Golf Cart Accidents: All You Need To Know

Oct 18

Golf carts may seem like a harmless and safe way to conveniently navigate golf courses and gated communities. However, there are many factors that can cause a golf cart accident that results in serious injury or potentially death. 

These seemingly innocent vehicles lack common safety features that could protect drivers and passengers from harm. Even at low speeds, golf cart accidents can leave victims with devastating injuries that require substantial medical bills and prolonged recovery periods. 

If you have been injured in a golf cart accident, our experienced personal injury lawyers at Blackburn Romey can help you seek compensation for your injuries. We offer comprehensive legal services from investigating the accident to negotiating your claim. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation and learn more about the legal options available to you. 

 

Types of Golf Cart Accidents

There are several ways a golf cart accident can occur, each with its unique set of causes and consequences. Some of the most common types of accidents involving golf carts include rollovers, collisions, cart malfunctions, and pedestrian crashes.  

While many incidents can be avoided by driving a golf cart safely and paying attention to your surroundings, some incidents are not caused by the driver and are difficult to avoid. External factors or poorly maintained golf carts can also lead to serious incidents such as fires and brake failures. 

It’s crucial to keep in mind that even a well-maintained and properly functioning golf cart can still experience accidents and to always practice caution when operating one. Understanding the types of golf cart accidents and their causes can help drivers take necessary precautions to prevent them from occurring.

 

  • Rollovers are one of the most common types of golf cart accidents. They are particularly dangerous and often result in severe injuries or fatalities. Golf carts have a higher center of gravity than other passenger vehicles, making them particularly vulnerable to rollovers, especially if a golf cart takes a sharp turn. 
  • Collisions between carts can also be just as devastating, especially in tight spaces or when traveling at high speeds. 
  • Roadway hazards such as fallen trees and potholes can also cause golf cart accidents. 
  • Distracted, reckless, or intoxicated driving is another common cause of these accidents. To keep yourself and your passengers safe, be sure to abide by all traffic rules and regulations, regularly maintain your golf cart, and avoid driving while under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
  • Malfunctions and improper maintenance can lead to a host of other accidents. Golf carts, like other vehicles, require regular maintenance, including battery checks, tire inspections, and brake inspections, to ensure optimal performance. 
  • Pedestrian crashes can be especially dangerous. When operating a golf cart, be mindful of pedestrians and yield their right of way.  
  • Auto accidents can occur in some parts of Indiana where special golf carts are street-legal. More commonly referred to as Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs), street-legal golf carts are especially susceptible to vehicle collisions. 

 

What to do Following a Golf Cart Accident

Following a golf cart accident, it is imperative to take prompt and appropriate action to protect your physical well-being and your legal rights. The most important steps to take include seeking medical attention, contacting the police, preserving evidence, and contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer.  

  • Seek medical care for your injuries; even if your injuries seem minor, it is important to receive an examination from a healthcare professional. This will not only help determine the extent of your injuries but will also serve as crucial evidence in a potential claim.
  • File an incident report and a police report. 
  • If possible, take pictures of the accident site and your injuries, as well as request copies of your medical records whenever possible. 
  • Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following the accident. Your lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal process, find the defendant, and fight for fair compensation for your injuries.

 

Common Golf Cart Injuries

Golf cart accidents can cause serious injuries. The lack of seat belts and other safety features means that passengers can easily be thrown from the vehicle. Golf carts rarely have integrated safety protections, so it’s not surprising that significant injuries occur even from seemingly minor incidents. 

Here are some of the most common golf cart injuries:

  • Cuts, Scrapes, and Bruises
  • Broken or Fractured Bones
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Neck or Back Injuries
  • Spinal Cord Injuries 

 

Liability in Golf Cart Injury Cases

Liability is the legal responsibility for causing an incident or having an incident occur on your property that results in injuries or other damages. It is often a complex factor in any case involving golf cart accidents. 

In golf cart accident cases, there can be multiple people who are potentially liable, such as the driver or drivers involved, the property owner where the accident occurred, the owner of the golf cart, or even the golf cart manufacturer. 

In many cases, the country club or golf course operator is held liable for the accident because they owe their visitors a duty of care for their safety, including providing well-maintained golf carts and a safe course. 

To determine who is liable, the case will evaluate the main cause of the accident as well as any secondary factors that may have also contributed to the incident. Determining this requires a complex process of an in-depth investigation to identify any parties whose negligence or recklessness has caused or contributed to the accident. 

If you were injured as a driver of the golf cart, you may experience disputes of liability from defendants claiming you should have acted differently to avoid the incident. Therefore, it is necessary to work with an experienced Indiana golf cart accident attorney to establish the evidence to prove someone else’s negligence and protect your legal rights. 

While liability is complicated, your recovery and working through your claim do not need to be. Consulting with our golf cart accident lawyers in Indiana is an effective way to determine who may be held legally responsible for the accident and help you obtain justice for your injuries. 

 

Does Auto Insurance Cover Golf Cart Accidents?

Auto insurance policies typically do not cover golf carts as they commonly are not considered to be an automobile by auto insurance companies. More specifically, auto insurance policies typically only cover vehicles that are meant to be operated on public roads. If you own a Low-Speed Vehicle or a street-legal golf cart, you will need to add this to your auto policy to protect yourself and your passengers while driving on public roads. Thus, while an automobile insurance policy may offer add-ons for riders for golf carts, this coverage usually is not standard. 

To pursue a claim for your accident, our injury attorneys may seek compensation from the defendant’s homeowner’s or umbrella insurance or a commercial business liability insurance policy. 

However, determining liability and negotiating with these insurance policies can be tedious and difficult. Therefore, it is essential to work with an experienced personal injury attorney to navigate the legal and insurance processes for golf cart accident cases.  

 

Should You Pursue a Personal Injury Claim?

Pursuing a personal injury claim can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and any expenses related to care or disability resulting from the accident. Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal options, as well as assess the strength of your potential claim. 

It is important to remember that even if you believe you may be partially at fault, you should still discuss the incident with an attorney. 

We will get started with a free consultation to discuss your case. We’ll listen to your story, ask important questions, and provide you with an honest assessment of your legal options. From there, we’ll work to investigate your accident and gather evidence that supports your claim for compensation.

With the right legal representation, you can focus on your recovery while pursuing the financial compensation you need to move forward. 

 

Contact Our Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers 

Our experienced team of Indiana personal injury attorneys has the skills and commitment to successfully navigate personal injury cases of all types, including those involving golf carts. We understand the unique circumstances surrounding golf cart accidents, and we know how to build a strong case on your behalf. We are committed to fighting for your rights and advocating for your best interests every step of the way. 

We understand experiencing injuries and navigating claims is stressful, and we’re here to help you navigate the legal process with confidence and peace of mind. If you or someone you love has been involved in a golf cart accident, contact us at Blackburn Romey for comprehensive legal assistance. 

 

Tom Blackburn

Blackburn Romey founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors receiving a degree from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Initiating his legal career in 1977, he has been active in practicing law and currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association on the Ethics and Advertising Committees, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, as a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and as an appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association.

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