Golf Cart Accidents: First Aid Response and Safety Tips

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Golf cart accidents happen. Handling electric push golf carts can be dangerous enough! But people tend to think that reckless driving on a golf cart isn’t really that dangerous because how hard can you really fall? 

The truth is that golf cart accidents can be extremely dangerous. Driving carefully is what YOU can do to stay safe—but what about when someone else is in charge of the cart? The best thing you can do is be prepared to help in the event of an accident. Here’s our advice. 

What Can Cause a Golf Cart Accident? 

Golf cart accidents happen for all sorts of reasons, but they are usually quite preventable. Most of the time, the reason ends up being either driver error, vehicle-related issues, or environmental factors. Sometimes a combination! Knowing why accidents usually happen can help you think smarter and act faster when you’re actually driving. 

Driver Error 

Driver error is the biggest reason for golf cart accidents. We know motoring around on a cart is fun, but driving too fast (especially on uneven terrain) can easily topple you over. Driving distracted is another big no-no. Leave your phone in your pocket! And if you’ve never driven a golf cart before, take it easy until you’ve got the feel for it. 

Vehicle-Related Issues 

If you aren’t maintaining your golf cart yourself (like if you’ve just gotten on a random cart at the course), you never know if there’s going to be mechanical failure. You don’t know if the brakes are old, the tires are worn, or if there’s some kind of issue in the deep workings of the cart. 

Another accident waiting to happen is an overloaded cart. Don’t pile on more people than you should! Also, keep in mind that carts without safety features like seat belts aren’t really more prone to accidents but can lead to worse injuries in the case of even a small accident. 

Environmental Factors 

When it’s wet or slippery out, like after it rains or on early dewy mornings, it can be tricky to keep control of the cart, especially on hills or grassy spots. Loose gravel, sand, or bumpy ground are also sneak traps waiting to skid the cart or tip you over. If it’s foggy, raining heavily, or dark, it’s also harder to see, which means you have a bigger chance of bumping into other carts, people, or obstacles on the course.

Immediate First Aid Response for Golf Cart Accidents 

Assess the Situation

When a golf cart accident happens, the first step is to assess the situation quickly. Take a moment to observe the scene and figure out how severe the accident is. Look for possible hazards like fuel leaks, unstable vehicles, or other environmental dangers. Evaluate the number of people involved and their conditions. This initial assessment will guide your next steps and help you decide on the most effective course of action. 

Make Sure The Scene Is Safe To Approach 

Before diving in to assist, make sure the scene is safe to approach. Check for any immediate dangers like fire or unstable carts. If the golf cart is in a precarious position, like on a slope or near water, avoid putting yourself at risk. Move any hazards if it’s safe to do so, but if the situation seems dangerous, wait for professional responders. You can’t help if you’re only going to be endangering yourself! 

Check for Injuries

Once the area is secure, check the injured people. Start by checking if they’re conscious and responsive. Anyone who’s unconscious should check their breathing and pulse. 

Look for visible injuries such as cuts, bruises, or broken bones, but be careful about moving them. You can remove their golf shoes or golf hat to check for injuries, but if someone seems to have a serious injury, like a head injury or possible spinal damage, DO NOT move them unless there’s an immediate threat. 

Stabilize their head so that there’s no movement of their neck. For less severe injuries, provide basic first aid, like applying pressure to bleeding wounds or supporting injured limbs. 

Call for Professional Help 

After assessing all the injuries quickly, call for professional help immediately. Even better, get someone else to call for help while someone else is checking the injuries. 

In Australia, dial 000 to reach emergency services. Provide the operator with as much information as possible, including the location, number of people injured, and the nature of their injuries. 

Stay on the line until you are told to hang up, as the operator may have further instructions. While waiting for help to arrive, continue to monitor the injured and provide reassurance. 

Providing First Aid for Common Injuries 

Cuts and Scrapes 

It’s important first to wash your hands to avoid infection. Gently clean the wound with clean water or a saline solution to remove any dirt or debris. If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth or bandage until the bleeding stops. 

After the bleeding has stopped, apply an antiseptic cream to prevent infection and cover the wound with a sterile bandage. Change the bandage daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. Seek medical attention if the cut is deep, won’t stop bleeding, or shows signs of infection, like redness, swelling, or pus. 

