For golfers and retirement communities, the use of golf carts is becoming more and more common. These vehicles are small, compact, and make a day on the golf course easy and reliable. Some older residents even rely on golf carts for their everyday country club leisure activities. They use it for sightseeing at beautiful parks and feeding birds.

If you have been injured because of an on-the-road golf cart accident, it is wise to consult with a qualified law firm specializing in Personal Injury Claims. They will advise you if you have a case against the golf course operator you were playing on or if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. When you are seriously injured because of an accident, the first thing you want to do is consult with a Roswell lawyer. It would help if you did everything you can to get a settlement for your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. In many cases, personal injury attorneys Roswell handle these types of cases, which can be very confusing.

Did you know that three different types of personal injuries can occur during a golf cart accident? There is the obvious whiplash you may feel, as well as the back injury that you will incur and the pain you may experience in your knees. There is also the mental trauma you will go through because of the accident. And, of course, even the physical injuries you will suffer from will affect your ability to play golf. All of these things need to be taken into consideration when you start planning your legal case.

Safety Downfalls of Golf Carts

Even though golf carts are frequently used and driven at high speeds, they do not follow the same safety standards as other vehicles. Golf carts might look like a small car, and for the most part, they operate the same way.

However, carts are not regulated the same way because they are illegal for road use. Carts are not required to meet the United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for highway vehicles. The American National Standards Institute does not require them to have seat belts or airbags.

Golf cart manufacturers have exploited the regulated low safety standards and do not install standard safety features.

Below are some of the reasons that these recreational purpose vehicles frequently involve severe injuries or even fatalities.

  • Tip-over. Due to their lightweight and small tires, these vehicles can tip over easily. Also, they are often used on uneven terrain that can jostle these unstable vehicles and cause unbalance.
  • No restraints. Most golf or electric carts are not equipped with seat belts or restraints for the passengers. A lack of restraints could cause riders to fall out easily, which is the most common reason for cart accident-related injury and death.
  • Open sides. These vehicles are meant to jump in and out with ease. The carts have no doors or sideboards to secure the driver or passengers. Unfortunately, the design also allows passengers to be thrown from the vehicle easily.
  • Insufficient maintenance. Many facilities with carts don’t have a system for the maintenance of their golf carts. Consequently, many crucial parts such as the brakes, parking brakes, and seats may be worn out, contributing to some accidents.
  • Alcohol use. While many drivers would never consider drinking when they get behind the wheel of a car on a highway, there is a different approach to using alcohol on a golf course. A steady number of these crashes involve drunk drivers.

In addition to low safety standards, the carts do not require a license or other safety training to operate in most states.