August 2019 August 2019 | Page 39

two.facts You Might Not Realize About Golf Cart Accidents It’s still the summer season and that means more people are out enjoying golf carts, whether they’re on a vacation beach house or out on the cours- es. Most people don’t realize that golf cart injuries may be severe and require medical attention. Basics of Golf Cart Accidents If you’ve been hurt in a golf cart accident that may be the fault of someone else, it’s important to schedule a con- sultation with an experienced attorney immediately to avoid the problems linked to being seriously hurt. There are two common facts connected to golf cart accidents that many people don’t realize. The first is that children make up one out of every three injury vic- tims. Small children and teenag- ers make up one-third of all golf cart-related accidents and injuries, according to informa- tion published by the American Journal of Preventative Medi- cine. Part of the issue is that the legal age at which teens can operate golf carts – which can be as low as 13 in some states – means that one traffic accident or one wrong turn can lead to disaster striking. Roll-Overs Another issue many people don’t realize about golf cart accidents is that roll-overs make up one out of every 10 incidents. Complete golf cart roll-overs represent one-tenth of all golf cart ac- cidents, and these accidents are often associated with se- vere injuries or even death. Carts may be modified be- yond their stock capabilities, making them much more The American Journal of Pre- dangerous and faster than ventive Medicine, however, reports that injuries from being originally possible. hit by or falling off of golf carts surged 132 percent from 1990 to 2006. Nearly 150,000 peo- ple, ranging in age from two months to 96 years, were hurt in golf cart accidents during Jun 27, 2018 that time. High-Risk This puts all drivers, includ- ing teenagers, at a much higher risk of injury behind the wheel and meaning that one wrong street crossing or an unsafe maneuver can lead to catastrophic injuries or even death. If you have been seriously injured in a golf cart accident that you believe to be the negligence of another person, you should schedule a consultation with a golf cart injury & acci- dent attorney Butler residents trust today. OCTOBER 2017 39