Atlanta Golf Cart Injury Attorneys
Golf carts are considered low-speed vehicles under Georgia law, and they can be found in many places throughout the state, not just at golf courses. Individuals love riding golf carts around neighborhoods and in smaller towns. However, accidents involving these vehicles often lead to severe injuries, and those involved need to know where to turn. At Butler Prather LLP, we are standing by to help if you need an Atlanta golf cart injury attorney by your side.
Why Choose Butler Prather LLP for an Atlanta Golf Cart Injury Claim?
The Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Butler Prather LLP have been helping clients recover compensation for complex injury claims since 1988.
- When you work with us, you will always have access to your attorney so you can ask questions about your case. We will continually update you as the case moves forward.
- We have recovered major settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of clients in Georgia and throughout the US, and we never push clients into accepting low settlement offers.
- A significant number of our cases come to us as referrals from other lawyers. We have a reputation that commands respect in Georgia and throughout the US.
Most Common Golf Cart Accident Injuries
The reality is that golf cart accident injuries are often severe. Those riding inside of a golf cart have very little protection from outside forces, particularly collisions with larger vehicles or fixed stationary objects. At Butler Prather LLP, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers have extensive experience helping clients in these situations, and we regularly assist those who have sustained:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractured bones
- Facial trauma
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Crush injuries
- Major scarring and disfigurement
- Significant lacerations or puncture wounds
Golf cart injury victims may also suffer from extended emotional and psychological trauma as a result of the incident, the injuries, and the recovery process. Our Atlanta, Georgia golf cart accident lawyers understand that these unseen injuries, such as feelings of fear, sleeplessness, anxiety, and stress, are all actual injuries that can affect a person’s day-to-day life.
Determining Liability After an Atlanta Golf Cart Accident
Determining liability after a golf cart injury will largely revolve around obtaining evidence. This will also include understanding where the accident occurred and the laws related to golf cart use in that area. When we examined Georgia law, we can see that low-speed vehicles, which includes golf carts, are allowed to be driven on Georgia streets, but there are regulations (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-330). Golf carts must have all of the following components in order to be street-legal:
- A braking system that can handle the weight of all passengers
- A warning device when backing up
- Tail lights
- A horn
- Safety restraints for riders’ hips
- Weigh less than 1,300 pounds
- Maximum speed of 20 mph
- A windshield, signal indicators, braking lights, headlights
Determining liability for a golf cart incident not only involves examining whether or not the golf cart was street legal or at least legal for the area where the incident occurred, but also gathering photos, video surveillance, eyewitness statements, and accident reports.
Types of Compensation Available for Atlanta, GA Golf Cart Accident Injury Victims
Golf cart injury victims may be able to recover a wide range of types of compensation in the event their incident was caused by another driver. In some cases, golf cart accidents involve determining the liability of another driver in a regular vehicle, but it is not uncommon for golf cart versus golf cart accidents to occur.
Regardless of how the incident occurred, the ultimate goal is to recover the following types of compensation through an insurance settlement or a jury verdict:
- Compensation for emergency medical expenses
- Coverage of hospital expenses and follow-up doctor visits
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Prescription medications or medical devices
- Lost income for those who cannot work
- Property damage expenses
- Physical pain and suffering damages
- Emotional and psychological pain and suffering damages
- Loss of quality of life or loss of enjoyment of life damages
How Long do You Have to File a Golf Cart Injury Claim in Atlanta?
Golf cart injury victims in the Atlanta area have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent party. The Georgia personal injury statute of limitations specifies that these civil claims must be filed within two years from the date the incident occurs. Failing to do so will likely result in the injury victim becoming unable to recover any compensation for their losses.
More importantly, there are often insurance carriers associated with these cases. Sometimes, golf cart owners have insurance for their vehicles, particularly those that operate on public streets. It is important to file claims with insurance carriers as soon as possible to avoid any delays or denials. Insurance carriers sometimes have very short deadlines, often within a day or two after the incident occurs.
How Much Does a Golf Cart Injury Lawyer Cost?
At Butler Prather LLP, we handle Atlanta vehicle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients never worry about paying legal fees until after we recover compensation for their losses. We take care of all upfront and out-of-pocket costs as the case moves forward. The final legal fees will be a reasonable agreed-upon percentage of the total settlement or jury verdict recovered. In the event we do not win the case, our clients pay absolutely nothing.
Contact an Atlanta Golf Cart Injury Lawyer Today
If you or somebody you love has sustained a golf cart accident injury in Atlanta, GA caused by the negligence of another individual or entity, reach out to the team at Butler Prather LLP for help today. We will not hesitate to stand up for your rights against the insurance carriers and the at-fault party. If necessary, we will fully prepare your claim for trial. Let us help you recover the compensation necessary to get through this. When you need an Atlanta golf cart injury lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation of your claim by filling out our contact form or by calling (800) 242-2962.