5-year-old girl loses life at the hands of a Brooklyn motorist
In late September 2013, a little girl lost her life after being struck by a vehicle in Brooklyn, New York. In the aftermath of the accident, the surviving family could potentially consider a wrongful death suit if negligence was a factor.
The 5-year-old girl was knocked down in Sunset Park at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 55 Street. According to witnesses, the little child was walking with her older sister just behind their father when a vehicle struck the child. The older sister was able to get around the oncoming car.
Investigative reports note that the motorist was driving a white Cadillac Escalade, which was shaking with loud music at the time of the incident. Subsequent to the collision, the motorist came out of the car and watched emergency services perform resuscitation on the child for a few minutes. The little girl was taken to a local hospital. She suffered from cardiac arrest and ultimately passed away. At this time, authorities are studying the incident.
Wrongful death suits
When tragedy strikes, families often pursue answers to perplexing questions. Why did this happen? How did this happen? What do we do now?
The good news is that there are legal avenues of recovery, which can help families of departed loved ones gain some closure from unimaginable experiences. For example, a wrongful death suit can help families dive deep into the root of their loved ones’ deaths. This type of personal injury matter can also bring financial recovery to families dealing with the aftermath of the incident. This type of case is applicable in fatal accidents that involve negligence.
In the aforementioned case, if an investigation reveals that the driver was reckless or negligent, the surviving family might have legal rights. For instance, the motorist was purportedly blaring loud music. If it were to be determined that the driver was not paying attention to the task of driving, the family could be entitled to recovery. In wrongful death cases, damages may include the following:
- Lost income.
- Pain and suffering of the victim prior to death.
- Funeral costs.
- Medical expenses.
Depending on the circumstances, a family could receive further recovery relating to the accident.
If you have lost a loved one in a serious accident, you may want to talk with a legal professional. While nothing can bring that person back, you may have pertinent questions. Moreover, you may need financial support as you process and deal with what has happened. To learn more about your rights, contact a personal injury law firm in your area.