lights, a rearview mirror, seatbelts, and a slow-moving vehicle sign. 

LSVs must never exceed 35 mph on public roads. Non-converted golf carts usually only go about 12-15 mph. 

You also need to be aware of the following rules:

• Golf carts can only be driven as LSVs in cities and towns that have passed ordinances allowing them
• You must be 16 years + 180 days of age to legally drive an LSV in Indiana
• You have to have a legal driver’s license to operate a golf cart in Indiana

Why Are Golf Carts So Dangerous?

Golf carts are dangerous for a few reasons. 

1. They offer minimal safety protections (doors, windows, airbags, seatbelts), and drivers and passengers are highly exposed to dangerous conditions
2. Adults often let children drive golf carts without understanding the risks
3. Because they operate at a lower rate of speed, drivers on the road can quickly overtake them 
4. Their small size makes them easier for motorists to overlook

Getting Compensation for Injuries or Death After a Golf Cart Accident

If you were injured or someone you love was killed because of a golf cart accident, you may be eligible for compensation. 

Golf cart accidents are viewed by the Indiana court system in the same way as car accidents and other personal injury cases: fault is determined, and the party that is most responsible for the accident is also the most liable for damages. 

Recent tragedies are a painful reminder of how serious these golf cart accidents can be. These golf cart fatalities are hard to read about, but important to be aware of. Poynter & Bucheri can help Hoosiers who have been injured in golf cart accidents get compensation for their injuries, financial losses, and even wrongful death. 

Poynter & Bucheri – Indianapolis’s Golf Cart Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured in a golf cart accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Poynter & Bucheri to discuss your options for filing a golf cart injury lawsuit – 1-800-265-9881.

We don’t take any payment unless we win your case. That means that hiring us as your legal representation is risk-free for you and your family. We offer a free, no-obligation case review where you can share your story, ask questions, and learn about your options. Schedule your consultation today.