Who was at-fault for the New York limousine accident that killed 20 people?
Twenty people were recently killed in an accident in New York involving a limousine. The accident has been deemed the deadliest U.S. accident in the past nine years, and the community is reeling from their senseless loss. On that fateful evening in October, a group of 17 friends hopped into a white stretch limousine headed to birthday celebration in upstate New York. Investigations have revealed that the limo was speeding down a hill as it approached a notoriously dangerous intersection between two highways. The vehicle lost control and ran into the intersection, hitting an empty car.
This horrific crash killed all 18 occupants within the limousine, including the driver, along with two pedestrians. The accident happened in a small town west of Albany, and among its passengers were four sisters and two brothers, as well as three young couples. The New York State Police continue to investigate the accident. Already, investigations have revealed that the limousine involved in the crash had citations for its brakes being out of service and defects with the brake connections under the vehicle.
Even further, the limo driver had previously mentioned issues with the vehicle and others in the fleet. Additionally, the limo driver was not licensed to operate a vehicle with over 15 passengers, like the stretch limo. The operator of the limo company has been taken into custody and charged with criminally negligent homicide, as well as putting a defective vehicle on the road with a driver not licensed to operate it. For now, the limo company operator has pleaded not guilty and been released on bail.
Fault for the Limo Accident
While investigations are ongoing, initial findings are heavily pointing towards a finding of at least some fault with the limousine company. Transportation companies have a clear duty to ensure the vehicles they put on the road are safe for passengers. Allowing a limo to be used with known and uncorrected brake issues could certainly be grounds for liability on the part of the limo company and potentially others involved in the operation. The family members of those killed in the fatal limo crash will want to consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect their legal rights.