Golf Cart Accidents in Spokane

Since 1948, CCD Law has helped Spokane clients through the legal process after they’ve been injured in an accident. In our experience, we’ve seen all different types of accidents. This includes all different sorts of vehicles, including golf carts. If you or a loved one have been injured in a golf cart accident, contact us today for a free consultation.

Should You Hire a Lawyer?

Obviously, golf carts are a lot less common than cars and even other types of single-person vehicles like motorcycles. However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be in an accident with one of them–and more to the point, that you can’t get seriously hurt in these accidents.

With that said, if you are in one of these accidents and are only slightly injured, you probably don’t have to worry about hiring our lawyers. But in the event that you’re seriously hurt or the accident has some questions regarding complexity or overall liability, our team can definitely help you. Here’s what we can do:

• Investigation – We look into what happened to determine the cause of the accident, whether it be speeding, being distracted, intoxicated, or drowsy driving.
  
  
• Evidence collection – We gather crucial evidence, such as photographs, medical records, invoices, and witness testimonies to put together a timeline of events. This also helps put a monetary value on your potential claim. 

• Consulting with experts – Our team interviews witnesses and may enlist the expertise of professionals to bolster your case.

• Managing communication – We handle negotiations with insurance firms and legal representatives to protect your interests.

• Legal representation – When and if you decide to move forward with a lawsuit, we take charge of the legal process, making filings, exchanging and analyzing evidence, and supporting your interests in court.

At the end of the day, our number one goal is to make things easier for you. To that end, our team strives to streamline the entire process for you and your family. By enabling you to prioritize your health and recuperation, we aim to position you for a smoother transition as you recover. Part of the process, though, starts right after the accident happens.

What Steps You Should Take After an Accident

Looking into potential legal options is important, but like any accident, the most important thing you should worry about after being hurt in a golf cart accident is your health and safety. Although golf cart accidents present unique circumstances, the steps to take afterward are similar to those of any other vehicle collision. These measures not only safeguard your well-being but also fortify any future claims for damages. If you find yourself in a golf cart accident, make sure to:

• Report the accident – Contact the Spokane Police or Sheriff’s Department to report the accident. They will generate an official report, valuable for insurance claims and can provide basic information about the accident, such as when and where it happened. Additionally, notify the property owner, whether it’s a private person or a golf course. 

• Exchange information – Exchange contact and insurance details with the other involved driver, if applicable. Get names, phone numbers, addresses, and insurance information. Also, gather contact details from any witnesses.

• Get evidence at the scene – Use your phone (if it still works) to take photos or videos of the accident scene. Make sure to note vehicle positions, property damage, and any visible injuries you have.

• Get medical attention – Even for seemingly minor injuries, get medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries may worsen over time, and medical records are essential for your injury claim. 

• Preserve your evidence – Maintain your golf cart or property in its post-accident condition. Refrain from repairing or disposing of it, as it may serve as evidence. 

• Talk to your insurance – Tell your insurance provider about the accident, regardless of who was at fault. This will open the claims process.

What else factors in?

While your actions are a huge part of the process, there’s certain other factors present in these situations that’s going to also factor into the process. Again, a golf cart accident is somewhat unique, and so it’s important to understand the how everything factors in:

• Where the accident happens – Golf carts are not only used on golf courses but also in gated communities, retirement communities, and some public roads in parts of the city and county. This broader usage can affect the legal and regulatory aspects of these accidents. 

• How the local authorities approach them – Spokane and Washington both have specific rules for using golf carts on public roads, which can vary by location. Understanding these regulations is crucial when handling a golf cart accident, as they may dictate liability and safety requirements.
  
  
• Extent of injuries – Golf cart accidents can cause a range of injuries, from minor to severe. Due to the lower speeds involved, injuries may differ from those in typical car accidents. Assessing injuries and their impact is vital in these cases.

Who is Responsible for These Accidents?

Liability–or who is legally responsible–for covering your injuries and damages in a golf car accident is not always straightforward. There’s a number of reasons for this, starting with the fact that a golf cart accident can happen on both public and private property. And while they are more likely to happen on a golf course, the use of golf carts are becoming more and more widespread. This means that it could happen in your neighborhood or even on the main road.

With all this in mind, the best approach is to keep things simple: as a vehicle, responsibility for a golf cart accident isn’t any different from a car. So, negligence is going to be the determining factor in liability. To review, negligence refers to:

• The legal duty the person driving or operating the golf cart has to you.

Thus, when there’s an accident and you get hurt, the golf cart driver that’s found to be negligent will bear responsibility for any resulting injuries or damages. 

However, each case is unique, and liability may extend to various parties involved, including:

• Owner of the golf cart – If the cart is owned by a third party such as a golf course, rental company, or individual, and their negligence (such as inadequate maintenance) contributes to the accident, they could also be liable. 

• Owner of the property – If the accident occurs on someone’s property, like a golf course or private land, and unsafe conditions on the premises contribute to the accident, the property owner or operator may be held liable if they were aware of the hazards and failed to address them.

• Makers of the golf cart – If a defect in the design or manufacture of the golf cart plays a role in the accident, the manufacturer or distributor could be held liable for producing a faulty product. 

Again, this process isn’t always straightforward. With that said, once you’re able to nail down the liable parties, you can proceed with entering the legal process–which means filing an injury claim.

Damages in These Injury Claims

The good news, relatively speaking, is that the process narrows once you file your claim. Basically, you’ll either file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the responsible parties.

This doesn’t necessarily mean it gets easier. In fact, the claims process can be challenging, particularly if you’re injured and facing mounting medical bills or lost income. The law tries to take this into account when determining your damages. 

While your damages are unique to your particular case, you can generally recover the following:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of quality of life
• Punitive damages
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

Remember, Washington has a three year statute of limitations for filing an injury claim. This means you have three years from the date of the accident to file, and if you don’t, you won’t be able to recover damages.