According to New York state police, a driver who was driving the wrong way on the Tappan Zee Bridge ran into an oncoming vehicle, causing a five-car pileup that ended up closing the northbound lanes of the state Thruway for hours. Additionally, one passenger was killed in the accident and several, including the wrong-way driver, were injured.
Police reportedly investigated the scene of the accident under floodlights while workers treated the injured people. No immediate arrests were made, and police were trying to determine whether or not drugs or alcohol use were a factor in the driver getting into the wrong lane, causing the car accident.
The sergeant of the New York police department stated that the man’s wife told police that the man had an anxiety attack at some point before the crash. He says it is unknown whether or not that was a factor in the crash.
Regardless of the reason why the man got into the wrong lane, he could be facing personal injury lawsuits from the people who were injured as a result of the accident. He could also face a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of the person who died as a result of the accident. If won, person injury lawsuits could allow the injured people to receive reimbursement for their medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Personal injury lawyers may be able to help the injured people who want to file lawsuits prepare their claims. Their claims could state that their injuries would not have occurred had it not been for the negligence of the man who drove in the wrong lane into oncoming traffic. Personal injury lawyers might also be able to help them negotiate settlements for their claims outside the courtroom.
Source: Las Vegas Sun, “Police: Wrong-way driver causes fatal NY crash”, July 28, 2013