While I typically focus on the laws and cases affecting RV’s and our dealers, I feel I need to veer a little off the path and discuss Golf Carts. I know many of your customers use them, drive them, and you might even use them yourselves. But beware who you let drive your golf carts because you could be opening yourself up to millions of dollars in liability.
A consent judgment of $18 Million dollars was entered for a 12-year-old passenger who was being driven by a 16-year-old, minor, who was apparently the niece of the owner of the golf cart. The owner was likewise sued, with judgments altogether amounting in excess of $50 million dollars. Besides the fact that the story is tragic as this 12 year old suffered a traumatic brain injury, all the families involved will never be the same.
Make sure your auto insurance covers your golf carts. The Federal Court in Florida found that in this particular case the Geico policy did not limit its coverage to only motor vehicles which could be driving on a road, but some do. Most of us don’t think twice about loaning our golf carts to friends and family. Frequently I see minors, who are clearly not of age to drive, speeding through our community with their friends. Now with these cases coming forward, the precedent is set, and the personal injury attorneys are salivating. If you use golf carts whether for business or personal, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Also, while it may seem a little strange, have a waiver or something that can be signed if you lend your cart to others. Also, make a rule that no one drives the cart who is not a licensed driver, who has insurance.
Don’t get caught in the mindset that golf carts are just fun low speed off road vehicles. In the wrong hands they can be deadly, and the consequences both physically and financially can last a lifetime.