Long Island Driver Admits He Fled From His Own Injured Passengers After Crash
Although hit-and-runs are always concerning, fleeing from your own injured passengers is a particularly heinous offense. When you get into a driver’s vehicle, they become responsible for your safety. In the legal world, this is called a “duty of care.” What can you do if you were injured by your driver? Could you work with a Manhasset injury lawyer and sue them?
Driver Admits He Ran Away From His Own Injured Passengers – One of Whom Died
In November of 2024, a man pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, admitting that he left his own injured passengers behind after a collision on Long Island. The defendant admitted to turning into the path of a semi-truck, causing a collision at about 2:00 AM. The incident occurred in June of 2024, and it took months for the defendant to formally confess to wrongdoing.
The collision with the semi-truck killed a woman sitting in the backseat. The defendant’s front seat passenger survived – but with catastrophic spinal injuries. His femur, spine, and facial bones were all fractured – and he was airlifted to a nearby hospital when first responders arrived at the crash scene.
Ostensibly unharmed, the driver immediately jumped out of the wrecked vehicle and started fleeing on foot. While it is not exactly clear why the defendant fled the scene, he was driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash. When he is sentenced, this individual faces up to six years in prison.
Can You Sue Your Driver for a Crash?
If you were injured due to the negligence of your driver, you may be able to sue them and recover compensation. While New York is a no-fault state, you can still file a personal injury lawsuit after suffering serious injuries. This might be a spinal injury, a traumatic brain injury, an amputation, disfigurement, or something similarly catastrophic.
All drivers are legally responsible for their passengers. This duty of care extends not only to private citizens, but also professional drivers. If you were injured while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you may be able to sue the driver and the rideshare company to recover damages. The same logic applies to taxis.
If you want to be successful when filing a personal injury lawsuit, you must prove negligence. This isn’t always easy, and a personal injury lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need.
Key Takeaways
- Drivers owe their passengers a “duty of care”
- Passengers can sue their drivers if they become injured
- Hit-and-run drivers are often located by police officers
Can an Auto Accident Lawyer in Manhasset Help Me?
If you are considering legal action against your driver after suffering injuries in a Manhasset car crash, book a consultation with an auto accident lawyer. These legal professionals can guide you toward compensation for missed income, medical expenses, emotional distress, and other damages. Reach out to Cohan Law, PLLC today – and get started with an action plan.
Source:
msn.com/en-us/news/crime/driver-on-suspended-license-admits-fleeing-after-long-island-crash-that-killed-passenger/ar-AA1u1LGE