Officers with the New York State Police at Wurtsboro reported that a wrong-way driver died in a crash on Dec. 28. Reportedly, the accident occurred in the westbound lanes of State Route 17 in the town of Mamakating. Officers apparently received more than one call from motorists about the wrong-way driver prior to the crash’s occurrence. Upon responding to the area, officers came upon the collision.
A 24-year-old man was allegedly driving his Hyundai Sonata east in the westbound lanes. According to officers, he crashed head-on into a 2006 Volkswagen traveling west on the highway. The Volkswagen’s driver was transported by emergency medical personnel to Hackensack Medical Center via Medi-Flight for treatment of injuries characterized as non-life threatening.
The Hyundai’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Officers were still investigating the collision at the time of reporting, which occurred approximately a quarter of a mile east of exit 113 in Mamakating.
In the event that people who die in car accidents are believed to be at fault, damages may still be recoverable. Those who are injured by such drivers may name the decedent driver’s estate as the defendant in a civil personal injury lawsuit. If they secure a settlement or a verdict in the case, the proceeds of the settlement or verdict amount will then be payable out of the assets held by the estate prior to the passing of any assets to the decedent’s heirs. By filing such a civil lawsuit, those who are injured may be able to recover damages to compensate them for losses such as medical expenses, property losses, lost income from work, pain and suffering, ongoing rehabilitation costs and other associated losses.
Source: Hudson Valley News Network, “Wrong Way Driver Results In Fatal Accident“, Kathy Welsh, December 29, 2014