For the second time in a month, a New York motorist was killed by a tire that flew off another vehicle. About a month ago, a man was struck by a tire as he was driving in East Babylon on Sunrise Highway. Then, on a recent Wednesday, another driver died in a similar manner while he was driving on Gowanus Expressway, and a wrongful death claim might follow.
This time, the victim was a 64-year-old maintenance worker of the New York Police Department. Reportedly, he was eastbound on the expressway when a tire smashed into the windshield of his vehicle. The impact caused the driver to lose control, sending his SUV into the barrier. Authorities say the tire originated from a truck that was westbound and traveling on the opposite side.
The SUV driver was rushed to the hospital with massive trauma to his head. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries later. The District Collision Team of the NYPD launched an investigation and noted that the driver of the westbound truck had remained at the crash scene. It is not clear whether charges are pending.
Regardless of whether charges are filed against the driver from whose truck the tire flew, the surviving family members of the deceased victim may pursue financial relief through the New York civil justice system. They could file a wrongful death claim against the truck driver and any separate owner of the vehicle. An experienced personal injury attorney can help with the navigation of a lawsuit to recover financial losses such as end-of-life expenses and lost income along with emotional damages sustained.
