NYC is an amazing city. There’s a lot to see and a lot to do, so driving through New York City can be an exhilarating experience; however, it is also inherently risky. Unfortunately, each year there are untold thousands of accidents that result in serious, even fatal injuries. Your automobile offers you the freedom and the ability to get where you want to go, and although any situation can result in a serious collision, statistics have shown that the majority of automobile accidents happen for a variety of common reasons. Automobile crashes can be devastating on their own, but when they are due to the negligence of another party, it’s also destructive. If you have been injured in an auto accident that was due to the negligence of another party, NYC car accident lawyers can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Here are the most common causes of accidents in NYC.
Breaking Traffic Laws
Drivers breaking the rules of the road are the most common cause of automobile accidents in New York City. In some situations, drivers break traffic laws because they are basically unaware of certain traffic laws, or they may be unclear about some aspects of these laws. Although these habitual infractions are often minor, they often eventually lead to serious accidents that result in severe injuries or even death. Even though it is impossible to control the behaviors of other drivers, you can practice safe driving habits to help reduce the risk of contributing to a dangerous accident. Some of the most common mistakes on the road that often leads to catastrophic consequences include:
- Disobeying traffic signals
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Running stop signs
- Failing to yield right of way
Driving While Intoxicated
Alcohol and drugs lower a driver’s judgment and reaction time. In many situations, consuming just one alcoholic beverage can put enough alcohol in your bloodstream to put you over the legal limit, which significantly compromises the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and increases your potential risk of a car accident. Accidents that involve intoxicated drivers often end in severe injuries and fatalities. The ideal solution to avoiding this type of accident is to only drive while sober and when possible, be aware of drivers who are displaying signs of intoxicated driving, such as swerving and maintaining your distance.
Sleep Deprivation
Regardless of how many cups of coffee you drink, depriving your body of necessary rest or sleep will definitely reduce your ability to function at your optimal level and significantly reduce your reaction time. Sleep deprivation or fatigue can greatly increase the likelihood of an automobile accident. If you are feeling sleepy before driving, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle without resting first, and if you become fatigued while driving, instead of pushing yourself to make the distance, pull over to a safe location and take a short nap.
Defective Vehicles
Although some auto accidents may be the result of a defect in the vehicle that warranted a recall from the manufacturer, in some situations, the defect may be the fault of your mechanic or even the vehicle owner that failed to address the problem. Some of the most common defects that lead to accidents may include thinning tire treads, irregular maintenance, tires that are over or underinflated, failing brakes, broken headlights or taillights, or turn signals with a blown fuse. As an automobile owner, it is your responsibility to ensure your vehicle is safe for you as well as other drivers while you are on the road.
Weather Conditions
The weather cannot be controlled, but certain weather conditions, such as heavy snowfall, ice, heavy winds, or rain can drastically increase the risk of automobile accidents occurring in NYC, even when you are driving with extreme caution. Poor weather conditions generally affect the conditions of the roads, ranging from debris on the roads, poor visibility, unskilled drivers, and much more can significantly increase the risk of an automobile accident. Bad weather conditions can also often lead to damages in road infrastructures, such as large potholes, which can quickly lead to serious accidents.
Driving While Distracted
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents among teenage drivers and even adults. Distracted driving consists of doing any activity that diverts your attention away from driving. This may include putting on makeup, fixing your hair, making and receiving phone calls, eating and drinking, and texting or reading text messages while driving. In many states, including New York, texting while driving and/or taking phone calls while using a handheld device is forbidden. Whether you are concerned about your teen driver or your own habit of texting while driving, for the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road, turn your phone off while driving and do not attempt to do any activity, other than focusing on the road.
Despite driving while using all the necessary precautions, there is still a chance that you will get into an automobile accident in NYC. In fact, an accident is likely to happen not only when you least expect it, but where you least expect it. Intersections are particularly dangerous for motorcycle riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians. This is because intersections are where unprotected travelers are the most likely to cross paths with a motor vehicle, especially if there is confusion about who has the right of way or if a driver is distracted. If you have been injured in an automobile accident, whether you were another driver, a pedestrian, or a bicyclist, it’s essential that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible following the accident to help determine if you are eligible to receive compensation for your injuries.