The end of the year brings a time for giving thanks and celebrating. Many students consider at least one of their teachers to be something they are grateful for, and so many gifts find their way to schools around the nation as children express their fondness for them. One New York family is grieving after their son was recently struck and killed in a truck accident while he was taking his present to his teacher.

The 8-year-old boy and his 11-year-old sister were just a short distance away from their school. They were in the process of crossing the street in what many local residents referred to as a dangerous crosswalk when a tractor-trailer struck and killed the young boy. Though it was not immediately available, it appears that the boy's sister was not injured, since she rushed home to tell her parents what had happened.

Due to the children's close proximity to the school, one of the assistant principals had seen the entire tragedy take place, and she raced to try to help the boy. She even accompanied him to the hospital in the ambulance. The young boy was unfortunately pronounced dead at the hospital.

The driver of the truck was arrested on several charges, including operating a vehicle without a license. While nothing can replace this New York family's loss, they are protected under state law and may have the right to seek compensation for their loss in this truck accident. If the driver's actions are proved to be reckless or negligent, a successfully litigated wrongful death claim can help cover medical bills and final expenses that the family incurred. In addition, with such a young child involved, parents may wish to seek loss of companionship in addition to pain and suffering.

Source: NY Daily News, Queens family mourns 8-year-old killed by unlicensed truck driver in Woodside, Alfred Ng, Barry Paddock and Corinne Lestch, Dec. 20, 2013