We have all probably noticed how there are far fewer cars and other vehicles on our roadways in the last couple of months due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports that less traffic has not necessarily translated to lowering injuries and fatalities. Reports indicate that drivers are getting increasingly reckless at a time when most New York City streets are relatively empty. And as higher speeds prove to be a significant predictor of the crash severity, the proportion of people dying per collision is increasing in a number of communities.
Higher Rates of Injury Crashes
While the overall number of car accidents has gone down as a result of lower traffic volumes on U.S. roadways, the rate of car accidents is actually up in many cities as are the injury and fatality rates for both drivers and other victims involved such as pedestrians and bicyclists, based on the news report. For example, the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety says traffic volume in the Twin Cities has dropped 47%. But between March 16 and April 7, there were 24 crashes and 28 deaths. In 2019, there were 12 crashes and 13 deaths during the same period.
Fatalities have not declined as much in New York City as well. Vehicle miles traveled on New York City’s streets have dropped by nearly 80% compared to the previous year every day since March 12. But pedestrian injuries are down only 58%, a discrepancy that can likely be explained by the fact that the rate of drivers speeding is actually higher. Also, more motorists died in the period between March 2 and April 8.
Crashes Caused by Reckless Drivers
A recent study by INRIX, a transportation analytics company, showed that average speeds are up in all city boroughs. The number of speeding tickets has also doubled when people are sheltering at home compared to the month before. Citywide, three more people have been killed in car accidents this year as of April 14 compared with the same period last year.
Negligent or careless drivers cause a majority of injury and fatal traffic accidents in New York City including those that involve pedestrians and bicyclists. Speed, in particular, can result catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ damage, multiple broken bones, etc. In addition to speed, negligence (carelessness) can manifest in other ways such as running red lights or stop signs, making unsafe turns and failing to yield the right of way to vehicles and/or pedestrians.
In such cases, the at-fault driver may face charges and penalties. In addition, he or she can be held financially liable for the injuries, damages and losses caused. Injured victims of car accidents can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages including, but not limited to, lost future income, medical expenses, funeral costs, pain and suffering and loss of love, care and companionship.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 49 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com