Nashville, Tennessee – Golf carts are extremely dangerous motorized vehicles. As golf carts are becoming more commonly used in settings off the golf course, the total number of injuries is sharply rising. According to an article in the July 2008 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, from 1990 until 2006, the injury rate resulting from golf cart accidents rose over 130 percent. From 1990 to 2006, there have been approximately 150,000 golf cart-related injuries were recorded in people as young as 2 months and as old as 96 years.
September 23, 2010 – Two people in two days were killed after being thrown from golf carts in separate incidents at Beech Bend Park. Edie Phillips, 47, of Portland, Tenn., died at 5:22 p.m. Tuesday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and Henry D. Messer, 60, of Winchester, Ind., died at 11:21 p.m. Wednesday at The Medical Center. According to State Police, both victims were passengers on golf carts and were ejected, each receiving brain injury and head trauma resulting in their deaths. Phillips was a passenger on an E-Z Go golf cart and Messer was riding on a Harley-Davidson golf cart, according to the state police. Trooper Charles Swiney, KSP spokesman, said alcohol was a factor in both accidents and urged people operating and riding in golf carts at the park to do so responsibly.
Swiney said Phillips was sitting on the rear fender well of the golf cart and was thrown when the cart made a left turn. The cart had been modified so it sat higher off the ground than a standard golf cart, Swiney said. The accident involving Messer happened as the cart was traveling down a hill.
“(Messer) was standing up on the back and holding on to the roof as the cart was coming down the hill when the driver made a left turn,” Swiney said. “These were just two freaky accidents.”
Both accidents happened in the campground at Beech Bend, and the victims were thrown onto a paved area at the campground. Jones said he knew little about the accident involving Phillips, but was one of the first people at the scene after Messer was fatally injured. “I don’t know a whole lot, but apparently there were about three people standing on the back of this golf cart and he just lost his grip and fell backwards,” Jones said. Neither golf cart involved in the accidents belonged to the park, Jones said.
If you or a loved one was injured due to a golf car accident in Tennessee, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer through a products liability claim or through the home owners policy of the negligent driver. In any case, you should consult with one of our Nashville personal injury attorneys to better understand how to recover medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages. Call 615-324-2000 to speak with one of our attorneys today.
