A visit to the Grand Strand with lifelong friends should have ended with memories of time together at the beach. Instead, a golf cart ride back from dinner left a father of two fighting for his life and, weeks later, his family grieving his death.
In the wake of the tragedy, his loved one put their faith in Partner Attorney Mark Joye and Case Manager Brittany Kearley to pursue accountability. Through their dogged determination, the team uncovered and exhausted multiple insurance policies, ultimately resulting in a $1.7 million settlement. They also secured a health insurance reimbursement waiver, protecting the recovery from a claim that could have substantially reduced the funds available to his children.
A Ride Home After a Night Out in Myrtle Beach Turns Tragic
On a late summer evening, four longtime friends were staying at one friend’s vacation home in Myrtle Beach. They took two golf carts to dinner. On the way back, the father was seated in the rear of the cart driven by their host.
As the driver made a turn on North Kings Highway, his passenger fell from the cart and violently struck his head on the pavement. It was clear immediately that something was seriously wrong. The friend laid unconscious with blood seeping from his ears. First responders rushed to the chaotic scene.
Both golf cart drivers were arrested and charged with DUI.
EMS transported the victim to Grand Strand Medical Center. His condition was dire. A vibrant man, who just hours later was laughing and reminiscing with friends was now unconscious in a hospital bed, diagnosed with multiple skull fractures and brain bleeds. He underwent multiple surgeries and was placed in a medically induced coma in an attempt to save his life. His family faced excruciating weeks of uncertainty as doctors worked tirelessly to treat his severe brain injuries. After fifty days fighting for his life, his body finally gave out. In a tragic conclusion, the man died from his injuries, leaving behind two children, one in college and the other in high school.
As the family struggled to navigate his hospitalization and the grief that followed, his brother and sister stepped up to serve as the main contacts for our legal team. Case Manager Brittany Kearley checked in regularly, answered questions, and kept them updated by providing steady support throughout the case.
For the family, the unimaginable loss was compounded by the fact their loved one had been riding with a lifelong friend, someone he trusted to get home safely.
Uncovering Available Insurance Policies and Navigating Exclusionary Language for Golf Cart Usage
When Attorney Joye took on the case, the victim’s medical bills exceeded $2 million. The golf cart’s liability coverage alone could not adequately address the harm. This made finding additional insurance coverage essential.
Attorney Joye examined the driver’s liability, underinsured motorist, homeowners, and umbrella policies. That investigation revealed a crucial source of recovery: the friend’s homeowner’s insurance should cover the incident, even though it occurred away from the vacation home.
Locating the policy was only the first step. Establishing the coverage required close review of its definitions and exclusions, along with extensive back-and-forth discussions with the insurer and its attorneys.
A second homeowners policy showed just how much the wording mattered. This policy restricts golf cart coverage to usage within a gated community or a specified distance of a golf course. Because the accident occurred outside those limits, the policy would not cover the incident.
By examining each policy and relentlessly pursuing all the insurance coverage that applied, Atty. Joye secured payments from a total of four different sources:
| Coverage source | Recovery |
| Liability Insurance | $300,000 |
| Underinsured Motorist Coverage | $100,000 |
| Homeowners Insurance | $300,000 |
| Umbrella Insurance | $1,000,000 |
| Total Settlement | $1,700,000 |
Preserving the Recovery Against Medical Liens
Securing the settlement did not end the financial challenges. The family’s health insurance company came after them for a reimbursement for the medical expenses it had paid. When an injured person receives compensation from the party responsible for their injuries, health insurers may have the right to recover some of the money they spent on treatment. This can significantly reduce the amount of settlement money the injured person actually receives.
With medical bills exceeding $2 million, resolving that demand was a critical part of the case. Attorney Joye fought to protect the family’s recovery and successfully persuaded the insurer to waive its reimbursement claim. As a result, the family did not have to use any of their settlement proceeds to repay the health insurer.
What Golf Cart Owners and Passengers Should Know
When friends climb into a golf cart together, they often put their safety in the hands of someone they know and trust. That trust carries responsibility, especially when a host is transporting out-of-town guests who depend on them to get home.
Choosing a golf cart instead of a car does not make drinking and driving safe. If alcohol is part of the evening, arranging a sober driver, taxi, or rideshare should be part of the plan. Even a short trip can have devastating consequences.
Golf cart owners also need to know whether their insurance covers the way they use their golf cart. In this case, one homeowner’s policy contributed $300,000 to the family’s recovery, while another excluded the incident because of restrictions on where the cart could be operated.
Before carrying passengers, ask your insurance professional to review your coverage for public-road use, guest drivers, and passenger injuries, along with any restrictions in your homeowners or umbrella policy. Depending on the policy, you may need an endorsement or separate golf cart insurance. Discovering a gap after someone is injured can leave you facing personal financial exposure.
Passengers should also review their own underinsured motorist coverage. Whether it applies to a golf cart injury depends on the policy and circumstances, but here, it provided an additional $100,000 for the family.
Help After a Serious Golf Cart Accident
Two children lost their father, and a close group of friends must live with the consequences of that evening. No financial recovery can undo that damage.
The case was resolved approximately one year after the incident, with a $1.7 million settlement addressing the father’s suffering before his death and the loss experienced by the family he left behind. While no settlement could undo their loss, resolving the case without a prolonged legal battle helped bring a measure of closure and allowed the family to focus on grieving, healing, and supporting his children.
If your family is facing the aftermath of a serious golf cart accident, you deserve support through every step of the legal process. At Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we work to uncover available insurance coverage, protect your family’s recovery, and keep you informed so you can focus on caring for one another.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
