Injured in a Car Accident in Manhattan?
Manhattan traffic is legendary, with the streets heavily congested vehicles operated by frustrated or aggressive drivers. These conditions are dangerous at the best of times; when a driver operates a vehicle in a negligent manner, a serious or fatal car accident is often the result. At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, we represent the injured in Manhattan car accident injury cases. Our legal team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for our clients. We are focused, dedicated, and we limit the number of cases we take on to ensure we can devote our full resources to each case – we spare no expense when we pursue justice for the injured. Call us today at (212) 986-7353.
Manhattan Car Accident Statistics – The Frightening Truth
The New York City Department of Transportation Tracking & Analysis Program reports shocking numbers of injury accidents in the city, with 22.8 percent of injury accidents citywide occurring in Manhattan at 115 locations. The New York Post reports traffic accidents in the area are surging upward, increasing 35 percent over just three months.
The streets of Manhattan are arguably some of the busiest in the nation, with tourists, visitors, locals, taxis, and rideshare vehicles all sharing limited space, jockeying for position. Drivers often take dangerous risks to try to reach a destination, grab a parking spot, or turn onto a less-traveled street to make it across town. When you add the sheer volume of vehicles to Manhattan weather conditions, with slick icy roads not uncommon, it can be a recipe for disaster. More than half of fatal traffic accidents in the area occur at Manhattan intersections, where pedestrians, drivers and passengers, or cyclists may pay the ultimate price. Injury accidents caused by speeding are most prevalent in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan, as reported by The New York Times.
Causes of Car Accidents in Manhattan
The New York Department of Transportation publishes reports on the factors identified that lead to injury accidents in the city. Some of the most common factors reported are as follows:
- 27% -- Driver inattention or distraction: The majority of the injury accidents are related to driver inattention or distraction, which may include cell phone use, (whether texting or talking), eating, grooming, or any activity that takes vehicle operator’s attention off driving.
- 18.2% -- Failure to yield right of way: Many Manhattan drivers are aggressive and may either intentionally or unintentionally fail to yield the right of way at an intersection. Drivers must yield to pedestrians, must come to a full stop at a stop sign, must yield to the driver on the right when at an intersection – but often don’t, resulting in an accident.
- 14.1% -- Unsafe speed: Drivers who exceed safe speeds on Manhattan streets put other drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians at risk of severe injury or loss of life.
- 8.5 % -- Traffic control disregarded: Many drivers choose to ignore traffic control devices, whether a stop sign, traffic light, turn signal or posted speed limit, putting others sharing the road in danger.
- 6.1 % -- Passing or improper lane usage: It is unfortunately very common for Manhattan drivers to violate lane usage in an effort to pass, make a U-turn, get a parking spot, or other violation, posing a serious risk to pedestrians and others sharing the street.
- 5.9% -- Driver inexperience: Inexperienced drivers face serious challenges when driving in Manhattan, such as heavy traffic and aggressive driving, along with a heavy pedestrian and cyclist presence. A small error in judgment leads to an accident.
- 5.5% -- Following too closely: Drivers who do not leave enough distance between their car and the vehicle ahead are the cause of many rear-end accidents, some of which are multi-vehicle crashes involving injuries.
- 4.2 % -- Alcohol consumption related: Drivers under the influence of alcohol make poor decisions, have a slower reaction time, and with the many restaurants and entertainment venues in Manhattan, drunk drivers cause many injury accidents every year.
Serious Injuries in Auto Accident Cases in Manhattan
A car collision can lead to severe injuries, and a lifetime of difficult challenges. Some of the most common, life-altering car accident injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Amputations
- Burns
- Back Injuries
- Neck Injuries
- Disfiguring Injuries
What Type of Compensation is Available after a Car Accident?
The types of compensation that could be pursued include all medical costs, current and future, lost wages, estimated future financial losses, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and in some cases, punitive damages – financial compensation awarded to an injured person above and beyond economic and non-economic damages, awarded as punishment for acts extreme recklessness or with malicious intent.
Why You Need the Right Attorney
Lawyers, and law firms, vary widely in talent, experience, and records of success in personal injury law. At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, we are honored to be recognized as one of the leading personal injury law firms in the area, and we are thankful to the many clients who have trusted us to help them seek full compensation after being injured in a car accident. Choosing the right Manhattan personal injury attorney is one of the most important decisions you will ever make – the final outcome of a car accident case will, in large part, be the direct result of the legal talents of the law firm representing you.
Contact Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP today at (212) 986-7353 if you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car accident in Manhattan.