Go-Cart/Fun-Kart Ijnury Claims Lawyers

Over 15,000 go-cart/fun-kart related injuries are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms each year. Children under 15 years of age suffer about 65 percent of these injuries.

Among injured children under 15 years of age, 21 percent receive head and face injuries, nearly three quarters of them serious, including concussions, hamatomas, hemorrhages and crushing injuries. A significant number of injuries to these children are to “all parts of the body.”

The following hazard patterns are attributable to go-cart/fun-kart injuries:

• Collisions with stationary objects, other go-carts, or other motor vehicles
• Falling or being thrown from the vehicle
• “Tipovers”
• Being hit or run over
• Clothing or hair getting caught in the exposed engine or chain drive
• Other, including burns from exposure to the hot engine or exhaust pipe, cuts on sharp objects on the vehicle, and debris being thrown at or caught in the eyes

Following are tips for the safe operation of go-carts:

• Carefully follow all instructions in the go-cart's owner's operating manual.
• Do not operate go-carts indoors where carbon monoxide, an invisible, odorless and highly poisonous gas contained in the engine's exhaust, is likely to accumulate.
• Even outdoors, young children should ride electric, rather than gas-powered go-carts, since they are particularly susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Children should always be supervised when operating go-carts.
• Never operate a go-cart on public roads, highways, sidewalks, alleys or parking lots.
• Regularly check for loose nuts, bolts, screws and linkages.
• Keep the throttle linkage area and engine free of dirt, mud and grime.
• Keep tires inflated at the recommended pressure as indicated on the tires' sidewalls.
• Replace all safety guards, including the chain, belt clutch, torque converter, and jackshaft guards after any repairs.
• Never fuel the go-cart with the engine running.
• Do not overfill the tank when fuelling - there should not be any fuel in the filler neck.
• Start the go-cart at least 15 feet from where it was fuelled and from any source of fuel.
• If the go-cart vibrates abnormally or makes unusual noises, immediately stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug, and have it checked for damage.
• Before storing for long periods of time (as for winter), let the engine cool and drain the fuel tank in cool, open area.
• Only allow one person per seat. If riding single in a two-seater, make sure both seat belts are fastened to prevent a seat belt from getting caught in moving parts.

Despite taking precautions, go-cart accidents can happen. Sometimes, however, accidents are not always obviously the result of negligent behavior. Injuries can also occur as the result of negligent go-cart design or workmanship.

You should regularly check if your go-cart, or a go-cart your child is considering driving, has been recalled (select Go-Karts & Accessories). But if you or a loved one has been injured in a go-cart related accident, a qualified product liability attorney or personal injury attorney may best be able to advise you on your legal rights with regard to the particular facts in your case.