DUNEDIN GOLF CART ACCIDENT | Serious and fatal injuries can occur | City approved golf carts for street use

DUNEDIN - The city of Dunedin unanimously approved allowing golf carts on city roads at a City Hall meeting.  According to BayNews 9, a city ordinance allowed people to drive golf carts within a one mile radius of the Dunedin Golf Club. Now leaders are expanding the ordinance to allow the golf carts throughout Dunedin.

SAFETY IS A BIG CONCERN.  Golf carts are designed for use on a golf course and lack the necessary safety equipment for regular daily road use.  This approval is by the city is a recipe for disaster.  

City leaders have not decided exactly which roads they'd allow the golf carts on. The city attorney is now looking into just the south side at this time and not the whole city.  The city council will continue to work in phases to get the whole city golf cart-approved.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a golf cart accident?  Call the TRIPP LAW FIRM - Personal Injury Law for an immediate confidential telephone case evaluation. 

CALL US us at (727) 398-2900
or

toll-free at (888) 392-LAWS (5297)

FREE initial case evaluation

NO fee and NO costs if NO recovery

We are available 24/7 with home and hospital visits upon request

http://www.trippfirm.com/

MORE GOLF CART ACCIDENTS? | Golf Cart rules change statewide | ELLENTON LAKEWOOD RANCH

MANATEE COUNTY - You may notice more golf carts around the Bay area. On September 1, 2010 a state law that prohibits residents from riding their golf carts on sidewalks will change. A clause in House Bill 971 has been approved, allowing counties to permit golf cart use on designated sidewalks with proper signs. As of now, Manatee County has not mandated where golf carts can go.

Despite the possible changes, law enforcement officials want to remind golf cart drivers they should never travel on roads. They say doing so is not only dangerous, it's also illegal and could result in a ticket.

Also, until the county mandates where golf carts can go, drivers can still be ticketed for traveling on sidewalks in certain areas.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a golf cart accident? Call the TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law for an immediate FREE confidential telephone case evaluation.

CALL NOW (941) 479-0201 Local

We are available 24/7 at (888) 392-LAWS (5297)

NO FEE or NO COSTS if NO RECOVERY

http://www.trippfirm.com/

 

TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law

GOLF CART ACCIDENT | Safety Concerns Rise | More Golf Carts take to the Streets | FLORIDA

STATEWIDE - Recently several tragic accidents involving golf carts have made headline news. Kristopher Seluga, a mechanical engineering and safety expert, says he is frustrated every time he reads of another death or injury to a child. “In so many of the articles they use the term 'freak accident,''' he says. "It's not. It happens all the time.''

A golf cart may not have the safety features needed for a slow-moving vehicle. More and more Florida communities are allowing golf carts to be driven on select city streets. Each year, about 13,000 golf cart-related accidents require emergency room visits, and that number is rising as the economical, fun-to-drive carts become more popular on city streets, says Seluga, who analyzed statistics compiled by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.

Of those 13,000 accidents, about 40 percent of them involve children younger than 16, and half of those are due to a fall from a moving golf cart. No seat belts or other safety features are required, although driving is restricted to streets approved for golf carts by local governments. In Florida, anyone 14 or older may drive a golf cart, even without a driver's license.

Retirement communities such as Sun City Center and The Villages of Florida conduct annual inspections of golf carts, but require no seat belts. All Sun City Center streets are approved for golf carts, although the carts are not allowed to make right or left turns onto State Road 674. They may, however, travel on a designated golf cart path alongside it and may cross it at three locations. In March of this year, a path was opened to allow golf carts to cross U.S. 301 for access to a Walmart in Wimauma.

The Tampa City Council will hear from the city attorney and police officials at its meeting June 24 regarding the use of golf carts for use on Davis Islands to include short rides including transporting children to sports practices and games. Many Davis Island residents already use them for such purposes.

TO READ MORE CLICK:

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2010/06/22/110892.htm#ixzz0rcsjhMnO

http://www.trippfirm.com/   TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law

GOLF CARTS on the streets? A good idea or a recipe for disaster? Accidents sometimes fatal

STATEWIDE - Each year, about 13,000 golf cart-related accidents require emergency room visits, and that number is rising as the economical, fun-to-drive carts become more popular on city streets. Of those accidents, about 40 percent involve children younger than 16, and half of those are due to a fall from a moving golf cart.

Golf carts that go slower than 20 mph are the kind most often used on the street. These carts are usually bought used and are not regulated, unless state or local governments set rules. In the State of Florida, anyone 14 or older may drive a golf cart, even without a driver's license. No seat belts or safety features are required. The local government restricts approved streets that golf carts may be operated.

In Florida there are many communities approved to use golf carts for transportation. Sun City Center and The Villages of Florida are two communities that allow its residents to use golf carts for transportation. Recently in Hillsborough County a path was opened allowing carts to cross U.S. 301 for access to a WalMart in Wimauma.

A few Davis Islands residents have asked the Tampa City Council to allow golf carts in community to include transporting children to sports practices and games. On June 24 the City Council will hear from the city attorney and officials from the Tampa Police Department.

www.trippfirm.com      TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law

Accident ♦ GOLF CARTS ♦ Davis Islands ♦ City of Tampa ♦ Davis Blvd. ♦ Tampa General Hospital

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY - The Civic Association of Davis Islands will be asking the City of Tampa to make golf carts are street legal. Ironically, the islands do not have a golf course on them. Some residents believe that they should be able to drive golf carts in their community on Davis Islands. However, some disagree and have a concern that mixing golf carts with a high volume of auto truck traffic could be a recipe for disaster. Be that as it may, city leaders will soon decide whether to give the green light golf carts on the island.

