Deadly Bronx Car Accident Raises Serious Questions about Road Safety

The parkway car accident that killed seven people near the Bronx Zoo is calling into question whether or not New York City’s aging roads are in need of a major revamp. According to the Insurance Journal, three generations of a Bronx family were killed on April 29, 2012 when their SUV crashed into a divider on the Bronx River Parkway. The vehicle then veered off a bridge and landed on the Bronx Zoo property. Although police determined that speed contributed to that accident, the tragedy shed light on some major deficiencies in the city’s roadways, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
The roads on the Bronx River Parkway were not meant to be used as main commuter thruways although they are being used in that manner today, AAA reported. The roads are narrow with many turns and hills. AAA representatives say the roads are outdated and are in bad shape. The Bronx River Parkway Bridge, where the fatal accident happened, is slated to be rebuilt sometime in the next few years and until then officials say they will put up new concrete barriers to prevent similar accidents from occurring.
According to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) there were 315,377 traffic accidents in the state in 2010. Of those, 1,119 were fatal and 134,151 resulted in injuries.
Government agencies are responsible for making sure roads, freeways, expressways, etc. are safe for travel. If a road is in need of updates because of safety reasons, the governmental agency in charge of maintaining that roadway is required to do the work in a timely manner and keep the roadway safe for the commuting public. If it is found the agency was knowledgeable about the hazards of a roadway and did not fix the problem, it may be held responsible for any injuries, damages or losses caused in the event of an accident.
Auto accident injuries can range from minor to moderate or serious to severe. Injuries may include broken bones, head trauma, burns, bruises, neck pain, and lacerations. Families that have lost a loved one in a traffic accident may file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation to cover damages including, but not limited to, lost future income and benefits, medical expenses, funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a New York traffic accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in 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 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: Insurance Journal