A woman was recently arrested for a hit-and-run accident in The Villages, a situation that has become all too common. This time, at least, it was only a golf cart that was injured.
The 52-year-old Florahome resident was behind the wheel of a Ford Explorer that smashed into a golf cart parked at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, Villages News reports. She reportedly sped off as a passenger in the golf cart got out to confront the woman.
Police eventually tracked the woman down, thanks to photos taken by witnesses to the crash. The golf cart passenger, who was not injured, later identified the SUV driver from a photo lineup.
The woman was charged with a felony for leaving the scene of an accident. She was released from Sumter County jail on bond.
More than 100,000 hit-and-run accidents happen across the Sunshine State each year, according to data from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Over 200 people are killed in these crashes statewide each year. The majority of those killed are pedestrians and bicyclists.
Last year, a Villager reportedly suffered a serious brain injury after the golf cart in which she was traveling was struck by a car that sped off. She also sustained 14 broken ribs, a broken clavicle, a broken scapula, and punctured lungs.
A landscaper was injured in a separate collision around the same time when he was struck by a car at the entrance of Bridgeport at Laurel Valley on County Road 466. The driver did not stick around, but was later tracked down and criminally charged.
Injured in a Crash? Know Your Rights
Anyone who has been injured in a golf cart crash or other traffic accident has the right to seek compensation from those responsible. That includes going after hit-and-run drivers and their insurers.
The money damages typically available in these cases include compensation for current and expected doctors’ bills and related medical costs, along with property damage, missed wages, and any long-term impact on an injured person’s earning capacity. Additional punitive damages may also be awarded in cases involving especially reckless behavior.
In the tragic situation in which a person dies in a golf cart or car accident, his or her loved ones can seek similar compensation by filing a wrongful death claim. No amount of money can ever bring back a loved one, but compensation can help address financial complications that often arise with the sudden death of a family member.
Talk With a Villages Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck, motorcycle, golf cart, or other accident, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced lawyer. Villages injury attorney Tim Babiarz has been fighting for people and families across the community for more than two decades.
Our office is conveniently located in the Villages. We are also proud to represent clients throughout the area, including in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7559 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Villages injury attorney.
