Golf Cart Accidents
Additional Information
Were You Injured in a Golf Cart Crash? We Want to Help
Golf carts are a popular mode of transportation in Arizona, on and off the golf course. Considered motor vehicles under state law, they are often seen in the streets, riding alongside other vehicles. However, when a golf cart crashes, it can cause severe injuries to people inside and outside of the cart. Depending on who is at fault, the accident victims may be able to claim compensation for their injuries.
Anyone injured in a golf cart accident should speak to a Phoenix personal injury attorney, like the ones at The Husband & Wife Law Team. We have over a decade of experience handling car accident claims in Arizona, and we know what to do. Call us for a FREE case evaluation.
What Are Common Golf Cart Accidents?
Golf cart accidents frequently happen when the driver is behaving recklessly or not paying enough attention. Common scenarios that lead to golf cart accident include:
Tipping over. Golf carts are not very stable and very prone to tipping over. Hills, dips, difficult terrain, and sudden turns can all lead to tipping-over accidents.
Collisions with vehicles or other golf carts can occur when one cart is following another too closely, when drivers are not cautious enough on the road, and when automobile operators are speeding or if they make unsafe lane changes.
Overloaded carts. Passengers may be at risk when too many people and too much equipment is packed into a golf cart, especially if riders are hanging on to the sides instead of being properly seated.
Distracted driving. Talking, keeping score, or using a cell phone can cause drivers to miss potential hazards on the road or on a golf course, leading to serious accidents.
Driving under the influence. Drivers may assume that it’s ok to consume too much alcohol because they aren’t driving in a regular vehicle, but this can lead to very dangerous and even deadly accidents.
Golf Cart Laws
The laws surrounding golf carts in are similar to those for other motor vehicles. Operators must have a valid driver’s license, they must register the vehicle with the Arizona Department of Transportation, and they must carry liability insurance for a minimum of $10,000 in property damage and $15,000 in bodily injury.
A unique law pertaining to golf carts in Arizona is that they cannot be equipped to travel faster than 25 miles per hour. They also cannot be driven on roads with speed limits higher than 35 miles per hour. Golf carts are limited to four people including the driver and they cannot be driven on sidewalks. It is not permissible to drive a golf cart on private property without the consent of the property owner.
Like cars, golf carts must be equipped with brake lights, headlights, taillights, rearview mirrors, a license plate, and a horn. While these safety features are intended to prevent accidents, collisions still happen on the roads, and victims can sustain serious injuries.
What Are Common Golf Cart Injuries?
Golf carts offer very little protection to riders. They are open on most sides, and their light weight makes them prone to rolling over. They have small tires and typically lack safety features such as doors, seatbelts, airbags, and mirrors. Without these safety features, even a minor accident can cause catastrophic injuries, especially if the passengers inside the golf cart are ejected from the vehicle.
A golf cart crash can result in severe injuries, such as:
Broken bones, especially to the extremities
Spinal cord injury, nerve damage, or paralysis
Brain injuries, including skull fracture
Lacerations and deep tissue damage
These injuries can be life-threatening and costly to treat. Because golf cart drivers are required to carry liability insurance, any pedestrian hit by a golf cart may receive insurance benefits to help pay for some of the costs. And anyone traveling in a golf cart hit by another vehicle may be covered under that vehicle’s liability policy. Dealing with insurance companies is never easy, though.
Golf Cart Accidents and Insurance
Arizona is a tort state, which means accident victims have to prove that someone else caused their injuries before being covered by that person’s insurance policy. Insurance companies try to avoid paying out on accident claims, as this will cut into their bottom line. They may offer an unfair settlement or argue that the victim was at fault for the accident.
The Husband & Wife Law Team knows how insurance companies work, and how to get fair settlements from them. Our Phoenix golf cart accident attorneys will speak to insurance companies on your behalf, and insurance companies don’t try the same tactics once a lawyer is involved.
Getting Compensation for Your Injuries
If you have been injured in a Phoenix golf cart accident, your personal injury attorney will conduct a full investigation to determine who is responsible for your injuries. If negligence is found, you deserve compensation to pay for your medical costs and other expenses. Negligent parties may include:
The golf course. If you got in a wreck due to a poorly manicured course, a broken cart, or a poorly maintained cart, the owners of the course may be liable.
Golf cart manufacturers. Carts with a defective design or faulty parts can cause tire blowouts, rollovers, and other types of accidents that result in serious injuries.
The driver. Being careless, reckless, distracted, or inebriated while operating a golf cart is very dangerous. A negligent golf cart operator is subject to the same rules as any other motor vehicle driver.
The golf cart owner is responsible for making sure the cart is fully serviced and safe to drive.
Fighting to Get You the Best Possible Settlement
With the number of golf carts on the road in Arizona, these types of accidents are much more common than many people realize. If you have been injured in a golf cart crash due to someone else’s negligence, call The Husband & Wife Law Team. We’ll fight to get you the compensation you deserve!