Injured in a Golf Cart

Many people in Houston, Texas rely on golf carts to get around. They are especially common in retirement communities, gated neighborhoods, beaches and golf courses – although Texas law permits them on regular roads that have speed limits under 35 miles per hour. Many people view golf carts as safe low-speed vehicles. In reality, golf carts can easily endanger the lives of drivers and passengers. Every year, people suffer serious and fatal injuries in golf cart accidents. If you were injured in a golf cart accident in Texas, find out how to recover compensation.

Why Do Golf Cart Accidents Happen?

A golf car accident could cause personal injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spine injuries, herniated disks, broken bones, dislocations, sprains and strains, lacerations, and internal organ damage. A victim could live with the effects of a golf cart accident for life. A compensatory award for a golf cart collision could help a victim pay for losses such as medical bills and lost quality of life. The first step in building a claim after a Texas golf cart accident is identifying the cause of the crash.

• Operator error. If you were a passenger with someone else driving the golf cart, the operator may owe you compensation. Golf cart operators must control carts with care, prudence and caution. Speeding, racing, jumping obstacles, misusing the cart or otherwise driving recklessly could lead to operator liability for a crash.
• Negligent vehicle drivers. If you were operating a golf cart in Texas and a motor vehicle driver struck you, that driver may be liable for damages. All drivers owe duties of care to other roadway users – including those lawfully operating golf carts. A breach of this duty could place accident liability with the at-fault driver.
• Golf cart defects. Golf cart defects from a manufacturing or distributing company can include dangerous cart designs, malfunctioning parts or the failure to warn consumers of known risks. If a defective golf cart part caused your accident, you may have grounds for a product liability claim in Texas.
• Dangerous premises. If the golf course, cart path, street or property contained a defect that caused the accident, such as uneven ground or potholes, the owner of the premises could be liable. It is a property owner’s duty of care in Texas to adequately maintain a safe premises for visitors.

One or more parties may owe you financial compensation for your medical bills, property damages, lost income, pain and suffering, and more after a serious golf cart accident in Houston. Once you or your personal injury attorney recognize who or what caused your golf cart accident, you can initiate a claim to damages against that party. You may need a lawyer to help you gather evidence against the person or entity that caused the collision.

Who Is Liable?

Texas is a tort-based accident liability state. After a golf cart wreck or another type of accident, liability will go to the party most responsible for causing the accident. All drivers must carry car insurance to cover victims’ damages after an accident. Operating a golf cart, however, does not require a driver’s license or insurance in the State of Texas. It could be difficult for victims to receive insurance benefits, therefore, for a crash involving a golf cart. Victims may need to seek compensation from a party that has applicable insurance coverage instead.

Common defendants in Texas golf cart accident claims are golf courses, motor vehicle drivers, property owners and product manufacturers. These parties generally carry insurance that could cover victims’ losses after a harmful golf cart accident. If a negligent operator caused the wreck, his or her homeowners insurance may cover losses if that person owned the golf cart. Otherwise, a victim’s recovery options may be limited. It is important to seek advice from an attorney after a serious golf cart accident in Texas. A Houston personal injury lawyer can help you explore all available outlets for financial compensation.