Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuits. The attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP Law firm are dedicated to representing victims of car, bus, truck and train accidents in New York and Long Island. The area covered by our car accident injury lawyers include Nassau County and Suffolk County in Long Island, and New York, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens in New York.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 138 traffic fatalities in Suffolk County in 2010. Nassau had 104 fatal car accidents in 2010, up from 87 in the previous year (an increase of 20 percent).
Certain roadways in Long Island, particularly the Southern State Parkway, have even become notorious for their high rates of auto accidents. In fact, the 10-mile stretch between Exit 17 in Malverne and Exit 32 in South Farmingdale is such a frequent site of deadly car accidents that it has been morbidly nicknamed “Blood Alley.”
Data from the NHTSA shows that the Southern State Parkway Nassau is deadlier
According to an article in Newsday, data from the NHTSA shows that the Southern State Parkway Nassau is deadlier than
the other state parkways in the county. Newsday reports that there were 15 fatal car accidents on the Southern State in Nassau between 2008 and 2010.
This compares to 13 fatal car crashes on the Wantagh Parkway, 8 in the Northern State Parkway and 6 on the Meadowbrook Parkway.
New York Car Accident Injuries, Damages & Lawsuits
In 2011, Motor vehicle data reports the following Motor Vehicle Crash Summaries for New York City counties showing the severity of crashes, the fatalities and the total of injuries:
New York City Counties |
Total Crashes |
% of State |
Fatal |
Personal Injury |
Property Damage |
Bronx |
10305 | 3.4 | 48 | 7278 | 3009 |
Kings |
21990 | 7.2 | 78 | 16095 | 5817 |
New York |
14176 | 4.6 | 45 | 9298 | 4833 |
Queens |
21530 | 7.0 | 67 | 13991 | 7472 |
Richmond |
5059 | 1.6 | 12 | 3002 | 2045 |
Car Accident Involving Failure to Yield R.O.W.
Many car collisions are caused by failing to yield the right-of-way, which refers to the rules about who gets to go first when two or more cars approach an intersection. The general rule is that when two drivers approach an intersection at the same time, the driver on the left will yield the right-of-way to the driver on the right, allowing them to move forward first.
This applies for both uncontrolled and controlled intersections, where there are traffic lights or stop signs. At a T-shaped intersection, the driver who is turning must yield to the cross traffic. Naturally, these rules are put in place to maintain order and safety on the roads. Unfortunately, many drivers will fail to yield the right of way, which can lead to a motor vehicle collision.
NY Auto Accident involving a Pedestrian, Bicycle or Motorcycle
A car crash involving a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcyclist can be extremely damaging because these parties are much more susceptible to injury. Common driver errors in a car accident with a pedestrian include disregarding a crosswalk, traffic control device or a pedestrian that is already crossing.
For a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcyclist involved in a car crash, the car is essentially a bulk of metal and glass weighing thousands of pounds; naturally, the potential for injury is catastrophic and often fatal.
According to a document published in March 2012 by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign (www.tstc.org), from 2008 to 2010, 1267 pedestrians were killed by vehicles in the downstate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut region.
Nassau County’s SR-24 (Hempstead Turnpike) is the most dangerous road for pedestrians for the fourth year in a row.
Based on pedestrian fatalities, the most dangerous roads for walking in the entire region are
- SR-24 (Hempstead Turnpike) in Nassau County,
- Upper Broadway in Manhattan, SR-27 (Sunrise Highway) in Suffolk County,
- US-130 (Burlington Pike) in Burlington County, and US-1 & 9 in Union County.
Pedestrian fatalities decreased in 2010 in New York and New Jersey, but increased in Connecticut.
Roads that have fallen in ranking since the campaign’s initial report include
- Manhattan’s 3rd Ave
- and Staten Island’s Hylan Blv.
Other Auto Accident Cases in NY: Drunk Driver (DUI), Uninsured or Teen Driver…
Automobile accidents can be particularly complicated and/or damaging if it involves a driver who is
intoxicated by alcohol or drugs (DUI = Driving Under Influence, and DWI = Driving while intoxicated), an uninsured or underinsured driver, or a teen driver. For this reason, it’s important to contact an attorney in order to discuss the details of your case.
Other major causes of car crashes resulting in a number of injuries and damages include:
- Driver negligence, driver fault or driver mistake on the rules of the road, as frequently seen on intersection accidents (running red light or stop sign violation) or on wrong way driving accident
- Speeding: The best example are car wrecks caused by excessive speed rate or by reckless driving on highways
- Bad weather conditions: Driving too fast on an icy road, or during the rain or snow may cause pile ups traffic accidents or multiple vehicle accidents. Same thing during a fog or in presence of black ice (clear ice) on the road
- Road defects or bad road design: A road with an inadequate lane marking or a road design with poor visibility may lead to a number of automobile crashes
- Bad vehicle condition or Insufficient Maintenance of the vehicle (motorcycle, car, bus, truck) as seen with accidents caused by defective brakes or tire failure (vehicle factors).
