A 59-year-old man died in a hit-and-run accident that involved a number of vehicles. According to an NBC New York news report, a 24-year-old man was subsequently arrested on several charges including criminal possession of a controlled substance. Police say the 24-year-old man was driving a BMW southbound on Jerome Avenue when he crossed over the double yellow lines into opposing lanes of traffic and sideswiped a Honda SUV driven by a 70-year-old woman.
The BMW then accelerated and struck a Toyota, which in turn flipped clockwise into the path of another Honda SUV driven by a 59-year-old man who ended up suffering fatal injuries in the crash. The driver who is said to have caused the accident fled the scene of the crash, but was later arrested. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, possession of a controlled substance and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was affected by this horrific crash.
What Causes Chain-Reaction Crashes?
Chain-reaction crashes often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Usually, these types of car accidents involve several vehicles and multiple victims, which makes it all the more tricky and challenging when it comes to pursuing a car accident claim. Here are some of the most common causes of a chain-reaction crash:
Impaired driving: As in this case, driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs may cause these types of devastating car accidents. Safe driving requires the ability to concentrate, make good decisions quickly, as well as be able to react to situations instantaneously.
Distracted driving: When a driver is looking at a cell phone or is distracted by some other activity while driving, there is an increased risk of a chain reaction collision. Often, distracted driving results in rear-end accidents because drivers fail to pay attention to the traffic ahead.
Speeding: Excessive speed or driving at a speed that is unsafe given the traffic, weather and roadway conditions is one of the most common causes of chain-reaction crashes. As mentioned, speeding results in rear-end collisions, which may then trigger a chain reaction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding endangers everyone on the road. In 2016, speeding killed 10,111 people, accounting for about 27 percent of all traffic fatalities that year.
What to Do If You Have Been Injured
If you have been injured in a chain-reaction car accident involving multiple vehicles and victims, there are a number of steps you can take to protect your legal rights. First, make sure you file a police report and obtain a signed copy for your own records. Secure prompt medical attention and treatment for your injuries. Even if you “feel fine” at the accident scene, see your doctor and establish whether you have suffered any injuries. Car accident injuries tend to surface several days or even weeks after the incident.
Do not talk to insurance companies or defense counsel for other parties involved in a collision. Don’t rush into any type of settlement with the insurance company. Immediately consult with an experienced New York car accident lawyer first to examine your options. Don’t give insurance companies or other parties access to your medical and financial information. Do not post any information about your accident on social media or online.
This information can and will be used against you. Multi-vehicle accidents are complex because they involve several insurance companies and lawyers. So, it is all the more important that you keep your guard up and ensure that you don’t take any crucial decisions without consulting your attorney.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, 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.
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.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Hit-Run-Bronx-Death-Major-Car-Crash-Jerome-Avenue-494781591.html