Fatal accident in New York involves car, pedestrian
Posted on October 6, 2015 in Wrongful Death
As a person goes about his or her daily business in New York, whether to the grocery store or to a social outing, he or she may be daydreaming or going over his or her plans while walking outside. What turned out to be a normal day could quickly end fatally when the person is struck by a vehicle whose driver drove carelessly and failed to adhere to traffic laws. Understandably, a fatal accident typically causes an overwhelming feeling of grief for surviving family members.
A New York woman was struck by a vehicle in Queens recently. Police said the 68-year-old woman was walking to a bingo hall. When she crossed the street, a driver reportedly made an illegal left turn.
The car ended up striking her, causing her death. The man who was driving the vehicle was 28 years old, according to authorities. He faces the criminal charge of aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Police said he made the turn even though a “no left turn” sign was posted in the area.
The family members of the deceased woman retain the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the car, seeking reimbursement for any monetary damages incurred as a result of the crash. This could help to cover end-of-life expenses and other financial losses linked to the fatal accident. Drivers whose vehicles hit pedestrians may be held financially responsible if negligence is established, such as disobeying traffic signs. Should a conviction be secured in criminal court, proof of it may be offered in civil court as evidence of liability in a related wrongful death lawsuit.
Source: New York Post, 2 pedestrians killed, 1 maimed in 3 new crashes, Natasha Velez, Elizabeth Hagen and Natalie O’Neill, Jan. 19, 2014