A collision involving four vehicles on the Staten Island Expressway the afternoon
of Dec. 25 left 19 people injured and sent 15 to the hospital. According to the Staten Island Advance, the accident occurred near the Victory Boulevard exit. Multiple FDNY units responded to the scene. In addition to a school bus, three other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Of the 19 people who were injured, 15 were transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Two SUVs and another car sustained damage, the report said. The children who were on the school bus were helped by firefighters. It is not clear if any of the injured victims were children. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was affected by this crash.
Common Causes of Multi-Vehicle Accidents
There are a number of reasons why multi-vehicle car accidents occur, especially on highways and expressways. Here are some of the most common causes:
Speeding: Drivers who travel at an unsafe rate of speed are at a higher risk of losing control or rear-ending another vehicle. When a driver speeds, he or she may not have enough time to stop or slow down safely in order to avoid a crash.
Weather conditions: Multi-vehicle collisions often occur when weather conditions are poor and drivers fail to slow down or when they follow other vehicles too closely. Large pileups on New York’s expressways tend to be caused by negligent (careless) driving in inclement weather conditions.
Impaired drivers: When a driver has consumed alcohol or used drugs prior to getting into the vehicle, his or her abilities to make sound decisions or judgment calls while driving can be affected. Intoxicated drivers often trigger multi-vehicle accidents.
Distracted driving: When a driver is distracted, the odds of a pileup on the highway are higher. A driving distraction is not just about cell phones. Any type of distracting activity — from eating or drinking to talking to a passenger may cause a distracted driving accident.
Drowsy driving: When a driver falls asleep at the wheel, there is a higher risk of a pileup. Truck drivers are particularly in danger of dozing off especially if they have not been taking adequate rest breaks as required under federal law.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
As a victim of such a traffic accident that involves multiple vehicles, it is important that you don’t talk to the other parties’ insurance companies or lawyers. Do not sign any agreements or waivers before talking to your attorney. You need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side — someone who is looking out for your rights and best interests.
Injured victims of negligent (careless) drivers can seek compensation from at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones in car accidents can seek compensation for damages such as lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or pedestrian accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For 50 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and/or medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://www.silive.com/crime-safety/2021/12/four-vehicle-accident-involving-school-bus-causes-delays-on-staten-island-expressway.html