Posted by a Charleston Car Accident Lawyer at Anderson & Schuster, Attorneys at Law, LLC. Our Auto Accident Lawyers help those injured in car accidents in Charleston and across South Carolina. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, contact our office today to find out what we can do for you.
A simple look around the Charleston area shows that the number of people that own and drive golf carts around our communities has risen sharply in the past few years. Vehicles that used to be driven almost entirely on golf courses and resorts are now seen more frequently on our streets. While these vehicles are fun to drive and ride on, it is important to remember that they are still vehicles that can cause serious injuries to drivers, passengers and pedestrians. While these vehicles are slow compared to a standard automobile they lack many of the elements that make automobiles safe. The lack of airbags, seatbelts, doors and other safety equipment that is designed to protect people in automobiles is simply not present in or on a golf cart.
It is important to remember that these vehicles were designed to drive in open spaces on relatively flat surfaces with little other traffic around. As those variables change, unfortunately, so does the risk for injury. What is more unfortunate is that the injuries associated with golf cart accidents are often very serious ones. In 2008, the first national study to examine golf cart-related injuries was performed. The study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that the number of golf cart-related injuries per year rose 132 percent between 1990 and 2006 from 5,770 cases in 1990 to 13,411 cases in 2006. Over that time period there were an estimated 148,000 golf cart-related injuries. More information on this study can be found here.
The most common cause of injury for all age groups was falling or jumping from the golf cart. The study explained that children were even more likely than adults to fall from a golf cart. Since a golf cart is not necessarily designed for use by a child it makes sense that safety features that would help protect a child on a golf cart are lacking. It is therefore logical to conclude that children would be at a higher risk for injuries related falling out of a golf cart. Unfortunately, even at the low speeds that golf carts travel, the risk of head and neck injuries leading to hospitalization are high.
If you or someone you know happens to be injured in a golf cart related collision or some other type of incident, please remember that South Carolina requires that golf cart that are to be driven on public streets be registered. One of the requirements for registration of a golf cart in South Carolina is proof of liability insurance. These vehicles are supposed to have very similar insurance coverage to that of a normal automobile. While we certainly hope everyone is safe, we know that accidents and injuries happen. If you need any assistance from our law firm based on an injury you or a loved one has sustained in a golf cart-related accident or for any other type of injury, we are here to help. Remember, our injury consultations are always free of charge. If we can help you please give us a call at 843-388-3661.
Our Charleston, SC injury lawyers are here to help those injured in car, truck and motorcycle accidents in Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek, Hanahan, James Island, West Ashley, Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, Folly Beach, Johns Island, Ladson, Awendaw, McClellanville, Moncks Corner and across South Carolina.
