A driver recently involved in a hit and run accident is behind bars in Sumter County after police officers tracked him down and found that he had failed to register as a sex offender.
John Rodriguez was apprehended in late February following a hit and run accident in a Paddock Square parking lot, Villages News reports. Rodriguez fled the scene after a minor fender bender. He nearly mowed down a passenger in the other vehicle involved in the crash after that man tried to take a photo of his license plate, cops told the news outlet.
Rodriguez was charged with hit-and-run and driving on a suspended license, according to Villages-News. He was also hit with a charge of failing to register as a sex offender after officers found that he had been convicted of a sex offense in Delaware.
A witness told local police that he saw Rodriguez trying to remove a noticeable motorized wheelchair for his Dodge Journey’s wheelchair rack shortly after the vehicle was involved in the parking lot collision. The vehicle’s owner, who was not identified, said Rodriguez was driving him home from a local bar after having a “few drinks,” according to Villages-News.
Injured in a Car Accident? Know Your Rights
Car accidents can and do happen, even for the most cautious drivers. Whether you are involved in a relatively minor fender bender at low speeds or a multi-car highway pile-up, collisions can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries.
Florida law empowers people injured in crashes to seek compensation from those responsible.
The money damages typically available in these cases include compensation for doctors’ bills, missed wages during recovery, any reduction in earning capacity, and property damage, among other impacts of the crash. In the tragic event that a person is killed in a car accident, their loved ones can seek similar compensation for wrongful death.
How a Villages Accident Attorney Can Help You
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Florida, you have the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the collision, whether it is a negligent driver, a defective car manufacturer or another party. It is vital that you have an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner to help you understand your rights and maximize your compensation.
Tim Babiarz is a Villages accident attorney who has been fighting for people injured in crashes for more than two decades. A tenacious litigator, Tim is committed to helping people get the full money damages available under the law.
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 The Villages accident attorney.
