Golf Cart Accidents
Who is liable for damages in a golf cart accident?
Liability in a golf cart accident is determined by negligence. Multiple parties could be held responsible for accident liability based on the crash circumstances and its specific location.
A golf cart operator who violates traffic laws or a reckless vehicle driver may be held responsible. The golf cart operator becomes responsible for negligence if they display distraction or speed violations or fail to yield. Another vehicle's driver could also be held responsible in a golf cart accident if the driver was speeding, impaired, or broke traffic rules.
The property owner and homeowner associations (HOA) can also be held liable for accidents. This includes incidents that happen on their private golf courses, in residential developments, and along community trails. Florida law recognizes premises liability cases when property owners fail to fix deteriorating walkways and install proper warning signs.
A golf cart manufacturer could be liable since under Florida law, manufacturers face strict product liability when their carts contain design defects or lack sufficient warning labels. A defective braking system or a battery-related fire would establish grounds for a product liability claim.
The responsibility to pay damages relies on evidence. This evidence includes dash cam footage, eyewitness statements, and traffic citations. Kobren Law can walk you through all the ways we help accident victims prove negligence and fault in an accident case. Call 561-361-8677.
What causes golf cart accidents?
Poor braking, too many passengers, inattentive drivers, sharp curves, lack of maintenance, driver negligence, and uneven terrain can result in golf cart accidents that cause serious injury, or even death. Rudimentary safety features like seatbelts are often nonexistent in golf carts. Most people are not trained in golf cart safety.
Golf cart accidents can resemble motorcycle or bicycle accidents insofar as the occupants may be thrown from the vehicle due to their open nature. Golf carts weigh significantly less than a motor vehicle and do not include the same safety features as a motor vehicle. This puts the driver at risk of traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and more long-lasting damages.
Golf carts are susceptible to the following types of dangerous accidents:
Rollover crashes
Passengers falling out of carts
Carts running over pedestrians or cyclists
Collision with other vehicles
Carts sliding down embankments or into a body of water
Can I file a claim if I was partially at fault for a golf cart accident?
Florida's modified comparative negligence rule allows golf cart accident victims to seek compensation even if they share some fault. As long as your responsibility is 50% or less, you may recover damages for your losses.
In Florida, you are entitled to recover economic and non-economic damages for your golf cart accident given the accident is a direct result of another party's reckless or negligent actions. This includes coverage for your tangible losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of any required rehabilitative therapy. This will also cover your intangible losses, like pain, suffering, discomfort, and disfigurement.
What types of insurance coverage is available in a golf cart accident?
There may be several types of insurance coverage available in a Florida golf cart accident, including homeowners insurance, renters insurance, car insurance, or uninsured motorist coverage. Golf cart accidents may also involve general liability or commercial liability insurance policies at golf courses, private clubs, or other entities where golf carts are operated.
Florida does not mandate specific liability insurance for non street legal golf cart owners, but purchasing coverage is highly recommended. It protects against financial loss if you're found responsible for a golf cart accident and can cover damages to your property or injuries to others. If you own a street legal golf cart, you must register it with the DMV the same as a motor vehicle and the same insurance requirements apply.
How can a personal injury lawyer handle my golf cart accident case?
After a golf cart accident, it is vital that you partner with a lawyer who has extensive knowledge of Florida law and knows exactly how to get you the compensation you deserve after your accident. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, our golf cart accident attorney will get to work on every aspect of your personal injury claim. Begin the process today with a free consultation by calling Kobren Law at 561-361-8677.