There have been several studies and countless efforts made by groups and individuals from all walks of life to begin to curb the practice of sending and receiving text messages while driving.  Despite all of these efforts and laws that have been passed in several states that outlaw this practice, drivers continue to engage in this conduct despite the obvious risk it presents.  Tragically, a man delivering Chinese food was critically injured by a driver who was texting on Sunday night in a Brooklyn car accident.

According to authorities, this Brooklyn car accident occurred on Sunday evening in Midwood, Brooklyn at the corner of Avenue P and East 17th Street.  Tian Sheng Lin, 53, was delivering Chinese food on a scooter when he attempted to turn left from Avenue P onto 17th Street.  19-year-old Nechama Rothberger was following him in her Toyota sedan and waiting to make the same turn when she became distracted by her phone that had received a text message.  As a result, she slammed into the man on the scooter and the injuries from the crash left him brain dead.  The driver of the Toyota was still responding to text messages when police arrived on the scene a few minutes later.

New York Car Accident Statistics

First, we'd like to extend our condolences to the man who was permanently injured.  Brain death is a horrible fate to suffer, particularly when such a circumstance was so avoidable.  In addition, this Brooklyn car accident will only add to the overall statistics regarding New York car accidents.  Every year, approximately 187,000 people are injured and more than 1,200 are killed as a result of these occurrences.

New York Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

The driver of the Toyota was charged with a misdemeanor count of reckless driving and a violation for driving while using a mobile phone.  While these could be problematic for her, this development does not prevent the family of the man who was injured from filing a New York personal injury lawsuit against the driver.  If such a claim was filed and was successful, damages could be awarded for medical costs, lost income and other forms of damages.

If you or someone you love has been harmed by a distracted driver, you need to seek the help of New York personal injury lawyers who have been successfully standing up for the rights of injured people for nearly 40 years.  Contact Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald today to schedule a free initial consultation.