Florida Golf Cart Accidents and Liability
Florida has over 1,100 golf courses, making it one of the most attractive golf destinations in the country. While golf can be a fun recreational sport, errant golf carts can be dangerous. Like other types of motorized vehicle accidents, golf cart accidents can result in serious injuries and even death in the most catastrophic cases.
The United States Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that approximately 15,000 people visit the emergency room each year because of golf cart accidents in the United States.
If you or a loved one was injured in a Florida golf cart accident, an experienced personal injury lawyer can discuss liability and how to recover compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Related Article: Golf Cart Safety
Possible Liable Parties for a Golf Cart Accident
There may be several possible liable parties for a golf cart accident, including:
- The driver
- The golf cart’s owner
- The golf course that rented out the golf cart
- A third-party company that maintained the golf carts
- The manufacturer of the golf cart
A personal injury lawyer can investigate who is responsible for your golf cart accident.
Determining Who Was Liable for the Golf Cart Accident
Many factors can potentially impact who is liable for the losses you suffered. An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine answers to the following questions to identify all potentially liable parties.
Who Was Driving?
Often, golf cart accidents are caused by a negligent driver. The driver may not be paying attention or maybe drinking and driving. Irresponsible parents may allow their unlicensed children to drive the golf cart, thinking that this is safe. In such cases, the parent may be responsible for the accident, even if they were not in the cart at the time of the accident.
Common causes of golf cart accidents may include:
- Inexperience
- Distracted driving
- Not following rules
- Driving the golf cart in an undesignated location
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
An attorney can help you determine why your golf cart accident happened.
Who Owned the Golf Cart?
In some situations, the owner of the golf cart may be responsible for a golf cart accident. For example, if an employee on a golf course hit a golfer, the golf course may be liable for the accident. If you rented out the golf cart and the accident occurred because of poor maintenance, the company that rented out the cart may be responsible.
Even if a company owned the golf cart and you were involved in an accident while driving it, the company may be responsible if they knew of the dangers and failed to disclose them to you.
Where Did the Accident Occur?
Another factor that can affect liability is where the accident occurred. Sometimes, golf cart accidents occur because the property itself was not properly maintained. In such situations, the accident may be due to the negligence of the property owner, golf course, or country club.
In some situations, more than one party may be to blame for the accident. In these situations, an experienced lawyer can investigate the accident and gather evidence to help determine all liable parties.
Compelling evidence in your golf cart injury case may include:
- Videos of the accident or the events leading up to it
- Witness statements
- Accident reports
- Medical records
- Receipts that show the purchase of alcohol near the time of the accident
- Cell phone records that indicate the driver may have been intoxicated
- Repair and maintenance reports if poor maintenance of the golf cart contributed to the accident
A knowledgeable lawyer will know what evidence to look for and how to preserve it so it does not get destroyed.
Contact a Ponte Vedra Beach Personal Injury Lawyer for Help After a Golf Cart Accident
If you’ve sustained injuries in a golf cart accident, an experienced attorney can help you determine liability and seek fair compensation. Reach out today for help with your golf cart accident case.
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra personal injury law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and its surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W. Forsyth St. #170,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167