Horse-drawn carriages are a relatively common sight throughout New York City, especially near Central Park. However, while riding in a carriage may be a fun diversion, it is not always safe.
Earlier this month, a carriage horse bolted when it was spooked by a cement truck near Central Park. The horse took off, dumping its driver, and then headed towards Columbus Circle. The carriage then clipped the bumper of a vehicle, causing it to break apart, throwing the passengers out from their seats. As the carriage broke into pieces, the horse started heading north with what was left of the carriage still attached to it.
The driver suffered minor injuries to his leg, and the passengers were taken to the hospital.
The horse, a 6-year-old draft cross, clipped the rear-view mirror off a taxi during his flight, and was trotting towards home. It even stopped with traffic at a stop light. A pedestrian caught the horse, and led it to a pole, where an officer helped tie the horse up.
After being tranquilized, the horse was taken back to its stable. Apparently the only injury the horse suffered was a scratch to the nose.
Carriage accidents happen, even with the seasoned horses. The accidents are even scarier when they happen in a crowded city environment with no one to control the animal. Fortunately, these types of accidents are rare, but they are dramatic, and people do get hurt.
People who are hurt in a carriage accident have the right to seek legal recourse for the harm that has been done to them. Accident victims can recover damages for losses including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
