Criminal charges have been filed against a former New York law enforcement office after he allegedly hit and killed a teacher’s aide in a drunk driving accidents. A New York car crash attorney can help people injured, or the families of those killed, by criminally negligent drivers. People accused of a crime may also be liable to their victims for money damage, as the two types of cases are determined separately in the American court system.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for New York. We offer free, confidential, no-obligation consultations. If you wish to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated New York car crash attorney.
Charge: Retired Police Officer Drove Drunk and Killed a Woman
A close-knit New York community mourned the loss of a beloved teacher’s aide who was killed in November 2015 when an alleged drunk driver, who is also a prominent member of the community, struck the car she was riding in. According to CBS, the driver of the vehicle that allegedly hit the victim’s car in the Putnam County crash is a former law enforcement officer and a current member of the Carmel, New York, town council. He has since been released on bail and faces two vehicular manslaughter charges in addition to a driving while intoxicated charge.
One witness near the scene of the accident described hearing an earsplitting noise when the collision occurred, while another detailed the trauma he suffered watching the victim as she was pulled from the wreckage. The condition of other passengers riding in the same car as the victim and the exact blood-alcohol level of the suspect at the time of the crash are currently unknown, the website reported.
Criminal Liability for Car Accidents is Different than Civil Liability
Car accident attorneys note that, whereas criminal charges have been brought in connection with the November 2015 incident, the accused driver may still be liable under the civil justice system regardless of the outcome of his criminal case.
In a criminal matter, a person is accused of a crime and, if convicted, can be sentenced to jail. Sometimes monetary fines and restitution are imposed on the guilty party. However, the outcome of a criminal matter is often not relevant to a civil matter that could be brought against the person committing the wrongful act. A driver who intentionally harms pedestrians or other drivers commits a crime, but that person may also face civil liability in addition to criminal charges.
How a New York Car Crash Attorney Can Help
Drivers or passengers who are injured in car accidents may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from their injuries, including:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income or ability to work
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish resulting from an injury
If a driver or passenger is killed in a car accident, his or her family members may be able to pursue compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one. Wrongful death damages can include:
- Mental anguish, and pain and suffering from the loss of a loved one
- Loss of relationship or financial support of a loved one
- Funeral expenses
- Conscious pain and suffering or a loved one prior to death
People who have been injured in a car accident are advised to seek a qualified New York car crash attorney to help them protect their legal rights.
Contact Us For More Information
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact Attorney Group for New York for more information. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for New York today.
