The Lincoln Tunnel connects New Jersey and Midtown Manhattan. When an accident occurs, traffic is snarled for miles, and there may be a delay in getting help to accident victims. On Sept. 2, an accident involving multiple victims and vehicles shut down the center tube of the tunnel.
The accident occurred in the middle of morning rush hour. According to authorities, the accident was caused by the driver of a BMW who crashed into the back of a Mercedes livery van. The van then crashed into a minibus.
According to the Port Authority, a 49-year-old man died after the accident. He may have died as a result of a heart attack, as rescuers were called to the scene on a report of the man being in cardiac arrest. He passed away at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital.
The driver of the BMW was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. One other victim was also taken to the hospital. There is no word on the conditions of those two. Four people involved in the accident declined medical care.
It took authorities several hours to reopen the center tube, and traffic was not allowed in until the afternoon hours. As of now, there have been no charges filed in the accident. However, that does not mean civil suits may not follow from the injured parties against the at-fault driver.
Those who are injured in car accidents have a right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. The relatives of those who are killed also have a right to pursue compensation. Victims and their families should not have to experience financial hardships due to lost wages, medical bills and other losses. Claims may be made for non-economic losses as well, such as loss of companionship and pain and suffering.
Source: 4 New York, “Passenger Dies in Lincoln Tunnel Chain-Reaction Crash That Snarled Traffic: Port Authority” Sep. 03, 2014