Dangerous U-Turns Continue to Happen on Road 2 Years After Major Limo Crash
Two years after a limousine accident on the North Fork in Long Island caused the deaths of four women, investigators have determined that dangerous U-turns continue to be an issue plaguing the area. In response, residents have demanded greater safety measures to prevent future crashes from occurring.
Southold Police Chief Martin Flatley says his department has responded to seven accidents at Depot Lane and County Road 48 since January 2016. Most of these have been T-bone accidents at the intersection, typically when a car either turns or attempts to make a U-turn in front of another vehicle. This exact type of accident occurred July 18, 2015, when four women riding in a limousine during a birthday celebration were killed when the limo driver made a U-turn at the intersection and was T-boned by a pickup truck.
Police have since encouraged limos and buses to avoid making U-turns at the same intersection, even though it’s legal to do so. However, cameras have regularly caught tour and party buses routinely making that same turn.
Safety advocates believe installing a turning-arrow traffic light could eliminate the dangers posed at the intersection. The district attorney has endorsed the installation of such a light, but the recommendation was rejected after studies by Suffolk County traffic, who say the traffic counts do not warrant a signal.
Government agencies may be liable for auto accidents
Although somewhat rare, there are some circumstances in which a local or state agency may be at least partially liable for injuries stemming from car crashes. If investigators find that an accident was due to a poorly maintained road or confusing traffic signals, injured parties could attempt to seek damages from the agency in charge of the road, street or highway in question.
For more information on your legal options if you have been injured in an auto accident, contact a trusted personal injury attorney with Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP.