A Villages woman who was recently sentenced to five years in prison for a hit-and-run accident that left two bicyclists seriously injured is not getting out any time soon.
A judge rejected the 91-year-old woman’s request for an emergency furlough, Villages-News reports. A lawyer for the woman filed a petition just weeks after the woman was sentenced, asking the judge to give her some time to “get her affairs in order” before sending her to prison.
The woman pleaded guilty in Sumter County court to charges stemming from the October 2020 collision, in which she reportedly slammed her Mercedes-Benz into the bicyclists on Morse Boulevard near Bonita Boulevard. She was ordered in December to serve half a decade behind bars.
“Witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol that Hamilton got out of her vehicle, saw the husband and wife crumpled in the road, got back into her car and drove away,” Meta Minton writes for Villages-News. “The vehicle was later recovered at the Mercedes dealership in Gainesville, where it was being repaired.”
The male bicyclist previously told the judge that he is still coping with brain injuries from the accident. His wife also suffered brain injuries, as well as 17 broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a paralyzed vocal cord and other broken bones.
Cars and Bicycles Do Not Always Mix
More than 7,000 people were injured in bicycle accidents across Florida last year, according to data from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, including nearly 200 people killed in those crashes. That is up from about 6,400 bike accidents and just under 200 fatalities a year earlier.
Anyone who has been injured in such an accident has the right to seek compensation from those responsible. The money damages available in these accident cases include compensation for doctors' bills and related costs, as well as property damage and any impact of the injuries on a person’s ability to earn income.
Unfortunately, many of these accidents are hit-and-run crashes, in which a motorist slams into a biker and simply drives away. That not only might delay medical attention for injured bikers but also makes it more difficult to identify the driver responsible for the crash and hold the person responsible for any injuries caused.
The good news is that you do not need to go it alone. A seasoned accident lawyer can help you track down a driver and identify others responsible in the aftermath of a collision. A lawyer can also help you ensure that you get the full compensation available under the law.
How a Villages Accident Attorney Can Help You
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, bicycle collision or other accident, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced injury attorney. Villages 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 accident attorney.
