Car accidents are one of the top causes of serious injuries and deaths in New York. Negligence, or a lack of proper care, is behind most motor vehicle collisions. Careless and reckless drivers threaten the lives of all New Yorkers, including motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Learning the most common causes of car accidents can help you stay safe on New York roadways.
Distracted Driving
Driver distraction is a significant problem in New York and nationwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,208 deaths and 315,167 injuries in 2024 due to distracted driving. Drivers can get careless and bored behind the wheel or feel the need to multitask. This can lead to automobile accidents caused by:
- Texting and other cell phone use
- Eating or drinking
- Chatting with passengers
- Fiddling with the radio
- Looking at a map or GPS
- Handling children or pets
- Reading billboards
- Rubbernecking accidents
Drivers must pay careful attention to the road and dedicate 100 percent of their focus to the driving task to prevent collisions with others. Even a moment’s distraction can cause a devastating collision. Cell phones are the most common culprit, despite New York laws prohibiting handheld phone use while driving.
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
Driving while intoxicated by alcohol and/or drugs causes more than 17,000 deaths annually. In the State of New York, more than 30 percent of fatal automobile accidents involve alcohol each year. It is against the law for a driver to operate a motor vehicle while impaired or with more than 0.08 blood alcohol content (BAC).
Speeding
Speeding, or driving too fast for conditions, is a dangerous driver mistake because it can easily lead to a loss of vehicle control. A driver who is exceeding New York’s speed limits or driving too fast in dangerous conditions (such as in bad weather) may be unable to stop in time to prevent a collision if traffic suddenly changes. Speeding also increases the severity of accidents that do occur.
Violating Traffic Laws
Roadway rules are in place in New York for a reason. They prevent collisions by keeping all road users safely in their own lanes. A common cause of serious car accidents is traffic law violations, such as running a red light, rolling through a stop sign, failing to yield the right-of-way, making unsafe lane changes, passing illegally, following too closely or tailgating, and driving recklessly.
Drowsy Driving
A drowsy, tired or fatigued driver may be unable to properly control a motor vehicle and prevent accidents. Unfortunately, many drivers in New York drive tired due to long work hours, overnight shifts, medical conditions such as sleep apnea, medications and pressure from their employers. Drowsy drivers can follow too closely, drive erratically, miss traffic signs and signals, and fall asleep behind the wheel.
How Can a New York Car Accident Lawyer Help You?
Negligent and reckless drivers are behind most New York car accidents. However, there are also other causes, such as vehicle defects, part breakdowns and unsafe roads. A local car accident lawyer in Forest Hills will have the tools to carefully investigate your crash, determine causation, gather evidence and seek fair financial compensation from the correct parties on your behalf. Meanwhile, you can focus your attention on healing.
Contact Abaev Law Firm, PLLC for a free initial consultation if you have recently been injured in an automobile accident in New York to find out how our law firm can help you.