Two people were recently killed near The Villages when a golf cart collided with a compact car in a busy intersection.
The crash occurred when a golf cart traveling on County Road 109 ran a red light at U.S. 27 and was bowled over by a Kia Soul, according to news reports. The golf cart overturned before coming to a rest at the southwest corner of the intersection.
Both occupants of the golf cart were transported to a local hospital and later died from their injuries. A 64-year-old Lady Lake man was driving the golf cart, while a 58-year-old Villages woman was sitting in the passenger seat.
The Kia driver and a child driver reportedly were sent to the hospital with minor injuries.
The tragic accident shows once again how golf carts and other vehicles can be a deadly mix. More than 18,000 injuries from golf cart crashes are reported across the country every year. In Sumter County alone, an average of nine people are killed in these crashes annually.
Golf cart drivers and passengers are particularly at risk when crashes happen because they have little physical protection from oncoming vehicles. Golf carts are also prone to rolling over, which can cause serious and life-threatening injuries. The risk ratchets up exponentially for people who are not wearing seat belts when collisions happen. More than a quarter (27%) of Sumter County golf cart collisions resulting in hospitalization, severe trauma, or death involve people ejected from the vehicles.
Injured in a Golf Cart Accident? Know Your Rights
Anyone who has been injured in a golf cart crash has the legal right to seek compensation from those responsible, including negligent drivers, insurance companies, and others.
The money damages available in these cases generally 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 earning capacity. Additional punitive damages, intended to punish those responsible for the crash, may also be awarded in cases involving particularly reckless behavior.
In the tragic case that a person dies in a golf cart or car accident, his or her loved ones have the right to seek similar compensation for wrongful death. A wrongful death claim cannot bring back your loved one, but it can help address financial complications that often arise with the sudden death of a family member.
How a Villages Golf Cart Accident Attorney Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart, car, truck, motorcycle, or other accident, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced lawyer. Villages golf cart accident 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 golf cart accident attorney.
