A Sumter County man recently plunged his car into a pond, killing the woman who was riding in the vehicle as a passenger.
The 88-year-old New Port Richey woman reportedly was sitting in the front passenger seat of a Toyota Corolla at the time of the accident. It was not immediately clear what caused the car’s driver, an 82-year-old Bushnell man, to drive into the pond.
The accident occurred just after 1:30 a.m. on a recent Saturday in Pasco County, Villages-News reports. The car became submerged in the pond as the driver was making a turn.
The man reportedly walked away with only minor injuries.
The tragic accident is just the latest example of the risks that come with getting in a car in The Villages, across Florida and throughout the country. It shows that crashes can happen in a wide variety of different ways.
More than 2,100 people have been killed in traffic accidents in Florida so far this year, according to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. More than 117,000 crashes in which at least one person was injured have been reported statewide.
Sumter County alone has seen 17 deaths from traffic accidents this year. A total of 78 people have died in crashes in Marion County, while another 33 people have been killed in collisions in Lake County through the beginning of October.
Earlier this year, a 77-year-old Villages woman died after being hit by a car near Lake Sumter Landing. The woman, who was walking at the time, reportedly was trying to cross Old Mill Run, east of Buena Vista Boulevard.
Suing for Wrongful Death After a Fatal Car Accident
Anyone who has been injured in a car accident in The Villages or across Florida has the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the crash. To get that compensation, you have to be able to identify those to blame for the accident and prove their legal liability.
Certain family members of a person who is killed in a car crash can also ensure that those responsible are made accountable for their actions by suing for wrongful death. The compensation available in these cases includes money for the loss of the deceased person’s earnings and companionship, as well as for mental anguish and suffering, medical and funeral expenses.
There is no amount of money that can ever undo a fatal car accident or replace a loved one killed in a crash. Compensation can, however, help ease some of the financial burden that often comes with losing a family member.
Talk With a Villages Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you have lost a loved one to a fatal accident, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced injury attorney. Villages wrongful death lawyer 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 wrongful death lawyer.
