After losing a loved one in a fatal crash, you may have no idea what to do or where to turn. Now is when you should explore your rights and speak to a New York fatal car accident lawyer. Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek P.C. is here to help.
According to the NYC Vision Zero project, more than 250 fatalities are due to motor vehicle accidents each year. The New York City Police Department reports that the majority of fatal crashes occur in Queens (nearly 45%), with the Bronx (23%) and Brooklyn (22%) also having a lot of deadly crashes. The other boroughs of New York City have single-digit percentages.
The majority of those accidents happen between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. (32%). Nearly 15% occur between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and 14% of crashes happen between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. That means that approximately 61% of all car accidents in New York City happen during nighttime hours. Only 39% occur during the day.
Human error due to driver negligence causes most car accidents.
Negligence is a legal concept indicating that the driver had a legal duty and failed to uphold it. In a personal injury lawsuit, the claim is that the driver’s negligence caused the victim’s death and other financial losses.
Some negligent actions that cause fatal accidents in NYC include:
In most cases, the at-fault driver and their insurance company are liable for the damages in a fatal car crash. However, there are situations where others may also be to blame.
When more than one party may be responsible, it’s important to name them all. If you fail to name a responsible party, you may forfeit your eligibility for the maximum amount of compensation possible.
In some situations, the following people and companies may be held liable after a fatal crash:
Wrongful death is a fatality that results from negligence, recklessness, intentional, or wrongful acts. A fatal car crash is almost always a wrongful death.
The personal representative of a fatal car crash victim’s estate can file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault parties. When money is recovered, damages may be given to any “immediate family members.” Under New York Law, immediate family members include spouses, children, parents, and grandchildren.
You should act fast after a fatal car accident because you must file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. A statute of limitations is a deadline within with a claim must be filled. In New York, that deadline is two years from the
date of the fatality.
After a fatal car accident, the victim’s family can get money to cover many different types of damages. Those damages include any money paid by the estate of the victim and any expenses incurred by the family.
Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek P.C. can help you recover:
We know money cannot bring back your loved one or make everything better. The goal of our New York deadly car accident lawyers is to help you get enough money to move forward with life after this tragedy.
At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek P.C., our New York City car accident attorneys have worked with countless families who have lost a loved one in a devastating car accident. We know the pain you are experiencing, and we are here to help. Let us listen and explain your legal options.
Call HKD today at 212-490-5700 or use the contact form for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win.
CLIENT REVIEWS
07/05/2015
After meeting a half dozen lawyers at different firms, I decided to go to Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek. As soon as I met Jon Damashek, I knew I had to look no further. Mr. Damashek made me feel at ease…