Even low-speed vehicles such as golf carts can cause injuries in the event of an accident. Driving a golf cart under any circumstances requires caution and care on the part of the golf cart driver.
If you believe the golf cart operator who hit you and caused your injuries was behaving recklessly or negligently at the time of the crash, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. Contact a Saint Cloud golf cart accident lawyer such as Bogin, Munns & Munns to discuss how we might be able to represent you.
Call us at (407) 556-3994 today for a free consultation.
Common Forms of Golf Cart Accidents
To someone who has rarely used this type of powered vehicle outside of a golf course setting, these vehicles may seem slow and safe. However, golf carts made to travel on roadways can reach speeds of 25 mph. Still, they have very few safety components that can protect the driver and passenger in the event of an accident.
There are several features of golf carts that increase the possibility of a serious injury for passengers in an accident.
Vehicle Tipping
The design of golf carts along with their relatively light weight makes for a higher center of gravity than that found in a typical passenger car. This means that when the driver is traveling fast and executes a sharp turn, the cart has a greater chance of tipping over than other vehicles.
Ejections During Sharp Turns
Even if the cart does not tip, passengers in the cart could be ejected from the vehicle during a sharp turn at high speed. The open sides of a golf cart combined with a golf cart’s lack of seat belts increase the likelihood of this accident scenario.
Ejections from Rear-Facing Seats
For a golf cart made to carry more than two passengers on local roadways, it may have a rear-facing seat at the back of the cart instead of an area to secure golf bags.
Children especially enjoy riding on this rear-facing seat. However, if the seat has no safety restraints, passengers on this seat may fall off the back of the cart, suffering an ejection if the cart suddenly stops or if it hits a large bump in the road at high speed.
Lack of Safety Gear
Golf carts are not made with the same kinds of safety equipment that you will find in a high-speed vehicle. This leaves passengers and the driver in danger of suffering injuries even in a low-speed crash.
Some forms of safety features that a golf cart may lack include:
- No seat belts
- No airbags
- No protective cage around passengers
- No doors and glass in windows to prevent ejections
- No significant tread on tires, leading to skidding on wet pavement
Because of the lack of safety gear, the consequences of even minor accidents can be significant for passengers or drivers. If someone else’s negligence led to your injuries in a crash, consider contacting a Saint Cloud golf cart accident lawyer.
To consult with an experienced golf cart accident lawyer serving St. Cloud
855-780-9986
Golf Cart Regulations and Collisions
According to St. Cloud Code of Ordinances Chapter 42 Article 4, there are a number of local rules and regulations that golf cart operators must follow to be in compliance, which include:
- Properly registering the cart with the city
- Operating the golf cart only under the use of a valid driver’s license
- Operating the golf cart only on designated city streets
- Meeting the city’s standards for golf cart equipment
If the operator caused a crash and injured someone, a failure to follow any of these rules could leave the operator open to a negligence claim, and therefore, a personal injury lawsuit.
Golf Cart Drivers as Victims of Negligence
If you were operating a golf cart and an operator of a traditional motor vehicle hit your golf cart, you and your passengers could suffer multiple significant injuries.
If you can show that the motor vehicle driver was behaving in a negligent manner, you may have the ability to file a personal injury lawsuit against the motor vehicle driver. Your case could be especially effective if you can show evidence that you were in compliance with local laws and regulations. Some of the ways that a motor vehicle driver could be found negligent after hitting a golf cart include:
- Drinking while driving, leading to a reduced level of motor skills
- Distracted driving, such as looking at a smartphone while driving
- Speeding
- Failing to maintain a lane
- Entering an intersection illegally
- Failing to give the golf cart the right of way
Your lawyer can speak with you more about these and other forms of negligence that can be used to build a personal injury case.
Seek to Recover Compensation after a Golf Cart Accident
If you have suffered an injury accident because of the actions of a negligent golf cart driver, you may be unsure how to file a personal injury claim. You may want to put the incident behind you, focusing on attempting to heal from your injuries as stress-free as possible. A lawyer can help you handle the details of filing your claim and negotiating with any third parties as needed so that you don’t have to.
Remember that in the state of Florida, you have a limited among of time to file a personal injury claim. The two-year statute of limitations applies to injury and wrongful death cases alike, which can feel like very short time frame in which to work. The longer you wait, the higher the risk of missing this statute of limitations and, thus, your right to compensation.
Contact a Saint Cloud golf cart accident lawyer to learn how a lawyer can help you fight for compensation for your losses. At Bogin, Munns & Munns, we can stand by your side throughout each step of the case, so please call us for your free consultation today.
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