Suing for Road Rage Crashes in Manhasset

Road rage leads to numerous Long Island accidents each year, and this is an issue that many motorists struggle with. A driver who is enraged is more likely to be distracted. These aggressive drivers also tend to intentionally ram other vehicles, and they may even brandish – or discharge – weapons on the road. If you were hurt by an aggressive driver in Manhasset, you might be wondering about your legal options. Aside from criminal charges, is it also possible to sue?

Long Island Driver Faces Manslaughter Charges for Road Rage Crash in Queens

 In October of 2024, it was reported that an aggressive driver was facing manslaughter charges for sparking a chain-reaction crash on the Long Island Expressway. Police confirmed that this was a road rage incident, and that it killed one person. According to the accident report, the defendant switched back and forth across three lanes before slowing down suddenly, assumedly in an effort to “brake-check” the victim’s vehicle.

Brake-checking is a classic example of aggressive driving, and it is against the law. This involves purposely slowing down in front of following vehicles, and it can easily lead to serious accidents. In the aforementioned accident, this behavior caused the driver of the victim’s vehicle to move into the center lane to avoid a collision.

However, the defendant is accused of moving back into the center lane – making an impact almost completely unavoidable. Somehow, the driver of the victim’s vehicle managed to slam on the brakes in time to avoid a collision. It was at this moment that a third vehicle approached, smashed into the back of the victim’s vehicle, and caused fatal head and body trauma to the victim.

The defendant then fled the scene, attempting to conceal the damage to his vehicle. Even worse, the registered owner filed a fraudulent insurance claim, falsely reporting that the vehicle had been rear-ended during a hit-and-run. The defendant now faces charges of manslaughter, assault, leaving the scene of an accident, tampering with evidence, reckless driving, and slow driving.

One of the most notable details of this crash was that the victim was a passenger of a Lyft vehicle when the accident occurred. Because of Lyft’s insurance policy, this may make it easier for the family to pursue a financial settlement for their tragic loss.

Key Takeaways 

• Both criminal charges and civil lawsuits may be possible after road rage crashes
• Brake-checking is a common example of aggressive driving in Manhasset
• It may be relatively straightforward to pursue compensation after Lyft accidents

Can an Auto Accident Lawyer in Manhasset Help After a Road Rage Crash? 

After a road rage crash, a New York personal injury lawyer may be able to offer various forms of assistance. Consider a consultation with one of these legal professionals to discuss whether a civil lawsuit makes sense. Although criminal charges may provide some degree of closure, they usually fail to compensate you for your medical expenses, missed wages, and other damages. Reach out to Cohan Law, PLLC today – and get started with an action plan.

Sources: 

qns.com/2024/10/long-islander-criminally-charged-for-manslaughter-in-fatal-road-rage-crash-on-long-island-expressway-da/

audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/man-indicted-for-manslaughter-in-fatal-lie-road-rage-crash