Contact Us
Contact our Glendale personal injury attorney at Klink Law, PLLC, for your free and confidential case evaluation following an injury to you or a family member.
Golf Course & Golf Cart Injuries In Arizona
Millions of people travel to Arizona annually because of the state’s beautiful courses and warm climate for golfers. The sunshine and warm weather create an oasis for many people; however, if a course is not maintained properly, it can spell disaster for somebody. Unsafe drops that golf carts may experience when driving over faulty or unlevel walkways can make golfers fall out of the cart. An excessively grown landscape can become dangerous if it occludes or hampers a golfer’s view as they might not see other players on the course before swinging the ball. Inoperable equipment, such as notification systems for lightning, can result in harm if golfers aren’t alerted of upcoming danger.
If you were injured on a golf course, you may be able to seek legal remedies. Golf course accidents can result in serious injuries, including head injuries, broken bones, and sprains. These types of injuries often require extensive medical treatment and recovery time. They can also result in lost income if the victim is unable to work. If you were injured on a golf course, contact a Phoenix golf course accident attorney at Klink Law, PLLC today to find out what your rights are and what legal options may be available to you
Common Causes of Golf Course Injuries
Most of the time, a person will play a round of golf and go home feeling better than when he first stepped on the course. Unfortunately, there are those times when an unsuspecting golfer gets injured. What are the common causes of golf course injuries in Arizona? Typically, these include
- An intoxicated player
- A poorly maintained golf course
- Cart design path that proves hazardous
- Absence of hazardous signs
- Golf cart accidents
- Getting hit by a golf ball
The resulting injuries caused by any of the above can include head, neck, and back injuries as well as sprains, whiplash, and soft tissue injuries. If you’ve been injured on a golf course in Arizona, contact our Phoenix golf course accident attorney as soon as possible for a free consultation.
Errant Golf Balls vs. Assumed Risk
When playing golf, you always run the risk of being hit by another player. Whether it’s someone in your party or somebody on a different hole, if they swing too hard or don’t make their target, anyone nearby could get hurt. However, when you go to play golf, the law presumes that you are aware of and consent to this level of danger. So simply being hit and injured is not enough to create liability. To have a successful lawsuit in this situation, you and your Phoenix golf course accident attorney first need to prove that the actions leading up to your injury were negligent.
Golf Course Design Can Be A Factor In Injury Cases
In a few isolated cases, the golf course owner may be at fault rather than another player. While it can be tricky to demonstrate, a carelessly designed golf course may endanger players if holes are too close or aligned in such a way that makes errant shots more likely to injure others. If you think this contributed to your injury, speaking with a lawyer is key in helping you assess and investigate the course design so you can build a case.
Golf Cart Accidents In Phoenix, AZ
Golf carts have become a popular mode of transportation not just on golf courses, but also in retirement communities, airports, and hotels. However, as the American Journal of Preventative Medicine reports, fatalities and injuries related to golf carts have increased over the last decade. Approximately 150,000 people are injured in golf cart accidents every year, and the most common cause is drunk driving or improper use of the vehicle. Despite this, there are no laws regulating the safety of these vehicles, putting drivers and passengers at risk. If you’ve been injured in or by a golf cart in Arizona, contact our Phoenix golf cart accident attorney right away.
Negligent Driving
Although golf carts don’t necessitate driver’s licenses, they still need a sound mind behind the wheel. A driver should be able to manage a cart properly and remain within the vehicle’s limits to prevent accidents. Of course, driving while intoxicated is always an act of negligence, no matter what type of transportation you’re using.
Product Defects
If a golf cart is manufactured poorly, even the best driver may not be able to keep control of it. Broken brakes or steering, for example, could lead to an accident that no one can prevent. Our Phoenix golf cart accident attorney can enlist engineers and accident reconstruction specialists to prove how your injuries were caused by a manufacturing failure.
Failure To Maintain
Golf carts require tune-ups as well, which is especially important to consider if the cart will see extensive use on Arizona’s numerous courses. If a club does not provide proper maintenance and a golf cart breaks down because of this–and results in an accident–you could most likely hold its owner accountable for damages.
Common Places Where Golf Cart Accidents Happen
There are a few hotspots for golf cart accidents in Arizona and frequently elicit personal injury cases to provide justice and compensation for injured victims. Golf cart accidents in Arizona occur most often in the following areas:
- Golf Courses: While some golfers choose to carry their clubs on their shoulders as they walk the course, most prefer using a golf cart. Not only does this provide storage for extra gear and supplies, but it’s also more convenient.
- Housing Communities: Residents of housing communities often use golf carts to get around, as they are much easier than driving a car. Golf carts provide a quick and easy way to get from one place to another without having to worry about traffic or parking.
- Roads: Golf carts aren’t just for the golf course anymore. You might see them driving on roads, but this can be dangerous. Golf carts travel much slower than regular cars, so if they get hit by a car it could be really harmful or even fatal to the people in the golf cart.
Incidents In Which The Driver Of The Golf Cart Gets Injured
There are several ways the driver operating a golf cart can become injured. A few examples of how this could happen include the following:
- Falling out of the golf cart
- The golf cart rollovers
- Hitting another object, such as a tree or pothole
- Running head-on into another object and being thrown out of the golf cart
All of these instances can be very dangerous, especially if the driver was not wearing a seatbelt or was driving at a higher speed. To avoid accidents, drivers should practice good driving techniques whenever possible. These practices include braking slowly and constantly being ready to use the handgrip if necessary while avoiding quick turns and harsh weather conditions; always driving at 15 miles per hour or less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Liable For A Golf Course Injury?
If you suffer an injury on a golf course, more than one party may be at fault. This can include the golf course itself, its designers, a homeowner’s association, or the landscaping crew. A knowledgeable Phoenix golf course accident attorney who specializes in golf course injuries will help you figure out who is responsible. Contact Klink Law, PLLC today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help you.
Who’s At Fault In A Golf Cart Accident?
Golf cart accidents in Arizona are just as serious as any other car accident or truck accident but contain further complexities. For example, golf carts don’t need to be registered or insured in Arizona, and drivers don’t even require a valid license because they can’t be driven on roads; however, some local ordinances may allow them on certain streets which then complicates matters. Moreover, some golf carts can get transformed so it fits the definition of a “low-speed vehicle.” If this is the case, then the cart owner would have to register the golf cart, buy Personal Injury Protection insurance, and obtain an operator’s license. Evidently, whether or not somebody gets injured in a golf cart accident hinges on who was responsible for causing the collision, where the accidents took place (was it legal or illegal), and if the golf car is considered a low-speed vehicle.
Contact Our Phoenix Golf Course Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you love has been injured on a golf course in Arizona, you need to take immediate action by hiring a Phoenix golf course accident attorney with experience in this field. As a result of your injuries, you may be entitled to benefits and other compensation. Have you missed work due to your injury? Gaining back this valuable money lost is part of the attorney’s job. David Klink is knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to golf course injuries. Contact David Klink today and get answers to all of your questions.
Questions? We Can Help
Based out of Glendale, AZ Klink Law, PLLC focuses on Personal Injury Litigation, Licensing Board Defense, and General Civil Litigation. David Klink takes pride in the opportunity to personally serve his clients and he will take the time to explain the legal process and answer your questions.