Golf carts can be a fun way for residents and tourists to get around larger community areas. When all laws are followed, we can hope that a golf cart accident is just an expensive inconvenience, but in some cases, it can lead to devastating injury and sometimes death. When this happens, you need the support of an experienced Henderson personal injury lawyer fighting for your right to maximum compensation.
At H&P Law, our Henderson golf cart accident lawyer can manage the legal tasks so you can focus on recovering. Our firm has secured millions of dollars in compensation for the injured and their families. We offer a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the courtroom.
Golf Cart Accident Injuries
Injuries in a golf cart accident can be superficial, like most of those seen in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia study. However, some of them can result in fatal injuries. Some of the more common injuries our personal injury lawyers see after a golf cart accident include:
- Bruises
- Lacerations
- Sprains and strains
- Broken bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Crush injuries
These injuries can often mean a quick recovery with minimal inconvenience. However, some cases may require more intensive intervention, like physical therapy or surgery. These can be significant sources of pain, distress, and financial costs, which our golf cart accident attorney in Henderson can help you value for compensation.
Defining Golfcarts
In discussing golf cart accidents, it can be helpful to understand the laws that govern what a golf cart is and how it should be legally maintained and used. Many people may use the terms golf car and low-speed vehicles interchangeably, and while there are differences, they are not sizeable. The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles defines them as seen below.
Golf Cart
A golf cart is a vehicle meant for carrying golf equipment and no more than four passengers, including the driver, with no fewer than three wheels in contact with the ground. The vehicle may only be operated on roads and paths approved explicitly for these types of vehicles. To be legal, it must come with the following equipment:
- Headlamps and tail lamps
- Reflectors
- Stop lamps
- Emblem or placard for slow-moving vehicles
- Mirror
- Brakes
Low-Speed Vehicle
A low-speed vehicle is similar to a golf cart but is permitted on public roads with a posted speed limit below 35mph. It should be able to travel more than 20mph within a mile but cannot exceed 25mph on a flat, paved surface. Additionally, an LSV must weigh under 3,000 lbs.
Licensing and Registration Requirements
The Nevada DMV requires both types of vehicles to be registered. The golf cart permit application can be submitted to the DMV, and there is a $10 fee and annual renewal requirements. These vehicles must maintain liability insurance coverage, and a licensed driver must operate the LSV in most circumstances.
Henderson Golf Car Accidents
Golf cart accidents can be surprisingly dangerous occurrences. The Technology Associates Forensic Engineering Experts report that nearly 15,000 people are seen in emergency rooms annually due to accidents in golf carts. Estimates say that nearly 10% of these visits are due to a golf cart rollover. The dangers of a rollover accident are so significant because of the risk of ejection.
Golf carts are common among kids and teens since they don’t always require a license. The American Academy of Pediatrics presented a study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reviewing golf cart and LSV injuries in the pediatric population. It reports that just over half of the injuries over the ten years were in children 12 years old and younger.
Due to two significant differences, golf carts present a unique vulnerability on the roads. The first is the lack of seatbelts and airbags, which leave riders vulnerable to head and neck injuries from hitting the dash, ground, or other parts of the cart or surroundings. The second is that despite the lack of physical protection, helmets are not a common practice, as they are used with vulnerable motor vehicles like motorcycles.
Compensation Available
When you pursue an insurance claim after a Henderson golf car accident, the goal is to recover fair compensation to cover your damages. The value of these losses will vary depending on the accident’s severity. Still, you may wonder what damages can be recovered in a personal injury case:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Wrongful Death
In the circumstance that you have lost a loved one in one of the rare fatalities from golf cart accidents, you may consider speaking with your Henderson golf car accident attorney about your options. The state of Nevada allows those with certain relationships to a decedent to file a claim through a Henderson wrongful death lawyer. No amount of money can heal the hole left by the loss of someone you love, but our goal is to recover compensation that may provide the financial cushioning for you to grieve in the way best suited to you.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for a Henderson golf cart accident is the same as any other personal injury claim in Nevada. The Nevada Revised Statute §11.190 outlines statutes of limitations between 1 and 6 years. Many factors can affect the amount of time you have to file your lawsuit, so speaking with an attorney is the best way to determine the limitations of your case.
Call Our Henderson Golf Car Accident Lawyer Today
You may be entitled to compensation if someone else’s negligent decision has caused your injuries. Call us today to schedule your free case consultation with H&P Law to secure a golf cart accident lawyer in Henderson. Our case results speak for themselves.
If you have suffered injuries in a golf cart accident, you may not have the energy or capacity to fight with an insurance company for a fair settlement offer. Let us handle the legal tasks while you focus on your recovery. No one should shoulder the cost of someone else’s negligence, and we are here to help relieve that burden.
