Former New York City Cop Freed After 10 Years for Drunk Driving Crash

A former New York City police officer was released from prison recently after serving 10 years for his role in a drunk driving crash that killed several members of a family in 2001.

According to news reports, the officer had been drinking heavily and was on his way to the precinct house in Brooklyn when he struck the family with his minivan as they were crossing the street. The victims included a 23-year-old pregnant woman, her 4-year-old son and her 16-year-old sister. Doctors attempted to save the woman’s unborn child via Cesarean section delivery, but the baby did not survive.

When tragedies such as this occur, drunk driving accident victims and their families often find their lives changed forever. Some lose loved ones, while others suffer permanent injuries that interfere with their ability to work and provide for their families. Even those who are fortunate enough to survive and make a full recovery may struggle financially as a result of medical debts and the loss of income during recovery.

In many cases, people injured in drunk driving accidents can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover financial compensation from the person who caused the accident or his or her car insurance company. While no amount of money can undo the damage done in a drunk driving accident, a financial settlement can help give accident victims and their families the resources they need to start putting the pieces back together and move on with their lives.

People injured by drunk drivers in New York may receive compensation for the losses they suffer as a result of the accident, including:

  • Medical expenses
  • Hospitalization
  • Physical therapy or rehabilitation
  • Lost income
  • Pain and suffering

When a person is fatally injured in a drunk driving accident, the victim’s immediate family members may be able to recover damages by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Family members who are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit typically include the victim’s surviving spouse or children, but in some cases may include parents or other relatives. In New York, damages for wrongful death may include:

  • Hospitalization and medical care prior to the victim’s death
  • Funeral expenses
  • Lost income
  • Loss of support
  • The victim’s pain and suffering

To learn more about the legal options that may be available to people who have been injured or lost a loved one in a New York drunk driving accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.