Top Five Reasons for Golf Cart Accidents

Golf carts are the favored accessory for golfers, but they are also a popular method of transportation throughout Florida. It should be no surprise, since Florida has the most golf courses in the country out of any other state at 1,250. In fact, golf carts are an especially favorite mode of transportation for residents of The Villages; there are more than 50,000 golf carts for the 125,000 residents!

Unfortunately, golf cart accident injuries and crashes are also more frequent than you may realize. Lowman Law Firm wants you to practice safe driving and avoid being the next victim of a golf cart accident in this area, so we’ve put together a list of the top five causes of golf car accidents.

Most Common Golf Cart Accidents

Below is a list of the most common golf cart accidents or cause of injuries resulting from carts. 

Overloaded Golf Carts

Golf carts can range with their carrying capacity anywhere between 450 to 800 pounds of weight. Sitting two to three people is generally a safe weight, but any more than that and the golf cart is at risk of tipping over and causing an accident. Golf cart accidents come with the potential for serious injuries; an overloaded golf cart carrying seven people toppled over and resulted in serious injuries in a 2019 accident.  

An overwhelmed golf cart is also difficult to brake and accelerate, which increases the potential for serious collisions.  

Lack of Seatbelts

Many golf cart accident injuries are the result of a lack of seat belts. Sharp turns, whether from reckless driving or U-turns, can throw people off the golf cart and result in serious golf cart accidents. While drivers may be braced by the steering wheel, all the other passengers have nothing preventing them from being flung off the cart and into the road, potentially further endangering themselves.  

Driving Under The Influence

Even though a golf cart may be much smaller than a car, operating a golf cart under the influence of alcohol can result in collisions or accidents that can seriously injure or kill drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. 

In Florida, you can be arrested, charged, convicted, and sentenced for a DUI while driving a golf cart under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances. 

Distracted Driving

Just as distracted driving is responsible for hundreds of devastating auto accidents every year, the same goes for golf carts. When drivers are distracted by things inside or outside the vehicle - whether it be texting, eating, or other passengers in the cart - there is the potential for a golf carting accident. 

Just because golf carts are much smaller than cars and go at slower speeds doesn’t mean that using your phone while driving is any less dangerous. In fact, golf cart accidents due to distracted driving can even be more dangerous due to the fewer safety features of golf carts, including lack of seatbelts.

When to Pursue A Golf Cart Injury Lawsuit

If you or a loved one has experienced a golf cart accident, you need to know an experienced golf cart accident lawyer you can trust. Though golf carts are smaller than a car, they are still motorized vehicles capable of causing accidents with serious injuries and should be treated just like any other car accident that happens. 

In the event of a golf carting accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. However, don’t hold off on seeking a personal injury attorney. Your personal injury attorney will not only evaluate the case, but also:

• Find out whether the golf cart is properly insured
• Properly file a claim
• What the gold cart’s issued use was (road, or just inside a community or complex)
• Receiving deserved compensation for your injuries
• Knowing your rights with insurance companies

The sooner you hire a personal injury attorney, the sooner the case can be evaluated and the quicker they can issue action and accountability for those involved.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer For Your Golf Carting Accident

One of the best ways to avoid getting into golf cart accidents is to practice safe driving. Even though you may be visiting your neighbor down the road, you should buckle up because you never know about the other drivers on the road.

If you or someone you know has sustained an injury resulting from a golf cart accident, you should contact a trusted and compassionate personal injury lawyer for a consultation. From our family, at Lowman Law Firm, we hope you continue having fun,, but we also want you to stay safe and drive responsibly paying attention to the other drivers on the road as well.