At least eight people were injured in a car accident at a Queens intersection the afternoon of Oct. 28. According to a CBS New York news report, surveillance video caught the crash on Queens Boulevard and 47th Street in Sunnyside. Police said a 33-year-old male driver struck multiple vehicles and a 14-year-old pedestrian. One witness said the collision sounded like a bomb. In all, four vehicles were involved in the crash, officials said.
Seven adults were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The 14-year-old girl was taken to the hospital in stable condition to be treated for head pain. The 33-year-old driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. The investigation is still ongoing. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was injured in this DUI collision. We wish all the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
DUI Law and Statistics
Under New York law, it is illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. It is against the law to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration or BAC of 0.08% or higher. The legal limit is 0.04% for drivers of commercial vehicles such as big rigs.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every day, about 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes, which amounts to one fatality every 45 minutes. In 2020, 11,654 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2019. In New York state, just over 30% of all fatal crashes are alcohol-related. At an average, there is an injury crash involving a New York drunk driver that occurs every two minutes.
The Dangers of Driving Under the Influence
Impaired judgment and reduced cognitive abilities are the immediate consequences of alcohol or drug use. This impaired state leads to poor decision-making on the road, slower reaction times, and an increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors, such as speeding or disregarding traffic signals.
Also, impaired motor skills and coordination are common effects of intoxication, making it difficult to control the vehicle effectively. The impaired driver is more likely to swerve, drift between lanes, or struggle to maintain a consistent speed. This lack of control greatly increases the risk of accidents. Driving under the influence also impairs one’s perception of the road and the surrounding environment. This reduced awareness can lead to a failure to notice pedestrians, bicyclists, or other vehicles, increasing the potential for collisions.
Alcohol and drugs also affect a driver’s ability to concentrate, potentially causing them to become easily distracted and less able to focus on the task at hand. All of these factors combined make DUI a dangerous choice leading to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities on the road. The consequences of a DUI can be severe, including legal penalties, loss of driving privileges, and lifelong guilt if someone is injured or killed. Therefore, it is crucial to always designate a sober driver or use alternative transportation options when one is impaired.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
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 over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. We 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. 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, 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/sunnyside-queens-multivehicle-crash/