Wrongful Death

Auto accident in New York kills teenage girl

When someone is killed in a fatal New York accident, devastation strikes the person’s family members. Their feelings of grief may morph into anger due to the seemingly preventable nature of the tragic auto accident. Financial damages certainly can’t make up for the loss of a loved one following a fatal car collision, but it can help family members to experience closure in the wake of the tragic event.

A family in New York is dealing with this type of scenario after a 15-year-old girl was killed in an auto accident. The accident happened when she and her 16-year-old friend, who was driving the vehicle, were on their way home from a high school dinner. That’s when the driver veered off the road all of a sudden.

The two teenagers were transported to the hospital. The 15-year-old girl ended up dying. The condition of the driver was not immediately known. Police were still investigating the cause of the fatal collision and it wasn’t known whether any extenuating factors may have played a role in the girl’s death or if police will file any charges.

The driver thought responsible for the fatal auto accident and her guardians could potentially face personal injury claims in civil court for the death of her passenger if the victim’s family members file a wrongful death lawsuit. The family may seek reimbursement of monetary damages stemming from the accident, based upon a showing of negligence by the driver, in the event that evidence warrants this. Financial damages could include funeral costs and other damages permissible under New York law. If liability is established according to civil court guidelines, the claims for monetary damages will be determined.

Source: New York Daily News, High school cheerleader, 15, killed in car crash that injures fellow teen driver: ‘We still love her and she’ll never be forgotten’, Nina Golgowski, Oct. 6, 2013