The storefront to a popular hair salon in downtown Brooklyn was part of a chaotic scene that involved the occupants of two cars, a scooter rider and a cyclist. The car collision occurred just before 8 a.m. on the corner of Third Street and Fourth Avenue, which is the location of Elements Hair Salon.
According to police, an SUV and a Pontiac, both with Florida license plates, collided at the intersection, sending the Pontiac into the storefront of the hair salon. The Pontiac also struck a 47-year-old female cyclist and a 30-year-old man on a scooter, both of whom were treated at Methodist Hospital along with three occupants of the SUV. The driver of the Pontiac fled the scene.
According to the Brooklyn Paper report, Fourth Avenue has been treated as a speedway by drivers for some time. The two vehicles involved in the crash both had parking and moving violations, as well as red light tickets.
The high cost of speeding and aggressive driving
Although there were fewer cars on the road in 2020 due to repeated lockdowns and a rise in telecommuting across the country, fatalities surged when factored in as part of the total vehicle miles travelled (VMT).
According to recent reporting of findings from the National Safety Council (NSC), motor vehicle deaths rose by 8% last year, with an estimated 42,060 fatalities. But when factoring in the number of deaths to the VMT, the rate rose to 24%, which is the highest spike in nearly a century.
Experts from the NSC suggest that risky driving behaviors, whether from impaired or distracted driving, driving without a seatbelt or speeding, were the main contributing factors for the increase in fatalities. Findings also show that drivers speeding in excess of 80 miles per hour increased through most of 2020.
Negligence in New York
For New York City residents who have been injured in a traffic accident due to the negligence or reckless driving of another driver, it is possible to sue for pain and suffering and other damages even if they are partially responsible for the accident. The amount they may claim is a percentage of the damages attributable to the defendant.
When pursuing a liability suit, it is essential to have skilled and aggressive legal representation that will help you fight for the maximum compensation that you deserve for your claim.