Abogado de Accidentes de Bronx

2 Die and One is Injured in Queens in a Weekend Traffic Accident

Accidentes? Abogados 800-893-9645

Michael Fernandez and Jennifer Manthorne lost their lives when they fell from their motorcycle in Astoria. Witnesses said the motorcycle ran into the back of an SUV while trying to overtake it. The person driving the SUV was a 56-year-old woman, who was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

According to news sources, Fernandez had increased speed with the aim of overtaking the SUV, but instead of passing ended up rear-ending the SUV. Fernandez was later found to have an out of date license and his motorcycle was also discovered to be unregistered at the time of the accident.

This tragic accident is a timely reminder of how serious a rear end collision can be if the following vehicle is speeding. This accident was so serious that there were two fatalities, as the rider and his passenger were thrown clear of the motorcycle incurring such serious injuries that loss of life was inevitable. These are the most common type of accidents with around 2.5 million read end collisions every year.

Many times, these types of accidents occur because a driver has been distracted. However, in this recent accident, misjudgment seems to have been the cause. The driver of the motorcycle thought that by accelerating he could pass the SUV, but instead he ran into the back of it at an uncomfortably high speed with tragic consequences.

When a rear end collision takes place, the driver or passengers of the vehicle in front, are thrust forward on impact. This can result in soft-tissue injuries. The sudden movement back and forth can cause soft-tissue injuries, such as whiplash.  Whiplash is one of those injuries that can appear days after the incident and can be and extremely painful.  

If a soft tissue injury does not clear up by themselves, doctors often recommend an MRI. The MRI will usually reveal any disc bulges or herniations.

In many cases a rear end collision has obvious liability. The driver (or motorcycle rider, as in this case) who hits the back of the vehicle in front is usually found to have the majority of negligence and is therefore responsible for the incident. It is part of a driver’s responsibility to maintain a lookout all the time, keep a safe distance behind the vehicle being followed, and act appropriately as the need arises.

If you, or a member of your family, have been injured in a rear end collision in New York and it was not your fault, you should call our New York City and Bronx County car accident lawyers at 800-893-9645.