A devastating car accident Wednesday morning at 296 4th Avenue in Gowanus has left a 27-year-old passenger in critical condition after being ejected from a Toyota minivan. The multi-vehicle crash involved the minivan, a Prius, and an Access-a-Ride bus.
According to authorities, the minivan driver lost control before striking the Prius, which collided with the bus. The passenger suffered a critical head injury and was transported to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. A second person sustained minor injuries, and a utility pole was damaged at the scene.
Recent research shows that ejected occupants face significantly elevated mortality rates compared with those who remain in vehicles. The fatality rate for those ejected from vehicles during rollover crashes was 95.5%, compared with just 4.7% for those who were not ejected. More broadly, ejected occupants experience mortality rates approximately three to four times higher than non-ejected occupants in motor vehicle crashes.
Seat belt use dramatically reduces ejection risk. According to the most recent data, only 1% of restrained occupants in fatal crashes were totally ejected from their vehicles, compared with 26% of unrestrained occupants. Common ejection injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal organ damage, and severe lacerations, precisely the trauma profile suggested by the Gowanus victim’s head injury.
Rubenstein & Rynecki can help if you have been injured in a crash. Contact us online or call us at 718-522-1020 for a free consultation today. We are located in Brooklyn, NY.
