New York's Local Streets Among Deadliest in the U.S., Study Reports
About 20% of accident fatalities in New York occur on local streets.
A recent nationwide car accident study conducted by MoneyGeek ranked New York the fourth deadliest state when it comes to car accidents on local streets.
"Local streets are the second-deadliest type of road in the U.S., with 20% of accident fatalities occurring on them; in eight states, they're the most dangerous type of road," including New York, the recent traffic safety study says.
Car accidents on local streets can have devastating consequences, and crash victims should know their legal options. If you or a loved one was injured in a Westchester County crash, our Bronx car accident lawyers at Giampa Law can help you navigate the aftermath and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Car accidents on local streets in New York are common
The recent traffic safety study by MoneyGeek analyzed which types of roads have the most fatal car accidents by state. One category was local streets, which the study defined as roads in "residential areas, businesses and other local areas, typically with posted speed limits between 20 and 45 mph."
Nationwide, New York State was ranked the fourth-worst state when it comes to fatal crashes on local streets. Between 2019 and 2021, there were 1,009 fatal car accidents on local streets in New York, which represents 35.7 percent of all car accident deaths statewide, according to the study.
How bad are accidents on other streets and highways in New York?
In addition to examining fatal car accidents on local streets, the MoneyGeek study also provides a detailed breakdown of fatal crashes across various types of roads and highways within each state. The study categorizes these accidents into five distinct road types for each state.
In New York, the 2,826 car accident fatalities between 2019 and 2021 occurred on the following types of roads:
- State highway traffic fatalities – 36 percent
- Local street fatalities – 35.7 percent
- US highway traffic fatalities – 6.4 percent
- County road fatalities – 14.2 percent
- Interstate highway fatalities – 7.6 percent
What are the primary causes of car crashes in NYC?
The high occurrence of car accidents in New York City can be attributed to several common factors. In the case of the city alone, these contributing factors include:
- Speeding – According to crash data, speeding drivers were responsible for 3,940 accidents in New York City in 2022.
- Distracted driving – The New York City Police Department (NYPD) reports that distracted driving, whether due to texting or general inattentiveness, leads to over 4,000 car accidents in the city annually.
- Tailgating – The practice of following other drivers too closely results in numerous collisions in New York City, particularly rear-end accidents.
- Failure to yield – Drivers who fail to yield to those with the right of way are accountable for more than 4,000 car accidents each year in the city.
Protect your rights if you're injured in a New York car accident
When another driver's negligence leads to a car accident, the path to securing fair and full compensation for medical bills and other accident-related expenses can quickly become complicated. Claims involving car accidents often involve attempts to shift blame or insurance company attempts to pay victims less.
At Giampa Law, our experienced Bronx car accident lawyers are dedicated to guiding you through the legal process and fighting for the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation. We have offices in the Bronx and Valhalla, NY.
