Recently, four Queens teenagers were killed and another was injured in a one-vehicle car crash in Long Island. According to New York State Police, 17-year-old Joseph Beer was headed west in a Subaru hatchback on Southern State Parkway during the early morning hours when he lost control of his vehicle near a curve in the road. The car reportedly left the roadway and came to rest in a stand of trees. Police stated the force of the impact split the Subaru in half and ejected all five passengers. Tragically, only the driver survived the collision.
The exact cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the New York State Police. According to emergency workers, the stretch of roadway where the accident occurred was also the site of multiple serious crashes in the past. One worker, Lakeview Volunteer Fire Chief Heather Senti, stated she has lost count of the number of accidents she has personally responded to at the location. Senti said she remembers at least six fatal crashes in the area some emergency responders have reportedly nicknamed "Dead Man's Curve."
Beer was allegedly operating the brand new vehicle with a learner's permit. Under New York law, all individuals who drive with only a learner's permit must be accompanied by a licensed adult who is 21 or older. It is unclear why Beer was allegedly driving in violation of the law on the morning of the crash.
In New York, fatal automobile accidents may be caused by any number of factors including sleepy, distracted, or inexperienced drivers, inclement weather, and defectively designed roadways. Driving on any road in New York can be unexpectedly dangerous as this unfortunate accident demonstrates. No matter what the speed limit is, motorists are required to maintain a speed that is reasonable and prudent based on the conditions of the roadway.
If a close relative was killed as a result of another person's negligent actions, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation. The spouse, child, or parent of someone who was killed in an avoidable accident in New York may recover for loss of consortium, as well as the decedent's medical costs, lost benefits and wages, and funeral expenses. In addition, a survival action may be brought to recover damages for the personal injuries suffered by a family member prior to his or her wrongful death. Because the amount of time during which you may file a wrongful death or survival action lawsuit is limited, you should contact a quality personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your loss.
Contact the committed lawyers at Korngut Paleudis LLC today if you lost a close relative in an unexpected motor vehicle collision. At Korngut Paleudis LLC, our dedicated attorneys have more than 45 years of experience assisting clients located in New York and New Jersey. To speak with a knowledgeable lawyer about your personal injury or wrongful death claim, please do not hesitate to contact Korngut Paleudis LLC through the law firm's website or give us a call at (212) 835-6768 in New York City.
4 Die in Crash at Notorious Turn on L.I. Road, by J. David Goodman and Randy Leonard, New York Times