Navigating a vehicle through the busy streets of New York City takes some skill. But transportation drivers and other motorists know that one of the easiest ways to avoid a serious or fatal accident is to pay close attention when behind the wheel.
One of the most dangerous mistakes a driver could make is to accidentally step on the gas pedal instead of the brakes. This situation just happened over the weekend in Brooklyn. Unfortunately, the accident did result in one fatality. The driver responsible for the fatal car accident has since been charged with vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving.
The fatal accident occurred Sunday evening. According to CBS New York, a man had been standing near a limousine that was supposedly parked. However, the limo was in gear with no driver behind the wheel, and the vehicle began to roll backward toward the man.
When the limo driver noticed that the vehicle was moving, the driver hopped into the limo to try to stop the vehicle. According to reports, the driver meant to slam on the brakes, but instead, the driver hit the gas pedal. The vehicle was in reverse and the pedestrian was run over. The victim died from his injuries. He was 53 years old. Some reports have indicated that the victim was the limo driver's brother-in-law.
Although negligence certainly played a role in the tragic accident, investigators later reported that drunk driving may have been a factor in the pedestrian accident as well. The limo driver was charged with several offenses including driving while intoxicated.
When family members are killed in motor vehicle accidents caused by other drivers' negligence, families may consider working with an attorney to protect their rights when seeking compensation for damages. Losing a family member is difficult to accept, and dealing with the aftermath of an accident can sometimes be too much to handle.
Source: CBS New York, "Man charged with backing limousine into brother-in-law, killing him," Nov. 26, 2012
- Our New York City law firm helps victims and families recover damages suffered through the negligence of others, including drunk driving accidents and fatal auto accidents.
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