Golf Carts Can Be Fun, But Also Dangerous
Golf Carts Can Be Fun, But Also Dangerous
By: Jonathan Burton/Gluckstein Lawyers
Golf carts can also found in residential communities, airports, universities, holiday resorts or industrial settings.
Legend has it that Florida native Lyman Beecher, who suffered from arthritis and was unable to walk long distances, created the first golf cart in 1932.
Golf carts are more prone to tipping over than traditional vehicles and lack safety features found in today's automobiles. And every year thousands of people suffer golf cart-related injuries. Worse, some actually lose their lives. A golf cart accident can have devastating consequences.
Lacking Safety Features.
The laws governing golf carts can be confusing. They are largely exempt from standard vehicle registration and licensing requirements and rarely have safety features such as seat belts, air bags, reinforced frames and side doors. In Canada, regulations vary depending on the municipality.
Golf carts are typically not street legal in Canada, although there are pilot programs allowing them on certain roads, including in Ontario where they are permitted on some streets with speed limits of 50 km/h or less. Generally, someone must be 16 or older to drive a cart but there is basically nothing to prevent a child from taking the wheel on private property.
Injuries can vary from cuts and bruises to fractures to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage and are not uncommon.
Many Different Reasons for Accidents.
The CMAJ report found alcohol "is often served at golf courses and other private recreational facilities, increasing the risk of injuries."
While alcohol use has been cited as a major contributor of golf cart accidents, there can be a variety of different reasons, such as inexperience and erratic driving. Other causes include:
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Driving on terrain not suitable for golf carts
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Overcrowding
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Sharp turns at high speeds
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Hanging outside of the cart or standing or riding on the back
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Distracted driving or horseplay
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Inclement weather
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Lack of seatbelts
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Poorly maintain carts/mechanical failure
AmateurGolf.com suggests the following basic safety measure to reduce the risk of injury:
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stay properly seated with feet inside the cart and no hanging off the sides or rear;
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know the terrain, being cautious on slopes, bridges, and uneven paths;
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avoid driving too fast, especially downhill or in wet conditions;
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drive sober and alert; and
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limit distractions while driving, such as checking a phone or scorecard.
Determining Who Is Responsible for an Accident.
A number of different factors can come into play when assigning blame in any accident. Is it operator error, a manufacturing defect, someone else's negligence? Determining who is liable for damages may also raise questions.
Although a golf cart is indeed a vehicle, the rights of someone injured in a golf cart incident are different that they would be for typical motor vehicle accident (MVA).
Get Advice From a Lawyer Who Can Protect Your Rights.
Golf carts are vehicles and the injuries suffered in a collision can be just as serious as those incurred in a traditional MVA.
We have more than 60 years of experience helping personal injury victims and their families and we will work with you to get the full amount of compensation you are owed to support the physical, emotional, and mental trauma caused by a golf cart accident.
