Two Recent Georgia Golf Cart Accidents Serve as Reminder of Potential Dangers
While golf carts provide a convenience on the golf course and fun in certain communities where they are legal, they can also be dangerous because of their potential to rollover as well as their lack of safety features, such as protective frames, seatbelts or airbags. There are many communities throughout Georgia where golf carts provide a second vehicle. Lawful operation of a golf cart is covered by both Georgia statutes and ordinances enacted by local municipalities and counties.
Two recent tragedies serve as a sad reminder of the inherent risk associated with golf carts. In one of the recent golf cart accidents, jazz legend Ben Tucker suffered fatal injuries when his golf cart was hit by a speeding motor vehicle on Hutchinson Island according to the Savannah Daily News. The driver of the motor vehicle that struck the golf cart was charged with vehiclular homicide in the first degree, racing and reckless driving. In the other recent golf car crash, a high school sophomore from Peachtree City suffered severe injuries, including multiple fractures and head trauma, according to a report on myfoxatlanta.com.
Golf carts offer limited protection to drivers and passengers so occupants are vulnerable to negligent drivers of cars, trucks and SUVs that are inattentive or careless. Some of the most common causes of golf cart crashes with other vehicles include:
- Drug or alcohol impairment
- Motorists driving at an unsafe speed
- Disregarding right of way rules
- Inattentive drivers distracted by cell phones or other distractions
- Failure to stop at traffic lights or stop signs
Because of the limited stability of golf carts, they are also more susceptible to tipping over because of roadway defects like potholes, unmarked trenches or other defects in the roadway resulting from negligent road maintenance. If you are injured because of a poorly designed or maintained roadway in a community where golf carts may be legally operated on the streets, you may have a claim against the government entity or property owners' association that is responsible for maintaining the roadways.
Sometimes golf car accident injuries occur to passengers or pedestrians, which may result in the operator or owner of the golf cart being liable for the injuries. If the owner of the golf cart entrusts a cart to someone who is underage or obviously intoxicated, the owner of the golf cart might be legally responsible for the golf car accident. If a drunken golf cart driver hits a pedestrian, the golf cart driver and owner may be liable for the injuries suffered by the pedestrian.
If you are injured or a loved one dies in a golf cart accident or other motor vehicle crash in Georgia, our Atlanta golf cart accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates are available to provide effective legal representation to those throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.