Does Car Insurance Cover Golf Cart Accidents in Jacksonville, FL?
If you’ve been injured in a golf cart accident, you may be wondering whether you can file an insurance claim to recover compensation for your injuries. The short answer is that it depends on many factors, including who caused the accident and how it occurred.
Insurance companies recognize that there are big differences between golf carts and other vehicles regarding where and how they are used, their safety features, and how they are regulated. Given these differences, your car insurance company is unlikely to compensate you for injuries you incur due to an accident in your golf cart.
However, there may be other avenues for seeking compensation for your injuries. Consider reaching out to an experienced Jacksonville personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.
Can I Pursue Compensation if I Am Hit by Another Vehicle While in a Golf Cart?
If the accident was caused by the other driver, then you may be able to file a personal injury claim against them. If you file a lawsuit, you will have to establish that the other driver was negligent, meaning they failed to act reasonably under the circumstances.
To prove negligence against the other driver, you must establish the following elements:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care.
- The driver breached the duty of care.
- You suffered damages as a result.
- Your damages were caused by the other driver’s actions or inactions.
You must prove these elements “by a preponderance of the evidence.”
What Compensation Is Available in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
If you’re injured by another driver while in a golf cart, you may be able to recover compensation in the form of damages. The two main types of damages available to personal injury victims are economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages concern the financial impacts of the accident. These may include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more. Economic damages are usually straightforward to calculate, as they relate directly to a financial cost.
Non-economic damages concern the emotional, psychological, or intangible effects of the accident. These include pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, emotional anguish, and loss of consortium. Non-economic damages can be tricky to calculate, as they relate to the victim’s subjective experience after an accident.
Are There Other Options for Pursuing Compensation After a Golf Cart Accident?
Depending on the facts of your case, you may have other ways to pursue compensation for your injuries. These could include:
- If you were on a golf course and you were involved in an accident due to a dangerous condition on the course, then the owner of the golf course may be liable for your injuries.
- If your golf cart crashed because of a design flaw or manufacturing defect, then the golf cart manufacturer might be liable for your injuries.
- If you were struck by a negligent driver who was working at the time of the accident, then the employer of the driver could be liable for your damages.
There may be other scenarios in which you could recover compensation. Reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer to review your case and discuss your options for seeking compensation.
How Long Do I Have To File a Golf Cart Injury Lawsuit?
In Florida, you have two years from the date of most personal injury accidents to file a lawsuit. This time limit for filing your case is called the statute of limitations. If your case is not filed on time, you will not be able to file your lawsuit seeking damages against the at-fault party.
Am I Required To Carry Insurance for My Golf Cart in Florida?
You are not required to carry insurance for golf carts in Florida, nor are you required to have them titled or registered. However, it may still be a good idea to have insurance on your golf cart in case an accident occurs and someone gets injured.
You should also make sure that your golf cart is not considered a “low speed vehicle” (LSV), as LSVs do need to have insurance in the state.
Could I Be Sued if I Cause an Accident While Operating a Golf Cart?
Yes. If you are driving a golf cart and are involved in a crash, then you could be liable to any injured parties if you were acting negligently, carelessly, or otherwise wrongfully when the accident occurred.
Contact an Experienced Jacksonville Golf Cart Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were involved in a golf cart accident in Jacksonville, FL, you may be confused about the next steps and wondering if an insurance company will compensate you for your injuries. Our highly skilled attorneys are here to help you navigate the personal injury claim process and seek compensation for your injuries.
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra golf cart accident law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and its surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W. Forsyth St. #170,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167