An off-duty NYPD officer was killed in a fiery car accident in Brooklyn earlier this month. 27-year old Bianca Bennett-an NYPD rookie-was killed when the Dodge Durango she was a passenger in ran off the roadway, flipped over several times, and then caught fire. The accident occurred around midnight at the intersection of City Island Road and Park Drive. Witnesses describe an explosion and fireball – a horrific scene unlike anything they had ever seen before.
Reports confirm that the driver of the automobile was another off-duty police officer. Although injured-suffering leg injuries and burns-the driver survived the deadly crash. There has been no official word on what caused the accident or whether the driver will be held criminally responsible for Officer Bennett’s death.
In crashes such as this, even if the at-fault driver is charged criminally, the driver can as well as be found financially responsible in a civil lawsuit for the death of the passenger. Under New York law, no-fault benefits must be paid by the insurance company for the car the victim occupied at the time of the crash which would help cover the hospital, medical and funeral expenses. The estate of the deceased victim (usually surviving family members) can sue for pain and suffering for the time Ms. Bennett survived before she died and any unpaid medical and funeral expense. The dependent children and spouse can sue for lost financial support. While a monetary award can’t replace a beloved daughter, mother, or wife or ease the pain of the grieving process, it can help eliminate the financial stress associated with a death in the family and will also provide money necessary to raise and educate the dependent children.
The best way to do for surviving victims to get the compensation they deserve is to have an experienced New York City auto accident attorney on their side. If you have lost a loved one in a car crash, contact the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel today.