Do I Need a Golf Cart Accident Lawyer in Jacksonville?

Most people think of golf carts as a safe and fun way to travel short distances. These small vehicles are not only used to drive around golf courses.
 
Especially in Florida, golf carts are often used on some public streets. According to Florida state law, golf carts are permitted on certain roadways.
 
However, golf carts are not designed to be driven alongside other motor vehicles. When a golf cart accident occurs, drivers and passengers may sustain serious injuries.
 
If you or someone you love has been harmed in a Florida golf cart accident, do not wait. Reach out to a knowledgeable golf cart accident lawyer in Jacksonville. 
 
When another person’s negligence causes you to become injured, you may be able to recover significant financial compensation. Golf cart accident cases are often complex.
 
Because of this, it is vital to speak with an experienced golf cart accident lawyer in Jacksonville. The accomplished legal experts at Morgan & Morgan have years of experience representing victims of golf cart mishaps in Florida.
 
Our friendly staff will gladly schedule a free legal consultation to discuss the facts of your case. Complete the contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website to arrange your free case evaluation.

Golf Cart Accidents

Golf carts are all around in the state of Florida. The pleasant weather and manageable terrain make these vehicles an excellent option for getting from place to place.
 
Unfortunately, some drivers are unaware of the potential hazards that golf carts present. As a result, many people are not as careful as they should be. 
 
Negligent drivers can pose significant risks to those around them. This is especially true because golf carts usually do not include the distinct safety features of other motor vehicles.
 
For instance, the majority of golf carts do not feature:

• Seatbelts
• Airbags
• Steel frames
• Side mirrors
• Turn signal lights
• And more

Golf carts are not designed with the safety of their drivers and passengers in mind. This is because they are only intended for safe travel across golf courses. 
 
According to some recent research, there is an average of more than 14,000 golf cart injuries in the United States each year. If you have been injured in a golf cart accident, you are not alone.
 
If someone’s negligence contributed to your accident or injury, speak with a golf cart accident lawyer in Jacksonville. In many cases, you can pursue a legal claim to recover financial compensation.

Common Injuries From Golf Cart Accidents

Each golf cart collision involves a distinct set of factors. Still, some injuries result from these accidents more frequently than others. 
 
The nature of the resulting damage will depend on the speed of the golf cart, the speed of other vehicles, and the position of the passengers. Some of the most common golf cart injuries include:

• Knee and elbow damage
• Shoulder dislocations and injuries
• Fractures and broken bones
• Lacerations, cuts, and scrapes
• Road rash
• Spinal cord trauma and back injuries
• Neck and head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Bruises
• And more

Many of these injuries can result in long-lasting and damaging medical conditions. When a victim has sustained significant harm, they may be owed financial recovery from the party who caused the accident.
 
Contacting an accomplished golf cart accident lawyer in Jacksonville will give you the best chance of a positive outcome in your case. The team at Morgan & Morgan has a thorough knowledge of the Florida laws and statutes that apply to golf cart accident claims.

Common Causes of Golf Cart Mishaps

Many things can cause a golf cart accident. But when someone’s carelessness results in damage to someone else, the accident can form the basis of a strong legal claim.
 
Typical causes of golf cart accidents in Jacksonville include:

• Recklessness when driving the golf cart
• Driving on uneven or rough terrain
• Taking overly sharp turns
• Making reckless maneuvers
• Overloading the cart with passengers or cargo
• Driving while distracted, especially when using a cell phone or other device
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• And more

These are examples of negligence by golf cart drivers. But a golf cart accident can happen because of another party’s carelessness, as well.
 
Suppose that you are legally driving a golf cart on the side of a public road. If another motorist crashes into your cart with their car or truck, you may sustain serious injuries.
 
In a case like this, the person driving the passenger vehicle could be held accountable for the damage that resulted from the collision. If you believe that you have a strong personal injury claim, consult with a skilled golf cart accident lawyer in Jacksonville by contacting Morgan & Morgan.

How to Know When You Need a Golf Cart Accident Lawyer

In the aftermath of an accident, you may be unsure if you need an attorney. A good rule of thumb is that you should speak with a legal professional following any accident or injury.
 
In many cases, victims underestimate the harms that can result from injuries. Even if it seems like you are not seriously hurt after an accident, you may be wrong.
 
Some injuries do not present symptoms until days or weeks after the incident. That is why you should always seek medical attention as soon as possible after a golf cart accident.
 
You should also reach out to a skilled legal expert to discuss the facts of your case. When you contact the experienced team at Morgan & Morgan, we will thoroughly review the circumstances of your accident to determine the best course of action.
 
Victims should not have to manage the complicated requirements of a legal claim. Instead, injured people should be able to focus solely on their physical and personal recovery.

Understanding Negligence

Like most personal injury claims, golf cart accident cases usually rely on proving that the other party was negligent. The legal concept of “negligence” involves several important elements.
 
An experienced legal expert can gather evidence to build a powerful case for you. To prove that the other party was negligence, the plaintiff must show the four following things:
 
First, the claimant must prove that the other party owed them a duty of care. This is a legally implied duty to ensure the safety of others.
 
For instance, drivers owe a duty of care to other motorists and pedestrians on the road.
 
Secondly, the plaintiff needs to show that the other party breached their duty of care. If the liable party is another motorist, they may have driven in a reckless or careless way.
 
Next, the claimant must provide evidence that the liable party’s negligence caused the damage they suffered. 
 
Finally, the plaintiff needs to prove that they suffered actual damage because of the accident. The possibility of harm is not enough to prove that the opposing party behaved in a negligent way.
 
When you contact the legal specialists at Morgan & Morgan, we will review your case to discover whether you have a strong claim of negligence. Our compassionate attorneys will work tirelessly to recover maximum compensation and help you get your life back on track.

Damages in Golf Cart Injury Cases

An accomplished personal injury lawyer will also calculate the value of your accident claim. “Damages” refer to payments to accident victims as the result of legal claims.
 
In most tort claims, victims can claim two types of damages. These are known as “economic” and “non-economic” damages.
 
Economic damages are intended to compensate accident victims for the direct monetary losses that they experienced. Golf cart injuries do not only cause physical and personal harm.
 
Golf cart accident victims typically face mounting financial challenges, including:

• Lost wages and income from missed work
• Personal property and vehicular damage
• Medical expenses
• Anticipated future medical costs
• Decreased earning capacity due to disability

Not every negative outcome from a golf cart injury results in financial losses, however. Many of the most challenging consequences of personal injuries are not financial in nature.
 
Payments for these types of harms are known as “non-economic” damages. Some of the most common examples of this type of damages include payments for:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental trauma
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Disfigurement and disability
• Embarrassment
• Inability to engage in daily activities
• Loss of relationship or consortium

In some golf cart accident cases, a jury may decide to award the claimant “punitive” damages. This type of monetary recovery is not meant to compensate the victim for their losses.
 
Instead, punitive damages are designed to punish the party who caused the accident. Most injury claims do not result in punitive damages.
 
This type of payment is only awarded if the responsible party was grossly negligent or intentionally reckless.