More Regulations Needed for Limousine Industry

October 10, 2018 (fredericknewspost.com) An opinion piece on fredericknewspost.com discusses the lack of regulations pertaining to limousines and what needs to change to prevent deadly accidents from continuing to happen.*

On October 6, a limousine crash in upstate New York killed 17 passengers, the limo driver, and two pedestrians. A group of adults had rented the limo for a 30th birthday celebration, and the limo ran through a T-intersection, drove into a parking lot, and smashed into a parked vehicle. Everyone in the limo, including the driver, died in the crash. No one was inside the parked car, but two pedestrians who were standing nearby were also killed. 

Investigation into the crash has revealed that the limo used that day had failed a recent safety inspection, and the limo driver did not have the proper driver’s license to be operating the vehicle. The vehicle was a modified stretch limousine, made from extending a 2001 Ford Excursion. Modified vehicles like this — which are essentially made from sawing the vehicle in half, extending its body, and reworking the interior — can suffer from serious structural integrity issues. 

State and federal standards that apply to unmodified limousines often do not apply to modified limousines, like the one used in the New York crash, which is a problem. But even where standards do apply, limousines typically do not have to have seatbelts for rear-facing passengers and do not have to have side airbags.

To keep passengers safe, more regulations should be placed on the limousine industry, and those regulations should capture both standard and modified vehicles. 

Put Our Law Firm's Over 34 Years Of Legal Experience To Work For Your Case!

If you have been injured in any type of accident caused by someone else’s negligence, call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law for your free consultation today. Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over thirty-four years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville,  Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.

No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour live chat. 

Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law

17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (800) LAW-NEED
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333