Manhattan Motor Vehicle Accidents Law Blog

Seven family members were killed after the minivan they were traveling in flew across several lanes of traffic then plunged at least 50 feet onto the grounds of the Bronx Zoo. The fatal car accident occurred Sunday along the Bronx River Parkway, one of the state's most dangerous stretches of highway. It is reported by the state department of transportation that the Cross Bronx Expressway needs at least $8 million in repairs to correct limited vision obstacles. In addition, three of its bridges along the same five mile stretch, need to be replaced. That project isn't slated to begin until 20165.

The minivan was traveling southbound when it flipped over a four foot iron fence before landing upside down in a ravine on the Bronx Zoo grounds. The vehicle landed in a wooded area on the edge of the zoo property. Reports say that the van doors and items from within were strewn among the trees. None of the exhibits or animals were injured in the accident.

The cause of the crash is being investigated. Authorities point to speed possibly being a factor. The Bronx borough President said the height of the guardrail would be part of the investigation.

An escalating number of intercity bus accidents are becoming more and more common. Already, 2012 has had a gruesome start with several fatalities throughout New York City. Of course, we all remember last year's accident when 15 passengers were killed when a bus coming back from a casino flipped over on I-95 in the Bronx.

Each year bus accidents kill more than 50 and injure an additional 1,000 nationwide. The National Transportation Safety Board estimates that 36 percent of the time, driver fatigue is often named as the number one reason for commercial vehicle accidents and fatalities. The federal law requires eight hours of rest for every 10 hours of driving for bus operators. Unfortunately management can, and often does, legally require drivers to violate those regulations.

Some organizations blame the deregulation of the intercity bus industry in the 1980s. Since then, the number of motor coach companies boomed and competition decreased ticket costs for passengers. However, it also caused owners to increase their profits by ignoring maintenance and safety regulations.

Starting yesterday, New York City police officers are now required to investigate and file a complete report after bicycle accidents, just as they do for any other motor vehicle crash. The idea is to keep track of statistics and analyze trends of the growing cyclist population and traffic patterns. The number of bicycle-pedestrian and bicycle-automobile accidents seems to be growing and people are suffering increasingly serious injuries.

More than 500 pedestrian accidents resulted in hospitalization last year after collisions with cyclists. Until now, police officers would just fill out small information cards for accidents involving cyclists, but now they will file and investigate bicycle accidents with a complete report.

When someone is involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, there are many individuals or entities which may be to blame. In addition to finding negligence and carelessness with the driver, the court might also find it with the vehicle manufacturer and/or the owner of the truck or van. Many may not be aware that drivers can also seek damages from the licensing and educational authority that certified the driver. Recently, the New York Department of Motor Vehicles took 621 busses off the road for incorrect equipment and suspended the licenses of 644 drivers.

A commercial vehicle accident that caused the death of four and injured dozens of others last year, when a bus driver fell asleep behind the wheel, led investigators to a driving school in Brooklyn that helped people obtain commercial driver's licenses without the proper skills or training. The school owners were charged with conspiracy and fraud. More than 170 students from the state-licensed school had their CDLs revoked until they can retake the test to prove their qualifications.