Golf Cart Injury

March 13, 2024

News: 2 injured in Villages golf cart accident involving alleged DUI driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

THE VILLAGES, FL – Two people were injured in a golf cart accident involving in the Villages earlier this month, authorities said.

According to the Villages News, the incident took place March 2 in the vicinity of Morse Boulevard and Colony Boulevard. The Florida Highway Patrol said 60-year-old Julianne Marie Janny was driving a golf cart about 9 p.m. when she took a curve too fast, causing the cart to overturn and land on its side. Two passengers were injured, though no details were released on their conditions.

Investigators said Janny, a resident of the Village of Lake Denham, showed indications of alcohol use including tests that that registered .210 and .193 blood alcohol content. She was charged with two counts of driving under the influence with injury to a person.

December 15, 2023

News: Man killed when golf cart crashes into tree at Brooksville resort

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

BROOKSVILLE, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal golf cart accident that took place in Hernando County on Saturday morning.

According to details reported by WTSP, the incident occurred at the Clover Leaf RV Resort in Brooksville shortly before 11 a.m.

The FHP said a 74-year-old man was driving his golf cart westbound on a path designated for golf carts near Meetinghouse Lane. He suffered a medical emergency, drove off the path and collided with a tree before landing in a pond.

September 13, 2023

News: Ocala woman killed in accident involving golf cart on SW 87 Loop

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a golf cart and a pickup truck were involved in a deadly collision in Marion County on Tuesday morning.

According to WKMG, a 65-year-old woman was driving a golf cart east on SW 87 Loop in the Indigo East subdivision at about 11:50 a.m. A crash report stated that the woman went through a stop sign and entered the path of a pickup truck pulling an enclosed trailer that was going south on SW 79 Terrace Road.

The golf cart collided with the right side of the truck and the woman was ejected. She landed on the roadway, where she was struck by the trailer of the pickup truck. The woman, an Ocala resident, was pronounced dead after being taken to an area hospital.

August 17, 2023

Golf Carts Now Legal to Cross U.S. 19 in New Port Richey | Pasco County Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Golf carts are now permitted to cross one of the area’s busiest roadways in New Port Richey, U.S. 19.

The city of New Port Richey began allowing crossings on U.S. 19 and Gulf Drive in July.

Since numerous golf cart users wanted more access to the downtown area as well as other places east of U.S. 19, the city made the change.

Following a traffic analysis, the state had to grant the city approval to permit the crossing. The installation of golf cart signs at the intersection was subject to permission.

However, it does raise some safety issues because of the high speeds and frequent accidents on U.S. 19 in Pasco County.

It is advised for golf cart users to wear their seatbelts and make sure their blinkers are fully functioning before they attempt to cross U.S. 19.

New Port Richey is also developing a crossing at Marine Parkway that would allow golf cart users from Gulf Harbors to cross U.S.19.

The golf carts travel across the major roadway like any other vehicle, abiding by the same traffic regulations as regular motorists.

U.S. 19 in Pasco County is considered one of the most dangerous stretch of roadways in America, so it will certainly be interesting to see how adding golf carts to the mix will play out.

A car can easily overtake a golf cart, and crossings can be hazardous. Additionally, given that cars and trucks move much more quickly than golf carts do on the road, drivers must take extra caution to avoid hitting cars, trucks, motorcycles, delivery vehicles, bikers, and even pedestrians.

Golf cart collisions can be fatal or cause a variety of serious injuries. The following are some of the most frequent injuries:

Broken bones
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Spinal cord trauma
Knee injuries
Neck injuries
Burns
Shoulder injuries
Lacerations
Amputations
Wrongful death

Our New Port Richey Personal Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton proudly represent injured passengers, pedestrians, and motorists hurt in golf cart accidents. We can provide a thorough and completely free legal review of your injury claim and help you pursue the settlement you deserve. Continue reading

July 14, 2023

Man charged with drunk driving in golf cart crash in The Villages

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SUMTER COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a man was arrested for a golf cart accident in Sumter County on July 4th, according to the Villages News.

The crash happened in the area of Pinellas Place and Buena Vista Boulevard at about 9 p.m. The FHP said 63-year-old Marc James D’eon of the Village of St. John’s was driving a Yamaha golf court when he crashed into some hedges. A passenger in the cart was injured and taken to UF Health-Leesburg Hospital.

Following field sobriety exercises and a blood alcohol test, D’eon was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence. He was booked at the Sumter County Detention Center and released after posting $1,000 bond.

July 5, 2023

News: Citrus County man killed when car collides with golf cart

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CITRUS COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a car and a golf cart were involved in a fatal collision in Citrus County.

A report by WTVT states the accident took place Friday afternoon on West Fenway Drive near Lake Marie Terrace.

The FHP said a Nissan Rogue and a golf cart were both heading south, with the cart traveling in the bicycle lane. The driver of the Nissan Rogue, a 48-year-old man, passed the golf cart and slowed down to make a turn onto North Lake Marie Terrace, investigators said.

March 9, 2022

News: Woman seriously injured in Villages golf cart crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

THE VILLAGES, FL – A woman was seriously injured after her golf cart crashed into a dog park fence in The Villages on Tuesday.

According to the Villages News, the woman crashed her golf cart into the entrance fences at the Homestead Dog Park in Citrus Grove just south of State Road 44.

