South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg
Florida is a state full of sunshine and golf courses. With the numerous pristine golf courses throughout the state, Florida residents and visitors have experienced an increase in golf cart use. Unfortunately, the increased use of golf carts also means more golf cart accidents. There are a number of types of golf cart crashes in which unprotected occupants may suffer serious harm. If you’ve been in a golf cart accident, we can help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami injury lawyers can assess the merits of your case and help seek the compensation you deserve.
Many people don’t realize how dangerous a golf cart can be. Golf carts do not always have seat belts, and yet they can reach speeds of up to 40 mph. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 15,000 golf cart-related injuries take place every year in the United States. There are a number of reasons that golf cart accidents may occur, including reckless driving, joyriding, inattentiveness, drinking and driving, distracted driving, and more.
In most instances, a person involved in a golf cart accident will be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party under the theory of negligence. In order to succeed on a negligence claim, an injured person must show that the at-fault party owed the plaintiff a duty of reasonable care that was breached and that the breach was the direct cause of the plaintiff’s injury and the resulting damages. The duty of reasonable care refers to the obligation to act as a prudent person would act in the same or similar circumstances. In Florida, a golf cart is considered a dangerous instrumentality, and the owner of a golf cart can be liable for a negligent driver.
If you prevail on a negligence claim, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, emotional trauma, household expenses, property damage, and more.
Under Florida law, the general statute of limitations for an injury resulting from the operation of a golf cart is four years from the date of the accident. This means that your claim against the at-fault party must be filed in the proper court within four years of the accident, or else your claim may be permanently barred.
While negligence is a common cause of action for injured victims, it is important to remember that you may have been injured in a golf cart accident due to a manufacturing defect or some other reason. This is precisely why speaking to a qualified attorney who can scrutinize the facts of your case and ascertain the best legal strategy for you is so important.
If you or someone close to you has suffered injuries arising out of a golf cart accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we have represented many South Florida clients in their personal injury claims, and we can help you as well. We can try to secure the maximum amount of compensation allowable under the law. Our team strongly believes in aiming to settle each and every case, but we are not afraid to vigorously advocate for you in the courtroom, if necessary. To learn more, contact us online or call us today at 1-877-499-HURT (4878) for a free, confidential consultation.
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