New York Car Accidents

Depending on your preferences of transportation, living in New York can be a blessing or a curse. If you like public transportation and aren’t particularly enamored with the idea of owning a car, there is no better city in which to live. We have a first rate public transportation system, with 26 subway lines that service an average of 4.7 million riders a day. We also have over 4,000 buses in use, which service 2.4 million riders a day. For commuters, there is the Long Island Rail Road, which has over 700 miles of track and services 81 million riders every year. For those that are in a hurry, there are approximately 40,000 taxi cabs patrolling the streets of New York at any given time.

In contrast, what makes New York a wonderful place for those that don’t wish to drive makes it a nightmare for those that prefer to drive themselves. Traffic is usually gridlocked, and parking can cost an average of $15.00 for just a few hours.

Regardless of what your preferences are, the dangers for drivers or pedestrians in New York City are high.

According to an article published in the New York Post two years ago, the following intersections in the five boroughs were the scenes of several pedestrian fatalities and hundreds of pedestrian injuries between 1995 and 2001:

East 33rd St. & Park Ave. (Manhattan) - 118 injuries
Utica Ave. & Eastern Pkwy - 4 fatalities, 88 injuries
East 170th St. & Grand Concourse - 60 injuries
East 183rd St. & Grand Concourse - 2 fatalities, 54 injuries
Webster Ave. & East Fordham Rd. (Bronx) - 56 injuries
East 167th St. & Grand Concourse (Bronx) - 2 fatalities, 53 injuries
West 34th St. & Seventh Ave. (Manhattan) - 55 injuries
Atlantic Ave. & Nostrand Ave. (Brooklyn) - 3 fatalities, 51 injuries
Essex St. & Delaney St. (Manhattan) - 1 fatality, 51 injuries
West 14th St. & Sixth Avenue (Manhattan) - 1 fatality, 51 injuries

The numbers have not improved since 2001. 195 New York City pedestrians were killed in 2002, and while the numbers dropped slightly in 2003, we still had 165 pedestrian deaths.

It hasn’t been much better for drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1,333 people killed in traffic collisions in New York in 2007. The numbers dropped in 2008, but there are still too many people killed in New York car accidents every year.

These numbers simply reinforce the point that whether you are a driver or a pedestrian, New York City is a dangerous place to live. Accidents happen with alarming frequency, and they often happen for the following reasons:

Inattention at the Wheel - More accidents were caused by driver distraction than any other cause, including speeding, failing to yield, and following too close. In addition, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that in nearly 25 per cent of accidents nationwide, inattention and driver distraction was a contributing cause to the accident.

These numbers aren’t surprising, considering the prevalence of technology that improves communication and entertainment (cell phones, DVD players and televisions) but does precious little to improve driver attention. According to a poll done by the Medical College of Wisconsin, both teens and their parents have the same driving distractions, which most of them had claimed to have done in the past 30 days:

Changing the radio station; tape or CD (79 percent)
Exceeding the speed limit (61 percent)
Driving without both hands on the steering wheel (61 percent)
Talking on the phone (51 percent)
Eating (45 percent)

Other Causes of Accidents - Driver inattention and driver distraction, speeding, failing to yield, and following too closely are major causes of car and motorcycle accidents. Other examples of negligent driving include aggressive driving, running red lights, improper passing, improper turns, improper lane changes and, of course, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

When a careless driver causes an accident resulting in injury or death, the law affords the injured party the right to sue for restitution against the negligent party. Many accident victims are unaware of this, mainly because they are told the complete opposite by the insurance company of the driver that hit them. Insurers do their best to minimize their liability, and will often offer settlements that are far below what the victim is legally entitled to. The standard procedure for insurers is to offer a check for current medical bills and property damage, and occasionally a check for lost wages. These settlements are not only artificially low, but they usually fail to account for any future medical problems that might stem directly from the accident. Quite often the victims will hear things like “You won’t need to contact a lawyer,” or “This is a fair settlement,” when in fact they do need to contact a lawyer, and they aren’t being offered a fair settlement. Liability law clearly states that people who are injured due to the negligence of others can sue for damages. These include:

Compensatory Damages: Compensatory damages usually include medical expenses, lost wages and the repair or replacement of property. These are the damages that cover actual injury or economic loss. Compensatory damages are intended to put the injured party in the position he was in prior to the injury, or make the injured party “whole.”

General Damages: General damages are usually composed of pain and suffering, but can also include compensation for a shortened life expectancy, or the loss of the companionship of a loved one. The point of these damages is to cover injuries for which an exact dollar amount cannot be calculated. For instance, if a piano player loses his fingers in an accident that wasn’t his fault, it would be impossible to calculate the monetary value of the joy he got out of playing the piano, but general damages would allow him to seek compensation for not being able to play anymore.

Rappaport, Glass, GreenE and Levine: Protecting the Rights of New York Car Accident Victims

If you have been in a car accident that caused severe injuries, an extended hospital stay or the death of a loved one, you will need an attorney. It is unrealistic to expect the insurer of the driver that hit you to look out for your best interests. You can expect settlement offers that won’t cover actual damages, stalling tactics, and sometimes outright denial of actual damages. A New York accident attorney with knowledge of liability law and insurance company tactics can both raise the amount of compensation in a settlement and drastically reduce the amount of time that it takes for you to receive it. The Law Firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine have a long history of successfully advocating decent and fair treatment for injured New Yorkers. If you or a loved one have been severely injured and feel that your needs are not being met, contact our New York accident lawyers for a free legal consultation today.

