We all know how congested New York City can be. There are pedestrians trying to cross every street, cars fighting to get through the intersection before the red light and yellow cabs for miles. With all of this traffic, accidents are bound to happen. Often, however, car accidents are not purely accidental.
On New Year’s Eve, a 56-year-old woman was driving down 172nd Street in Queens when another vehicle blew through an intersection and hit her. The woman died in the accident.
In an accident like this, it is likely that the driver who caused the crash did not intend to cause a crash. However, consider all of the ways he was negligent leading up to the crash.
First, he did not have a driver’s license, which he is facing charges for. He also apparently drove through the intersection either without looking closely enough or without leaving enough room to cross safely. It is a choice to drive without a license and a choice to be unsafe when crossing an intersection. Now, a woman is dead because of it. Fortunately, negligent drivers can be held accountable.
When a person is killed in a car accident, his or her family may choose to pursue a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver. Whether police file charges or not, a wrongful death lawsuit can result in compensation for the victim’s family that can go toward funeral expenses, burial costs, medical bills and other related expenses. Although compensation will do little to make up for the death of a loved one, some find that it is just one more way to ensure that a negligent driver is held accountable.
Source: NBC New York, “Man Arrested in Fatal Queens Crash: NYPD,” Dec. 31, 2013
