Police are continuing to investigate a tragic vehicle accident in which two adults and two children lost their lives.   Apparently, a minivan carrying three children crashed head-on into an oncoming SUV.  The driver of the minivan died at the scene of the accident, and two of the children died later at the hospital.  The third child remains hospitalized.  The SUV driver succumbed to her injuries shortly after the accident.  The accident occurred Saturday afternoon on Airport Road near Binghamton, NY. 

Our New York automobile accident attorneys extend our condolences to all the families involved in this accident.  

According to the latest American traffic fatality data, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports the number of fatalities is at the lowest level in more than six decades.  In fact, 2010 saw the lowest fatality rate ever recorded with 32,885 highway deaths.  Unfortunately, too many lives are still lost in devastating car accidents. 

New York saw 1,200 traffic fatalities in 2010, according to NHTSA’s “Traffic Safety Facts: New York 2006-2010” study.  This figure is slightly up from the 1,158 deaths recorded in 2009.  The figures for the previous four years are: 1,454 in 2006, 1,332 in 2007, and 1,238 in 2008. 

Of the 625 passenger fatalities in New York car accidents in 2010, 342 of the deceased were wearing proper safety restraints; 190 of them were not; and in 93 cases the use of safety restraints was not known.  The NHTSA estimates 445 New York lives were saved due to seat belt use.  Further, the agency predicts an additional 86 lives could have been saved if properly restrained. 

NHTSA’s mission is to reduce crash-related injuries and fatalities while ensuring the highest standards of safety on the nation’s roadways.  To that end, NHTSA Administrator David L. Strickland, relies on the results of the yearly traffic accident data to ensure America’s roadways are deemed safer each year.  In December, Strickland said of the Traffic Safety Facts report, “Data is the lifeblood of our safety work at NHTSA. And our work in changing driver attitudes and behavior behind the wheel is grounded in that data, which lays the foundation for sound science and careful engineering.” 

Our NY personal injury attorneys will continue to keep you apprised of the latest traffic data and safety efforts in place in New York.  We will also continue to encourage drivers to stay alert and to drive defensively when traveling on New York highways.  Please remove all distractions, wear proper safety restraints and never drink and drive.  

Contact Our NY Accident Lawyers Today

Experience counts.  If you or a loved one has suffered at the hands of a reckless or negligent driver in New York, contact the Law Offices of Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates, LLP today for a review of your case. There is no cost to you for the initial call.

Call our 24-hour answering service at (800) 825-5229 or submit our online contact form.  We have offices in Rochester, Elmira, Syracuse, Watertown or online at www.1800talklaw.com.