At a recent news conference attended by representatives from various New York City news media outlets, Mayor Bill de Blasio stated that, so far this year, law enforcement officials throughout the city have issued some 30,000 tickets to motorists for failing to yield to pedestrians. His comments resonated with the reporter-filled audience, many of whom had likely reported on a string of fatal accidents involving pedestrians.
One of the most recent accidents occurred during the early morning hours of Nov. 8 when an 88-year-old Manhattan woman was attempting to cross the street near her home. As the crosswalk signal illuminated, the 88 year old stepped into the street, at that same time, police say a 73-year-old taxi driver made a right-hand turn at the intersection and hit the woman.
The woman was transported to a nearby hospital where she later died from her injuries. A police accident report notes that the 73-year-old taxi driver was arrested and charged with the misdemeanor crime of failing to yield to a pedestrian. Additionally, the report included details that the taxi driver admitted to starting his work shift approximately 16 hours prior to the accident.
According to the Taxi and Limousine Commission, licensed taxi drivers are only permitted to work up to 12 consecutive hours. To date, no additional charges have been filed against the driver.
In addition to the pedestrian struck and killed by the NYC taxi driver, during the previous week, three other pedestrians were also struck and killed by Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus drivers who also failed to observe the right of way law.
New York City residents, commuters and tourists who are involved in traffic accidents with city buses, taxi cabs or other commercial vehicles may choose to take legal action. An attorney will thoroughly review an individual’s case and fight to win compensation for injuries and related expenses.
Source: The New York Times, “Manhattan Woman, 88, Is Fatally Struck by Taxi,” J. David Goodman, Nov. 8, 2015
Gothamist, “De Blasio On NYC’s Deadly Streets: “The Car Has Been A Little Too Sacred,” Christopher Robbins, Nov. 6, 2015
Gothamist, “Taxi Driver Arrested After Fatally Striking UWS Pedestrian,” Jen Chung, Nov. 8, 2015
