Golf carts aren't just for the golf course anymore. Throughout Texas, you'll find them buzzing through neighborhoods, ranch properties, vacation resorts, and outdoor events. While they're convenient and fun, they also come with real risks. When a golf cart accident happens, victims can suffer serious — sometimes life-changing — injuries.
In Texas, if you’ve been hurt because someone else acted carelessly or failed to keep you safe, you have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. That includes accidents involving golf carts, whether the cart was rented, privately owned, or operated by a business.
As a firm with extensive experience litigating high-stakes motor vehicle accident cases – including those involving golf cart injuries – our team at Hilliard Law knows that victims often have questions about who they can hold responsible for their losses. As with any personal injury case, the answer depends on the circumstances.
Fault, Negligence, and Golf Cart Accident Claims
In personal injury law, fault matters. A person (or company) is considered negligent when they fail to exercise reasonable care, and someone gets hurt as a result. If that negligence causes a golf cart crash, the injured party has the legal right to pursue compensation for their losses.
A few common examples of negligence in golf cart accidents include:
• A rental company that doesn’t inspect or repair its carts before renting them out
• A driver who operates a golf cart recklessly, speeding, or driving under the influence
• A property owner who fails to maintain safe pathways where carts are driven
• A manufacturer that sells a golf cart with dangerous design flaws or defective parts
Personal injury lawsuits are designed to hold these negligent parties financially responsible for the injuries they cause — covering medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
So, Who Can Be Liable for a Golf Cart Crash?
Liability in golf cart accidents isn’t always cut and dry. Depending on how the crash happened, several parties could be legally responsible. Here's a closer look:
1. Rental Companies
If you rented a golf cart at a golf course, resort, event, or dealership and the cart malfunctioned, or you weren't properly warned about hazards, the rental company could be on the hook. Rental businesses have a duty to:
• Maintain their carts in safe, working condition
• Inspect equipment between rentals
• Warn customers of known risks
• Train or instruct renters on safe operation (when necessary)
Failing to meet these duties can lead to accidents — and expose rental companies to liability for resulting injuries.
2. Private Owners
Not every golf cart involved in an accident is a rental. Many Texans own golf carts for personal use, especially around ranches, farms, and private properties. If a private owner allows someone to drive a poorly maintained or unsafe cart, or if they let an unqualified or intoxicated driver operate it, they might be held responsible under Texas negligence laws.
In some cases, a homeowner’s insurance policy may even come into play when a golf cart accident happens on private property and victims pursue claims on the basis of premises liability.
3. Other Drivers or Operators
Sometimes, it’s not the equipment that’s defective — it’s the driver. If someone else was operating the golf cart recklessly, ignored safety rules, or was under the influence, they can be sued for negligence. That includes both golf cart operators and drivers of other vehicles who cause collisions with golf carts on shared roads.
4. Property Owners or Event Organizers
Unsafe driving surfaces — such as potholes, steep drop-offs, hidden obstacles, or lack of barriers — can cause serious golf cart crashes. Property owners, resort managers, and event organizers have a duty to keep areas where carts are driven reasonably safe. If they knew (or should have known) about a danger and failed to fix it or warn about it, they could be liable for injuries.
5. Manufacturers and Distributors
If a golf cart accident was caused by a design defect, manufacturing flaw, or failure to warn about risks, the company that made or sold the cart could be responsible under products liability laws. Defective brakes, faulty steering, poor weight distribution (leading to tip-overs), and battery fires are all examples of issues that can lead to major injuries.
What You Can Recover — And Why Timing Matters
If you were injured in a golf cart crash caused by someone else’s negligence, Texas law gives you the right to seek compensation. Whether the liable party is a rental company, property owner, private individual, or manufacturer, a successful claim can help you recover damages for the physical, financial, and emotional toll the accident has taken.
Depending on the facts of your case, your recovery may include:
• Medical expenses – ER visits, surgeries, rehab, and ongoing care
• Lost wages – including future income if you’re unable to return to work
• Pain and suffering – for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries
• Property damage – if personal items were damaged in the crash
• Disability or disfigurement – for permanent impairments that affect your daily life
• Wrongful death damages – if you lost a loved one due to the accident
While every case is different, the value of your claim often depends on how strong your evidence is and how clearly fault can be established. That’s why acting quickly matters.
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. But waiting can weaken your case — records can disappear, witnesses can forget details, and liable parties can shift blame. Getting legal help early gives you the best chance at holding the right people accountable and recovering full compensation.
Have Questions? Hilliard Law Can Help.
At Hilliard Law, we’re no stranger to holding negligent parties accountable. Our award-winning trial lawyers have cultivated a record of success in high-stakes personal injury cases, taken on some of the country’s largest and most powerful corporations and automakers, and secured millions of dollars in compensation for clients.
We also have extensive experience litigating accident cases involving golf carts, ATVs, and other similar vehicles. In one case, our firm won a $33M product liability verdict against a golf cart company for a child who suffered a severe brain injury when a golf cart tipped over.
If you or someone you love were hurt in a golf cart crash anywhere in Texas, our team wants to help. We handle cases on contingency – which means there’s no fee unless we win – a and offer FREE consultations. Call (866) 927-3420 or contact us online to request yours.