Depending on the circumstances, people who are involved in fatal accidents in New York City could end up facing criminal charges. They could also face further legal problems in the form of civil lawsuits. That could be the case for one man who was recently involved in a fatal pedestrian accident.
A 21-year-old woman was killed this past weekend after she was hit by a livery cab in Harlem around 4:30 a.m. The driver of the livery cab allegedly fled from the scene of the accident. However, he eventually turned himself into police. He now faces criminal charges for leaving the scene of the accident.
New York City police are investigating the accident. Questions still remain about why the woman was in the middle of the street at the time the crash occurred. It is unclear if she was pushed out of another vehicle or whether she got out on her own.
The young woman’s family and friends were shocked to learn about her untimely death. She has been described as a “sweet, outgoing, upbeat” young woman.
Drivers and their passengers are at risk of suffering serious injuries as a result of a car accident. However, pedestrians are even more vulnerable. They have nothing to protect them from the size and weight of a car.
When a family loses a loved one because of someone else’s reckless behavior they may want to consider their legal options. In addition to criminal charges and penalties, an individual could also face a civil lawsuit for the harm that was caused.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, “Driver Is Charged in Death,” Pervaiz Shallwani and Alison Fox, April 7, 2013