No matter how careful one is on the road, there is always the risk that another driver on the road will act negligently or recklessly and cause a car accident. It bears repeating the obvious: cars, especially at high speeds, can cause serious injuries or even death.
For one reason or another, drivers often forget this concept or blatantly disregard the rules of the road. Hit-and-run drivers can be especially dangerous because they have little compassion for those injured in a car accident or little desire to follow the law. A recent hit-and-run accident in Brooklyn highlights this point. Contacting a Brooklyn personal injury attorney can help answer any questions or concerns you might have regarding your case.
Brooklyn Hit-And-Run Auto Accident Causes Serious Injuries
Last month, the driver of a dollar-van hit two Brooklyn police officers after he fled a traffic stop. Two police detectives pulled the van over because it matched the description of a vehicle used in a robbery. The two detectives exited their vehicles and the driver of the van sped off. The driver ran over one officer’s foot and hit the other one.
The driver then led the detectives on a seven-mile chase. The chase ended after the driver hit a car with an off-duty police officer and the officer’s 18-year-old daughter. The crash seriously injured the off-duty officer and critically injured the woman. After the crash, the driver tried to run away, but police apprehended the man, who suffered minor injuries.
New York City Passes New Law Imposing Greater Fines on Hit-And-Run Drivers
Mayor de Blasio has been committed to eliminating traffic fatalities through his Vision Zero plan. Recently, Mayor de Blasio took another step to reduce car accidents and improve safety. In September 2014, Mayor de Blasio signed a new law that increases the civil penalties for those who leave the scene of an accident without reporting their name, residence, license, and insurance information to the victim or a police officer.
Under the new law, the Justice for Hit and Run Victims Act, a driver involved in a hit-and-run accident that involves a minor crash with only property damage is subject to a fine starting at $500. If a hit-and-run accident, however, involves serious injury or death then the driver may receive a fine of up to $10,000.
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the Transportation Committee, believes the “Act will save the lives of thousands of New Yorkers by causing drivers to think twice before they abandon the victims of their reckless actions.”
The new law is in addition to any other criminal or civil penalties. If you have a cause of action for death or personal injury arising out of a hit-and-run accident, you can still file a civil lawsuit for damages. New York law provides specific requirements when bringing an action against an unknown hit-and-run driver. An accident attorney can help you through the process of filing a lawsuit against a hit-and-run driver.
Contact a Brooklyn Auto Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit-and-run accident, a Brooklyn auto accident attorney can help you recover damages in connection with your injuries. Find out how you can protect your rights by contacting the law office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum today at (718) 237-5586 and schedule a consultation.
