The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

On Sunday, a woman driving a minivan with two of her children and three nieces got on the Taconic State Parkway traveling the wrong direction. She hit another car head-on, then went sideways into a third vehicle before rolling down an embankment and bursting into flames. But this car accident was not an isolated incident. It was the second crash that day involving a vehicle traveling the wrong direction on the Taconic State Parkway. Could a defective roadway have contributed to both these crashes and the wrongful death of 8 people, including 4 children?

The Taconic State Parkway was begun in 1927 as the "Bronx Parkway Extension," after the route was approved by the New York State Legislature in 1923. Construction on the highway continued through 1963, linking homes in the scenic New York countryside with New York City. However, rapid population growth along the highway has also dramatically increased traffic. Some communities along the highway saw growth of 25% or more from 1990-2000, and along with them traffic on the highway grew over 200% in one section from 1978-1998. This increased traffic caused the New York State Department of Transportation to launch a program of closing crossings and instituting road improvements in 2002-2003. However, a poll of New York Daily News readers indicates about a 50-50 split on whether the highway is still too dangerous.

Although police are still exploring contributing factors to the fatal crash, including the possibility that the driver was sick and disoriented, the fact remains that old roadways can become extremely dangerous when population growth contributes to increased traffic. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident on a dangerous road, the New York personal injury lawyers at The Cochran Firm are prepared to help you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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