Manhattan Motor Vehicle Accidents Law Blog

Traffic lights are there to keep people safe and traffic flowing. New York City has a responsibility to ensure that these lights are functioning properly. Unfortunately, there are times when they do not. When a car accident happens in an area where a traffic light is malfunctioning, who is responsible for the victim's losses?

In cases like this, questions need to be answered before determining who may be held responsible for a victim's losses. What was wrong with the traffic light? How long had there been an issue? Who had the right of way?

Police and fire officials were called to the scene of a crash on the Brooklyn Bridge the day before Thanksgiving. One person was killed and six others were injured in this multi-car accident. According to the laws of New York, the victims of this collision and the surviving family members of the deceased may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses.

At approximately 7 a.m., on Nov. 21, several vehicles collided on the bridge that crosses the East River. The accident occurred on the side heading toward Brooklyn, but the entire bridge had to be shut down for rescue and cleanup crews to work which caused major traffic delays in the area. Video of the scene shows one or more vehicles engulfed in flames.

Those who have suffered injuries or lost loved ones in motor vehicle accidents may, understandably, want to know what compensation may be available to them -- if anything. The truth is, legal action is not appropriate in all car accident cases. However, for those where it may be appropriate, a number of damages may be recoverable according to the laws of New York.

Let's talk about economic damages first. The monetary losses tied to a serious or fatal car accident can be quite extreme. There are medical costs, property damages, lost wages and benefits, lost earning capacity and funeral costs -- among various others. It can all add up and add up fast, leaving victims or their surviving family members struggling to meet their financial obligations. If one pursues a personal injury or wrongful death claim and all the required elements exist to establish negligence in one's case, compensation for all documented economic losses may be achieved.

Maybe it was supposed to be the vacation of a lifetime, maybe you just came to the great state of New York to visit family, or maybe it was a last-minute get-a-way. No matter what brought you here, you did not expect to end up hurt after suffering a car accident injury. If negligence contributed to your injury, you may have legal recourse.

When you get hurt while on vacation, you go home and then have to figure out how you are going to go about seeking compensation for your losses. Handling a personal injury case from out of state is not an easy task. Thankfully, it is possible to receive help from in-state counsel, even if you cannot be here in person.