Hit-and-Run Driver Injures Eight
As we’re writing this post, the NYPD is still looking for the driver behind a hit-and-run crash last week that sent eight people to the hospital and left three cars wrecked on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn.
The crash, which occurred around 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, October 15, began when the driver of a stolen Mercedes SUV—who was speeding and driving without headlights—rear-ended a passenger car with two adults and three small children inside.
The children were taken to the hospital with minor injuries and released. The driver of that car, a fifty-nine-year-old Queens woman, was more seriously injured and was last reported in critical but stable condition.
Destruction Continued, Driver Fled
After hitting the first car, the stolen Mercedes continued out of control and struck another SUV, which was also wrecked. Its four occupants suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Mercedes then smashed the vehicle into the concrete barrier running alongside the highway. With that car totally wrecked, the driver fled on foot.
It was later reported that the Mercedes had been stolen from Crown Heights, where it had been double-parked by a woman who was renting it through a car-sharing app from a New Jersey woman. We’re pretty sure someone is going to have a hard time explaining this to their insurance company.
Hit-and-Runs a Major Problem
Hit-and-run crashes are a serious problem in New York City. In 2015, more than 38,000 hit-and-runs were recorded in the city, with most of them only causing property damage. But more than 4,000 caused an injury, with at least forty-eight of those considered “catastrophic.”
While New York has reduced the number of crashes and fatalities overall, hit-and-runs remain a stubborn problem and an area where little headway has been made, despite several initiatives in recent years.
New York Car Accident Lawyer
Car crashes come in many forms, from simple bumps in parking lots to massive multi-vehicle wrecks caused by reckless drivers. As vehicle safety has improved, the chance of someone being injured or killed has declined, but in the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in crashes (and fatalities) that’s been blamed on distracted driving, often due to people who use a phone to talk or text while behind the wheel.
The problem of driving under the influence is less than it used to be, but it’s still a factor in about 30 percent of all crashes.
Regardless of the specific cause, when you’ve been injured by another driver, it’s critical that you get in touch with an experienced car accident attorney to help you get the compensation you need to recover from your injuries.
At Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP, we’ve helped thousands of clients put their lives back together after a crash. Call today at 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) or complete the form below to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you.
