Golf Cart DUI Crash Injury Attorneys

Whether you’re playing a leisurely nine holes or committing to a full eighteen, a golf cart can become just as essential as your golf gear. Golf carts make it easier to focus on your form during your golf tee time and are a necessity in the scorching summer heat of South Carolina. They also allow you to ride with friends, boosting the social fun of a golf outing. 

Many Lowcountry clubhouse bars offer drink carts and host sponsored events where alcohol is served. It’s easy to overlook the risks of drinking and driving while out on a course. However, golf cart crashes can cause serious injuries. These cases deserve serious attention, including representation from an experienced attorney. The team at the Steinberg Law Firm is here to help. 

Golf Cart Accidents in the News: Charleston’s Recent Tragedies

Charleston news reports have included recent golf cart collisions, accidents, and injuries. Recent cases include: 

• In January 2026, a golf cart overturned on South Palmer Drive, killing the occupant. News reports noted the accident is the fourth fatal golf cart crash in Charleston County in recent years.
• In April 2025, a golf cart accident led to the death of Jeff Sperbeck, who once represented former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway.
• In late 2024, a drunk driver collided with a golf cart, killing a young woman who had just been married.
• Injuries to children while riding on golf carts have increased in South Carolina and other states in recent years, according to one study.

Steinberg Law Firm is not directly involved in any of the above cases, but understands the nuances in cases like these. Our attorneys are aware of the health and financial challenges golf cart injury victims may face after a golf cart tips over, crashes into a tree or bush, or directly hits them while golfing. 

The Role of Alcohol: Drink Carts, Clubhouses, and Responsibility

Many Lowcountry golf courses offer “drink carts,” also known as beverage carts, that are specially-equipped golf carts with an on-the-go bar for golfers. Cocktails and beer are common beverages that many golf course visitors may want to enjoy during their tee time.

Although golf is a social and sporting event intended to let you relax, hang out with other golfers, and enjoy a few drinks, too much fun can quickly turn dangerous. Drinking games and a culture of overindulgence during outings and tournaments can leave golfers poorly equipped to operate a golf cart. 

South Carolina’s “dram shop” laws hold venues accountable for when they serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron who then goes on to cause injuries in a DUI accident. These laws were designed to apply to bars, but they may also apply to golf courses that serve alcohol to patrons. If a golfer drinks too much and causes a DUI crash, does the dram shop law hold the server responsible? The outing’s sponsors? The clubhouse? The fundraising organization that may have sponsored an event? Answering these questions requires the assistance of an experienced Charleston area lawyer. 

Where These Risks Are Most Present: Charleston-Area Golf Courses

As the Discover South Carolina tourism website notes, Charleston is home to several world-renowned golf courses. Popular courses in the area include:

• Charleston Municipal Golf Course
• Country Club of Charleston
• The Links at Stono Ferry
• Charleston National
• Patriots Point
• Dunes West
• Legend Oaks
• Pine Forest
• Summerville Country Club
• Wescott Plantation
• Crowfield
• Berkeley Country Club
• Kiawah Island’s five courses: the Ocean Course, Osprey Point, Oak Point, Turtle Point, and Cougar Point.

Many courses offer alcohol service. On Kiawah Island, for example, golfers can grab a drink in several venues, including the Ryder Cup Bar at the Ocean Course Clubhouse, The Sanctuary Lobby Bar, The River Room at the River Course Clubhouse, and the Players’ Pub at the Cougar Point Clubhouse. Drink cart services are available at Wild Dunes Resort, The Links at Stono Ferry, and Patriot Point, among others.

What South Carolina Law Says About Golf Carts, Drinking, and Liability

South Carolina defines a DUI as a situation in which someone operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances that impair their ability to drive safely. For alcohol, the legal limit is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher.

• South Carolina recently passed a state law to clarify when people can use golf carts on public streets. 
• Whether you’re on a road or on a golf course, South Carolina prohibits driving a golf cart if you’re also under the influence of alcohol. 
• Golf carts count as “motor vehicles” whether they’re driven on public streets or on golf courses. This means a person with a BAC of 0.08 or higher is breaking the law if they drive a golf cart.
• In South Carolina, someone who causes a DUI accident while on a golf cart may face criminal charges. 

They may also be held liable for any injuries or property damage caused by the accident. A person who causes injuries might be held liable for damages even if their BAC is below the legal limit.  

Who’s Legally Liable When Someone Gets Hurt?

Liability can get complicated quickly when a drunk golf cart driver causes injuries on a golf course. Several parties may share the fault for the injuries, including:

• The golf cart driver. The driver can be held liable for failing to drive safely. The driver may also face criminal charges for DUI, depending on the circumstances. 
• Course management. What are the golf course’s policies for managing alcohol and safety? If the course failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm, it may share fault for the accident.
• Sponsoring organization. Like course managers, organizations that sponsor golf outings featuring alcohol may face liability if they didn’t use reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm.
• Servers. South Carolina’s dram shop laws task servers with saying “no” to refills when a patron is visibly intoxicated. Servers who fail to do so may share in the fault for any resulting harm. 

An injured person may also face challenges with waivers. Many golf courses that rent carts also require parties to sign a waiver of liability. These waivers are intended to protect the golf course from liability if the renter causes injuries with the golf cart. When a waiver exists, it’s wise to work with an experienced personal injury attorney to seek the maximum compensation under the circumstances. 

What to Do If You’re Injured in a Golf Cart Accident

It’s crucial to get medical attention as soon as you can. In an emergency, call 911 and take an ambulance to the nearest emergency room. A doctor will diagnose your injuries, document your injuries, and provide treatment options for your needs. Next, you should: 

• Gather any evidence you can. If possible, take photos or video at the scene, make voice notes, or jot down what you remember about the crash. 
• Speak to witnesses and take note of what they say, along with their contact information. 
• Inform the golf course about what happened. 
• Get a copy of any accident report the course creates. Contact law enforcement if needed.

Finally, it’s best to contact an experienced attorney at Steinberg Law Firm as soon as you can. You shouldn’t have to face the aftermath of a serious golf cart incident at a local country club or golf course. 

Contact Our Gold Cart Injury Attorneys at Steinberg Law Firm Today

Golf cart crashes can be complex, especially when alcohol and injuries are involved. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate liability and insurance. Your attorney can also ensure that your claim is filed promptly. 

To learn more, reach out to the Steinberg Law Firm today. Schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Charleston golf cart injury attorney.