If you live in or regularly visit one of the many senior living communities around Las Vegas, you know that golf carts and other low-speed vehicles (LSV) are among the most common types of transportation. Depending on the rules of the community, and sometimes in violation of them, these vehicles may be driven away from the golf course as well.
People often underestimate how seriously they can be injured by one of these vehicles until it happens. Typically, the problem is the driver.
Impaired drivers
People who would never get behind the wheel of a car after drinking may give no thought to operating their golf cart after a lunch that included a few cocktails or bottles of beer. They can endanger anyone in their cart or in their path.
Other dangerous LSV behaviors
Too many people drive these vehicles with little or no experience and without ever learning basic safety precautions. Besides being under the influence, there are numerous other causes of injuries in and around LSVs. They include:
- Texting or talking on the phone
- Driving on steep or rough terrain
- Not slowing down to turn
- Stopping or changing direction too quickly
- Not taking care on wet pavement
- Having too many people in the vehicle
- Not keeping hands and feet inside the vehicle
- Not wearing seat belts (if they’re available)
- Not looking behind the vehicle before reversing
- Not yielding to pedestrians
Before you get in a golf cart or other LSV with someone, make sure that they are conscientious about safety. Of course, you can’t always be sure until it’s too late. If you happen to be golfing or otherwise in the path of one of these vehicles, you may have no time to get out of the way.
If you’re injured by a negligent or reckless LSV driver, you have the right to seek compensation to cover your medical costs and other expenses. Unfortunately, the at-fault driver may not have insurance to cover this type of accident. You may need to find other options to get the compensation you need and deserve. Experienced legal guidance can be valuable.