Atlanta Golf Cart Accident Lawyer

Golf Carts are widely used for transportation on and off the golf course.

Their affordability, fuel conservation, and ease of use make them a popular choice, providing a convenient and alternative way to make quick trips, whether around town, short trips in the neighborhood, or across acres of property.

However, as this mode of transportation is increasingly favored, hazardous risks have also increased when golf carts are driven off of designated cart paths.

If you have been the victim of a golf cart accident that has caused injuries, you must carefully consider the next steps you take, as they could affect your ability to recover the financial damages you have suffered.

Tragically, some golf cart accidents end in the death of a loved one, and you, therefore, may also be representing a family member in a wrongful death case. In either instance, you can file a personal injury claim to seek damages from all negligent parties.

The only catch: you must be prepared to demonstrate negligence and provide sufficient evidence to back your claim.

An Atlanta golf cart accident lawyer can provide you with the guidance you need to build a strong case and seek 100% of the damages you have suffered.

Contact the experienced legal team at CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm to get your questions answered and construct the best plan to move forward after your golf car accident.

Our legal team will review your case, identify at-fault parties, and empower you with the knowledge of how you can file your claim with the help of our attorneys and seek the maximum compensation possible.

Schedule your free, no-obligation, confidential case review when you use our online form to contact us today.

How Can An Atlanta Golf Cart Accidents Attorney Help You?

After your accident, it’s important to focus on your recovery, both physically and mentally, to return to normal life as quickly as possible. It’s not the time to go it alone when a Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help give you the most promising chance of a favorable outcome.

Benefits of Working With the CEO Lawyer

The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, founded by lead attorney Ali Awad, is a legal team with extensive experience working on accident claims.

Having a lawyer who is knowledgeable about personal injury cases and Atlanta law will likely result in higher settlement offers compared to individuals who are unrepresented by an attorney.

It’s guaranteed that the insurance companies will have their legal team counseling them, and it’s advisable that you do the same. You’ll want your own legal team at your side that is fighting for you and looking out for your best interest from start to finish.

Our goal is to thoroughly research the specifics of your personal injury claim, accurately calculate a fair damages compensation package, determine all parties that may be liable, and go after them using the most effective legal strategies available.

We understand that this is a distressing time for you, rife with physical discomfort and trauma. You can count on us to help you navigate the legal process throughout all stages of your claim and safeguard your rights with confidence.

Common Uses of Golf Carts

Although golf carts were originally designed to transport golfers on the golf course, over the years, their popularity has grown to include many diverse uses. Some of the settings that see common use of carts include:

• Communities as a mode of transportation around the neighborhood or for quick errands; some communities have even developed networks of carting paths for less reliance on traditional motor vehicles.
• Warehouses when moving low-weight items or employees around large warehouses
• Outdoor Adventure for employees at campgrounds or state and national parks
• Vacation, getting the family and water toys to the beach from a vacation rental or resort, or helping guests transport luggage
• Event Transportation, moving event personnel, athletes, and artists efficiently across a large concert venue, arena, or stadium
• Farming; farmers, ranchers, gardeners, and homesteaders find golf carts invaluable to help cart around food, soil, plants, and tools
• Airport Shuttle, assisting airport personnel, people with disabilities, or travelers that are less mobile to move around the airport
• University or College Campus, particularly for college staff, maintenance crew, or groundskeepers, golf carts are utilized to easily and quickly move people and supplies across campus

Frequent Causes of Golf Cart Accidents

The Journal of Safety Research published a study reporting that, over a ten-year period, an estimated 156,040 patients were treated in the United States for golf cart-related injuries.

That equates to an average of approximately 15,000 people being treated in emergency medical centers across the country each year.

The study’s findings revealed that over the course of their investigation, the percentage of injuries increased each year, indicating that golf cart accidents and injuries are on the rise.

Some of the most common causes of golf cart accidents include one or more of these contributing factors.

• Too many passengers — Overloading the golf cart with too much weight and too many people can make it top-heavy or cause it to operate at a less-than-optimal level.
• Alcohol — Drinking and driving golf carts increases the chance of accidents and injuries, and the driver could be charged with a DUI, as is the case while operating any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
• Distracted driver — Drivers on the phone or talking to others and not paying attention to the road impede their ability to detect unexpected hazards and quickly react to them
• Underaged or Inexperienced Driver — Golf cart drivers commonly violate minimum age requirements, and others may not follow the rules of the road even when at the right age as a result of their inexperience
• Excessive Speeding — Speeds in excess of 20mph can be dangerous for golf carts, especially when traveling downhill, where it’s easy to lose control
• Sharp Turns — Reckless driving and taking sharp turns can lead to ejection and rollovers.
• Hanging Outside the Vehicle — Passengers with body parts hanging outside the golf cart are at a higher risk of serious injury or falling out of the vehicle.
• Wet Roads and Low-Traction Surfaces — Driving over wet, muddy terrain, loose gravel, or unpaved dirt trails can cause accidents, as most golf carts are not designed for these types of conditions.

What Are The Most Common Golf Cart Accident Injuries?

Due to golf carts’ open-air designs, golf cart accidents can cause serious injuries — or even fatalities — to their occupants. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that over 40% of golf cart accidents involve a person falling out of the cart.

