Recreational vehicles such as golf carts, Segways, pedal buses, scooters or any other novel modes of transportation used for recreation, are often viewed as less dangerous than automobiles. However, the injuries involving such fun vehicles often can be grave. Just like automobile accidents, accidents involving recreational vehicles can result in serious physical and mental injuries that can significantly affect one’s work and daily activities of living.
A common misconception among victims is that since they signed a waiver, they cannot sue, but this is not true. Even when a waiver is signed victims can still seek damages in the event of negligence or in a situation where a waiver cannot be fully understood or the risk of injury cannot be appreciated. Waivers also may not be upheld when the vehicle was negligently manufactured, designed, maintained, or repaired.
Damages may include but are not limited to compensation for:
- Missed work time
- Medical bills and equipment
- Diminished earning capacity and career advancement
- Physical and Psychological injuries and stress
Causes
In many of the cases handled by Quinn Law Centers leisure or recreational vehicle injuries are a result of one or more of the following causes:
- Poorly implemented or missing safety features such as lack of seatbelts, handrails, or any other necessary safety device
- Failure to properly train the rider
- Lack of warning and transparency regarding possible risks and dangers
- Defective designs
- Improper maintenance, inspection, and/or repairs
- Carelessness of an operator causing injuries to another individual
Negligence, breach of warranty, and failure to warn all are possible causes of action in recreational vehicle injury cases.
Specific Vehicle Injuries
Golf Cart
Golf cart injuries can happen for a variety of reasons such as collisions with other golf carts or other objects, use on unsuitable terrain, and improperly maintained or implemented safety devices. Golf cart operators are required to hold a driver’s license. So it would be expected that most operators would be proficient at driving golf carts. However, golf carts drive differently than cars. Golf carts can tip over on uneven terrain, especially if driven too fast. Accidentally gunning a golf cart while it is in reverse mode is a common occurrence often resulting in accident and injury. Operators usually are not knowledgeable about these added risks. Golf cart injuries include head, neck, and back injuries often from whiplash or impacting with other golf carts or other objects such as trees, and from roll-overs.
Segway
Segway injuries are often a result of their difficulty of use, inadequate training, or the lack of safety equipment such as helmets. Even if instructional videos are used and practice time is provided on flat and hilly surfaces, Segway tour providers may also be negligent by taking riders on difficult sections of terrain or going out in adverse weather conditions.
Pedal Bus
Pedal Buses, also known as party bikes or bike trolleys, involve a trolley with a degree of pedaling power being offered to the riders. As novel as they are, pedal bus injuries are a common occurrence especially when combining the consumption of alcohol with the operation of a large moving vehicle. Injuries in pedal bus cases may be caused by:
- An absence of seat belts, railing, or bars to hold onto or a lack of other safety features
- Inadequate training
- The pedal bus guide taking the pedal bus over rough terrain including streets with potholes or other hazards that can cause sudden jolts
- Insufficient grounding for the passengers
- Too many passengers
- Jolts from sudden unannounced mechanical assistance by the operator
Scooter
Scooters have cropped up in many cities as a fun and convenient way to get around. However, these recreational vehicles are known to cause many injuries. Many scooter operations do not have a central docking station or method for regularly inspecting and maintaining the scooter in proper operating condition. Some scooters have serious design flaws including problems with the braking mechanisms. Scooter injuries can be extremely serious especially if the brakes do not work and a scooter user is going downhill or is going at a faster speed and cannot stop. Like Segways, injuries also often result from the difficulty of use and inadequate training. Most scooter rentals do not come with safety items such as helmets.
What should you do if you are injured in a recreational vehicle accident?
It is really important to gather evidence regarding any accident as soon as possible. At Quinn Law Centers, we have handled numerous cases involving all types of recreational vehicles. If you have been injured in a recreational vehicle accident, give us a call. Our attorneys will work quickly to ensure that evidence is preserved and the matter investigated as quickly as possible and work towards getting you the results you deserve.