New York Vehicle Accidents What New Yorkers Should Know About Road Safety

The City That Never Sleeps…

As the largest city in the United States and the home to millions, New York City is one of the busiest hubs of activity in the world. With this constant stream of activity comes the increased likelihood of accidents. In a city that draws energy from pedestrians, bicyclists, taxicabs, passenger cars and public transportation, it’s no surprise that there are a large number of accidents in both New York City and the state of New York.

Why Accidents Occur

There are multiple contributing factors involved in most vehicle accidents. However, as we’ll see, the majority of accidents are the result of driver error. The fact that so many people are seriously injured or killed by another’s negligence highlights the need for all of us to be as vigilant as possible in our driving practices. Let’s take a closer look at the many different types of vehicle accidents people encounter in New York.

Types of Accidents (By Vehicle Type)

In 2014, New York police departments reported a total of 265,829 crashes in New York State. There were also over 1,000 fatalities in New York vehicle crashes. Since the majority of vehicles on the road are passenger cars, they are involved in a large percentage of accidents. However, there are a great number of vehicle accidents involving other vehicle types. CMV/Large Truck Accidents. There were 11,848 crashes involving large trucks in 2014 in New York, and 79 fatalities in large truck accidents.

Motorcycle Accidents. In 2014, there were 4,750 motorcycle crashes in New York.

Pedestrian Accidents. In 2014, there were 14,952 vehicle crashes involving pedestrians, leading to 268 pedestrian deaths.

Bicycle Accidents. In 2014, there were 5,827 vehicle crashes involving bicyclists, resulting in the deaths of 47 cyclists.

Types of Collisions

Rear-end Collisions. These are some of the most common of all accidents. In fact, 30 percent of all collisions are rear-end collisions. They are especially dangerous for the rearmost passengers in large vehicles, such as SUVs, vans or buses.

Head-on Collisions. Head-on collisions are perhaps the most dangerous type of vehicle accident. Every year in New York, there are 6,000 head-on collisions, frequently caused by driver fatigue, distraction or driving too fast around a curve.

T-Bone Collisions. These accidents often leave victims with severe injuries and are more likely to involve multiple vehicles. T-Bone accidents cause 325 fatalities every year.

Rollover Accidents. New York rollover accidents led to 144 fatalities in 2014. While these accidents often involve a single vehicle, they can cause serious to fatal injuries and lead to multiple-vehicle accidents.

Common Injuries in New York Vehicle Accidents Broken Bones. One of the most common forms of injury in serious vehicle accidents is a fractured bone. This can range from broken wrists to fractured spinal cords.

Organ Damage. Internal damage is extremely dangerous due to the fact that it is often so difficult to detect. Internal damage in vehicle accidents may include injuries to kidneys, the spleen, lungs and intestines.

Spinal Cord Injuries. Damage to the spinal cord can have long-lasting implications ranging from impaired motor function to paralysis. These injuries are some of the most costly to treat, often costing victims millions of dollars over a lifetime of care.

Brain Injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can also be difficult to detect, though the results can be just as disastrous as more apparent injuries. TBI can lead to impaired mental functions, memory loss, paralysis and death.

Burns. Perhaps the most painful of all injuries is a severe burn, which can lead to physical impairment, disfigurement and death. Burns are very expensive injuries to treat, not only upon initial treatment but also for ongoing care.

Human Factors In New York Vehicle Accidents

Nearly 80 percent of New York crashes in 2014 were caused by driver error. The top 4 causes were:

1. Driver Inattention/Distracted Driving: 19.1 percent

2. Following Too Closely: 17.1 percent3. Failure to Yield Right of Way: 15.7 percent4. Unsafe Speed: 10.9 percent

Other human factors contributing to vehicle accidents include drowsy driving, impaired driving and reckless driving practices.

Vehicular Factors In New York Accidents

Defective or faulty vehicle parts also contributed to a number of accidents in New York in 2014. Here are the top 3 vehicle-related causes of accidents:1. Defective Brakes: Caused 0.7 percent of

vehicle accidents (1,812 crashes)2. Tire Failure: Caused 0.6 percent of vehicle

accidents (1,417 crashes)3. Oversized Vehicle: Caused 0.3 percent of

vehicle accidents (758 crashes)

Environmental Factors In New York Vehicle Accidents

Over 58,000 vehicle crashes were caused by environmental factors in 2014. The top 3 such causes are:

1. Slippery Pavement: 10 percent2. Presence of Animal Leads to

Crash: 9.1 percent3. Obstructed or Limited View: 2

percent

Pedestrian Accidents in New YorkOne of the biggest concerns in New York City is pedestrian safety, due to the high number of walkers and vehicles on our city’s streets. An analysis of pedestrian fatalities in downstate New York shows the most dangerous roads from 2011 to 2013...

Route 25 in Suffolk County - Middle Country Road, Jericho Turnpike, East Main Street and Main Road - 20 fatalities

Route 24 in Nassau County - Hempstead Turnpike, Fulton Avenue and Conklin Street - 11 fatalities

Grand Concourse in the Bronx - 10 fatalities Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn - 10 fatalities Merrick Road in Nassau County - 9 fatalities Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens - 9 fatalities Route 110 in Suffolk County - New York Avenue, Broadhollow

Road and Broadway - 9 fatalities

Subway and Taxicab Accidents in NYC

Subway accidents. There were 248 subway deaths in New York City between 2011 and 2014. While many fatalities are the result of violence around subways, injuries can be caused by gaps between a platform and the subway’s door, improperly closing doors and lack of or improper maintenance of subways.

Taxicab accidents. While taxicabs are generally safe rides for New Yorkers, accidents do occur. In 2009, for example, there were 4,093 taxicab-related accidents. Many injuries occur when a passenger strikes the partitions separating the back and front seats of the cab.

What To Do After A Vehicle Accident…

Contact emergency services to notify the police.

If someone is injured, notify emergency services to send help.

If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accident.

Ask witnesses for their contact information. Save all receipts and medical bills relating

to your accident.

What Not To Do After A Vehicle Accident…

Admit fault for the accident. Leave the scene of the accident. Move your car (unless instructed by

authorities to do so). Accept a deal with the other driver or

insurance company without consulting with your attorney.

Commit anything to writing without first consulting with your attorney.

Have You Been Injured?If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York vehicle accident, you might be able to receive compensation for the damages you have suffered. Contact the New York City vehicle accident lawyers at Kaplan Lawyers P.C. and ask for a free consultation as soon as possible. We’re here to help.