A Dade City man who said he was speeding because he was late for work was recently charged with vehicular homicide for a fatal crash in Sumter County.
The accident happened on State Road 50 in early January, according to Villages-News. The man reportedly was driving a Subaru Outback at about 95 miles per hour in heavy rain when he tried to pass three vehicles. The car began to hydroplane and collided with a Chevy Silverado, whose driver was killed.
The Outback was traveling at such a high rate of speed that the car’s motor and transmission were ejected in the crash. The driver told Florida Highway Patrol officers that he was driving recklessly because he was late for his shift at Walgreens.
The man was taken to a local jail and later released on a $20,000 bond while he awaits trial. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years behind bars, as well as another 15 years of probation and as much as $10,000 in fines.
Money Damages for People Injured in Car Accidents
Anyone who has been injured in a car accident caused by a reckless driver has the right to seek compensation from the driver, his or her insurer and anyone else responsible for the collision.
At Babiarz Law Firm, we can help you understand your legal rights and explore your options. We are dedicated to helping people and families who have been injured through no fault of their own.
The compensation typically available in these cases is meant to help the injured person regain his or her financial position before the collision. It generally includes compensation for medical bills and property damage, missed wages, and any long-term impact on earning capacity.
In the tragic case that a person dies in a car accident, his or her loved ones have the right to seek similar compensation for wrongful death. Although there is no amount of money in the world that can ever replace a family member, compensation can help ease some of the financial stress that often accompanies these tragedies.
To get money damages in a Florida car accident case, you have to be able to prove fault and liability. Most of these cases are based on claims of negligence, a legal theory that holds people and entities liable when they do not meet a certain “duty of care.”
Drivers, for example, owe others on the road a duty to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner and refrain from dangerous activities like driving while intoxicated. A driver who does not live up to this responsibility is likely to be deemed negligent and responsible for any collisions that happen as a result.
Speak with a Villages Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in an aggressive driving or other crash in Florida, Villages accident lawyer Tim Babiarz can help.
Our firm is pleased to represent clients in the Villages and 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 lawyer.
