A tragic incident in Wyoming County has resulted in the death of a 50-year-old woman who fell from a moving vehicle while attempting to retrieve an item. The accident occurred on September 18 on Hermitage Road in the Town of Orangeville, highlighting the serious dangers that can arise from seemingly simple actions involving moving vehicles.
According to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office, the passenger was riding in a 1989 GMC Step van when she allegedly fell out while trying to remove an item from the vehicle. The van had both sliding side doors open at the time of the incident. The victim sustained serious injuries and was airlifted by Mercy Flight to Erie County Medical Center, where she tragically died from her injuries four days later on September 22. The investigation into this fatal accident remains ongoing. More details can be found in this report on the Wyoming County woman who died after falling from a moving vehicle.
Common Causes of Vehicle Fall Accidents
Vehicle fall accidents, while relatively uncommon, can occur due to various factors and circumstances. Understanding these causes is crucial for prevention and legal considerations:
- Improperly secured or malfunctioning doors - Faulty latches, damaged hinges, or doors that aren't properly closed can lead to unexpected openings
- Vehicle design defects - Some vehicles may have inherent design flaws that make doors more prone to opening unexpectedly
- Unsafe passenger behavior - Attempting to retrieve items, leaning out of vehicles, or not properly securing oneself while the vehicle is in motion
- Driver negligence - Operating a vehicle with open doors, failing to ensure passenger safety, or making sudden movements that could cause passengers to lose balance
- Mechanical failures - Problems with door mechanisms, safety systems, or other vehicle components that are supposed to keep passengers secure
- Inadequate safety equipment - Lack of proper restraints, safety barriers, or warning systems in commercial or specialized vehicles
- Poor vehicle maintenance - Failure to regularly inspect and maintain door systems and safety features
- Improper loading procedures - In commercial vehicles, failing to follow proper protocols for passenger and cargo safety
When negligence on the part of a driver, vehicle manufacturer, maintenance company, or other party contributes to a vehicle fall accident, victims and their families may be entitled to legal compensation for their injuries and losses.
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims in Wyoming County, NY
Vehicle fall accidents can result in devastating injuries or tragic fatalities, often leading to complex personal injury or wrongful death claims. In cases like the Orangeville incident, multiple parties may potentially bear responsibility depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the accident. When a loved one dies due to someone else's negligence, families have the right to pursue wrongful death compensation to help address their profound losses.
Potential liable parties in vehicle fall cases may include the vehicle driver for failing to ensure passenger safety, vehicle manufacturers for defective door systems or safety mechanisms, maintenance companies for inadequate vehicle upkeep, rental or leasing companies for providing unsafe vehicles, and employers in cases involving commercial vehicles where proper safety protocols weren't followed. Each case requires thorough investigation to determine which parties may have contributed to the tragic outcome through their negligent actions or omissions.
Compensation in these cases may cover medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering of both the victim and surviving family members, loss of companionship and support, and in some cases, punitive damages. While no amount of money can truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, these damages aim to provide financial stability and hold responsible parties accountable. Our experienced team at Porter Law Group has successfully recovered compensation for families facing similar tragic circumstances.
Damages and Compensation in Vehicle Accident Cases
Understanding the types of damages available in vehicle fall accident cases is crucial for families seeking justice after a tragic loss. Compensation typically falls into several categories, each designed to address different aspects of the harm suffered.
Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses such as medical bills, emergency room costs, ambulance and air transport fees, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages, and future earning capacity. These damages are calculated based on actual receipts, pay stubs, and expert testimony about the victim's earning potential.
Non-economic damages address the intangible losses that are harder to quantify but equally important. These include pain and suffering endured by the victim, emotional distress experienced by family members, loss of companionship and consortium, and the profound grief associated with losing a loved one. In New York, there's no cap on these damages in most personal injury cases.
Future losses must also be considered, including ongoing medical care that may have been needed, lost retirement benefits, and the long-term financial support the victim would have provided to their family. Expert economists and life care planners often help calculate these projected losses over time.
The purpose of compensation extends beyond just covering expenses - it serves to restore families to their financial position before the tragedy, hold negligent parties accountable for their actions, and deter similar dangerous behavior in the future. Evidence needed to support these claims includes medical records, police reports, witness statements, expert testimony, employment records, and documentation of the family's financial dependency on the victim. Our team works with qualified experts to ensure all damages are properly calculated and presented.
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Why Choose Porter Law Group?
The attorneys at Porter Law Group have decades of experience representing families whose lives have been devastated by tragic vehicle accidents and wrongful death cases. We have obtained some of the largest settlements and verdicts in courts throughout the State of New York, and we understand the complex legal and emotional challenges families face during these difficult times.
Our state-wide firm handles cases with a hometown feel, providing personalized attention while leveraging the resources necessary to take on major insurance companies and corporate defendants. With seasoned trial lawyers who aren't afraid to fight for what's right, Porter Law Group has the experience and determination to help you navigate even the most complex cases against opponents who will stop at nothing to minimize your compensation.
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees and we only get paid when we secure a recovery for you. Our compassionate legal team understands that no amount of money can bring back your loved one, but we're committed to ensuring you receive the full compensation you deserve while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Contact Porter Law Group Today
If you've lost a loved one in a vehicle accident or have been seriously injured due to someone else's negligence, don't wait to seek legal guidance. Time limits apply to personal injury and wrongful death claims in New York, and early action can be crucial to preserving important evidence and protecting your rights.
Contact the experienced legal team at Porter Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us at 833-PORTER9 or email us at info@porterlawteam.com. We serve clients across all of New York State and are ready to fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves. Let us put our knowledge, resources, and dedication to work for you during this challenging time.
