Roundabouts meant to ease the flow of traffic pose an accident threat, particularly when combined with distracted drivers.
The Villages saw nearly 300 vehicle accidents in the last three months of 2022, Villages-News reports. Local police recently told community development district supervisors that the majority of those accidents happened in roundabouts.
The crashes include a late November incident in which a golf cart collided with a van in a roundabout at Morse Boulevard and El Camino Real. While no one was injured in the accident, the golf cart driver reportedly was ticketed for failure to yield the right of way.
A month earlier, a Summerfield man was in court on DUI and other charges stemming from a separate roundabout crash. The man reportedly told cops that he had clipped the curb in the single-vehicle accident.
Some Villagers have complained that it is not clear how they should be handling roundabouts. Community leaders have previously said they would like to see signage indicating the direction of traffic flow in the circles.
“There are people who are spinning (in the roundabouts),” Supervisor Daryl Klinko reportedly said in a May Community Development District meeting. “I have to admit when I first got here, I was a spinner, too.”
A guide published by the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners offers some helpful tips for navigating roundabouts.
Drivers approaching a roundabout should reduce speed and prepare to yield to any traffic already in the circle. Those who intend to exit more than halfway around should use the left lane, while those who intend to exit less than halfway around should use the right lane. Drivers who intend to go straight through can use either lane unless signs signal otherwise.
Injured in an Accident? Know Your Rights
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. That includes negligent drivers and sometimes their insurers, as well as government entities responsible for shoddy street and road design.
The compensation available in these cases typically includes money for doctors' bills, missed wages, property damages and other financial consequences of the crash.
Certain family members of a person who is killed in an accident can also ensure that those responsible are made accountable for their actions by suing for wrongful death.
There simply is no amount of money that can ever undo a tragic car accident or replace a loved one killed in a crash. Compensation can, however, help ease some of the financial burdens that often come with losing a family member.
Speak With a The Villages Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck, motorcycle, golf cart or other vehicle accident, Villages accident attorney Tim Babiarz can help you get the full compensation available under the law.
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.
