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When we think of vehicles that can cause serious injuries, we don’t often think of golf carts. However, these four-wheel vehicles can be very dangerous. Being involved in a golf cart accident can cause serious harm and even be fatal.
If you or your loved one were injured in a golf cart accident, the golf cart injury lawyers at Regan Zambri Long can help recover the compensation you deserve.
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A golf cart is a small, four-wheeled vehicle that can get up to about 15 mph in speed. While they were first designed to carry golfers and their equipment, many people and industries have started using golf carts for transportation.
There are approximately 450 golf courses throughout the DC Metro Area (and about 70% of golf cart accidents occur at sports facilities), but those are not the only places that utilize the vehicles. Besides golf courses, golf carts are the main source of local transportation in gated communities, farms and private homes, hospitals, airports, college campuses, and military bases.
In Virginia and Washington, DC, you have to be 16 years old to operate a golf cart. In Maryland, the legal age to drive one of these vehicles is 12 years old when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Although not all golf cart accidents can be prevented, many are caused by one thing: negligent drivers. There are drivers who don’t take their responsibility seriously in golf carts. It is a big mistake that has led to many catastrophic injuries and unnecessary deaths.
The most common causes of golf cart accidents are:
Without the protection of doors or seatbelts, passengers are at risk of being thrown from the golf cart. Without anything holding them in place, if the driver takes a sharp turn too quickly, the passengers can be ejected from the golf cart.
There is no structure to keep a passenger from extending arms and legs outside the golf cart. When this happens, the limb can be run over or crushed if the driver turns unexpectedly.
Golf carts are difficult to maneuver, both in acceleration or slowing down the vehicle. They have a weight limit of about 450 per cart. When it’s overloaded with passengers or equipment, it can make it very difficult to stop the vehicle, especially if it is going downhill. Being unable to stop can cause the golf cart to crash into fixed structures or other drivers.
Operating any vehicle under the influence is extremely dangerous. Since many of these vehicles are operated in social settings, drivers don’t take drinking and driving seriously. This leads to many dangerous and even deadly accidents.
Like driving under the influence, golf cart drivers do not take distracted driving seriously when they operate the golf cart. Many falsely think the reduced speed of the vehicle will prevent any serious injury. However, when a driver is distracted by a cellphone or other passengers, a terrible accident can occur and the driver and passengers can be seriously injured.
Other causes of golf cart accidents are:
Following a golf cart accident, there are several different kinds of personal injury claims a victim can file. This is where the Regan Zambri Long personal injury lawyers step in. We will determine the type of accident you were involved in, who is liable for the accident, and what damages to pursue. You can file the following types of claims in a golf cart accident:
Golf carts are considered motor vehicles, so an accident may be considered a motor vehicle accident. If this is the case, the Regan Zambri Long golf cart accident attorneys will investigate the scene of the accident and pursue damages against the negligent driver.
Sometimes, accidents occur no matter how careful the drivers are being. When these accidents happen, there is usually something wrong with the vehicle itself. The defects could include the engine, the tires, the brakes, or the steering. If your golf cart accident was caused by a vehicle defect, your Regan Zambri Long accident lawyer will pursue damages against the golf cart manufacturer.
If you are driving on a golf course or any other property where you are legally allowed to operate golf carts, the owners of that property have a responsibility to make sure conditions are safe. For example, if you are driving on a golf course, the golf cart trails should be routinely paved and on even ground. Grassy land should be kept up and any holes in the ground should be filled immediately to avoid accidents. If your golf cart accident was caused by poor conditions on the property you were driving on, your Regan Zambri Long golf cart accident lawyer will file a premises liability claim.
It is important to know that you are not required to have legal counsel in a personal injury claim. However, golf cart accidents can be complex and you may not know who to pursue damages against.
The Regan Zambri Long personal injury attorneys will help you determine the type of claim that will secure the maximum amount of compensation. We will also investigate the accident and hold every liable party accountable for their actions. The Regan Zambri Long golf cart accident lawyers will seek compensation for:
Our golf cart accident attorneys have secured millions for our clients over the years. Our law firm is home to national trial lawyers. This means if a negotiated settlement is not in your favor, we have the financial means and legal resources to take on large insurance companies in court. With our law firm, you are in good hands and your lawyer will be with you until the very end.
Our mission remains the same after 30 years in business: we secure fair compensation as quickly as possible for our clients and we do not take a fee unless we win. Throughout your trial, your lawyer will available to you at all times and will not get paid unless you do. Call today for your free case evaluation to get the process started.
Golf carts lack traditional safety features like doors, seatbelts, mirrors, and lights. Because they lack these features, passengers are more at risk of serious injuries. Children make up 31.2% of all golf cart injuries.
The three main injuries a golf cart accident victim can sustain are:
Soft tissue injury is the most common injury in golf cart accidents. Soft tissue injuries are when muscles, tendons, and ligaments are torn, sprained, or strained. Injuries can include contusions (deep bruises), tendonitis, and bursitis (inflammation in knees, elbows, or shoulders).
Following a golf cart accident, the rate of traumatic brain injuries in children is more than three times the rate of traumatic brain injuries in adults. A traumatic brain injury results from a violent blow or jolt to the head and causes damage to the brain. A mild TBI is called a concussion and can result in loss of consciousness, dizziness, headaches, and confusion. A severe traumatic brain injury, however, can take years to heal.
Golf cart accident victims can sustain different back and neck injuries, including whiplash. Although whiplash is a downplayed injury, its effects of it can alter a victim’s life for months or even years. Many whiplash victims will need pain management, including physical therapy, medication, and ongoing treatment.
Other injuries golf cart accident victims can suffer are:
A: Your safety and the safety of your passengers are the most important thing following a golf cart accident. The following steps will ensure your safety and help you in a personal injury lawsuit following the golf cart accident.
A: Not all accidents can be prevented. However, the following safety measures can help avoid severe injury in an accident:
A: The Regan Zambri Long law firm operates in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia. Our lawyers are deeply knowledgeable in all three jurisdictions’ laws and insurance policies. Depending on where your golf cart accident occurred, we will apply specific state laws to your case.
In Maryland, golf cart laws include:
In Virginia, golf cart laws include:
In Washington, DC, golf cart laws include:
A: Contributory negligence is a law practiced in all three jurisdictions – Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. The law states that if the victim is responsible for any part of the accident – even 10% – they cannot claim compensation for their injuries.
The Regan Zambri Long personal injury attorneys are very experienced in navigating contributory negligence. They understand that most defense attorneys will jump to use the law to get their clients out of paying what they rightfully owe the victim. Your Regan Zambri Long golf cart accident lawyer will build a solid case that proves you are not liable for the golf cart accident in any way and will secure the compensation you deserve.
