Nevada readers are likely aware of the limousine accident that killed 20 people in upstate New York on Oct. 6. This tragic accident is raising safety questions about the limo industry across the country.
The crash occurred when the limo blew past a stop sign while on the way to a birthday party in Cooperstown, N.Y. The vehicle then hit two pedestrians and smashed into a parked vehicle. The limo driver, the limo’s 17 passengers and the two pedestrians were all killed in the collision.
While New York has some of the toughest limousine laws in the country, investigators have found that the company that operated the doomed limo did not follow key safety regulations. For example, the state requires all limos to be inspected twice per year by the New York Department of Transportation. The limo involved in the crash underwent an inspection, but it failed and was ordered to be pulled from service. The driver of the limo also lacked the proper license for the vehicle he was driving. In addition, none of the passengers in the limousine were wearing seat belts. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 11 of the 12 people killed in limousine crashes between 2012 and 2016 were not wearing seat belts.
Victims of car accidents caused by other parties may wish to pursue legal actions. For example, an attorney may be able to show that negligence on the part of a limo company caused a victim’s injuries. As a result, the company could be ordered to pay a settlement that covers a victim’s medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering and more. If the victim dies, his or her family could sue the company for funeral expenses and other related damages.
