A New York driver was recently charged in connection with a collision involving a car and a motorcycle. Two motorcycle riders died from their injuries at the scene. Police say that the accident occurred early in the morning on June 2 when the driver hit the motorcycle with two Long Island residents aboard.
Following an initial investigation, police charged the driver with aggravated vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated. In New York, a charge of aggravated vehicular homicide may include reckless driving resulting in vehicular manslaughter, and such a charge typically stems from accidents involving alcohol or driving on a suspended license.
Car accidents like this involve several factors. If alcohol is a suspected factor, a blood alcohol test may be performed to determine if a driver is considered legally impaired. Negligence could also be a factor, especially if the driver was speeding or failed to adhere to state traffic regulations. Additional factors may include whether or not helmets were worn and if the driver was wearing a seat belt or had previous traffic violations.
Based on the facts given, this case could also potentially involve a wrongful death claim on behalf of the victims’ surviving family members. Such a claim seeks to recover compensation for pain and suffering, loss of consortium, funeral costs and other expenses incurred in an accident in which an individual died on account of another’s negligence; in some cases, lost earning potential may also be sought as part of the damages. In cases like this one, an experienced personal injury attorney may be able to help the victims’ families or surviving partners with pursuing a claim regardless of the outcome of the responsible driver’s criminal trial.
Source: Oncle, “New York Penal – Article 125.14 Aggravated Vehicular Homicide,” March 7, 2013
Source: The Republic, “Westchester man charged in Hudson Valley Thruway crash that killed 2 from LI on motorcycle”, June 03, 2013
