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Study Finds High Number of Golf Cart Injuries Among Children

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

 

Some sports are considered inherently dangerous. When you or your child participate in football, hockey, wrestling, and other contact sports, you know that there are some injuries possible. Golf is generally considered a very safe sport because it is a non-contact activity and one that you can take part in outdoors. A recent report from researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found that approximately 6,500 children each year are hurt as the result of a golf cart accident.

 

Increase in Golf Cart Injuries

 

The research team presented their study of golf cart injuries among children to the American Academy of Pediatrics. They studied golf cart accidents among children and adolescents between 2010 and 2019. The research showed that there has been an increase in injuries to children as a result of golf cart accidents over the years. There were a total of 63,501 injuries reported over the 10-year period. Injuries increased at a higher rate per year over the last several years. Injuries were generally not life-threatening and often included harm to the face or neck. Bone fractures and dislocations were among the more serious injuries that were most commonly reported.

 

Golf Cart Laws

 

Golf carts are generally covered by local city or municipality laws. Typically, golf carts should be driven only by those over the age of 16 with a valid driver’s license. Golf carts can be driven on some streets as long as they comply with specific requirements. For golf carts to be street legal they must have headlights and tail lights. If they are not equipped with turn signals, drivers must use hand signals when turning. Golf carts should not travel on streets at a speed of more than 20 MPH and only on streets with a speed limit of 35 MPH or less. Golf carts driven on the street are subject to proper inspection and registration.

 

Preventing Golf Cart Injuries

 

Motorized golf carts are utilized in a number of ways. Besides being driven on a golf course, golf carts are often used at schools and as transportation for sporting activities. Golf cart injuries can often be prevented. Golf carts are meant to drive on somewhat stable pavement since they can tip over easily. Drivers and riders do not wear seatbelts, so they can more easily fall or be thrown from the cart in an accident. Although children often want to drive golf carts, they are motorized vehicles and should only be driven by licensed drivers. Golf carts should remain on pavement. Riders should be seated and should not try to ride on the back of the cart. Children should be supervised at all times when they are near golf carts.

 

Golf cart injuries can occur in an instant. When you or someone you love suffers injuries as a result of someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. The responsible party should pay for medical bills as well as money for pain and suffering. Get the legal help you need as soon as possible after an accident. Call (704) 370-2828 to receive a video, phone or in-person consultation with our lawyers to explore your legal options or fill out our contact form. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and Monroe.

 

 

 

 

 

The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.

 

Source:

https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2021/more-than-6500-children-injured-by-golf-carts-each-year-study-finds/

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-fractures-symptoms

 

 

Image Credit

https://www.freeimages.com/photo/golf-cart-1448617

 

 

See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC/videos

 

 

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