The New Year kicked off in The Villages with an unfortunate reminder about the safety hazards posed by golf carts.
Ellen Difazio was injured in January when she was run over by a golf cart in The Villages. The 62 year old who was visiting from New York was pinned underneath the golf cart in the accident.
The crash was initially believed to have happened when a golf cart driver tried to pass the bicyclist on a multi-use path that runs along Buena Vista Boulevard, according to Villages-News. Florida Highway Patrol later said the driver, 71-year-old Angela Eliosoff, made a turn too wide and overcorrected after hitting a curb before slamming into Difazio.
Difazio was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center with “serious injuries,” according to Villages-News. Eliosoff was ticketed for careless driving.
Villages officials released a safety bulletin following the crash to remind golf cart drivers to take certain precautions. That includes giving bikes at least three-feet of space on multi-modal paths, checking for blind spots and remaining attentive at crosswalks. The bulletin also instructs drivers to pass bicyclists only when safe to do so.
Legal Rights for People Injured in Golf Cart Accidents
Anyone who has been injured in a golf cart accident in The Villages or throughout Florida has the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the crash.
The money damages typically available in golf cart accident cases includes compensation for present and future medical bills, as well as property damage and any missed wages during physical recuperation. In some cases, additional compensation may be available for pain and emotional distress. In the tragic situation in which a person is killed in a collision, his or her family can seek similar compensation for wrongful death.
To get those damages, you have to be able to show that the person or entity responsible for the crash was negligent. You also have to establish that this negligence caused the crash, which caused you to be injured. An experienced golf cart accident lawyer can help you build the strongest possible case.
Speak with a Villages Golf Cart Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart accident, it is important to have an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner.
Villages golf cart accident attorney Tim Babiarz has been fighting for people injured in a wide range of crashes for more than two decades. He is committed to helping clients get the full compensation available under the law.
Our office is conveniently located in the Villages. We are also proud to represent people 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 golf cart accident attorney.
