An early morning motorcycle accident in Manhattan involving an ambulance claimed the life of a 44-year old biker late last month. The accident occurred at 9:30 at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and East 97th Street on the Upper East Side when the victim’s Yamaha slammed into the side of a New York-Presbyterian ambulance. The shocking motorcycle accident left witnesses in horror as the ambulance rolled over the motorcyclist, leaving his head (at least partially) under the tire.
The ambulance was responding to an emergency call at the time, according to officials, with lights and sirens on but it’s unclear if the vehicle’s speed had anything to do with the fatal impact. Eyewitnesses at the scene say that it appeared the motorcycle had a green light but may have been travelling too fast to stop in time when the ambulance entered the intersection.
Ambulance attendants exited and immediately tried to administer life-saving services to the rider. They also called for another ambulance and the man was quickly rushed to Metropolitan Hospital nearby. Unfortunately, he didn’t survive his injuries.
Investigators from the NYPD and New York State Police were called in to examine traffic cam footage and eyewitness accounts to determine which vehicle (the motorcycle or the ambulance) had the right of way at the time of the collision.
The victim’s surviving family members could pursue legal action against the ambulance company if the investigation concludes the ambulance driver was at fault (or even partially at fault) for the deadly accident. Though such action won’t return their loved one, the financial compensation they could receive will help ease the burden of carrying on after their loss. A winning verdict or settlement could include compensation for funeral expenses, medical bills, lost wages, and conscious pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident in New York City and believe the fault lies with another party, contact a lawyer immediately to speak about your case confidentially. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.