Golf carts seem like a low-risk way to get around resorts, retirement communities, and golf courses in the Scottsdale area and other communities in Maricopa County. Still, golf cart accidents happen more often than most people expect. These accidents can cause serious injuries that leave victims with mounting medical bills, difficult insurance company questions, and concerns about whether they can pursue a personal injury claim.
At Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling accident injury claims throughout the Phoenix metro area. We know how something like a golf cart crash can upend your life. We offer the personalized client service they need and deserve while also providing legal representation that brings the experience and resources one might expect at a larger firm.
If a golf cart accident injured you or someone you love in Scottsdale, contact us today to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We can review your case and discuss your legal rights and options.
How Common Are Golf Cart Accidents in Scottsdale?
Annually, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) releases statistics on auto accidents and other traffic crashes, including golf cart accidents. The most recently reported annual figures show that golf cart crashes are surprisingly common in the state. In that year alone, there were :
- 99 total golf cart accidents
- 3 fatal golf cart accidents
- 75 injury-producing golf cart accidents
- 21 property damage-only golf cart accidents
- 9 alcohol-related golf cart crashes, including one with fatal injuries
Golf Cart Laws in Arizona
State and local laws treat golf carts differently from standard motor vehicles. Still, golf cart operators owe a duty of care to everyone around them.
Cities and counties can authorize golf carts on certain public roads. The carts meet specific equipment and speed requirements. In Scottsdale, golf cart operators must also follow local ordinances governing designated cart paths, crossings, and speed limits. If a golf cart driver ignores these rules, or if a golf course or community fails to maintain safe conditions for users, injured parties can demand accountability and compensation.
Common Causes of Golf Cart Accidents in Scottsdale
Many golf cart accidents result from the same dangerous behaviors that also cause car accidents. Our experienced attorneys regularly handle car accident cases and other types of crashes that share the following common causes:
- Driver distraction or inattention ( a driver may not see the cart in front of them, for instance, leading to a rear-end collision)
- Reckless driving, like speeding or making unsafe turns
- Failure to yield
- Driving under the influence
- Poor maintenance or mechanical failure
- Unsafe road, cart path, or course conditions
- Overloaded carts (often with too many golf bags, items, and passengers)
Determining Who Is at Fault in a Golf Cart Accident in Scottsdale
In a golf cart accident claim, as in a car accident case, you must thoroughly investigate all potential factors and identify all possibly liable parties. Depending on the circumstances, liability may rest with one or several parties, such as:
- The golf cart driver
- The other driver involved in the collision
- A golf course, country club, resort, or other property owner or manager
- A golf cart rental company
- A manufacturer or maintenance provider, if a defect or repair issue contributed to the crash
Injuries Commonly Seen in Scottsdale Golf Cart Accidents
People hurt in golf cart crashes can suffer injuries just as severe as the ones many car accident victims suffer. Golf carts offer little protection to drivers and passengers in a collision. Even a relatively low-speed golf cart accident can result in severe injuries, including lasting or fatal injuries, especially when injuries caused by unsafe driving, falls, or collisions go untreated. Examples of common golf cart crash injuries are:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Cuts, bruises, and soft tissue injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Injuries from falls or ejections
What to Do After a Golf Cart Accident
The steps you take after a golf cart accident in Scottsdale can directly affect the strength of any future insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit you file. Here’s what you can do to preserve useful evidence and protect your ability to prove negligence:
- Get medical attention immediately so a doctor can provide medical treatment and document your injuries, and so you can do the best to protect your health and well-being
- Give notice of the accident to the property owner, resort staff, or local authorities
- Take photos of the scene, including the cart, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries
- Get contact information from witnesses, whose statements and witness testimony may support your version of events, and exchange information with the other parties involved in the crash, including getting the insurance and license plate number of a motor vehicle driver who injured you.
- Save medical records, including copies of every bill, diagnosis, and treatment plan
- Don’t provide a recorded statement to the insurance company or accept any offers without legal guidance
- Contact a golf cart accident lawyer at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., right away. We will protect your claim from the start.
Insurance Issues in Scottsdale Golf Cart Accident Claims
Golf cart accident claims often involve multiple insurance policies. The process of sorting out that coverage can get complicated. Consider these possibilities:
- Auto insurance may apply if the golf cart qualifies as a covered vehicle under someone’s policy or if another motorist caused the crash, including crashes involving cars, carts, or low-speed vehicles.
- Homeowners insurance could come into play if a private golf cart owner bears responsibility for an accident that occurs on their property.
- Commercial liability insurance might apply if a golf course, resort, or rental company owns the cart involved.
When you work with Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., we will review every applicable policy to identify all available sources as we pursue full and fair compensation for you.
Compensation Available in a Scottsdale Golf Cart Accident Case
If you get hurt in a golf cart accident, you could be entitled to recover compensation for a wide range of economic damages and non-economic damages connected to the crash. The types and amounts of the financial recovery available will depend on several factors, including the severity of the injuries and their effect on your daily life. Recoverable losses in these cases can include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage repairs
- Other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
The Statute of Limitations for Golf Cart Accidents in Arizona
In Arizona, the statute of limitations in personal injury cases generally gives injury victims two years from the date of an injury accident to file a lawsuit, including cases involving a personal injury claim after a golf cart crash. If your loved one died in a golf cart accident, you may pursue a wrongful death claim. Those claims are also generally subject to a two-year deadline under Arizona law. The clock starts running on the date of the injured person’s death.
You should consult an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a crash. If you miss an applicable deadline, you can permanently lose your right to pursue compensation, regardless of how strong your underlying claim might be. Also, evidence and witness memories fade over time, which could hinder your ability to establish your claim.
How Our Scottsdale Golf Cart Accident Lawyers Can Help
Golf cart accident claims involve more moving parts than many people expect. Skilled legal guidance can have a significant impact on your case. When you work with our Scottsdale golf cart accident attorneys at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., we can handle every stage of the legal process for you and pursue maximum compensation by:
- Investigating the crash and gathering evidence
- Identifying all potentially liable parties
- Reviewing insurance coverage and policy issues
- Negotiating with insurers for a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit if necessary to pursue full compensation
- Keeping you informed every step of the way
Contact a Scottsdale Golf Cart Accident Lawyer
The law firm of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., brings 50 years of combined legal experience to every case we handle for our Scottsdale clients. We give each client the personalized attention of a small firm backed by the resources of a large one. If you need legal help after a serious golf cart crash, contact us now for your initial consultation to discuss how we can help with your golf cart accident claim.
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