Bruises 

Bruises are caused by a bump or fall that breaks small blood vessels under the skin, leading to discoloration. To treat a bruise, start by applying a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the area for about 10 to 20 minutes. This helps reduce swelling and numb the pain. 

Avoid placing ice directly on the skin because this can cause frostbite. Keep the injured area elevated, if possible, to reduce blood flow and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relief, such as paracetamol, can help manage pain. Most bruises will fade within two weeks, but if the bruise is unusually large, very painful, or located near an eye, seek medical advice. 

Fractures and Suspected Broken Bones 

If you suspect someone has a fracture, it’s important to keep the injured area still to prevent further damage. Don’t try to straighten the bone or push any protruding bones back in. If you can, use a splint or padding to immobilize the area as it is and seek medical help immediately. 

If the person is in shock—indicated by pale, clammy skin, rapid breathing, or dizziness—keep them warm and lying down until help arrives. Don’t give the injured person anything to eat or drink, as they may need surgery. If there’s severe bleeding, apply pressure to the wound without moving the injured area or putting too much pressure on broken bones. 

Head Injuries 

Head injuries can range from minor bumps to serious trauma. For minor head injuries, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and monitor the person for any signs of concussion (confusion, dizziness, nausea, or loss of consciousness). If the person shows any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately. 

Keep the person awake and alert until medical professionals arrive. Don’t give them any pain medication unless advised by a healthcare professional, as it can mask symptoms of a serious injury. For severe head injuries, don’t move the person unless absolutely necessary, and call emergency services right away. 

Duty of Care 

Duty of care is a legal obligation that requires individuals and organizations to act in a way that avoids causing harm to others. In Australia, this principle is deeply embedded in both common law and statutory law. It applies across various contexts, such as in the workplace, healthcare, education, and public spaces. 

In the case of witnessing or assisting at the scene of an accident, the first aider’s duty of care is clear. You should monitor the injured person closely until emergency services arrive on the scene. 

Check their vital signs (heart rate, breathing rate) every 5 minutes or so. If they’re awake and talking, ask for their AMPLE history—allergies, medication, past medical history (chronic conditions, past surgeries), last meal (time), and events leading up to the accident. As first aider, it’s also within your duty of care to be prepared to do CPR if necessary. 

When emergency services arrive, hand over the patient and all the information you’ve been monitoring. Explain what happened, the injuries on the person, and what aid you’ve provided. 

Good Samaritan Law 

Good Samaritan laws in Australia are designed to protect those who assist others in emergencies from legal liability. These laws encourage bystanders to help those in need without fear of being sued if something goes wrong. 

Under the Good Samaritan laws, a person who acts in good faith and without recklessness while providing assistance during an emergency is generally protected from civil liability. These protections apply whether the help is offered by an unqualified passer-by or someone with relevant expertise, like a doctor or nurse. 

Safety Tips to Prevent Golf Cart Accidents 

Golf cart accidents can be prevented! Driving respectfully is the key. Follow these safety tips to keep yourself and others as safe as possible on the golf course and wherever else you’re driving. 

• Follow the Rules: Stick to all speed limits and traffic regulations where you’re driving. 

• Stay Sober: Never operate a golf cart under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

• Avoid Distractions: Focus on driving and avoid using your phone or other devices while operating the cart. 

• Look Out for Others: Be aware of pedestrians, other golf carts, and obstacles on the course. 

• Control Your Speed: Drive slowly and cautiously, especially when turning or on uneven terrain. 

• Use Your Lights: If driving at dawn, dusk, or in low-light conditions, use the headlights for better visibility. 

• Don’t Overload: Check the cart’s weight capacity and avoid exceeding it with passengers or cargo. 

• Wear Your Seatbelt: If your cart is equipped with seatbelts, always wear them for added protection. 

• Maintain Distance: Keep a safe distance between your cart and other vehicles on the course. 

• Brake Carefully: Apply brakes gradually to avoid sudden stops or tipping. 

Conclusion 

Don’t get caught out—take a first aid course ASAP so you can help when situations like this happen. You never know when you might end up saving someone’s life because you’re ready and willing to help when there’s an accident. 

About the Author

Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer and businessman. When he’s not on the course working on his own game or mentoring young golfers, he writes in-depth articles for his website, Golf Influence.