A Villages man was recently killed in a car crash after making a dicey move to pass a vehicle in Hillsborough County.
The 65-year-old man was driving a sport utility vehicle on State Road 39 when he attempted to pass a car ahead, according to Villages-News.
His Subaru SUV collided with an oncoming Chrysler minivan traveling in the opposite direction. Both vehicles then struck a Ford F-150 pickup truck towing a horse trailer, which had been traveling behind the SUV.
The SUV driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, while the minivan driver died after being transported to a nearby hospital. A passenger in the SUV suffered serious injuries. The pickup truck driver and two passengers in the vehicle sustained only minor injuries.
Speeding and aggressive driving are the root cause of many traffic fatalities in Florida and across the country. Speeding alone is involved in more than 11,000 deadly collisions nationwide every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Attempts to pass vehicles on two-lane roads are particularly risky. Drivers have to move into oncoming traffic in order to complete a pass, making passing distance critical. Passing accidents tend to be more severe than other crashes because they often are head-on collisions involving vehicles traveling at higher speeds. Head-on accidents generally account for about 10% of traffic deaths across the country each year.
Seeking Compensation for Car Crashes
Anyone who is injured in a car accident in The Villages or elsewhere across Florida has the right to seek compensation from those responsible, including negligent drivers and their insurers.
The money damages usually available in these cases include compensation for current and expected doctors’ bills and related medical costs, as well as property damage, missed wages, and any long-term impact on an injured person’s earning capacity. Additional punitive damages may also be awarded in some situations involving especially reckless behavior.
In the tragic event that someone dies in a car or golf cart crash, their loved ones can seek similar compensation by filing a wrongful death claim. The money damages available in these cases include compensation for the loss of the deceased person’s earnings and companionship, along with mental anguish and suffering, medical costs, and funeral expenses.
No amount of money can ever bring back a loved one. Compensation can, however, help address financial complications that often arise with the sudden death of a family member.
Villages Injury Attorney Tim Babiarz Can Help
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.
