Golf Cart Accidents Can Result in Significant Damages
Cruising around the course on a golf cart makes a day spent relaxing even more fun. But when you add in courses with no set routes, cavalier drivers, and alcohol, it’s easy to see how golf carts can lead to unnecessary accidents.
If you’ve been injured in a golf cart accident, don’t wait to fight for the compensation you are owed. Call the personal injury attorneys at Reeves & Mestayer at 228-300-2754 to set up a consultation now.
Limited Protection Available in Accidents
Compared to cars, golf carts offer almost no protection to riders. This makes them cheaper to produce and also makes it easier for riders to get in and out frequently as they golf.
Unfortunately, this design feature also increases the risk of injuries—even at low speeds. Most golf carts don’t even have seatbelts, a very basic safety feature that can minimize the risk of serious injuries. On top of that, many golf carts don’t have airbags that would lessen the blow of a collision. Some golf carts aren’t equipped with lights, which can make driving around near dusk particularly risky.
People Underestimate the Risks
When people think about riding in a golf cart, they’re more likely to compare it to go-karting than being in a standard motor vehicle. While it’s true that golf carts move at lower speeds than cars, that doesn’t make them much safer.
When you add in the complete lack of safety features and the fact that drivers aren’t often as cautious in golf carts, the risk of injuries is fairly similar. The same people who would never drink before getting behind the wheel of a car may feel completely comfortable drinking throughout the day as they drive around the course in a golf cart.
What Causes Golf Cart Injuries?
Identifying the cause of a golf cart accident can help victims figure out liability. This makes it much easier to fight for the compensation you deserve. A wide range of factors contribute to these types of accidents in Mississippi.
Operator inexperience is a significant issue. People mistakenly believe that they don’t need training to use a golf cart, due to the low speeds they move at. This means that there are inexperienced, untrained operators causing accidents every day. Inexperienced drivers are more likely to panic when an obstacle appears, make poor decisions, and act impulsively. Similarly, people who would not be comfortable driving a car—people below the age of 16 and impaired people, to name a few—may not think twice about getting behind the wheel of a golf cart.
Another concern is reckless driving. While golf carts do move at lower speeds than cars, they can still hit impressive speeds for their size and power. People fail to take this into account and drive too close to pedestrians.
Types of Damages
A golf cart accident could leave victims with substantial damages. Some common types of damages are listed below:
Medical Expenses
For many people, medical bills are the single biggest expense associated with a golf cart accident. Even minor injuries can get very expensive when you need stitches, multiple check-ups, and diagnostic scans. A fair golf cart accident settlement should fully compensate you for medical bills, as well as any related expenses. This may include tolls, parking fees, co-pays, medications, and adaptive equipment.
Lost Income
Lost income is a sticking point for many accident victims. Not only are they struggling with injuries, but they are also suddenly out of work and unable to support their family. It’s important to push for lost income when negotiating a fair settlement. Whether you are out of work for a few days, weeks, or months, you deserve full compensation for that financial loss.
Non-Economic Damages
While lost income and medical expenses are fairly easy to calculate, they aren’t the only types of damages you may suffer in a golf cart accident. Non-economic damages are a significant part of many settlements. Non-economic damages include anything whose financial value isn’t easily calculated.
For example, pain and suffering: it’s hard to know just how much pain and suffering is worth, but you should receive something for the pain you’ve endured because of your accident. The amount you receive for this depends largely on the severity of your injuries and how much they impact your life.
There are other types of non-economic damages you may be entitled to. For example, if your quality of life suffers as a result of your accident, you may seek compensation for that loss. Perhaps golfing was your one and only hobby, and you spent at least three nights on the course every week. If the accident left you anxious and traumatized every time you approach a golf course, that is a loss that should be compensated.
Knowing how much your accident is worth can be tricky. Talking to an attorney should be your next step.
Get the Help You Need—Call Reeves & Mestayer
If you’re ready to start your golf cart accident claim, the team at Reeves & Mestayer is ready to talk to you about your next steps. Set up a time to talk to our accident lawyers now and find out how we can help. Just call us at 228-374-5151 or send us a message online to schedule your consultation.
