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.
If your family member has been the victim of a golf cart-related accident due to someone else’s careless driving behavior in Live Oak or any other community in Florida, contact the Florida Golf Cart Accident and Injury Lawyers at the Law Offices of Whittel & Melton, LLC online or call 352-793-9330 or statewide and toll-free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).