The NYPD reports that there were 16,931 motor vehicle collisions in New York City in 2019. According to the citywide motor vehicle collisions report, there were various contributing factors in the 3,878 injury and fatal collisions, some factors were more common than others.
Contributing Factors in NYC Car Accidents
Traffic congestion is a mainstay on NYC roads, which increases a driver’s risk for being involved in a car accident. Other contributing factors include poor road design, including potholes, blind curves, and missing road signs, and adverse weather conditions, like snow and ice during the winter months.
NYPD Citywide Collision Report Statistics
In New York, a police report must be filed for accidents that result in injury or death, or at least $1,000 worth of damage. The NYPD compiles those reports and provides monthly statistical information on motor vehicle collisions throughout the city. According to the NYPD, the most common causes of accidents in NYC include:
- Failure to yield
- Improper passing or lane usage
- Passing or following too closely
- Turning improperly
- Unsafe lane changes
- Reversing unsafely
- Disregarding traffic control
- Driver inexperience
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Motor vehicle traffic accidents are a leading cause of death and unintentional injury in the United States, contributing factors in these accidents vary considerably. Some other common causes of accidents in NYC and across the country include distracted driving, drunk driving, and speeding.
Distracted Driving
The CDC reports that each day in the United States, approximately nine people are killed in car accidents that involved distracted drivers. As more technological distractions are presented, drivers are increasingly distracted by cell phones, navigation systems, and other smart devices. According to the December 2019 NYPD report, 5,338 vehicles were involved in injury and fatal collisions involving driver inattention or distraction.
Alcohol
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increases the risk of being in a car crash. The blood alcohol limit for drivers in NYC is .08 percent; however, any amount of alcohol can cause impairment. Alcohol or drug consumption can have negative impacts on driving ability, such as reduced coordination, slowed reaction times, and impaired judgment. The CDC estimates that 29 people in the United States are killed every day in accidents that involved alcohol-impaired drivers.
Speeding
Speeding is often a contributing or aggravating factor in motor vehicle accidents. In December 2019, 290 motor vehicle collisions in NYC involved unsafe speeds, according to the NYPD report. Accidents that involve unsafe speeds result in more severe damages and injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that speeding killed 9,378 people in 2018.
Compensation for Car Accident Injuries in NYC
Those injured in car accidents in NYC may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including payment for medical expenses, lost wages, disability, and pain and suffering. A qualified attorney can help personal injury plaintiffs prove that their injuries occurred as a result of an at-fault party’s negligence.
Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers at Eaton & Torrenzano Represent Clients Injured in Car Accidents
If you were injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to damages. Our skilled Brooklyn car accident lawyers at Eaton & Torrenzano will fight to protect your rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call us at 718-332-7766 for a free consultation about your case. With offices located in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Hillsborough, New Jersey, we also proudly serve clients in Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, Kings County, and Richmond County.