Excessive speed does not allow a driver the chance to take evasive action in the event of another driver pulling out of a parking lot or other road without yielding. Such situations can cause devastating accidents, especially if there are other vehicles in close proximity. In a similar scenario, 25 people recently suffered personal injury in a three-vehicle accident in New York.
The accident reportedly occurred on a recent afternoon on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn where the speed limit had been reduced to 25 mph in an attempt to lessen the number of pedestrian accidents. Surveillance footage apparently shows a black car smashing into a vehicle exiting a parking lot. The impact caused the black car to catapult into a loaded passenger bus that was traveling nearby. A witness alleged that the driver of the black car had been speeding when it hit the other car.
Three people, who were occupants of the two cars, were reported to have suffered critical injuries. The injuries of three of the 22 injured bus passengers were reported to be serious, but they are expected to recover. The bus driver was one of those who suffered minor injuries.
No mention of any pending charges was made in the media report, and according to police, an accident investigation is underway. Determining fault in an accident such as this one may not be easy. The injured victims of this accident may file claims of personal injury in a New York civil court in order to pursue compensation for medical expenses and other documented damages. However, once the investigation is complete, evidence may result in the judge apportioning guilt between the alleged speeding driver and the driver who came out of the parking lot.
Source: nymag.com, “25 Injured in Crash Involving MTA Bus and 2 Cars”, Margaret Hartmann, Jan. 7, 2015