The state of New York is a dangerous place to drive, and when we look at recent statistics, we can see that unfortunately the problem is getting worse, not better. Each year, the Institute of Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR) analyzes crash data, and there is a lot we can learn from these statistics. I have provided several key takeaways from recent data below. If you are the victim of another driver’s negligence, a New York car accident attorney may be able to help. Don’t hesitate to contact Buttafuoco & Associates for a free consultation on your case.
Driving in New York is Getting More Dangerous
Between 2015 and 2019, the rise in the number of crashes across the state of New York was shocking. In 2015, the state saw a total of 294,556 accidents. By 2019, the number of accidents had risen to 447,021, with significant increases every year between. If we continue along this path, New York roadways will continue to become significantly more dangerous with each passing year.
Thousands of Serious and Fatal Crashes Happen Each Year
While the majority of crashes in the state of New York (20.43 percent) are considered minor, tens of thousands of accidents occurred in 2019 that ITSMR categorized as serious or fatal. There were 10,043 serious accidents in 2019, and 881 of the total accidents were fatal. In addition, 16,219 crashes occurred that were considered moderate. Regardless of the severity of the accident, victims have to deal with insurance companies that are often unwilling to compensate them the amount they need to fully recover from injuries. If you suffer an accident, the best thing you can do is get medical help right away and get in touch with a lawyer.
Most Crashes Result in Property Damage
While the statistics regarding non-serious and non-fatal injuries may appear positive at first glance, 72 percent of all accidents in New York, regardless of their severity, result in property damage. Again, this confirms the fact that the vast majority of accidents result in victims having to work with insurance companies to be compensated for their losses. Unfortunately, in today’s climate, insurance companies are not likely to offer fair compensation to accident victims, and many people have to work with a New York car accident attorney to successfully negotiate with insurers. If you are struggling to negotiate, don’t hesitate to contact Buttafuoco & Associates. We have been successfully helping victims recover compensation for over 35 years.
Pedestrians and Bicyclists at High Risk for Personal Injuries
Of the crashes that happened in 2019, 15,451 of them involved pedestrians. Another 6,145 involved bicyclists. Pedestrians and bicyclists were especially vulnerable to experiencing personal injuries after a crash, with over 96 percent of pedestrian crashes involving personal injuries, and all but around 200 bicycle-involved crashes resulting in personal injuries. Pedestrians also suffered 283 fatalities, and cyclists 49. If you are out and about on foot or on your bicycle, be aware of traffic and follow all traffic laws, and if you are driving, slow down and pay attention near pedestrians and cyclists.
Motorcyclists Suffer High Crash Fatality Rates
Of the 4855 motorcycle crashes that occurred in 2019, 132, or 2.72 percent, were fatal. This is significantly higher than the overall fatality rate for other types of crashes of just .20 percent. However, total fatalities among all types of accidents were 881, which means that motorcycle fatalities comprised nearly 15 percent. If you ride a motorcycle, it is essential that you wear proper protective gear, drive at safe speeds, and avoid aggressive drivers to stay safe. Drivers, since motorcyclists are more vulnerable to injury than those protected within vehicles, slow down and keep a safe distance.
Distracted Driving and Speeding are Top Contributors to Accidents and Fatalities
At the top of the list of factors that contributed to accidents in 2019 was distracted driving, which was implicated in over 91,000 accidents and 106 fatalities. Following too closely, failure to yield right-of-way, improper passing, and unsafe speed rounded out the other top five contributing factors. In fact, unsafe speed was the top cause of fatalities, and was linked to 230 deaths in 2019. The next time you’re thinking about texting and driving or speeding to get to work, consider your impact.
While many of these statistics are frightening, they also give us clues to how we can better protect ourselves while on the road or out and about on foot or on a bicycle. The top takeaway altogether is to be cautious while driving in the state of New York and do whatever you can to make these statistics a thing of the past.
If you do get in an accident due to a driver’s negligence, Buttafuoco & Associates may be able to assist you. We have been helping New Yorkers who have sustained injuries in accidents get justice and fair compensation for over 35 years.
Get in touch with a New York car accident lawyer for a free consultation today at (516) 746-8100.
