Drivers who get behind the wheel owe a legal duty of care to their passengers that basically requires them to keep them from unnecessary risk of harm.  It's doubtful that a 16-year-old driver would understand this legal nuance, but tragic reality hit yesterday when a young driver was speeding recklessly down a residential street and got into a horrific Brooklyn car accident that took the life of his 13-year-old passenger who was in the back seat.

The latest fatal Brooklyn car accident occurred yesterday at about 2:30 p.m. when 16-year-old Eric Hakimisefat was driving at what was estimated at more than 60 miles per hour in a 30 miles per hour zone on East 23rd Street near Avenue P in Midwood.  The driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a parked car, a tree and finally a house.  The result of the impact inflicted mortal head injuries on 13-year-old Sarah Erdan, who died after the accident at a local hospital.  The driver and another passenger suffered minor injuries.

New York Car Accident Statistics

First and foremost, we'd like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of the girl who was killed.  Sitting as a passenger in the back seat of a car that's being driven recklessly is a helpless situation, and her loss is tragic.  In addition, this incident will now become part of the overall statistics regarding New York car accidents.  Every year, approximately 187,000 people are injured and more than 1,200 are killed in these occurrences.

New York Wrongful Death Lawyers

The driver has been charged with reckless endangerment, speeding, operating a vehicle out of class, and criminally negligent homicide.  These are obviously serious charges, but the family of the girl who was killed could also file a New York wrongful death lawsuit in response to this tragedy.  If such a lawsuit was filed and proved successfully, the family could be awarded damages that compensate them for their losses, both financial and emotional in nature.

If you have lost someone you love because of reckless driving, seek the help of New York car accident lawyers who have been holding these types of drivers accountable for their actions for nearly 40 years.  Contact Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald today to schedule a free initial consultation.