The Schoharie limousine accident that killed 20 people in October 2018 had led to new laws being passed on limousine safety in the state of New York. According to a report in the Democrat and Chronicle, Governor Andrew Cuomo and other state leaders said they will adopt into law a 10-point package of limousine safety regulations, which will go into effect in the coming weeks. The state Senate and Assembly has already passed the package. The new safety measures include seatbelt requirements, GPS requirements, the impoundment of defective limos and increased penalties for illegal U-turns.
Deadliest Crash in the Last Decade
Victims’ families in the Schoharie crash, the deadliest car accident in the United 
States in the last decade, have been pushing for new limo safety laws. Cuomo has said that these comprehensive reforms will give officials much-needed new powers to get dangerous limos off the road, identify bad actors and put into place some common-sense safety standards that will enhance public safety.
The limousine accident in upstate New York was the result of a poorly maintained limo that suffered “catastrophic brake failure” at the time of the crash, according to a report. The 17 passengers, all family members and friends celebrating a birthday, died as did the limo driver and two pedestrians at the store where the limo crashed. The limo company’s operator faces a number of criminal charges.
New Limo Safety Laws
The legislation requires that motor vehicles that are converted into stretch limos on or after Jan. 1, 2021, have at least two safety belts for the front seat and at least one seatbelt in the rear for each passenger. It would also mandate that all stretch limos be retrofitted to include seatbelts by Jan. 1, 2023. The legislation requires limos carrying nine or more passengers to have a commercial driver’s license.
In addition, the law will allow the state transportation commissioner to impound stretch limos and require them to be held until the commissioner agrees that they have passed all inspections. Drivers who make illegal turns with limos will face fines of $250 to $400 and/or up to 15 days in prison under the new law. Illegal U-turns would now be subject to a $750 to $1,000 fine and/or up to 180 days of imprisonment.
The law now requires stretch limousines to use GPS technology designed specifically for commercial vehicles and meeting federal standards. The law will require the state to establish a “safe limo” website and create a “stretch limousine passenger safety task force” to conduct a comprehensive review of the industry on matters relating to safety, efficiency and reliability. The state would require for-hire vehicle drivers to be subject to pre-employment and random alcohol and drug testing. No person would be able to operate a taxi or livery unless all passengers over the age of 8 are buckled up.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Injured victims of car accidents 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 auto 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 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 over 49 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 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.
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Source: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/albany/2020/01/14/limo-safety-ny-10-news-laws-wake-schoharie-crash/4464543002/