Under any circumstances, the death of a child in a car accident is horrifying. Even the knowledge that the person who caused the fatality will face multiple criminal charges would likely not ease the devastation. A recent report out of New York involved the death of a bicyclist and may constitute grounds for a a wrongful death lawsuit.
According to an accident report, a 13-year-old bicyclist and a 28-year-old oil tanker-truck driver were heading in the same direction on a Brooklyn street on a recent Saturday morning. Reportedly, the accident occurred at an intersection when the truck driver turned right and struck the boy on the bicycle. Authorities say this happened at about 5:30 p.m.
Authorities say emergency responders rushed to the scene and transported the teenager to the hospital. However, he apparently succumbed to severe head injuries at the hospital. Officers say the truck driver remained at the crash scene. The report noted that his license had been suspended prior to the accident and that further charges may follow as the New York Police Department Highway Collision Squad’s investigation progresses.
In the past, families in similar situations have chosen to file wrongful death lawsuits against drivers believed responsible in a New York civil court. An experienced personal injury attorney can provide guidance and support with establishing negligence and determining whether any parties other than the driver might also be named as defendants. An employer is typically responsible for the negligence of an employee driver who causes an accident while working. The successful navigation of such a lawsuit could result in the entry of a monetary judgment to cover documented claims for financial and emotional damages.
Source: CBS New York, “13-Year-Old Boy Struck & Killed While Riding Bike In Brooklyn“, Jan. 27, 2018