Couple that with the general lack of safety features, and victims of golf cart accidents that are ejected from the vehicle may suffer from lifelong disabilities or impairments.

Some of the most common physical injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Loss of limb
• Broken bones, fractures, or torn ligaments
• Whiplash injuries to the head and neck
• Spinal Cord or back injuries
• Internal bleeding

Alarmingly, a large percentage of occupants that are injured in golf cart accidents are children. The American Academy of Pediatric Medicine reports that more than 6,500 children and adolescents are injured in golf cart accidents each year.

In addition, the American Journal of Preventative Medicine states that children 12 and under constitute over 31% of golf accident injuries that are treated annually by emergency departments in the United States.

Steps To Take After a Golf Cart Accident

Immediately following the golf cart accident, it’s important to take these steps to protect yourself and your rights should you choose to seek compensation with a legal claim.

• Call 911 — Get medically examined, and contact the police as soon as possible. Safety is the number one priority. Police respondents can help to contain the scene and file a police report. Documenting the accident is important, even if you do not think you are seriously hurt at the time.
• Take Photos — If you are unable to take pictures, ask a friend or family member to catalog the scene of the accident as well as any injuries and record any damages or particulars of the scene.
• Record Contact Information — If another party is involved in the accident, make sure that you get their full name and contact information, as well as any insurance information, before leaving the scene of the accident.
• Get Medical Care — Follow up with medical treatment for any injuries that you have sustained. This includes going to an urgent care or emergency room, as necessary, or contacting your physician to get professionally examined.
• Seek Legal Advice — You may also seek the advice of an experienced golf accident lawyer to determine the next best steps for your claim.

What Are The Rules For Driving Golf Carts In Atlanta?

Regulations from state to state vary across the country — and often from city to city within each state. Under Georgia law, golf carts are classified as low-speed vehicles and are governed by the Uniformed Rules of the Road.

Statewide, a licensed driver is allowed to operate a golf cart on streets and roads where the speed limit does not exceed 35 mph. However, the intricacies of Georgia law are complex, and it’s important to check with individual municipalities to adhere to the local rules and regulations.

Under section 40-6-331 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, golf carts are only allowed on public streets and paths if there is a county ordinance in place that gives them permission to drive in these neighborhoods.

In addition, driving golf carts in Georgia also requires:

• Driver be 18 years or older, holding a valid license and registration to drive the golf cart alone.
  • If the driver is at least 12 years of age, they can drive the golf cart when accompanied by an adult that is 18 years or older.
  • An exception to this rule states that drivers with a permit who are at least 15 years old can operate a golf cart alone.
• The golf cart vehicle must have a windshield, braking system, horn, reverse warning signal, taillights, turn signals, headlights (if operating between sunset and sunrise), and hip restraints, and must weigh 1,300 lbs or less with a maximum speed of 20 mph.

Will Insurance Cover The Golf Cart Accident?

Coverage for bodily injury is available if the driver or owner of the vehicle has golf cart insurance. It may be a part of their auto insurance plan, homeowners insurance plan, or a separate stand-alone policy.

Depending on the golf cart owner’s insurance plan and deductible, the policy may cover:

• Bodily injury liability, which pays at least part of the medical expenses when someone is hurt by the driver of an insured golf cart
• Property damage liability is where the golf cart damages someone else’s property, for example, by crashing into a fence or a parked car.
• Collision, which can pay for damages to the golf cart from an accident
• Comprehensive covers damages of losses due to an unforeseen and uncontrollable event, including fire or theft, for example
• An uninsured motorist covers medical bills in the event that you are in an accident where the motorist is uninsured.

In many cases, the insurance plan does not cover all of your costs and losses. Additionally, the insurance plan may carry a high deductible.

This is problematic in situations where there are long-term health issues or pain and suffering as a result of the accident. It’s important to consider what your needs might be down the road and protect yourself if your injuries impair your ability to function daily and impact your quality of life.

The risk of having unpaid damages is why injured parties should examine every possible source of compensation.

If no coverage is available from the policy covering the cart itself, it may be possible to seek a claim through the operator’s homeowner’s insurance or the property insurance covering the land the accident occurred upon.

In cases where a golf cart accident occurs because of a collision with another vehicle, that vehicle owner’s insurance may be able to cover the costs of subsequent injury.

You can examine your possible sources of compensation on a case-by-case basis when you schedule a case review with an experienced golf cart accident firm in Atlanta. They can help you assess your damages and identify possible parties who could hold liability for your injury costs.

Depending on the details of your particular accident, there are several parties who may be liable for your personal injury claim. Potentially liable parties include the golf cart owner, manufacturer or distributor, the rental company, mechanic, a negligent property owner, or a third-party driver.

Work With An Atlanta Golf Cart Accidents Lawyer Dedicated To Serving You

Golf cart accidents and their subsequent injuries can negatively impact your life and ability to earn wages, now and in the future. Loss of wages and mounting medical expenses can add undue stress to an already difficult time.

Hiring a lawyer to lead your case will make this process less burdensome, as we can apply our knowledge and prior experience to effectively and efficiently represent your claim.

Submit the contact form below to schedule a free consultation, no-obligation, and confidential review of your case. Alternatively, dial (833)254-2923. Our client-forward legal team is here to help you get your life back on track and seek the maximum amount of compensation available.