Alexandra Huggins, 32, was killed in a bicycle accident in Brooklyn early morning on Sept. 27. According to a CBS New York news report, the fatal hit-and-run collision occurred near Meserole and Lorimer streets in Williamsburg. Police say Huggins was riding her bike west on Meserole Street when she was struck by a vehicle.
The driver did not stop and fled the scene. The hit-and-run vehicle was identified as a blue Tesla. Huggins was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made and police are seeking the hit-and-run driver. We offer our deepest condolences to the family of Alexandra Huggins for their tragic loss.
Bicyclists Face Daily Dangers
Some bicyclists in the area told the news outlet that they are not surprised by this tragedy and that the area is dangerous for bicyclists. A spokesperson with Transportation Alternatives, a nonprofit that advocates for safe streets, said more needs to be done to protect bicyclists. The organization’s statistics show 156 people have been killed in traffic accidents in New York City so far this year of which 14 victims were bicyclists. Charlie Baker with Transportation Alternatives told CBS that the city is legally required to build 50 miles of protected bike lanes every year, but has built a fraction of that.
Leaving the Scene of a Crash
Leaving the scene of an accident in New York City is against the law. Drivers involved in any collision, even minor ones, are legally required to stop, exchange information, and if necessary, assist injured parties. Failing to do so is a violation of New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, which can result in fines, license suspension, and even criminal charges depending on the severity of the accident.
Bicyclists are especially vulnerable in hit-and-run crashes because they lack the physical protection that cars and trucks provide. Unlike drivers, who are shielded by a vehicle’s frame, airbags and seatbelts, bicyclists are exposed, leaving their bodies to absorb the full force of impact. This makes them far more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries such as head trauma, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and internal bleeding. In addition, hit-and-run crashes often mean delayed medical attention. When a driver flees, the injured bicyclist may be left on the road without immediate assistance, increasing the risk of complications or fatalities.
Compensation for Hit-and-Run Victims
Injured victims of bicycle accidents and pedestrian 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 pedestrian accidents can seek compensation for damages such as medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, lost future income, etc.
In a hit-and-run collision, the driver and vehicle owner are both responsible parties even if the owner was not driving when the accident occurred. If the driver was on the job and/or operating a company vehicle at the time, his or her employer can also be held liable. When the driver is apprehended in a hit-and-run case, he or she can be held financially liable for the injuries, damages and losses caused.
Such drivers can be held financially responsible whether or not they are arrested and/or charged. If a hit-and-run driver has injured you, please remember that you can seek compensation through the uninsured motorist clause of your auto insurance policy (even though the driver has not been identified) or through a quasi-state agency if there is no motor vehicle in the victim’s household. You should consult a personal injury lawyer immediately to protect your rights.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle 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 over 54 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 $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, 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. We also recovered $1,500,000 for a lady who was hurt by a bus.
We also obtained $295,000 out of a $300,000 insurance policy in compensation for the victim of a bicycle dooring accident (where a car door opens into the path of a bicyclist). 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. Also, we got a $1,400,000 verdict in a motorcycle accident.
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, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy 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.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/williamsburg-brooklyn-cyclist-deadly-hit-and-run/