Reviewed By: Personal Injury Team Last Updated: June 29, 2026
Whether you’ve driven around admiring the architecture of downtown Charleston or found yourself craving breakfast from Nexton’s Vicious Biscuit, you’ve likely shared the roadway with the small, albeit powerful, golf cart.
Expanding from their staple of 18-hole greenery, golf carts have become a familiar sight on South Carolina roadways. While proving to be an easier vehicle to maneuver through Charleston communities and parking lots, it presents a whole new danger to motor vehicles sharing the road with their smaller companions – and vice versa.
So, what happens when your motor vehicle collides with a golf cart? Who is held liable? Are there laws in place to protect golf cart drivers and, by association, motorists?
Hoffman Law Firm has the answers! Keep reading to find out what our car accident lawyers near you have to say about golf cart-car accidents and how we can help in the event of a crash.
What Causes a Golf Cart Accident?
If you’ve ever had the luxury of cruising around on a golf cart, you’ll know what they make up for in ease and function, they lack in safety features.
Traditionally, golf carts lack many basic safety features necessary for motor vehicles, such as seatbelts, doors, mirrors, and sometimes lights.
Golf cart accidents in South Carolina can occur due to a number of reasons, ranging from human error to the vehicle itself. Common causes include:
Driver Inexperience
You don’t need to hold a special license to operate a golf cart. Therefore, most operators of these vehicles lack proper training and understanding in handling it. This lack of knowledge can lead to mistakes that may result in an accident.
Speeding and Sharp Turns
Golf carts are designed for low-speed, leisurely travel. When drivers go too fast, they run the increased risk of losing control and crashing or causing a collision. Taking sharp turns at high speeds can also cause a golf cart to tip over, resulting in serious injuries to the driver and their passengers.
Distracted Driving
Just like in cars, distractions while driving can be tempting–and dangerous. Texting on your phone or chatting with a friend can take the driver’s focus away from the road, leading to a potential collision.
Overloading
Since golf carts are smaller vehicles, they tend to come with a passenger or weight limit. Exceeding these limits can make the golf cart unstable, causing it to tip over or crash.
Poor Maintenance
Just like your car, vehicle maintenance is a top priority to ensure safety on the road. Improper maintenance can lead to brake problems, tire issues, or steering malfunctions, all of which can contribute to a crash.
Alcohol Use
Studies show that three out of five golf cart accidents involve alcohol. It’s common for golf cart operators to move under the impression that they can operate a golf cart while consuming alcohol because they are in their neighborhoods or traveling short distances. However, when sharing the road with other golf carts or cars, anything is possible – even a collision.
Who is Liable in the Event a Car Collides with a Golf Cart?
Depending on the events of the accident, anyone is eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person they believe is responsible.
The parties that may be responsible in the event of a golf cart-car collision include:
The Golf Cart Operator
The driver of the golf cart may be held liable if they were driving recklessly, speeding, or distracted (such as texting while driving), or any of the following above causes.
South Carolina law dictates golf cart drivers cannot exceed 35 mph and can only drive during daylight hours. Violations of these laws may be viewed as negligence.
Another Driver
If another driver brought about the collision through their own negligence, they may be found at fault.
Shared Fault or Comparative Negligence
Shared fault, or comparative negligence, occurs when both parties are found partly at fault in the collision. In these types of cases, South Carolina determines that if your portion of fault was less than 50%, you are eligible to recover damages and seek compensation.
Every accident is different, and determining liability is not always a straightforward path. In order to ensure all parties are held liable, it helps to have a South Carolina car accident lawyer on your side.
Understanding the Golf Cart Laws in South Carolina
Like most vehicles, golf carts are subject to certain laws to ensure the safety of their operators and other drivers around them. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS), golf cart owners are to adhere to the following laws when operating their vehicles:
- Ensure they have the required permits, liability insurance, and registration documentation
- Golf carts can only operate within four miles of the address where the cart is registered
- Golf carts can only reach speed limits of 35 mph or less
- Drivers can only operate golf carts during daylight hours
- Drivers must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license
Consult DPS to learn more about South Carolina’s golf cart laws and legislation.
Get in Touch with Our Car Accident Attorneys at Hoffman Law Firm
Getting into an accident with a golf cart may follow the same protocols as any other accident, but golf cart laws and regulations make the experience all the more daunting.
We understand the complexities and feelings surrounding golf cart-car accidents, and we want to help. With the assistance of a car accident lawyer near you, our goal is to help you navigate the legal proceedings of a personal injury claim.
Plus, you only pay us if we win your case.
Located in Georgetown & Charleston, South Carolina, we proudly advocate for accident victims throughout the Palmetto State. As the locals’ trusted personal injury law firm, we have extensive experience handling a wide variety of cases.
We have established a reputation for success and great service! To meet with a member of our team, schedule your free consultation today. We are here to help!
Sources
- S.C. Code § 56-2-90 – South Carolina Golf Cart Regulations: The enacted state statute (replacing the former § 56-2-105) defining modern golf cart restrictions, including the four-mile radius limit from the registration address, the 35 mph road restriction, and the mandatory seat belt requirement for passengers under 12 years old.
- SCDMV Golf Cart Permit Requirements: Regulatory guidelines from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles requiring golf cart owners to maintain valid liability insurance, carry registration paperwork, and obtain a five-year permit decal (Form GC-2) to legally access public roads.
- South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) – Golf Cart Law: Traffic safety protocols outlining operational constraints, licensing minimums, and strict DUI enforcement parameters for anyone operating a golf cart on public streets.
Learn More About Car Accident Claims in Charleston
- Ready to speak with an attorney about your collision? Speak with an experienced local legal advocate about maximizing compensation with Hoffman Law Firm. We offer a client-first approach, so learn how our Contingency Fee Structure ($0 Upfront Fee) works—meaning you pay absolutely nothing unless we successfully win your case. Free consultation available.
Disclosure & Legal Disclaimer: This blog is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information regarding golf cart laws, liability rules, accident causes, and South Carolina traffic regulations is provided for general awareness and may not reflect the most current laws or apply to every situation.
Liability in golf cart and motor vehicle collisions depends on the specific facts of the incident, applicable South Carolina law, and available evidence. References to statistics, legal standards, or potential outcomes are for informational purposes only and do not guarantee results.
Reading this content does not create an attorney–client relationship. For legal advice regarding a specific accident or injury, consult a qualified South Carolina personal injury attorney.
