$1.5 Million Wrongful Death Settlement in Manhattan

Raphaelson & Levine secured a $1.5 million settlement for the family of an 88-year-old Manhattan woman who was fatally struck by an Access-A-Ride van at Canal Street and Allen Street.

A Fatal Pedestrian Accident at Canal and Allen in Manhattan

On a September day in 2023, an 88-year-old woman was crossing at the intersection of Canal Street and Allen Street in Lower Manhattan when an Access-A-Ride van making a right turn struck her. Despite being lawfully in the crosswalk, she was knocked to the ground by the van's impact. Emergency responders rushed her to Bellevue Hospital, but her injuries proved fatal.

The driver, an Access-A-Ride employee, was charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. He remained at the scene and received a desk appearance ticket — but for the family, no criminal charge could undo the loss of their loved one.

Holding the City Accountable for a Manhattan Wrongful Death

Wrongful death claims against the City of New York require filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days and navigating the municipality's aggressive legal defenses. Our wrongful death attorneys moved quickly to preserve evidence, including intersection surveillance footage, the driver's employment and training records, and the police report documenting the failure to yield.

Access-A-Ride vehicles serve some of New York's most vulnerable residents, and the drivers operating them have an elevated duty of care — especially at busy Manhattan intersections where elderly pedestrians need additional time to cross. Our investigation showed the driver failed to check for pedestrians before executing the turn, a basic obligation he disregarded.

$1.5 Million for a Manhattan Wrongful Death Victim's Family

The $1.5 million settlement provides the family with compensation for their loss, including funeral expenses and the profound grief of losing a loved one to preventable negligence. While no amount of money can replace a life, this result holds the city accountable for the conduct of its drivers.

"Our client’s family deserved answers, accountability, and justice. That is exactly what we fought to deliver." — Howard Raphaelson, Partner at Raphaelson & Levine

If your family has lost a loved one due to a negligent driver in New York, our wrongful death attorneys have the experience and determination to hold the responsible parties accountable, and are ready to review your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.