Among a total of 188,061 accidents reported in 2008 by New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, and among 28 human factors recorded, the 7 most frequent causes of car crashes due to human factors are:
-
-
- Driver inattention / Distraction: 45,439 accidents
- Failure to Yield R.O.W: 36,601 accidents
- Following too closely: 36,569 accidents
- Unsafe Speed: 31,581 accidents
- Traffic control disregarded:10,602 accidents
- Passing or Lane Usage Improper:10,319 accidents
- Unsafe Lane changing: 9,221 accidents.
-
Drunk Driver in Auto Accident (DUI)
Drunk driving is serious problem in the United States, and causes a large portion of traffic accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 48 minutes one death occurs from a drunk driving accident. Drivers under the influence of alcohol accounted for nearly one-third (31 %) of traffic-related deaths in the US in 2010.
Uninsured Driver in Auto Accident
Being the victim of a car accident with an uninsured driver can be complicated, as the other driver may not have the financial means to directly compensate you for your injuries and damages. However, this does not mean that you cannot pursue a lawsuit. Some insurance policies provide coverage for an uninsured motorist. In some cases, you may be able to sue your own insurance company for injuries sustained as a result of a driver without car accident insurance.
Teen Driver in Car Accident
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 2,700 teenagers between ages 16 and 19 were killed in a car crash in 2010 and nearly 282,000 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries. Teens who are most at risk for being involved in a car crash are:
- Male teenagers
- Teen driver with teen passengers
- Newly licensed teens
Young drivers also tend to be at a higher risk of car accidents due to distracted driving. Various distractions include changing CDs or the radio and cell phone usage such as calls or text messaging. According to CBS News, 1 in every 20 car crashes is linked to using a cell phone.
Bus accident, Truck Accident and related Lawsuits in NY and Long Island
Given their large size, a traffic incident involving a truck can lead to a catastrophic accident. Â In the case of a truck accident, the truck drivers, their driving records and the maintenance status of their vehicle must conform to both Federal rules and New York State regulation.
Public Transportation is in general considerably a safe alternative to driving, but bus accidents statistics are also a concern for the federal Motor Carrier Safety administration which set up special programs in order to improve the examplarity of bus and truck drivers.
Train Accidents
Every year, approximately 1,000 people die in a train accident. A train accident may involve two trains colliding together,
a train crashing into a car, or a train colliding with a person. Derailment, where the train comes off of its tracks, is a common cause of train accidents. Derailment may also lead to damage of property since it takes the train off of its determined course.
Seek legal help from one of our qualified auto accident injury lawyers before accepting any kind of settlement with an insurance claim. The experienced lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP are dedicated to making sure you receive the compensation you and your family deserve.
Parker Waichman is a leading personal Injury law firm rated 5.0 out of 5 from the respected legal guide Martindale-Hubbel, and listed in Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer review in the legal profession. The accident injury lawyers of our firm are servicing numerous counties in New York and Long Island, including:
- NYC
- New York
- New York City
- Manhattan
- Suffolk County
- Nassau County
- Port Washington
- Brooklyn
- Queens
- Staten Island Bronx
- Suffolk County
- Nassau County
- Port Washington
- Roslyn
- Glen Cove
- Oyster Bay
- Long Beach
- Garden City
- Great Neck
- North Hempstead
- Hempstead
- Islip
- Babylon
- Huntington
- Brookhaven
- East Hampton
- Riverhead
- Smithtown
- Southampton
- Southold
- Stony Brook
If you or a loved one were injured in an automobile accident, you may have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form or call one of our experienced car accident injury lawyers today at 1(800)-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
Car Accidents FAQ
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Call 911 immediately if someone has been injured. Do not leave the scene of the accident, or it will be considered a hit-and-run. Even if nobody has been hurt, you should still contact the police.
Be sure to take down the contact information of the other driver and obtain information such as their name, license plate, passenger information and insurance information. When the police arrive, explain how the accident happened but do not admit fault.
Should I seek medical attention even if I’m not injured?
Yes, you should always seek medical help after a car accident because some injuries do not show symptoms right away. Delaying medical attention can pose additional risks to your health, as well as hurt your claim.
When Should I Speak to an Attorney?
As soon as possible; you should contact a car accident lawyer immediately after an accident. As time goes on, valuable evidence can disappear as people’s memory of the incident fades or witnesses become inaccessible.
If my insurance company offers me a settlement, should I take it?
Not without first speaking to a personal injury attorney. Insurance companies will often try to give the minimal amount of settlement in a car accident. Speak with a lawyer in order to obtain the due legal advice and the compensation you deserve.
Sources:
- 2019 Traffic Fatalities by STATE and Percent Change from 2018 – State: USA
- Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion
- 14 Best Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ) Treatments
- Fatal Malverne crash stretch notorious as ‘Blood Alley’
Need Legal Help Regarding Motor Vehicle Accident?
The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
New York | Brooklyn | Queens | Long Island | New Jersey | Florida
Call us at: 1-800-YOURLAWYER (800-968-7529) | Schedule your free consultation
More on NYC accidents:
