An experienced attorney can help you recover compensation
On any given day, there are millions of vehicles in use throughout New York City, not to mention millions more pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users. So it’s no surprise that car accidents are a daily occurrence.
What are the causes of these accidents? Common contributing factors cited by police in their reports included:
- Driver inattention/distraction
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Improper passing or lane usage
- Passing too closely
- Unsafe speed
- Backing unsafely
- Traffic control disregarded
- Unsafe lane changing
- Alcohol involvement
- Turning improperly
- Driver inexperience
Here’s a breakdown of car accidents in the five boroughs in 2021 and how a New York car accident lawyer can help.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn has the highest population of all five boroughs, so it’s no surprise that it also has the most accidents. The most dangerous intersections in Brooklyn:
- Atlantic Ave & 4th Ave
- Atlantic Ave & Flatbush Ave
- Washington Park & Willoughby Ave
- Tillary St & Flatbush Ave Ext
- 4th Ave & 9th St
- Ocean Pkwy & Church Ave
- 56th St & 18th Ave
- Westminster Rd & Beverley Rd
The Bronx
As the only borough of New York located primarily on the mainland, the Bronx is the connection between NYC and the rest of the state, meaning there are millions of people passing through daily. The most dangerous intersections in the Bronx:
- W Fordham Rd & Major Deegan Expy
- W 179th St & Cedar Ave
- E Fordham Rd & Southern Blvd
- Bronx River Ave & Bruckner Blvd
- White Plains Rd & Bruckner Blvd
- E 138th St & Bruckner Blvd
- E 138th St & Alexander Ave
Manhattan
Manhattan is the most densely populated part of New York City, so accidents can be particularly deadly. The most dangerous intersections in Manhattan:
- 2nd Ave & Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
- Madison Ave & E 84th St
- Madison Ave & E 85th St
- Lexington Ave & E 84th St
- Lexington Ave & E 85th St
- 1st Ave. & E 87th St
- 2nd Ave & E 59th St
- E 59th St & 3rd Ave
- 2nd Ave & E 36th St
- 2nd Ave & E 37th St
- E 30th St & 3rd Ave
- 6th Ave & W 24th St
- Canal St & Bowery
- E Houston St & Bowery
- Delancey St & Bowery
- Montgomery St & FDR Dr
Queens
Queens has the second-highest population of all five boroughs and the most diversified economy, so its roads have a wide variety of both personal and commercial vehicles. The most dangerous intersections in Queens:
- Union Tpke & Parsons Blvd
- Union Tpke & Utopia Pkwy
- 140th St & Jewel Ave
- Myrtle Ave & Park Ln S
- Metropolitan Ave & Park Ln S
- Kessel St & 72nd Ave
Staten Island
It may be the “forgotten borough,” but Staten Island still has its share of motor vehicle accidents every day. The most dangerous intersections in Staten Island are:
- Crystal Ave & Forest Ave
- Victory Blvd & Jewett Ave
- Van Pelt Ave & Netherland Ave
- Richmond Ave & Morani St
- Westwood Ave & Todt Hill Rd
- Todt Hill Rd & Ocean Terrace
- Steuben St & W Fingerboard Rd
- Tompkins Ave. & Vanderbilt Ave
- Victory Blvd & Montgomery Ave
How a New York car accident attorney can investigate an intersection accident
Because of the layout of New York City, most crashes in the five boroughs happen either in or near a busy intersection. This can make getting full compensation for your injuries a challenge. There are several key factors that experienced car accident attorneys know how to address:
Witness testimony: After a crash in New York, there are usually many witnesses, including drivers and passengers in nearby vehicles, pedestrians, and patrons of nearby businesses. Unfortunately, having lots of witnesses doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy to get to the bottom of what happened. Witnesses may disagree on who had the right of way or have difficulty remembering the sequence of events. Experienced attorneys know how to interview witnesses and interpret and cross-reference their stories to reconstruct what happened.
Camera footage: Video cameras are everywhere in New York City, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there is footage of the accident itself. The New York Department of Transportation has 24-hour streaming traffic cameras on most major roadways, but that footage is not officially stored. Speed cameras and red-light cameras do store footage or at least still images, but the circumstances would have to be very specific for those cameras to record an accident: the at-fault driver would have to trigger the camera and hit your car simultaneously. Depending on the circumstances, your accident may have also been filmed by a security camera at a local business. Your attorney can investigate to retrieve camera footage if it is available, but there are other ways for an experienced lawyer to build a strong case as well.
Dealing with the insurance company: As mentioned, getting to the bottom of what happened in an intersection accident can be difficult. It goes without saying that the insurance company will interpret the evidence in a manner that minimizes the amount they have to pay. An experienced attorney who knows the law and the legal system in New York can represent your interests in negotiations and, if necessary, litigation.
What to do after a car accident in NYC
If you were hurt in a car accident anywhere in the five boroughs, there are steps you can take that can help protect your health and your right to seek financial compensation.
Call the police. Officers from the New York Police Department or New York State Police will respond to the scene. They will make sure everyone is safe and get help for the injured. They will also complete a New York Police Accident Report. This report will contain important information about the crash that will be useful when filing a claim for compensation.
Get medical attention. You may feel fine after an accident. But some injuries, such as concussions and internal bleeding, have delayed symptoms. Let emergency medical personnel examine you, then go to the hospital or see your own doctor within a couple of days. Any injuries you do have will be documented.
Gather information. As you are able to, get the names and contact information of the other driver and any witnesses. Try to keep the discussion civil and don’t discuss who was at fault. Take photos and video of the accident scene from different angles. Be sure to include damage to each vehicle, any traffic signs or signals, and any visible injuries you have.
Contact an attorney. It’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible following a New York City car accident. The statute of limitations for taking legal action against a negligent party in the state is generally three years from the date of your accident. But other deadlines can apply in some circumstances, and no matter what, waiting too long to talk to a lawyer can hurt your case. Evidence is lost or disappears over time, and the memories of witnesses can fade.
If you were hurt in a New York City car accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be able to recover financial compensation. This includes compensation for current and future medical expenses related to your injuries, lost wages if you couldn’t work, and other damages such as pain and suffering.
To get information about your legal options, contact an experienced New York City car accident lawyer for a free consultation.
