"Investigating an investigation" sounds a little redundant, but that's exactly what some New York City citizens are doing - looking into how the NYPD investigates car crashes that injure or kill pedestrians and bicyclists.
Their concern comes from some rather disturbing statistics. According to Transportation Alternatives, the group looking into the NYPD's crash investigations, 60 percent of fatal pedestrian and bicycle crashes in the city with known causes were caused by dangerous or illegal behavior by the driver. Yet many of these drivers are not charged with a crime.
Transportation Alternatives cites at least 13 instances from 2011 in which pedestrians or cyclists suffered serious or fatal injuries and the driver who purportedly caused the injury was not charged with any sort of crime.
The organization goes on to note that between 2001 and 2010, over 1,700 people were killed while walking or biking, and over 140,000 were injured. In fact, more people are killed every year in NYC by traffic accidents than by guns. Yet according to these concerned citizens, the NYPD is not taking the problem seriously enough and charging the dangerous drivers with crimes. They hope to determine whether police followed department procedures and gave every serious accident a full and fair investigation.
Fortunately, for those who have been injured (or their families, if they were killed), there is another means of legal recourse. In addition to the criminal charges that may be brought against someone for a crime like reckless driving, the person who caused the accident may be liable in a civil suit brought by those who were injured. But a civil suit often relies on information gathered at the time by the investigating officer, so ensuring that the NYPD fully investigates every accident helps to ensure that the injured person or their family later receives the compensation they deserve.
If you or someone you know is injured while walking or biking, it's important to notify the police immediately to ensure a full and fair investigation can take place and those responsible can be identified. As soon as possible afterwards, anyone injured should talk to an experienced personal injury attorney, who can help protect their legal right to compensation for their injuries.
