A tragic boat accident on the Hudson River has left two people dead and numerous others injured. According to Rockland County authorities, a pre-wedding party boarded a 21-foot Stingray in the Village of Piermont for a short ride across the river to Tarrytown. During the trip, however, the boat reportedly struck a barge that was storing construction materials for the upcoming Tappan Zee Bridge reconstruction project. Sadly, a 30-year-old bride-to-be and a 30-year-old best man died after they were thrown from the boat. The 35-year-old groom-to-be and a number of other members of the wedding party allegedly sustained head injuries in the collision. Apparently, neither of the individuals killed was wearing a life vest when the wreck occurred.
The exact cause of the fatal boat accident is currently under investigation by the Rockland County Sherriff's Office. Rockland County Undersheriff Robert VanCura stated that, although toxicology results are still pending, there is reason to believe the 35-year-old boat pilot was intoxicated at the time of the incident. He has since been charged with both vehicular manslaughter and vehicular assault. Investigators are also purportedly examining the boat's speed, the weather conditions, and whether the construction barge was equipped with sufficient lighting.
In New York, about half of all fatalities that occur on state waterways involve alcohol. According to data from the United States Coast Guard, a boat operator with a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.10 or higher is 10 times more likely to be killed in a boating accident than a boat pilot who has not consumed alcohol. Too many boaters do not understand that operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol is even more dangerous than drinking and driving. According to research, sun exposure, glare, noise, wind, and boat vibration can produce a kind of fatigue which slows operator reaction time. Consuming alcohol appears to intensify these effects.
If you were injured or lost a loved one due to another person's negligence, you may be eligible to collect damages related to medical costs, lost wages and benefits, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses. A quality personal injury attorney can explain your right to recovery in more detail.
Do not hesitate to contact the hardworking personal injury and accident lawyers at Korngut Paleudis LLC if you were hurt or lost a family member in a New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut boating or other preventable accident. Our caring attorneys are available to help you recover the damages you deserve after an unexpected injury. At Korngut Paleudis LLC, our capable advocates have more than 45 years of experience helping clients who are located in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. To speak with a committed lawyer about your personal injury claim, please contact Korngut Paleudis LLC through the law firm's website or give us a call at (212) 835-6768 in New York City or (609) 480-3080 in Princeton, New Jersey.
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