In 2017 on Long Island alone, there were over 36 bicycle related motor vehicle accidents resulting in fatalities.  As bicyclists increase, drivers of motor vehicles have an increasing responsibility to be more aware of those two wheelers who share our streets.  All too often, children bicyclists become victims of inattentive drivers.

Liga De Justicia was retained on a case wherein a ten (10) year little girl fell victim to an inattentive driver.  The story starts as innocent as any when children are playing.  Our client was riding her bicycle on her block with her two friends.  They were playing a game they played many times in the past.  At one point she was standing still, straddling her bicycle in the street at the end of her friend’s driveway, close to the curb.  Her head was turned facing her friend who shouted out a warning not to move as there was a car approaching.  The little girl stood right where she was, unmoving as the vehicle came down the block.

Unfortunately the driver was moving at a rate of speed too fast for the residential area and struck our client. The horrific events that occurred immediately after this incident were recorded in testimony not only from the driver who hit her, but her two minor friends that suffered the horror of witnessing the accident.  The driver testified that he wasn’t even aware of the children’s presence on the street.  He admitted that he didn’t even know he hit a child with his jeep.  The little girl’s friend who issued the warning testified to watching the accident occur and seeing her friend strike her head on the rear tire of the jeep.  Our client’s friend immediately shouted for help and her brother, who was on the street with them, ran for help.  

Our client’s mother arrived at the scene to find her daughter unconscious yet breathing.  Helpless, she took her daughter’s hand and waited for the paramedics.   When they arrived on scene, they assessed her injuries and immediately transported her to Stony Brook University Hospital.  Her daughter was taken into surgery that night, however the physicians informed her chances of survival were minimal.  Our client tragically passed away at the hospital two days after the accident.  

Nothing can erase the tragedy suffered by the family members, nor will the young witnesses to this accident ever forget the events of that day which they were forced to endure.  However, Liga De Justicia was retained to obtain a recovery for the family of our deceased client. Despite our successful legal recourse, the events of that day are forever burned into the family’s minds and hearts as nothing can restore the loss that they sustained

Liga De Justicia was able to recover a settlement in the amount of $275,000.00 which is made up of $100,000.00 which is the maximum recoverable amount of the driver’s motor vehicle policy, $150,000.00 from the owner of the house in front of which our client was standing and $25,000.00 from the town in which the accident occurred. 

The family informed us that they will be using the proceeds from these funds to pay for the college education of the siblings of our deceased client.

It is every driver’s responsibility to stay alert, to be responsible, to keep a look out for not only pedestrians but those on bicycles as well.  Innocent people are hurt every day due to driver inattention, however responsible drivers can reduce those numbers.

To read this article in Spanish, visit: CASO DE NIÑA EN BICICLETA ATROPELLADA POR UN AUTO EN LONG ISLAND, NY