Four Dead in Fiery East Marion Accident

Four adults were killed in East Marion on February 17 after a head-on collision. Southold police reported that the cars hit each other on Route 25 just west of Truman’s Beach, at about 11:30pm on a Friday night. Both vehicles caught fire, which killed the four passengers. One vehicle, a 2023 Tesla, burned for two hours after the collision. The accident is still under investigation, and accident reconstructionists are working to find out exactly what happened.

Because head-on collisions often cause fatalities or serious injuries, victims or surviving family members often file personal injury claims against the party at fault. Determining liability depends on the exact circumstances of the accident.

Who’s liable for a head-on collision?

There are several parties who can be held liable for head-on collisions. Driver error is by far the most common cause of accidents, whether they lost control of the vehicle, were speeding or attempted to pass other vehicles in an unsafe manner. Drunk, distracted and drowsy driving also frequently cause accidents. Third-party vehicles can hit one car and push other vehicles into oncoming traffic.

However, sometimes other parties are to blame. Vehicle manufacturers can be held responsible for defects which cause accident and injury. Negligent repair shops may be liable if substandard work is to blame for an accident. In some cases, local, state or federal agencies may be responsible for dangerous road design. Even passengers can play a role when they grab the wheel or otherwise interfere with the driver’s ability to control the car.

If you were in a head-on collision, working with a personal injury attorney can help you recover the compensation to which you’re entitled. Reach out to the experienced personal injury attorneys at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP today for a consultation.