Labor Day Weekend Crash Results in 4 Fatalities

The cause of a car accident that took the lives of its four young victims over Labor Day weekend is likely related to the high speed the vehicle was traveling, according to an article published in USA Today. The rental car operated by the driver went off a New York parkway, up a grassy shoulder, and crashed into a bridge abutment, according to New York state police.

The accident occurred before 5:40am on Sunday, September 1. Police investigators believe the driver had rented the car, for which his father’s name was also listed on the rental agreement, after being involved in a previous accident. State police said there was no indication that alcohol and drugs played a role in the crash, but they will be looking into the possibility that the driver feel asleep at the wheel.

At a news conference hours after the crash, state police Maj. Michael Kopy described the accident as a “significant collision,” noting that “the vehicle was obviously traveling at a high rate of speed.”

The 2013 silver Volkswagen Golf drove outside the guard rail for approximately 100 yards before the crash, which was so severe that emergency crews couldn’t immediately determine the number of passengers inside the vehicle.

Witnesses told police they were unable provide assistance to the victims, as the car broke out in flames. According to police, it was only clear that one victim had been wearing a seat belt, as the fire damage made it impossible to determine if the others had been wearing theirs.

Know when to contact a New York car crash lawyer

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 28,147 speed related car accidents in 2011. Common factors seen in many of these accidents were traveling at an unsafe speed, following too closely, alcohol, distracted driving, unsafe lane changing, and inexperienced drivers, to name a few.

Victims of these high speed crashes experienced personal injuries ranging from minor to severe, and many sadly ended in fatalities.

If you’re involved in a car accident in New York, it’s important to know your rights. A New York car crash lawyer can work with you to pursue the compensation you’re legally entitled to. Victims of car accidents who have suffered injuries caused by the negligence of the other driver are awarded substantial monetary damages each year to pay for their medical bills and to compensate them for their pain and suffering.

New York car accident claims should be filed as soon as possible after the crash, as NY state statutes of limitation provide only a limited window for auto accident lawsuits to be filed.

Filing a car accident claim in New York

Attorneys at The Sanders Firm have more than four decades of experience working with clients in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens and Long Island to ensure justice is served on their cases. If you need advice from a New York car crash lawyer, contact The Sanders Firm today for a free evaluation of your case. Call toll free at 1-800-FAIR-PLAY (1-800-324-7752).