GOLF CART ROLLOVERS AND EJECTIONS
Two of the most common types of accidents we see at www.GolfCartAttorney.com are golf cart rollovers and golf cart ejections. Standing beside a new golf cart or low-speed vehicle, a/k/a LSV, (in Florida those are limited to speeds of 20 mph and 25 mph respectively) they seem to be the picture of stability and safety, but there are issues. Golf carts and LSVs are today being built and sold with larger tires, and with the ability to adjust their maximum speed, and many that are raised. All three of these factors increase the chances of a rollover. Raising the height of a golf cart or LSV raises its center of gravity and makes them more susceptible to a rollover. When this occurs, usually all passengers are ejected from the vehicle. We use the term vehicle because Florida law describes golf carts (F.S. Ch 316.212) and LSVs (F.S. 316.2126) as vehicles. That is important for several reasons discussed below. At www.GolfCartAttorney.com we have seen some of the most significant injury cases in rollovers and unfortunately even death cases.
Another typically unappreciated aspect of a golfcart or LSV rollover is the lack of any rollbar protection. This can, and has, in itself caused serious injury and death. Most golfcarts and LSVs do not come with any type of rollbar and this often results in serious head injuries and deaths. At this time most of the golf cart manufacturers are not adding on this obvious safety feature to give the passengers a better chance of surviving a rollover crash. When a golfcart or LSV rollover occurs you need to contact a golfcart attorney specialist.
At www.GolfCartAttorney.com we have handled golfcart and LSV rollovers that were caused by driver error, by another golfcart or automobile, and because of the golfcart/LSV itself. In Florida the laws that apply to golfcarts and LSVs are different than those which apply to automobiles. It is furthermore important to choose a golfcart attorney to make sure all the insurance available is being pursued and obtained. Right now at www.GolfCartAttorney.com we are seeing automobile insurers try to argue that a golfcart or an LSV is not a vehicle and not covered by an insurance policy already in place. The auto carrier denies the claim and the victim has to seek legal help to force the insurer to cover for claims that should be covered. This is why we emphasize that Florida law considers both golfcarts and LSVs are vehicles, but the insurers do not give up that position without a fight.
GOLFCART AND LSV EJECTIONS
Golfcart and LSV ejections most commonly occur when the driver of the golfcart or LSV takes a sharp left turn which is unexpected by the passenger(s). In a left turn the handrail on the right passenger side of the vehicle acts as a fulcrum and launches the unsuspecting passenger up and over the handrail and ejects the passenger from the golfcart/LSV. Many times this sudden ejection occurs over pavement and at significant speed. Many of these ejections result in serious head injuries and broken bones.
Causes of Golfcart and LSV ejections are typically: 1. Driver error in the Golfcart/LSV. 2. Avoidance of an at-fault second vehicle. 3. Manufacturer design.
THINGS TO CONSIDER IN A GOLF CART ROLLOVER OR EJECTION
- I need good experienced, specialized representation to fight for me and my family. Don’t go it alone. The insurance companies are experienced in fighting golfcart and LSV injury claims. Note that everything you say when talking to an insurance company is likely being recorded—not for quality purposes, but—to minimize your recovery. The insurance companies have battled this before and they have attorneys working for them to keep you and your family from recovering.
- Don’t just hire an auto accident attorney. Golfcart and LSV injury cases are not the same as car crashes. There are different factors to consider in Golfcart and LSV rollovers and ejections that are typically not at issue in auto crashes. Foremost, stability issues and crashworthiness issues need to be considered. Was the golfcart/LSV stable? Was the golfcart/LSV crashworthy at the time of the crash. Especially in those crashes involving serious injury or death it is important and vital to look at these manufacturer/dealer aspects. This is also especially critical if the dealer made alterations to the golf cart, like adding a lift kit, before the golfcart/LSV was sold to the buyer.
- Even in golfcart/LSV passenger ejection cases it is important to look at the golfcart/LSV itself for safety and as a potential reason for the ejection.
- The fault of third parties, other automobiles, other golfcarts or LSVs, or a property owner must be analyzed by golfcart attorneys and experts who know what to look for.
- The insurance fight. Insurance companies do not want to pay if they can avoid doing so, despite whether they should pay. The days are gone where insurers just pay a claimant. Insurers have adjusters and attorneys fighting against you. Do not go it alone. At GolfCartAttorney.com we have seen this all too often and have successfully fought for clients to force the insurer to pay what is owed.
- You can have confidence in our longtime success and experience in recovering for injured clients at GolfCartAttorneys.com. We represent golfcart and LSV injured clients throughout the State of Florida.
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