Blog for New York Car Accidents

Library for New York Car Accidents:

Side Impact Car Accidents are Some of the Most Dangerous
Description: Side-impact collisions are one the most dangerous types of New York auto accidents. About 9,000 deaths occur each year as a result of side-impact car accidents. If you or someone you know have been hit by a negligent driver in a side-impact accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call the experienced legal team at Rappaport, Glass, Greene, and Levine today for a free consultation on your case.
The Correlation Between Aging and Driving Ability
Description: Although driving depends on skill, and not age, many seniors experience deteriorating skills as they age. This may impair their ability to recognize threats on the road, make quick decisions, and react properly to changing road conditions. To ensure that senior drivers remain safe, it is important that you communicate clearly and take proper action with your loved ones.
Crash Prevention Technology & Large Trucks in New York
Description: Because smaller cars often have no chance in accidents with tractor trailer trucks, the best approach is to prevent these accidents in the first place. New crash prevention technology for large trucks, such as side view assist and lane departure warnings, has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of large truck crashes. Learn more about this technology.
Child Passenger Safety: What Every New Yorker Should Know
Description: In 2008, A total of 1,045 children under the age of 13 died in motor vehicle crashes. To decrease the chances of your children being seriously injured or killed in a car accident, follow these age-appropriate guidelines for child passenger safety. New York law requires all children under the age of 9 to be restrained in a booster seat.
Types of New York Driver Distractions
Description: In 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in car accidents involving distracted driving. The three main types of distracted driving are visual, manual, and cognitive. These distractions include talking or texting on a cell phone, eating or drinking, reading, or changing radio stations. Call us today if you have been the victim of a distracted-driving accident in New York or Long Island.
Cell Phones May Increase the Nighttime Driving Risk for New York Teens
Description: Read this article to learn about the dangers New York teens face when they use their cell phones while driving at night. If you have been hurt in a car accident in Long Island, Manhattan or elsewhere in New York, contact an experienced Long Island auto accident lawyer from the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine.
What You Need To Tell Your New York Car Accident Lawyer
Description: Read this article to learn what you shouldn’t keep secret from your Manhattan car accident lawyer. For advice regarding your New York auto accident case, contact the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine today.
Speeding Drivers Cause Deadly New York Accidents
Description: Speeding is a driving behavior directly linked to numerous deadly New York car accidents. Read this article to learn more and contact a Long Island auto accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.
Factors Involved in New York Rollover Accidents
Description: Read this article to learn the factors involved in New York rollover accidents. If you have been injured in a Manhattan or Long Island rollover accident, you could be entitled to compensation and should contact an experienced Long Island car accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.
Four Frequent Causes of New York Car Accidents
Description: Read this article to find out the top causes of New York car accidents. If you have been hurt in a car accident in Long Island, Manhattan or other area in New York, you should contact an experienced Long Island accident attorney at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.
The Harsh Reality of New York Truck Accidents
Description: New York truck accidents claim too many lives each year. Read this article to learn about the grim reality of truck wrecks not only in the country, but also in New York. If you have been hurt in a truck accident in Manhattan, Long Island or any area in New York, you should contact a Long Island auto accident lawyer at our office immediately.
Fewer People Are Dying in Car Accidents Nationwide
Description: Early estimates show that the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents has gone down in 2009 and appears to be the lowest since 1954. Read this article to learn more and contact a Long Island car accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445, if you have been injured in a New York car accident.
How Big of a Problem is Distracted Driving? You Would be Surprised
Description: Distracted driving may be a bigger problem than you realize. This article discusses distracted driving accidents and the dangers associated with inattentive drivers. If you have been injured in a New York car accident, contact a Long Island auto accident lawyer at 800.734.9445.
Recommendations to Reduce Injuries in a Long Island Car Accident
Description: Seat belts and child safety seats can save lives in Long Island auto accidents. Read this article to learn about recommendations to reduce the number of motor vehicle-related injuries. If you have been hurt in a New York accident, contact a Long Island car accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445.
Why Bigger, Heavier Trucks May Cause More New York Truck Accidents
Description: Are bigger, longer, heavier trucks a good idea? Read this article to find out why this question has caused a lot of heated debate. If you have been hurt in a New York truck accident, you need to contact a Long Island personal injury attorney at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445.
Driving While Talking – The Link Between Cell Phones and New York Car Accidents
Description: Driving while talking on your cell phone can take your attention away from the road. Read this article to find out if there truly is a link between cell phones and New York car accidents. If you have been injured in a Manhattan or Long Island car accident caused by a distracted driver, contact an experienced Long Island car accident lawyer at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 today.
Four Things You Need to Do to Keep Your Family Safe on the Road this Holiday
Description: If you are planning on driving this holiday season, you need to read these important safety tips to help reduce your chances of being injured in a serious New York car accident. Contact the Manhattan accident attorneys at the law firm of Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine if you have been injured in a car accident or motorcycle accident in Manhattan, Long Island or other area of New York.
Driving While Drowsy Can be Deadly
Description: Drowsy driving can be deadly. A tired driver is impaired and has slower reaction times. This article reveals the very real dangers posed by drowsy drivers in New York. If you have been injured in a car accident in Manhattan, Long Island or other location in New York, contact the Manhattan accident attorneys at Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine today at 800.734.9445.
Symptoms and Treatment of a Broken Pelvis Caused by a New York Accident
Description: A pelvic fracture can be life threatening. Read this article to learn about the symptoms and treatment for a broken pelvis caused by a New York accident. Contact the accident attorneys in Manhattan and Long Island at 800.734.9445 if you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence.
Find Out If Your New York Accident Caused a Herniated Disc
Description: A herniated disc is a painful injury that is often caused by a New York accident. Find out more about this type of injury by reading this article and contact an experienced New York injury lawyer at Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.