Why Is a Golf Cart Accident Lawyer Important in Pensacola?

When you or a loved one is injured in a golf cart accident, finding the right kind of legal representation can make all the difference in getting the compensation you need and deserve. Golf cart accidents that result in injuries can quickly become complicated because there are so few laws that govern golf cart usage. That's where our expert legal guidance comes into play.

Our golf cart lawyers have an excellent track record for aggressively fighting for our clients and winning compensation, whether through negotiating with the insurance companies or through court trials. With billions recovered over our long history, we have a reputation for not settling for a penny less than what your claim is really worth.

Understanding the value of your claim is one of the reasons you should not try to negotiate by yourself. While the insurance company representative may seem concerned for your recovery, remember they don't work for you. In fact, they may even take some statements you make to indicate you are not as seriously hurt as you actually are. On the other hand, our lawyers will look out for your best interests and represent you every step of the way. Here are some examples of the kind of compensation we may be able to get for you:

Medical bills:  When we evaluate your claim, we don't just consider your medical bills that were incurred directly after the accident. We take into consideration any future treatments you may need, such as physical therapy. Often, the insurance company won't factor this into their settlement offer. But can you imagine the expense of a year's worth of physical therapy without the proper compensation? We talk to your doctor to ensure these costs are included in any settlement.

Lost wages:  After you're in a golf cart accident, it could take weeks, months, or even longer to recover. We make sure to include your lost wages during negotiations. Perhaps you can never go back to work or have to take a job that doesn't pay as well due to your physical limitations. In that case, we factor in your lost future wages.

Pain and suffering:  We understand that money can't begin to make up for the pain and suffering you've endured as a consequence of someone else's negligence. But we know that your pain and suffering should be compensable damage and make sure you get something for it. Hopefully, it will ease your recovery in some aspects.

Punitive damages:  While judges don't frequently award punitive damages, if your case includes some extreme negligence from the other person or business involved, we make sure to ask for it. For example, suppose you were hit by a commercial driver who had a history of drug use and DUI and was under the influence when they hit you. In that case, you might be awarded punitive damages to punish the company for not researching their employee’s driving history.

We know that not every golf cart accident warrants hiring an attorney. However, these cases can quickly become very complex and drawn-out when you've been severely injured. Having one of our golf cart accident attorneys represent you significantly increases your chances of receiving a fair settlement quickly that includes everything you have a right to claim. We leave no stone unturned during our investigation, and we fight hard for your rights.

If you live in Florida, you may already know that golf cart drivers have the same responsibilities to follow the rules of the road as someone driving a car. This means they must observe stop signs and traffic signals, but they also may not drive on streets where the speed limit is over 30 MPH. Sometimes a golf cart driver may make a mistake and find themselves on a road they are not legally allowed to be, and their presence there could cause an accident. In that case, the golf cart driver could be negligent.

Likewise, if a golf cart driver disobeys stop signs and traffic signals and causes an accident or hits a pedestrian, they are being negligent. Since Pensacola draws many tourists to enjoy golfing, they may not be as familiar with their responsibilities while driving a golf cart. However, this does not excuse them from being financially responsible for any injuries to people or property.

Every driver who gets behind the wheel accepts the responsibility to not cause harm to others on the roadways. This means not driving recklessly, driving while distracted, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When a car and golf cart collide, the injuries to the golf cart passengers and driver can be catastrophic. That's because golf carts are typically not equipped with the life-saving features that come standard in a car, such as airbags, seatbelts, and metal casing. Motorists are required to obey all laws and yield the right-of-way when applicable. When they fail to do so and cause an accident, they may be held liable for paying damages.

The types of injuries one can sustain in a golf cart accident typically depend on the speed the golf cart was going before the collision. Of course, if the crash is with a regular car, the car's speed factors into it as well. A golf cart driver may have a little bit more protection because they can brace themselves with the steering wheel. However, a passenger may be simply thrown out of the cart. Here are some common golf cart injuries:

• Knee injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Bone fractures
• Abrasions and lacerations
• Sprains and strains
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Face injuries
• Bruising
• Hand and wrist injuries
• Coma
• Concussions
• Death

While not an exhaustive list, here are some of the main reasons for a golf car accident to occur:

Reckless driving or joyriding: People wrongfully assume that just because a golf cart drives slow, they don't have to be as vigilant in their watch. Driving too fast for the terrain or driving where prohibited can result in collisions with other golf carts or motorists, or even a golf cart rollover which often causes critical if not fatal injuries.

Inexperienced drivers:  Driving a golf cart in Florida doesn't require a driver's license. Yet, it still requires some basic knowledge of how to operate the cart so that accidents are avoided. It is the driver's responsibility to understand how to handle the golf cart safely.

Distracted driving: Golfing is an inherently social activity, and often, golfing in a small group is the norm. Suppose a driver is distracted because they are talking and joking with friends instead of paying attention to the task at hand. In that case, they could be held liable for causing an accident. Even a solo golf cart driver can be distracted if they are busy texting instead of paying attention to where they're going.

Driving under the influence:  Drinking and driving are never a good combination, and it's not any different in a golf cart. It's also illegal. However, many people seem to think that it somehow doesn't apply to them because golfing is recreational and golf carts are slow. This may be a particular problem in private golfing communities. Regardless, if a golf cart driver who is under the influence causes an accident, they should be on the hook for any injuries to persons and property.

Overloaded golf carts: It's the responsibility of a golf cart driver to be aware of and maintain the golf cart's weight capacity. Failure to do so makes the cart harder to maneuver and causes the braking mechanism to be strained, which can lead to an accident.

Taking sharp turns at high speed:  Sharp turns at high speeds can cause passengers to be ejected from the golf cart, which could result in road rash, head injuries, or even death. Roughly 40% of golf cart accidents happen because of passenger ejections, and many of these cases are children.

When looking for a golf cart accident lawyer, Pensacola has plenty of choices. However, we believe in protecting people, which means not settling for paltry settlements that insurance companies offer. We believe in treating our clients just like we would our own family members. In fact, protecting families is one of the reasons our law firm was started in the '80s. Our founder had his own run-in with unscrupulous treatment from an insurance company after his brother was paralyzed while working on the job.

Personal injury cases are the bedrock of our company, and we've had tens of thousands of successful wins for our clients. If you're ready to get everything that's due to you, we're the law firm for you. Contact us today for your free, no-risk case evaluation. We operate on a contingency fee basis which means we don't earn a dime unless we win your case or gain a full settlement.