Syracuse Personal Injury Law Blog
Car accidents can cause life-changing injuries, or even fatalities, for those involved. The causes of car accidents are highly situational. Sometimes inclement weather can create hazardous road conditions, while at other times the negligence of the driver or other drivers on the road can be the cause of an accident. A recent New York car accident case involving a young Brooklyn woman centered around whether the driver of the vehicle, in which she was the passenger, was negligent when he fell asleep while driving.
As mentioned above, the plaintiff was injured in a 2012 car accident when the driver of the vehicle, a Chevrolet Equinox, fell asleep at the wheel. He swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with a mini-van, killing a passenger, an elderly woman. The driver of that vehicle survived the crash. The plaintiff allegedly suffered severe, lifelong spinal injuries. Her symptoms included losing feeling in her legs. She also requires the use of leg braces for mobility purposes. Moreover, her physicians allegedly advised her that as she progresses in age, her condition will grow worse, and eventually she will completely lose the ability to walk as a result of her injuries. Following the car accident, she was forced to withdraw from college, where she was receiving an Ivy League education, and see a therapist about depression issues.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the driver for falling asleep at the wheel, likely alleging negligence under New York law. Her case went to trial in Manhattan Supreme Court, where a jury of six, following a three-week trial, awarded the plaintiff $71 million in damages for future medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and past pain and suffering.
The jury’s award is a reflection of the severity of the plaintiff’s spinal injuries. As a result of the car accident, she had to completely change her life and forego a college education at Cornell University. Moreover, the medical costs for surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care related to her spinal injuries are a tremendous financial burden. Although commentators noted that the plaintiff’s verdict was one of the largest for a New York car accident jury award, the damages are aimed at paying for medical expenses and other costs that the plaintiff will incur over the course of her lifetime.
Spinal cord injuries can dramatically transform a person and their family’s lives. If you or a loved one has experienced a life-changing spinal cord injury, we ask that you contact one of the experienced Syracuse personal injury attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano, LLP to discuss your legal options. We may be able to assist you in receiving compensation for your or a loved one’s injuries. To speak with an experienced Syracuse, New York personal injury lawyer in confidence, call 833-200-2000 or get in touch online today.
More Blog Posts:
New York car accident claims the lives of two people, Syracuse Personal Injury Blog, June 26, 2017
Coping with a spinal cord injury, Syracuse Personal Injury Blog, March 13, 2017
Car accident personal injury cases come in many shapes and sizes, Syracuse Personal Injury Blog, December 31, 2015