Early Thursday morning around 1:48 a.m., a serious car accident occurred when a vehicle left the roadway, traveling west on Jericho Turnpike near Terry Road. The Smithtown Patch reported that the Chevrolet Cruze crashed into a brick light column in front of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, then rolled over and hit a tree.
The woman driving the car suffered serious injury, and the Smithtown Fire Department ambulance took her to Stony Brook University Hospital. The police closed the freeway for several hours while investigating the crash and removing debris. They withheld the woman’s name until her family could be notified. Authorities also impounded her car to conduct a safety check on the vehicle.
Any number of causes could underlie the accident, including driver error, such as falling asleep, driving under the influence or distracted driving. However, the investigation may also reveal vehicle defects or unsafe road conditions.
If another party is at fault, you have the right to recover damages by pursuing a lawsuit as long as the injury meets the serious injury threshold under New York law. The statute defines serious injuries as:
Anyone suffering serious injury from a car accident should consult with a lawyer. During a free case review, our lawyers at Palermo Tuohy Bruno can explain your rights and evaluate whether another party if liable. You no fees unless we recover through settlement or verdict.
On Sunday night, June 7, 2015, what caused Tiffany Aldughmy’s 2000 Honda Accord to leave the Jericho Turnpike, strike a fire hydrant, then a fence and a portable utility light and flip over?
According to the Smithtown Patch, this accident was serious with the 21-year-old driver being sent to the hospital and listed in critical condition. Detectives are investigating the accident and authorities impounded the vehicle. Fortunately, the female passenger only suffered minor injuries.
Dangerous road conditions, poor weather, tire blowouts or defective vehicles are all common reasons for motor vehicle accidents. Human error is frequently a factor — distracted driving (cell phone use and texting), intoxication, speeding or reckless driving can lead to serious accidents.
However, when injuries are serious and you are not at fault, you should seek legal counsel. Attorneys have access to investigators and traffic specialists, who can gather evidence, reconstruct the accident and determine the cause. Law firms can look into third party liability. Your New York no-fault insurance covers up to the policy’s limits. Unfortunately, expenses involved with catastrophic or serious injuries are typically extensive, and no-fault insurance is not adequate to cover them. However, New York law entitles you to seek damages when your injuries meet the serious injury threshold described under state statutes and another party is at fault. You have the right to sue a negligent party, and an attorney can discuss your accident and determine whether grounds exist to pursue a lawsuit.
Consultations to discuss accidents are free, and clients owe no fees unless we are successful in recovering damages on your behalf. If you are involved in a serious Long Island car accident or lose a loved one through drunk driving negligence, our attorneys can help.