A Villages resident last month died tragically when he fell from his golf cart.
Ronald Watson was driving his golf cart in The Villages on a Sunday evening at dusk when he suffered a seizure. The 68-year-old man fell from the cart after his car “broke hard,” according to a police report obtained by Villages-News.
Watson had a history of seizures and had suffered one just a week earlier, his wife told police. The cart rolled for some 10 feet after Watson was thrown from it.
The report doesn’t indicate whether Watson was wearing a seatbelt at the time, or if his golf cart was even equipped with one. The tragic accident comes just months after an 88-year-old Villager was killed after his golf cart collided with a pickup truck in the retirement community. The man who died in that November crash wasn’t wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
More than 20 people have died in golf cart accidents in The Villages in the last 10 years.
Golf Cart Safety
Watson’s death is yet another example of the significant safety risks that can come with getting in a golf cart. That’s particularly true in places like The Villages, where golf carts are often the preferred mode of transportation.
There are a number of basic safety precautions that golf carters should take when they get behind the wheel. That starts with buckling up. Although some people may be concerned about getting trapped in the cart in a rollover accident, the truth is that you’re more likely to be seriously injured or killed by being ejected from the vehicle. In addition, carts can be equipped with side bars and protective canopies to reduce the risk of injury in a rollover crash.
Golf cart drivers should also avoid sharp turns at top speeds, which can cause the cart to buckle and topple over. When making left turns, it’s important to signal, yield to other traffic, and merge by using a turn lane, when available. Golf cart drivers are also required to stay off of any roads where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or higher.
Consult a Villages Golf Cart Accident Attorney
Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen. If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart crash in The Villages, you have the right to seek compensation and other legal remedies from those responsible for the collision. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you weigh your rights and options and tailor a plan that best reflects your unique individual needs.
Villages golf cart accident attorney Tim Babiarz has been representing people involved in collisions for more than two decades. Our office is conveniently located in The Villages. Our firm is proud to fight for clients in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7599 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
