Myrtle Beach Golf Cart Accident Injuries: Liability and Insurance Claims

Golf carts are commonly used in and around coastal communities, campgrounds, neighborhoods, and vacation areas. When a golf cart collides with a car, overturns, or injures a passenger or pedestrian, liability can depend on the operator's conduct, the roadway, the cart's condition, applicable local rules, and available insurance.

South Carolina changed its golf cart law in 2025. That makes it especially important to rely on current rules rather than older summaries that cite the former statute.

What Are South Carolina's Current Golf Cart Rules?

Under current South Carolina law, a golf cart operated on a public highway must have a DMV permit decal and registration, and the owner must provide proof of liability insurance. The operator must be at least 16 years old, have a valid driver's license, and carry the registration, proof of insurance, and license.

Municipalities and counties can adopt ordinances governing when and where golf carts may operate, subject to state limits. Where no qualifying local ordinance applies, state law generally limits a permitted golf cart to daylight operation, secondary highways with speed limits of 35 mph or less, and a four-mile radius from the registered address or qualifying gated-community access point. State law also permits crossing certain higher-speed highways at intersections. Passengers under age 12 must wear a fastened safety belt when the cart is operated on public streets and highways.

Local rules can differ, so the location of the crash should be checked carefully.

Who May Be Liable for a Golf Cart Accident?

Potentially responsible parties can include:

• The golf cart operator for unsafe driving, distraction, impairment, failure to yield, or other negligent conduct.
• A motor vehicle driver who speeds, fails to yield, drives distracted, or otherwise causes a collision with the cart.
• The golf cart owner in circumstances where the owner's own conduct contributed to the injury.
• A rental business when evidence supports negligent maintenance or another independent act that contributed to the crash.
• A maintenance provider or manufacturer when a mechanical defect or negligent repair caused or contributed to the incident.
• A property owner or operator when an unsafe property condition independently contributed to the crash.

Ownership alone does not establish negligence. Each potential claim requires evidence connecting a person's or company's conduct to the injury.

What Types of Golf Cart Accidents Cause Injuries?

Golf cart injury cases can involve:

• A car striking a golf cart at an intersection.
• A golf cart turning or pulling into traffic without enough space.
• A cart overturning during a sharp turn.
• A passenger being ejected.
• A pedestrian being struck.
• A collision caused by defective brakes, steering, tires, or another component.
• A rental cart being operated by an unlicensed or impaired driver.

The cause should be investigated rather than assumed from the type of vehicle involved.

What Insurance Covers a Golf Cart Crash?

Insurance coverage can be complicated. A permitted golf cart operated on public highways must have liability insurance, but other policies may also be relevant depending on the circumstances. Potential sources can include an automobile policy, a golf cart policy, homeowner-related coverage, commercial coverage for a rental business, or the liability policy of another motor vehicle involved in the crash.

The language of each policy matters. Do not assume a homeowner or auto policy covers a golf cart without reviewing exclusions, definitions, endorsements, and where the cart was being operated.

What If the Golf Cart Was Rented?

Rental golf carts can add questions about who rented the vehicle, who was permitted to drive, what safety instructions were provided, whether the cart was maintained properly, and which insurance or contractual provisions apply.

Save the rental agreement, receipt, text messages, emails, waivers, and photographs of the cart. If a mechanical problem is suspected, the cart's condition should be documented before repair or return to service when possible.

What Evidence Matters After a Golf Cart Collision?

Important evidence can include:

• Photos and video of the cart and other vehicles.
• The cart's permit, registration, identifying number, and rental information.
• Witness statements.
• Police reports.
• Surveillance or dash-camera footage.
• Road signs, speed limits, lane markings, and intersection controls.
• Maintenance and repair records.
• Medical records documenting the injuries.

When the crash occurs on hotel, resort, campground, or other business property, premises liability issues may also need to be investigated. See the firm's Myrtle Beach premises liability resource.

What Injuries Can Golf Cart Accidents Cause?

Golf carts provide less occupant protection than passenger vehicles. Injuries can include head injuries, fractures, shoulder injuries, spinal injuries, facial injuries, lacerations, and road rash. Ejection and rollover incidents may be particularly serious.

Appropriate medical evaluation is important when symptoms are significant or worsening.

What If a Car Driver Caused the Collision?

When a motor vehicle driver causes the crash, the case may proceed similarly to another motor vehicle injury claim, with added questions about the cart's legal operation and insurance. The driver's liability coverage may apply, and UM or UIM coverage may also be relevant in some circumstances.

Read more about local auto claims in the firm's Myrtle Beach car accident guide.

Discuss a Myrtle Beach Golf Cart Accident

Derrick Law Firm Injury Lawyers can review how the crash happened, the current state and local rules, insurance policies, rental documents, and injury evidence to explain the legal options that may be available.