The New York City Council Considers Stiffer Penalties for Drivers in Fatal Hit and Run Accidents

 The New York City Council is considering imposing tougher civil penalties for drivers who are involved in deadly hit-and-run crashes. According to a CBS New York news report, New York City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer of Queens said there have been three fatal hit-and-runs in his district alone in the last 18 months. The bill introduced by Bramer would impose a maximum penalty of $5,000 for any driver who hits someone and leaves the scene.

Currently, there is no civil penalty in New York City for a motorist who hits and kills someone and then flees the scene of the collision. Bramer said he hopes that increasing the penalties would deter drivers, especially those who are under the influence, from leaving the scene of the collision. Families of hit-and-run victims who testified during the council hearing said these events cause unbearable pain to loved ones. Toughening the criminal penalties for deadly hit-and-run crashes will be up to the state legislature.
Leaving the Scene of a Crash
Leaving the scene of a collision is illegal under New York law. New York Statute 600 states: “Any person operating a motor vehicle who, knowing or having cause to know that personal injury has been caused to another person, due to an incident involving the motor vehicle operated by such person shall, before leaving the place where the said personal injury occurred, stop,” and exchange license, insurance documents and contact information.
Challenges Faced by Victims and Families
In a hit-and-run crash, it is often the victims who are left with severe financial burdens. They may be facing medical expenses, hospitalization costs and loss of income as a result of missed work. When hit-and-run drivers are not found, victims may be able to seek compensation through the uninsured motorist clause of their own auto insurance policies or through a quasi-state agency. If the driver has been apprehended, then he or she can be held liable for the victim’s losses including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a hit-and-run accident, 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. We obtained $2,000,000 for a 6-year-old girl who was injured by a hit-and-run driver. The case was originally dismissed by the judge, but we aggressively appealed the judge’s decision and had it overturned. Our client received a $2,000,000 settlement when the case was retried.
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 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 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: cbslocal.com