Columbus Golf Cart Accident Lawyers

When sunny spring days come, few things are as relaxing as a day out on the golf course enjoying the sun, but unfortunately, nothing can ruin a nice day out more than a golf cart accident. Golf cart accidents often cause minor injuries, but the worst accidents are catastrophic.

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, about 15,000 serious golf cart-related injuries occur in the United States each year. By “serious”, the CPSC means that the accident was serious enough to merit emergency medical attention. In an analysis of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System in 2007, researchers found that 147,000 golf cart injuries occurred from 1990-2006.

How to Determine Liability in Golf Cart Accidents

Although some of these accidents are truly unpreventable, many are the result of negligence on the part of some party involved. In these cases, the person injured may deserve compensation for the medical bills caused by the accident. Because golf carts require no special training and they are often used on private property, determining who is liable in an accident can be difficult. Some of the things to consider are as follows:

Who was driving?

In many cases, inappropriate behavior by a driver could leave that person liable for the accident. In some cases, if the driver was a child incapable of using the golf cart safely, the guardian may be at fault. 31.2% of all golf cart-related injuries are due to children, as reported by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. Similarly, if the driver is an employee of the golf course, the golf course itself may be at fault.

Who owns and maintains the cart?

If an accident was caused by a problem with the golf cart itself, the business or individual who owns the cart may be liable for failing to properly maintain it.

Where did the accident occur? Who owns that property?

Some golf cart accidents are caused by negligent hazards on the property where the accident occurred. When an accident occurs on a private property, the owner of the property (or the company hired to maintain it) may be liable in a premises liability case.

Are golf carts supposed to be where the accident occurred?

If the golf cart was in an area illegally, the driver may be liable for disregarding warning signs.

Were alcohol or drugs involved?

A driver who is intoxicated while operating a golf cart is most likely liable for any accident that occurs, but if they were over-served, the provider of the alcohol may be liable.

Complete golf cart rollovers account for 10% of all golf cart accidents, and these types of accidents often result in the most serious golf cart injuries. This is largely due to the lack of seatbelt regulation in the state of Ohio. As golf carts are used for sport, they are exempt from seatbelt requirements as determined by the American National Standards Institute.

Contact Us

While these are some of the most pertinent questions that help your attorneys determine liability, in most cases, many factors will be involved. It is best to consult an experienced Ohio golf cart accident attorney about the questions you have concerning your specific situation. If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart accident, call Rinehardt Injury Attorneys today at (419) 529-2020 for a free consultation.