Dallas Golf Cart Accident Lawyer

For highly qualified representation, contact Hilliard Martinez Gonzales. For more than 35 years, our attorneys have been honored for their work on behalf of injured clients.

With the state’s abundant sunshine, many people find driving a golf cart is an ideal way to get around – whether spending the day on a golf course or visiting a neighbor in a residential community.  However, mild weather conditions won’t lessen the chances of sustaining injuries in a serious golf cart accident.  In fact, the number of serious golf cart collisions is on the rise, as an increasing number of people use golf carts both on and off the golf course. If you’ve sustained injuries in a golf cart accident, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit to receive financial compensation for losses from the incident.

When Can I File a Lawsuit After a Golf Cart Accident in Dallas?

Many different factors can lead to a golf cart collision with injury. If you’ve been hurt, but are uncertain whether you are eligible to pursue legal action, it’s a good idea to speak to an attorney who can help you evaluate your claim.  In most cases, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the person or people who caused your golf cart accident if their negligence resulted in harm to you.

There are many circumstances in which negligence was probably a factor in your accident, necessitating legal action, such as the following:

• You were either operating the golf cart or riding in it when it was hit by a car
• Whoever was operating the golf cart was driving recklessly while you were a passenger
• The golf cart had a defect or manufacturing error that caused the accident
• You were struck by a golf cart driver being operated recklessly

You may be eligible to make a personal injury claim regardless of whether you were the driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian.

What Damages Can I Recover From a Dallas Golf Cart Accident?

Since every case is different, it’s important to remember that there is no set amount of money you can recover. Rather, the extent of your damages will determine how much compensation you receive for your golf cart accident claim. You may also be able to recover compensation for the emotional impact experiencing the accident has left on you.

In golf cart-related personal injury cases, you may be entitled to damages covering a range of losses, including the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

After sustaining injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you are likely dealing with expensive medical care and reduced income in addition to daily pain. It shouldn’t be your burden to deal with these consequences. An accomplished golf cart accident attorney will vigorously represent those injured in an accident and fight to obtain fair compensation.

What Laws Govern the Use of Golf Carts in Dallas?

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) classifies golf carts as unique vehicles, along with off-road vehicles and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs). As unique vehicles, golf carts are governed by several special laws.

Under TxDMV, golf carts are defined as motor vehicles made to be used on a golf course. Also, they must be equipped with mirrors, a parking brake, reflectors, headlamps, and taillamps. Golf carts are neither titled nor registered by the TxDMV but are permitted to have their own license plate. When a golf cart has a license plate, they are permitted to be operated under the following circumstances:

• Golf carts are permitted on public roads in master planned communities with a uniform set of restrictive covenants and a county or municipality-approved plat.
• Golf cart operations are permitted on any public or private beach accessible by car.
• Golf carts may be driven on highways with posted speed limits of 35 mph, up to two miles from where they are generally kept for travel to and from a golf course during the day.
• Golf carts may be used on public roads to cross intersections, including those with highways with posted speed limits of more than 35 mph.

Some Texas counties and cities may also allow golf carts on public roadways inside city limits or in some counties’ unincorporated areas. When a golf cart is used on a route approved by the city or county, its license plate must always be visible. The maximum speed on the road must be 35 mph. Otherwise, the golf cart cannot be authorized to drive on it. Also, anytime a golf cart is driven on the road at a speed of 25 mph or less, it must have the slow-moving vehicle logo on its side.

What Affects Dallas Golf Cart Accident Liability?

A vital component of bringing a successful personal injury claim is proving liability. The burden of proof rests with the plaintiff, so they must establish that the party they have brought a claim against is liable for their injuries.

When evaluating who is at fault for a golf cart accident, every element related to the accident should be taken into account, such as the following:

• Was the driver impaired while operating the golf cart?
• Did the driver meet the requirements to operate the golf cart?
• Did the golf cart’s owner get it maintenance to address any known issues?
• Were there any defects in the golf cart’s manufacturing?
• Where was the golf cart being driven when the accident occurred?

Many different factors may have caused your accident, but the common thread is negligence. As a result, you may be eligible to receive money from other parties to cover your medical bills and any other damages that result from the accident.

If the golf cart driver or another driver’s negligence led to your injuries, they may be held responsible. Any harm caused by a product defect may also be the manufacturer’s or seller’s responsibility. You could even be partially liable for your accident if you had a hand.

What If I Contributed to My Dallas Golf Cart Accident?

Texas employs the modified comparative negligence rule, which imposes proportionate liability when the plaintiff is partially to blame for their injury. If the plaintiff’s negligence contributed to the cause of the accident, their damages award could be reduced according to their proportion of negligence.

Modified comparative negligence only applies to cases where the plaintiffs’ share of fault is determined to be less than 50%. Should the plaintiff be found to be primarily at fault for their accident, they will not be able to recover any damages.

Talk About Your Case With a Proven Dallas Golf Cart Accident Attorney

Golf cart collisions are less common than auto accidents, so accident victims may be less familiar with handling them. After a golf cart accident, you may be inundated with paperwork, negotiations, communications, and expenses, all of which take time and money you should seek to recover by filing a claim.

Golf cart accidents differ from other types of vehicle accidents in significant ways, so it is crucial to have a complete understanding of the relevant laws to have a successful claim. Consulting with Hilliard Martinez Gonzales can provide Dallas residents with knowledgeable legal representation for their golf cart accident lawsuit. Since 1986, we have provided numerous clients with effective legal representation to help achieve the best possible results in their matters.

At HMG, our personal injury lawyers have been helping victims of personal injury for more than three decades. We know how to fight for you. Call us at 1-800-334-3298 or fill out our contact form.  If we take your case, we will work on a Contingent Fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win.

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