Orange County Lawyer Representing People Injured in a Golf Cart Accident
Golf cart accident lawyer Adam Krolikowski helps victims pursue fair compensation for their injuries. Southern California is home to some of the most well-known golf courses in the country, including Goose Creek, Pelican Hill Golf Club, Monarch Beach, and Arroyo Trabuco. Most golfers at these courses use golf carts to help carry their clubs and belongings. Golf carts are also used for transportation on paths and streets in many communities. While golf carts offer convenience for people, they also can pose a major threat to pedestrians, passengers and other multi-wheeled riders around them. With over 15 years of experience handling all types of injury cases, he knows what it takes to succeed on his clients’ behalf. He aims to take the burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your recovery.
Causes of Golf Cart Accidents
Golf carts are inherently dangerous vehicles. Most golf carts are not equipped with any safety features, such as seatbelts, and there is generally no requirement that a golfer have any experience to operate a cart. In fact, California allows people as young as 13 years old to drive golf carts.
Even when carts are operated by experienced adults, accidents can still happen. While most golfers take the sport seriously, some use the sport as a reason to socialize with friends. Often, this involves the consumption of alcohol. Thus, alongside inexperience, intoxication is a leading cause of golf cart accidents.
While golf carts are not high-speed vehicles, the amount of force involved in a golf cart collision is more than enough to cause serious injuries. Depending on the type and severity of the accident, a golf cart accident victim may suffer broken bones, head injuries, neck injuries, or back injuries. In some cases, usually when the cart rolls over a victim or traps them underneath the vehicle, a golf cart accident can be fatal.
Claims Based on Golf Cart Accidents
People who have been injured in a golf cart accident can retain an accident attorney in Orange County to sue the person who was responsible for causing their injuries. In some cases, they may have a claim against that person’s employer as well. This usually would involve proving that the person who caused the accident was acting in the scope of their employment at the time, such that the employer should be indirectly (vicariously) liable.
Similar to other accident cases, most golf cart accident claims are based on the theory of negligence. This means that the defendant acted carelessly or recklessly in operating the golf cart, doing something that a reasonable person would not do. For example, someone who is intoxicated while operating a golf cart is acting unreasonably. Someone who is texting while operating a golf cart, rather than watching their surroundings, also could be held liable.
Damages in golf cart accident cases usually include the medical bills that the victim incurred in treating their injuries, as well as the costs of treatment that they will need in the future. An Orange County golf cart accident attorney also can help a victim pursue compensation for their lost income related to time missed from work. Another important component of a damages award consists of non-economic damages, which are based on the pain and suffering caused by the accident.
Contact an Orange County Attorney Today
If you have recently been injured in a California golf cart accident, on or off the course, contact Attorney Adam Krolikowski at Krolikowski Law. For more than 15 years, Attorney Krolikowski has proudly represented people who have been injured in golf cart accidents and other vehicle collisions. Golf cart accident cases can be more challenging than some cases because all the at-fault parties may not be obvious, and defendants may try to downplay the severity of a collision. Thus, you should hire an attorney who is ready for a challenge and who will thoroughly investigate and develop your claim. To learn more, contact Krolikowski Law or call (949) 274-9915 to schedule a free consultation.