She was rushed to a hospital and is reportedly under intensive care.

April 8, 2019

11-Year-Old Seriously Injured in Brevard County Golf Cart Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A crash involving a golf cart in Brevard County sent an 11-year-old girl to the hospital.

According to troopers, the girl was driving the golf cart along Fox Trail Court and James Road in Cocoa on Sunday afternoon when it overturned as she rounded a corner.

The girl was flown to Arnold Palmer Hospital, where she remains in serious condition.

Officials said there were two adults in the golf cart with the child. They were not injured.

The crash is currently under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

You do not have to be golfing to use a golf cart. These small modes of transportation are used on many large campuses, in communities and at airports. These vehicles can top at speeds of 40 MPH and are used commonly without reasonable safety precautions, placing riders at risk of injury.

Our Florida Golf Cart Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton help those injured in golf cart accidents throughout the state of Florida. While golf carts look like smaller vehicles and are used the same way as cars, they are not regulated like automobiles because they were never intended for road use. Golf carts are not required to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and the American National Standards Institute does not require them to have seatbelts, so this allows these vehicles to be manufactured with low safety standards.

Golf cart accidents are quite common, as they are prone to tip over easily, they lack restraints, and they are open on the sides. Golf cart accidents can result in minor injuries like lacerations and scrapes to much more severe injuries like brain injuries and even fatalities.

October 31, 2011

Florida Golf Cart Accident Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Man Pushing Golf Cart Killed in Accident

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 53-year-old Live Oak, Florida man was instantly killed after being hit by a car on Oct. 16 while pushing a golf cart along a Suwanee County road.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, the man was pushing a 1990 EZ-Go golf cart when he was hit from behind by a 1999 Toyota sedan.

The man was pronounced dead shortly after 5:30 p.m. by the Suwannee County Fire Rescue.

Charges are pending following further investigation into the accident, according to FHP.

Motorized golf carts are not just limited to the putting green. In fact, while many people drive their carts to and from the course, some communities in Florida have designated these carts as their preferred mode of transportation. With the amount of people trading in their cars for carts, statistics show a surge in injuries and fatalities. According to The American Journal of Preventive Medicine, golf cart injuries have risen a whopping 132 percent from 1990 to 2006. Close to 150,000 people, varying in age from 2 months to 96 years, suffered injuries related to a golf cart accidents throughout this period . In 2009, more than 1,600 golf cart accidents in Florida were reported. The Florida Golf Cart Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton handle a wide range of golf cart accidents including, automobile collisions, intersection smash-ups, passenger ejections, pedestrian accidents, cart rollovers and country club or golfing accidents.

Golf carts have become much more powerful and faster over the years and are widely used at sporting events, hospitals, airports, parks, college campuses, businesses and military bases. Golf carts can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and can travel 40 miles on a single battery charge, making them a popular ride choice for many residents of retirement and gated communities. Typically, golf carts are not subject to federal regulations and in some areas a driver’s license is not required to operate one. Since many golf carts lack stability mechanisms and safety features like seat belts, common injuries from an accident can include catastrophic injuries such as head and brain trauma, broken bones, neck and back injuries, injuries to the face or sternum, road rash, serious lacerations and fractures. The Florida Golf Cart Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton work hard to ensure that you and your loved ones get properly diagnosed and treated for any injuries and recover damages for any lasting disability or wrongful death.

July 26, 2011

The Villages, FL Golf Cart Accident Attorney :: Whittel & Melton :: Man Killed in Golf Cart Collision with Jeep

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Within the last five years, nearly 10 residents at The Villages in Sumter County, FL have been killed in golf cart-related accidents. Injuries caused by golf cart and other recreational vehicle accidents can include amputations, fractures, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord paralysis and death.

A resident of The Villages died last month from injuries sustained in a golf cart accident after it collided head-on with a Jeep Wrangler.

According to reports, the man’s wife was driving the cart around 9 p.m. on June 16 when the golf cart entered a traffic circle going the wrong way and smashed into the Jeep. The man and the woman were ejected from the cart and sent to area hospitals for their injuries.

The man reportedly died around noon on June 19. His wife was listed as in stable condition at the Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Many Florida tourists and residents take advantage of summer weather by sporting the streets in recreational vehicles, like golf carts. Golf cart fatalities and injuries are becoming more and more common in residential neighborhoods and retirement communities throughout the state of Florida. In 2009, more than 1,600 golf cart accidents in Florida were reported. Many golf cart fatalities occur from disobeying traffic laws or operating the cart in a reckless manner. The Florida Golf Cart Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton handle a wide range of golf cart accidents including, automobile collisions, intersection smash-ups, drunk driving catastrophes, rollovers and country club or golfing accidents.

With more than 55 retirement communities located in Florida, roadways and congested areas are being traveled by retirees on golf carts to get from the golf course, neighbors homes, community events and for any other routine driving purposes. Golf carts used as primary modes of transportation share the streets and roadways with larger and faster-paced vehicles, which can put drivers and passengers at a greater risk for accidents.

It is important to remember that in the hours and even days following your accident, do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company. Despite their friendly demeanor, insurance adjusters will do anything to avoid paying the costs associated with your accident. Prior to making any statements, call Whittel & Melton for a confidential consultation toll free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).