A year after the New York limousine crash that left 20 people dead, federal investigators have issued new safety recommendations for limousines seeking to improve the dangerous seating issues connected to that deadly crash. According to a USA Today news report, the safety measures focus on the existing lack of lap and shoulder seatbelts and modifications made to stretch limos that reduce the chances of survival for passengers when involved in collisions. The fatal crash that killed 20 people occurred Oct. 6, 2018 on a remote stretch of Route 30 in Schoharie in upstate New York.
Recommended Safety Measures
Officials with the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) also called on New York State to improve its laws and regulations controlling limo inspections, which was cited in the breakdown of governmental oversight and accountability that contributed to the fatal limo crash last year, according to the federal agency. Investigators said the Schoharie crash shows that a comprehensive solution is necessary to address problems associated with seating in modified limousines.
The NTSB report made a number of findings that were relevant to the crash. It found that the crash was not survivable for the limo driver. It found lap/shoulder belts should be installed as standard equipment for all passengers in limos. Investigators determined that the non-original equipment including seats and lap belt systems in the modified portion of the limo’s compartment and their structural anchorage points were not properly designed for occupant crash protection.
The NTSB also concluded in its report that extended New York’s mandatory seatbelt use laws to all vehicles including limousines would decrease crash fatalities. In addition, the seatbelts in the limo were under the bench seats and invisible to the passengers, which is why they did not wear them. Investigators said the problem of limo seatbelts being hidden to passengers is an industry wide safety threat that needs to be fixed.
If You Have Been Injured
Limousine accidents are unfortunately common not just in New York State, but all over the country. If you have been injured in such an accident or have lost a loved one in a limousine accident, one of the most important steps you can take is to immediately retain the services of an experienced New York limousine accident lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation, preserve your rights and look out for your best interests.
In fatal accident cases, the victim’s family will be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault parties and seek compensation for damages such as lost future income and benefits, medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and pain and suffering. Wrongful death lawsuits are typically brought by immediate family members of victims such as a spouse, children (minor or adult), parents, siblings, or any other individuals who were financially dependent on the deceased individual at the time.
Family members who have lost a loved one in an auto accident will be well advised to not talk to insurance companies or their investigators or the defense counsel for other parties. Also, do not post any details about the incident on your social media page because anything you post online may be used against you. You should first contact a personal injury lawyer who will advise you regarding the best course of action.
Contacting an Experienced Limo Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a limousine 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.
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.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/10/02/new-york-limo-crash-ntsb-issues-safety-recommendations-year-later/3840514002/