Tom Brokaw involved in a fatal car crash, escapes unhurt

Monday, 14 December 2009

The star-power of Tom Brokaw and his wife make a fatal three-car accident a bigger news story outside of New York than auto accident attorney David Perecman believes it might have been. He appreciates the wider reach of the story for its educational value.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - December 7, 2009 - Former NBC anchor and managing editor Tom Brokaw and his wife were involved in a fatal auto accident that occurred on the Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx section of New York.

Even though this accident resulted in a fatality, news like this usually remains local to New York. However, this story made national news due to the involvement of Brokaw.

"Hundreds of fatal auto accidents don't get reported by the news, but, every time one is, it provides a better education for us all," said David Perecman, a New York auto accident attorney.

The tragic smashup, details of which can be seen on the local news , involved three cars. The initial cause of the accident was a spool of cable that had fallen in the road. Suejas Estrada swerved to avoid the road debris, lost control of her SUV, and struck a U.S. Postal Service mail truck. The mail truck then catapulted across the median before the Brokaws' car collided with it. The SUV overturned and Estrada was thrown from the vehicle and off the elevated expressway where she died from her 60-foot fall to the train tracks below. Brokaw and his wife were unhurt in the accident.

As reported by the New York Daily News , police said Estrada was speeding and it was unclear whether she was wearing a seat belt.

"The lesson in this Bronx auto accident", attorney Perecman said, "is to remember the basics: always wear a seatbelt and make sure you secure anything you carry on your vehicle."

According to New York auto accident attorneys, the police should be investigating where the spool of cable originated.

"While any loss of life is tragic, I, and the other New York auto accident attorneys at my firm, hope that the lessons earned from this accident are not lost on the people who read about this incident. We'd certainly prefer less people injured or killed over more clients," said Perecman.

About David Perecman and The Perecman Firm, PLLC:

For the past 30 years, the New York auto accident attorneys, personal injury, construction accident, and medical malpractice attorneys at The Perecman Firm, PLLC have championed all types of cases for auto accidents. David Perecman, founder of the Firm, is a Board Director and the past Secretary and Treasurer of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA) and a chair of its Labor Law Committee. Mr. Perecman's achievements have brought him recognition as an Honoree in the National Law Journal's Hall of Fame, in New York Magazine's "The Best Lawyers in America" and The New York Times Magazine "New York Super Lawyers, Metro Edition" for the years 2007-2010.

The Firm has recovered millions of dollars for its clients. Among the more recent victories, Mr. Perecman won a $15 million verdict* for a construction accident, a $5.35 million dollar verdict** for an automobile accident, and a $40 million dollar structured settlement for medical malpractice.

*later settled while on appeal for $7.940 million
** later settled for $3.5 million
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