New York Man Faces Charges After Lost Wheel Kills Bus Passenger

Of all the various traffic tickets you might receive in New York, mechanical violations may seem quite minor. One might argue that a defective headlight or a damaged bumper is hardly a major issue. However, failing to maintain your vehicle can lead to serious crashes in New York. A New York man is now facing criminal charges after his wheel detached, struck a bus, and killed a passenger. What if you lost a loved one under similar circumstances? Can you file a wrongful death lawsuit in New York?

Wheel Comes Loose and Kills Bus Passenger

In May of 2024, a driver’s wheel came loose on the Garden City Skyway and struck a pickup truck. The wheel then went past the pickup and straight through the windshield of a coach bus. The wheel impacted the bus with such force that it killed one passenger inside and severely injured at least three others. After the crash, the road was shut down for hours while authorities tried to respond. 

In the aftermath of this crash, the driver who lost his wheel was charged with various offenses in Canada. Since the crash technically occurred on the Canadian side of the Skyway, this is being handled by Canadian authorities. 

However, the same basic principles remain the same in the United States. If a driver’s wheel comes loose and causes someone’s death, they may be charged with various criminal offenses. More importantly, failing to maintain your vehicle may be an example of negligence. As a result, it could lead to a wrongful death lawsuit. 

Suing for a Death Caused by Improper Vehicle Maintenance in New York

If a defendant fails to maintain their vehicle and your loved one dies as a result, you could potentially file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, you need to establish causation between the improper maintenance and your loved one’s injuries. In other words, you must prove that the fatal injuries would not have happened if the vehicle was in good condition. 

In the case of a loose wheel, the causational link is clear and obvious. If there is a vehicle with a missing wheel near the fatal accident, it should not be difficult to establish the connection between the negligent motorist and the fatality. Authorities will know exactly where the wheel came from. 

You might also file a wrongful death lawsuit for different kinds of improper maintenance. For example, your loved one might have died because another driver failed to maintain their brakes. In the case of a truck accident, loose cargo might fall from the trailer and impact a vehicle, causing catastrophic injuries. 

Find a Wrongful Death Lawyer in New York

If you have been searching for an experienced wrongful death lawyer in New York, look no further than The Glassman Law Group. Over the years, we have guided numerous grieving families to justice, compensation, and closure. We know how life-altering a fatal accident can be, and we can help you hold negligent motorists accountable. Failing to maintain a vehicle can have fatal consequences. Book your consultation today to discuss your next steps.