Florida law does allow municipalities to designate areas where local roads are open to golf carts. Currently, a golf cart drivers must be at least 14 years old. A street legal cart, it must have safety equipment such as turn lights and seatbelts.

www.trippfirm.com      TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law

SUN CITY GOLF CART CROSSING - U.S. 301 now open - Accident waiting to happen

SUN CITY – The new golf cart crossing to Wal-Mart has opened. The crossing allows residents driving golf carts to cross U.S. Highway 301 to shop at the Super Wal-Mart in Wimauma. The speed limit on 301 has been lowered to 45 in the area of the new crossing. The crossing is equipped with lights and warning signs.

Once across the dangerous U.S. Highway 301, the golf carts will be mixing with cars, trucks, and pedestrians in the Wal-Mart parking lot. This mix is a recipe for disaster and an accident waiting to happen.

NEWS RELEASE - http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/communications/news/releaseoutput.cfm?r_id=8919

If you or loved one has been injured in a golf cart accident, call the TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law at (888) 392-LAWS (5297) 24 hours a day.

http://www.trippfirm.com/

GOLF CART hit head on by SUV that fled the scene of the crash – Collier County Sheriff investigation continues

NAPLES - Three people were injured while riding in a golf cart at the ACE Group Classic. All three were hospitalized at Naples Hospital.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office continues to search for the driver of the SUV who hit them head on before fleeing the scene.

The investigation in ongoing.

GOLF CART CRASH crossing road or highway from sidewalk – SERIOUS INJURIES – Liability insurance

According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, golf cart-related injuries are on the rise. Today, more golf carts are being used on and off the greens. If you are using your golf cart off the greens, you should consider purchasing a special golf cart insurance policy.

Golf carts are NOT covered under a person's auto policy. A homeowner's policy may provide limited liability and physical damage coverage for golf carts while used ON the insured person's property or ON THE GOLF COURSE. NOTE: Consumers likely would NOT be covered for an accident that occurs off the golf course.

Why is this important? In the event of an accident, lack of insurance coverage could mean that the operator of the golf cart would be legally liable for any and all property damage and personal injuries as a result of their negligence.

Golf carts may be inexpensive alternative way to get around in local communities, but the money saved is nothing compared to the money you may lose if the golf cart is uninsured.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart crash, call the TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law for a FREE telephone case evaluation. We are available 24 hours a day.

Call us NOW at (888) 392-LAWS (5297).

www.trippfirm.com Prompt & Aggressive Representation

The Gardens ♦ Colony Cove ♦ Terra Siesta ♦ Ellenton ♦ Manatee County ♦ GOLF CART ACCIDENT ♦ US Hwy 301

MANATEE - Golf carts are illegal on state roads, with a few exceptions: The golf cart crossing at U.S. 301 and Colony Club North/Coquina Drive in Manatee County is legal.

Recently, the president of the Homeowners Association of Colony Cove said the residents have stopped driving their carts on the U.S. 301 sidewalks. Residents are hoping to change the law so they can legally drive their golf carts on the 8-foot-wide sidewalks that line both sides of U.S. 301. Residents have approached legislators, the Florida Department of Transportation, and have asked Manatee County commissioners for their support.

“Something needs to be done,” “The law should be changed.” One HOA president said, “Some of our residents are no longer able to use their cars so it’s much safer for them to be on the sidewalk in a golf cart.” Traffic light or no traffic light, crossing US 301 to go to shopping at Publix could spell disaster; especially when the highway (US 301) is widened to four lanes. If residents are no longer able to drive their cars, what says they are able to safely drive a golf cart?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart accident, call the TRIPP LAW FIRM – Personal Injury Law for a FREE telephone consultation. Our injury law team is available 24 hours a day.

CALL NOW – (888) 392-LAWS (5297) for an immediate confidential consultation.

NO FEE or NO COST if NO RECOVERY.

www.trippfirm.com ♦ Prompt and Aggressive Representation

GOLF CART ACCIDENT at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground injures child

LAKE BUENA VISTA - On Saturday night, a golf cart flipped and seriously injured a child at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. The child was a passenger in a golf cart being driven by her father who swerved to avoid another golf cart coming toward them with out lights.

The child was transported to Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando and is listed in guarded but stable condition.

The Fort Wilderness is a campground near Disney's Magic Kingdom.

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH GOLF CART ACCIDENT - Pinellas County Florida

PINELLAS COUNTY - The Indian Rocks Beach City Commission voted to make golf carts street legal on most of its roadways. If you've never been there, Indian Rocks is a quaint little beach town dotted with cottages along a white sandy beach. Many residents get around on foot or by bike, visiting the local art shops and restaurants.

To be street legal a golf cart must be equipped with seat belts, headlights, turn signals, stop lamps and parking brakes, a windshield, rear view mirror and can only be driven by a licensed driver. It's not all good news though. The vote permits golf carts on streets owned and operated by the municipality, but not on Gulf Blvd, which is owned by the state (South of Walsingham) and the county (North of Walsingham). In order to get to the beach, drivers must cross Gulf Blvd. The city will need to address whether or not carts are able to safely cross Gulf Blvd and identify crossing locations with signage. Indian Rocks Beach is the first of the gulf beaches to adopt golf carts, but there are a few other nearby communities that permit them.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart accident on Indian Rocks Beach call the Tripp Law Firm for a FREE telephone consultation. We are former residents of Indian Shores.

TRIPP LAW FIRM, P.A. – A Personal Injury Law Firm that is Dedicated to Helping Injured People throughout the State of Florida.

CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION - 1 (888) 392-LAWS (5297)

Prompt and Aggressive Representation, with a personal touch.

NO FEES OR COSTS IF NO RECOVERY. www.trippfirm.com