Bohdan Spiegowski Queens: Bohdan Spiegowski Killed In Queens Amazon Delivery Van Accident On Stanhope Street near Fairview Avenue
QUEENS, NEW YORK (December 19, 2019) – A 66-year-old man identified as Bohdan Spiegowski has tragically died in a car accident with an Amazon Prime Delivery Van on Stanhope Street by Fairview Avenue.
New York Police Department officials are saying that the accident took place around 5:00 p.m. on December 9th. Bohdan Spiegowski was walking less than a block away from his home when he was hit by a 2019 Ram 3500 Promaster Amazon Delivery Van.
Bohdan Spiegowski was hit with the front passenger side windshield of the van as he was trying to cross Stanhope Street. The driver of the Amazon Prime Delivery van remained at the scene as officers began to investigate.
Photographs of the scene show multiple investigators working in the rain, though it is unclear if inclement weather may have played a factor in the crash.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the Queens accident in order to help Bohdan Spiegowski. He was transported to the Elmhurst Hospital with a major head injury.
Despite life-saving measures the victim died at the hospital three days after the accident. An investigation into the fatal pedestrian accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Queens Amazon Prime Delivery Van Accidents
Amazon is one of the largest online retailers in the world. They work extremely hard to deliver sold goods to their customers as quickly as possible, but their is an all too human cost for this speed. According to an investigation by the New York Times and ProPublica, “At least 10 people have died from Amazon delivery related accidents since 2015. […] The investigation sheds light on Amazon’s network of contract delivery drivers, which are enlisted to help fulfill its speedy shipping promises but from which it sheds all responsibility from when a crisis occurs.” This is done by Amazon hiring “contract” drivers as opposed to employees. There are a number of reasons that these accidents take place:
- An intersection may have an obstructed line of sight thereby putting pedestrians at risk.
- Delivery drivers may not be properly trained or hired.
- Delivery drivers may speed in order to deliver packages on time. Amazon requires its subcontractors to make 999 out of 1000 deliveries on time.
- Delivery drivers may fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians in lawfully marked crosswalks.
- Delivery drivers may hit pedestrians by making dangerous or illegal left turns.
Delivery drivers that hit pedestrians while making left turns will typically be held at fault for an accident. According to New York Vehicle & Traffic Law (Sec. 1411), “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.” It’s important that evidence is properly collected and preserved after an accident. Accident reconstruction can help piece together how a collision occurred even in the direct absence of video surveillance or eye witness testimony.
The family of any victim that died in an accident with an Amazon Delivery Van are protected by a number of laws. For example, a victim’s next of kin will typically have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a wrongful death claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. The statute applies to the victim’s spouse, children, parents as well as siblings. Unfortunately, Amazon and their subcontractors will often fight vigorously to deny liability for accidents involving their vehicles. A car accident attorney can investigate your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Queens Amazon Prime Delivery Van Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our deepest condolences to the family of Bohdan Spiegowski. Any person that may have seen the accident should come forward and speak with the NYPD as they continue their investigation. It is our sincere hope that measures are put in place to help prevent additional accidents like this. Amazons pursuit of profits must not come at the expense of people.
