Brain Injury Attorney Blog

Yesterday in New York, 5 Amish farmers were killed in a serious car accident. The accident happened when a car attempted to pass a farm tractor and hit a van carrying 13 Amish farmers. The car hit the van, which sent it underneath the farm tractor. The crash killed 5 people and injured 10 others. The 5 Amish farmers were pronounced dead on the scene and the 10 injured people were taken to the hospital, some with serious injuries. For the families of the victims, it would be in their best interest to speak with a good personal injury lawyer or a wrongful death lawyer in the New York area.

The driver of the vehicle that caused this accident, Steven A. Eldridge, had very minor injuries which did not require a trip to the hospital. Eldridge, 42, of Penn Yan, N.Y., has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, driving while intoxicated and lesser offenses. The crash occurred in a no-passing zone.

At least four people were trapped in the wreckage before they were freed by emergency workers using power-cutting tools. Four hours after the crash, rescue workers were still removing pieces of the van. The tractor was carrying large equipment, the authorities said. A sheriff at the scene said the victims were all adults from Steuben County in New York. The group of Amish farmers was visiting other farms on an excursion organized by Cornell University to learn farming techniques compatible with their religion.

A wrongful death lawsuit is based on claims that a victim was killed due to negligence on the part of the person being sued. The purpose of a wrongful death lawsuit is to allow the survivors to collect monetary damages as a result of the improper conduct. Over the years, states have passed wrongful death laws that provide compensation for persons who may have been damaged from the death of the victim as well as an incentive to act carefully and safely. Today, all states have some form of a wrongful death claim action in force. A wrongful death claim generally consists of four elements: (1) the death was caused, in whole or part, by the conduct of the defendant; (2) the defendant was negligent or strictly liable for the victim’s death; (3) there is a surviving spouse, children, beneficiaries or dependents; and (4) monetary damages have resulted from the victim’s death.

Because every state law is different, it’s very important to know what your state’s law on wrongful death is. Applying the law can be complicated, and the best way to be sure you are protecting your rights is to consult with a wrongful death lawyer who is experienced in your state. If you feel that you have a valid claim for the wrongful death of a family member, you should consult with an experienced wrongful death lawyer in your area. Hiring a good wrongful death lawyer is very important when tragedy strikes. Call one of the Myrtle Beach wrongful death lawyers at The Mace Firm for a free consultation.

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