A terrible pedestrian accident in Long Island has claimed the life of a young 17-year old girl. Shakira Wilson was walking along Long Island Avenue near Pearsall Avenue when a Lexus SUV strayed from the roadway and struck her. She suffered serious head trauma and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital minutes after rescue crews arrived. She failed to recover and passed away due to her injuries shortly thereafter.
The driver of the Lexus, 67-year old Joseph Ulysse, was also injured in the crash and taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Police have impounded the vehicle and are examining it for any mechanical faults which may have contributed to the crash.
Though the accident occurred just after 8 PM, sunset at this time of year was just minutes before. It’s unlikely that visibility conditions were a factor in the accident. If the ongoing police investigation reveals that Mr. Ulysse’s actions or inactions contributed to this poor girl’s death, he could be facing criminal charges and a civil lawsuit for his negligent driving.
There were over 16,000 pedestrians and cyclists injured in accidents in New York City last year. 178 of them were killed in collisions with vehicles. While the Mayor’s office has declared war on traffic accidents, the Vision Zero policies have as yet failed to result in any measurable decline in tragic fatal accidents in the Big Apple.
In cases like these, establishing liability against the at-fault party is critical to a successful lawsuit. In similar pedestrian accidents in New York, injured victims can recover medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Though no amount of money can ever replace a loved one, financial awards can help deal with funeral expenses, loss of income and financial support and the unexpected costs associated with such a tragic loss.
If someone you have loved was either killed or injured due to a careless driver, contact an experienced New York City pedestrian accident lawyer today. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.