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golf cart
Ever hopped in a golf cart without a second thought? You’re not alone. These handy vehicles get you around the course, but here’s something you might not realize: that cart you’re driving deserves the same respect as your car on the highway.
The recent tragic accident involving Jeff Sperbeck, NFL legend John Elway’s longtime agent and friend, has many of us rethinking golf cart safety. Initial reports suggest Sperbeck might have been riding in an unsafe position—perhaps off the back of the cart—something you’ve probably seen (or even done) yourself.
Let’s face it: when you’re out having fun, it’s easy to forget that golf carts aren’t toys. They’re vehicles that can seriously hurt you or your playing partners when used carelessly.
Think golf carts are just for the links? Think again. These vehicles have rolled far beyond the fairways into many aspects of daily life:
With this expanded use comes expanded risk. Street-legal golf carts may mix with regular traffic, while community carts often carry multiple family members, including children and pets. The rules and regulations governing these different uses vary dramatically by state and even by municipality, creating confusion about proper operation.
In retirement communities alone, golf cart use has exploded, with some Florida and Arizona communities having more golf carts than regular vehicles. This increasing popularity has contributed to the 67.6% rise in injuries among older adults, as many seniors use these vehicles daily without proper training or safety awareness.
The statistics are even more concerning when you consider that many retirement community residents may have vision, mobility, or reaction-time challenges that make operating any vehicle more dangerous. Add to this that many community golf carts are modified for higher speeds or custom features, and you have a recipe for increased risk.
Did you know that over 15,000 people just like you end up in emergency rooms each year due to golf cart accidents? That number has jumped by 130% since the 1990s, with nearly 150,000 ER visits in a recent 16-year period.
While most accidents happen right on the course where you play, they’re increasingly occurring in neighborhoods and on streets as golf carts become more popular beyond the links. Here’s what typically causes these accidents:
About 40% of these accidents involve someone falling out, usually during a turn that seemed perfectly safe. What’s scary? Nearly a third of all injuries happen to kids under 16, even though they’re a small fraction of golf cart users.
When you picture who gets injured in golf carts, you might be surprised:
What happens when things go wrong? You could be looking at:
Most commonly, you might fall when someone takes a turn too quickly while holding onto the roof supports—something that feels harmless until suddenly it’s not.
No matter if you’re playing at your local municipal course or a fancy resort, these five easy habits can keep your round fun and accident-free:
Despite your best efforts, accidents can still happen. If you’ve been injured in a golf cart incident, you might be facing:
Many golf cart accidents aren’t just bad luck—they result from someone’s negligence. This could include:
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims, especially when liability isn’t clear-cut. This is where an experienced personal injury attorney becomes invaluable.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart accident, don’t wait to get legal help. Our experienced personal injury attorneys understand the unique complexities of golf cart cases and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations to discuss your case and explain your options. You pay nothing unless we win for you.
Call us today to schedule your free consultation. Remember, most personal injury claims have strict time limits, so don’t delay in protecting your rights.
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