Intersection accidents are extremely common in New York. Data shows that nearly 1/3rd of all motor vehicle accidents in the urban areas of the state take place at intersections. A vast majority of these accidents are caused by the negligence of motorists who fail to obey the rules of the road.
An intersection, due to the very nature of its design, is dangerous for pedestrians, bicyclists, as well as motorists. At a place where two or more roads intersect with each other, all it takes is the slightest bit of negligence or miscalculation on a driver’s part to cause an accident.
Common Types of Intersection Accidents in New York
The most common types of accidents that take place at intersections include:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear end collisions
- T-bone or broadside collisions
- Motor vehicle – bicycle collisions
- Motor vehicle – motorcycle collisions
- Motor vehicle – pedestrian collisions
Common Causes of Intersection Accidents in New York
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Inattentive driving
- Not checking the vehicle’s blind spots before making a turn
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Misjudging the speed of other vehicles
- Disregarding traffic signals
- Not yielding the right of way to other vehicles
- Not yielding the right of way to cyclists and pedestrians
It should be noted that the rules of the road are not meant for motorists alone. Pedestrians and cyclists too have a duty to follow these rules for their own safety. The inattention or distraction of a pedestrian or a cyclist – particularly while crossing an intersection – is just as dangerous as that of a motorist.
The Importance of Right-of-Way Rules
Failure to yield the right of way, in particular, is a common cause of intersection accidents in New York. While traffic signals and pavement markings can make it easier for people to navigate busy intersections, they cannot eliminate traffic conflicts altogether. So, it is essential for motorists to be aware of right-of-way rules, so that they know who has the right to go first at intersections under different situations. By learning these right-of-way rules, motorists can avoid traffic conflicts at intersections to a great extent.
Intersection Accidents in New York – What the Data Shows
- A vast majority of accidents that take place at signalized intersections can be attributed to driver inattention, unsafe driving practices, and illegal maneuvers.
- Most left-turn intersection accidents can be attributed to the inability of drivers to judge the speed and distance of other vehicles and their failure to check blind spots before making a turn.
- Most right-turn intersection accidents can be attributed to the propensity of drivers to falsely assume other driver’s actions.
- The most common causes of intersection accidents involving male drivers are speeding, illegal driving maneuvers, and false assumption of other driver’s actions.
- The most common causes of intersection accidents involving female drivers are inattention, distracted driving, and false assumption of other driver’s actions.
- The most common causes of intersection accidents involving older drivers are inadequate surveillance and failure to judge the speed and distance of other vehicles.
Injuries Caused by Intersection Accidents in New York
The injuries resulting from intersection accidents – especially collisions involving two moving vehicles – can be quite catastrophic. The force of impact in such accidents is extremely high, which increases the likelihood of serious injuries considerably.
Moreover, most intersection accidents happen to be sideswiping accidents, in which the front of a vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle. The side of a motor vehicle is not designed to absorb any sort of impact. More importantly, it does not have any built-in safety features that can protect the occupants in the event of a collision.
This is why in most T-bone collisions, the occupants of the vehicle which gets hit on the side tends to suffer severe injuries like spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries, which can leave the victims paraplegic or quadriplegic.
Intersection accidents involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian or a cyclist can be devastating as well. The pedestrian or the cyclist in such accidents is at risk of sustaining severe or even mortal injuries, as they are not protected in any way. Even if they manage to survive the accident, the injuries they sustain could leave them bedridden for months on end.
The Most Dangerous Intersections in New York
New York is home to thousands of signalized intersections, many of which have a high accident rate. The five intersections listed below, however, are considered the most dangerous by most residents.
- East 170th Street and Grand Concourse (The Bronx)
- West 40th Street and 8th Avenue (Manhattan)
- Utica Avenue and Eastern Parkway (Brooklyn)
- 27th Street and Queens Plaza (Queens)
- Hylan Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue (Staten Island)
How Much Compensation Can You Seek Through an Intersection Accident Claim?
If you have suffered injuries in an intersection accident as a result of another motorist’s negligence, you can file a claim or lawsuit against them and seek compensation for your injuries.
Under New York law, you have the right to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses (surgery, rehabilitation, therapy, medications, and mobility aids)
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity or reduced earning capacity due to an injury or a disability
- The cost of replacement services (childcare and household chores)
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
If a person sustains mortal injuries in an intersection accident, their spouse or any of their family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party and seek an appropriate amount of compensation.
The Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer in an Intersection Accident Case
If you are a victim of an intersection accident, it’s vital for you to be represented by an experienced personal injury lawyer who can file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party and recover an adequate amount of damages through settlement or litigation.
The duties of a personal injury lawyer include:
- Investigating the accident – and recreating the scene of the accident with the help of experts if needed – to find out what caused the accident and who can be held liable for the damages.
- Collecting the evidence required to establish the liability of the at-fault party – including police reports, CCTV footage, witness statements, videos and photos of the accident scene, alcohol and drug test results, vehicle black-box records, and vehicle maintenance records.
- Collecting the evidence required to prove that you suffered financially (lost wages or lost business income) as a result of the accident and to prove that the injuries you sustained affect your earning capacity.
Once they have all the evidence needed to build a strong case against the at-fault party, your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company to find out if they are willing to pay you an adequate compensation. If they are unwilling to settle the case, your lawyer will formally file a lawsuit against the at-fault party and recover damages through litigation.
Remember – insurance companies will use every trick in the book and then some to weasel out of paying you the compensation that you deserve. So, you should choose a lawyer who has the experience, negotiation skills, and resources needed to recover an adequate amount of compensation from them – either through settlement or through litigation.
Experienced Intersection Accident Lawyers in New York
If you are an intersection accident victim who is need of high-quality, aggressive legal representation, the personal injury lawyers of Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff can help you.
We have represented scores of intersection accident victims over the years and have recovered substantial damages from the at-fault parties through settlement and litigation.
The injuries you sustain in an intersection accident might require lifelong treatment. In some cases, you might develop a disability that might severely affect your ability to work and earn a living. This is why it’s essential to recover an appropriate amount of compensation from the at-fault party, as it can help you keep up with the medical expenses and make sure that your family does not suffer financially as a result of your injuries.
The experienced New York intersection accident lawyers at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, and Wolff have a 95% success rate and have recovered more than one billion in compensation for our clients. We can fight tooth and nail for you and make sure you are adequately compensated for the economic and non-economic damages that you suffered as a result of the accident.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our intersection accident lawyers, call us today at 212-344-1000.
