Bus Crash in Upstate New York Kills One, Injures 8

Monday, 06 July 2009

A bus transporting passengers to several upstate prisons crashed near Lake George on Sunday morning, killing one passenger and injuring seven others, as well as the driver, The New York Times reports.

According to police and fire officials, the bus crashed near Exit 21 on Interstate 87 early Sunday morning and was found flipped on its side near the median. Curtrice E. Gravitt, the 33-year-old woman who died in the crash, was somehow propelled out a window and was found trapped underneath the side of the bus.

Seven injured passengers were taken to Glens Falls Hospital where they were treated for a variety of injuries, some quite severe. At least two passengers required surgery and another was in serious condition at the hospital's intensive-care unit. The bus driver sustained only minor injuries.

While police are still investigating the accident, it seems the bus's left front tire blew out or suddenly deflated, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The Times was unable to reach the bus's operator, Angelic Tours and Shuttles Inc., for comment.

New York auto accident lawyers familiar with the state's outdated wrongful death laws know Ms. Gravitt's family will not receive just compensation for its loss. The state's wrongful death laws only cover pecuniary - financial - loss. As anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one can attest, financial loss is hardly the only hardship one endures. Unfortunately, the law does not reflect this reality.

[ The New York Times]