A man was killed in a recent car crash in Dutchess County after another vehicle crashed head-on into his SUV. Police responded to the scene of the 3:40 p.m. collision and reported that the SUV driver was seriously injured. It was unclear whether the other driver involved in the crash suffered any injuries.
Events leading up to the car crash
The New York accident occurred on Route 55. According to authorities, a 17-year-old male was driving a Honda CRV eastbound on the highway and fell asleep. The teen reportedly entered the highway’s westbound lane and struck an SUV operated by a 54-year-old man from Suffolk County.
Police said the second sport utility vehicle’s driver suffered injuries and was taken to a medical center. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
How an attorney can help
The surviving loved ones of the man who died in the New York crash may choose to file a wrongful death claim against the teenager, seeking the reimbursement of monetary damages sustained due to the collision. Any other individual listed on the title documents for the vehicle could also be named as a defendant in a civil court claim. The plaintiffs must establish liability based upon a showing of negligence before their claim for financial damages will be adjudicated. If they are successful in civil court, they may receive monetary damages to cover the deceased man’s burial costs and the loss of support for his surviving dependents. No amount of money can reverse the events leading to the accident, but financial damages may help the deceased man’s family members more easily move on from the ordeal.