Atlanta Golf Cart Injury Attorneys

Lawyers Seek the Maximum Compensation for Atlanta Golf Cart Injury Victims

Golf carts are considered low-speed vehicles under Georgia law and 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.

Our skilled litigators have won over a billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients in over 30 states. We’ve won nine verdicts exceeding $100 million, over 60 verdicts, and settlements surpassing $10 million.

Call us at (706) 322-1990 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.

Why Choose Our Atlanta Firm for Your 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.
• Many of our cases come to us as referrals from other attorneys. We have a reputation that commands respect in Georgia and throughout the US.

What Are the Most Common Golf Cart Accident Injuries?

The reality is that golf cart accident injuries are often severe. Those riding inside a golf cart have 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 golf cart accident attorneys 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 examine Georgia law, we see that low-speed vehicles, including golf carts, can be driven on Georgia streets. However, 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 involves examining whether or not the golf cart was parked legally on the street — or at least legal for the area where the incident occurred. It also involves gathering photos, video surveillance, eyewitness statements, and accident reports.

Compensation Available in Atlanta for Golf Cart Accident Injury Victims

Golf cart injury victims may be able to recover a wide range of types of compensation if their incident was caused by another driver. In some cases, golf cart accidents involve determining the liability of another driver in a regular vehicle. Still, 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

Steps to Take After Being Involved in a Golf Cart Accident

After a golf cart accident, taking prompt and appropriate steps is essential for your safety and strengthening a potential legal claim. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries, apply any necessary first aid, and call 911 right away. You’ll want to see your doctor as soon as possible. Even if your injuries seem minor, they can worsen over time, especially when left untreated.

Document the accident scene by taking photos and noting details like the location, time, and weather conditions. Exchange information with all parties involved, including names, contact details, and insurance information. It’s also important to report the accident to the proper authorities and the facility where the golf cart is operated.

Don’t make statements about the accident or sign agreements with an insurance agent. Contact a personal injury lawyer and allow them to handle all communications with the insurance company.

What Are the Common Causes of Golf Cart Accidents?

Despite their slow speeds and seemingly harmless appearance, golf carts can be dangerous. They often lack the safety features that are standard in cars, such as airbags or seat belts, making accidents potentially severe. A golf cart accident is any mishap involving a golf cart that results in property damage, injury, or death. This includes single-vehicle incidents, such as rollovers due to sharp turns or collisions with stationary objects, as well as multi-vehicle crashes involving other golf carts, bicycles, cars, or pedestrians.

Golf carts are commonly used for transportation within golf courses, gated communities, and increasingly in urban areas. Golf cart accidents stem from a variety of factors. Operator error is one of the leading causes, which includes driving without proper knowledge of the cart’s functions or ignoring the rules of the road. Reckless driving, such as speeding, making sharp turns, or driving under the influence, significantly increases the risk of accidents. Mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or steering issues, can also lead to loss of control and subsequent accidents.

Collisions between golf carts and other vehicles are a significant concern, particularly when golf carts are driven alongside faster, heavier cars and trucks on public roads. These accidents are often severe due to the vast disparity in size and protection offered by golf carts compared to other vehicles. Golf carts are not equipped with the same safety features as cars, making passengers extremely vulnerable. Drivers of both golf carts and traditional vehicles must be vigilant and respectful of each other to prevent these dangerous collisions.

Golf Cart Laws and Road Usage in Atlanta

In Georgia, laws governing the use of golf carts must be adhered to for safety and legal compliance. These vehicles are categorized as Personal Transportation Vehicles (PTVs), and they are subject to various regulations. For instance, golf carts are allowed on public roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, but they must be equipped with safety features like headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a horn.

Golf cart operators must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Georgia law also stipulates that golf carts should not exceed 20 mph and must follow traffic laws applicable to motor vehicles. Local ordinances may impose additional restrictions or requirements, so operators need to be aware of the rules specific to their area.

What to Do as an Injured Passenger with a Friend Driving

Golf cart accidents can become complicated when the driver is a friend or acquaintance. It’s a delicate situation that involves balancing personal relationships with the need to address injuries and damages.

It’s crucial to remember that pursuing compensation is often a matter of dealing with insurance policies rather than personal assets. The focus should be on fair recovery for your injuries and losses sustained, regardless of the driver’s identity.

Seeking the assistance of a personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal complexities without damaging relationships. Your lawyer acts as an intermediary, allowing for the necessary claims to be made while maintaining the personal relationship separate from the legal process.

How Your Golf Cart Injury Attorney Can Help

Your personal injury lawyer plays a significant role in a golf cart accident case. They offer guidance on the legal aspects of your situation, ensuring that you understand your rights and the potential avenues for compensation. Drawing on their knowledge of the law, they can navigate the nuances of Georgia statutes and local ordinances that apply to golf cart usage and accidents.

A lawyer’s role extends to investigating the accident thoroughly, gathering evidence, and building a strong case on your behalf. They will work to establish liability, quantify damages, and negotiate with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement. If a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer is prepared to represent you in court, presenting your case intending to achieve the best possible outcome.

A lawyer will also guide the process of legal representation, highlighting the importance of having an advocate to navigate the complexities of personal injury law. Butler Prather LLP will represent your interests in discussions with insurance companies, opposing counsel, and in court if necessary. Skilled legal representation ensures that your rights are protected and you are not unduly pressured into accepting a settlement that does not adequately cover your damages and injuries.

How Long Do You Have to File a Golf Cart Injury Claim in Atlanta?

Golf cart injury victims in the Atlanta area have limited 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 of the incident. Failing to do so will likely result in the injury victim being unable to recover 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 a Golf Cart Injury Attorney in Atlanta Today for Help

If you or somebody you love has sustained a golf cart accident injury in Atlanta caused by the negligence of another individual or entity, reach out to 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 calling (706) 322-1990.