What Happens if You Are Injured in a Rental Car in New York?
When you a rent a car, you may be tempted to waive the supplemental insurance of the rental company to reduce your cost. That is the first instinct of many people because nobody imagines that they could be involved in a car crash with just one trip in a rental car. However, the harsh reality is that accidents can happen anytime, and they do happen even when you are driving a rental car.
Your rental car accident in New York may occur due to another driver’s negligence even if you are a careful driver yourself. It’s vital to understand who could be held liable in a rental car accident personal injury case, and how you can obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
Personal Injury Liability in an Uber or Lyft Accident in New York
Ride-hailing apps have become increasingly popular in New York in recent years. Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing companies have witnessed a rapid rise in their business and have taken away market share from traditional taxi services. But accidents involving ridesharing vehicles such as Uber or Lyft are not uncommon. Users of these services must know how they can be compensated if they suffer personal injuries in these accidents.
If you have suffered injuries in any way as a result of a ridesharing cab accident, you could be eligible to receive damages for your medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. Insurance and liability laws related to ridesharing app accidents are more complex, and you need legal guidance from a New York attorney with knowledge of these laws.
NYC Pedestrian Accidents: Frequently Asked Questions
Pedestrian accidents are a common sight on the roadways of New York City. Data from the Department of Transportation (DOT) shows that every year, at least 100 pedestrians are killed and thousands are injured in accidents involving motor vehicles and pedestrians.
In this article, we have answered the most commonly asked questions regarding pedestrian accidents in NYC.
You Are at a Higher Risk of Car Accidents in Winter Weather
Snowfall, poor visibility, extremely low temperatures, and shorter days are the common characteristics of winter in New York. These conditions can be dangerous for drivers and play their part in an increasing number of car accidents during the season.
Drivers must exercise caution while driving during winter as accidents related to snow are fairly common. According to the National Safety Council, the winter weather is responsible for roughly 300,000 accident injuries every year, along with more than 1,500 deaths.
Unfortunately, many streets and areas across New York are particularly well-known for their dangers in winter weather. While snow, ice, and hail can make conditions significantly worse for drivers and pedestrians alike, the shorter days and colder temperatures also play a significant part in the accidents that occur during this time.
If you or someone you care about has been critically injured in a winter car accident, there might be grounds for you to raise a claim with the assistance of a New York winter weather car accident lawyer.
Why Do So Many Pedestrian Deaths Occur in New York?
New York City is generally considered the most walkable city in the country. No other city in the country boasts of so many walkable urban spaces as NYC does. Data from the US Census shows that over 60% of NYC residents walk or take transit to work, rather than relying on a personal vehicle.
Unfortunately, NYC also happens to be a city where a large number of pedestrian accidents take place every year. In 2018, 114 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents, accounting for 57% of all traffic-related fatalities in the city.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that the pedestrian fatality rate in NYC is higher than that of any other city in the country. This is one of the reasons why NYC came up with Vision Zero – a policy which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities altogether.
The Vision Zero policy was implemented in NYC back in 2014. While some progress has been made, pedestrians still continue to bear the brunt of traffic accidents in most cases.
Who Is At Fault In a Pedestrian Accident In New York?
New York City is known for its pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Data from the US Census Bureau shows that nearly 10% of NYC residents walk to work every day. Unfortunately, the city’s heavy pedestrian traffic increases the risk of motor vehicle – pedestrian collisions considerably.
Every year, hundreds of pedestrians are killed, and thousands are injured in motor vehicle crashes in NYC. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that pedestrians account for 48% of all traffic-related fatalities in the city.
Determining Fault in Pedestrian Accidents in New York
What You Should Know About Teen Car Accidents And Injuries
Teenage drivers are involved in many car accidents in New York. These accidents may result from lack of experience, following other drivers too closely, failing to yield the right-of-way, failing to pay attention to the road, unsafe driving, and speeding.
Moreover, failure to properly use seatbelts causes serious injury or death for many teenage drivers. This is in spite of the law that mandates proper use of seatbelts while riding in a vehicle with a junior licensed driver.
The rate of teen car accidents is higher than that of any other age group according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drivers between 16 and 19 years of age are at fault more frequently than older drivers with more experience. Teenagers might have less regard for the risk associated with a particular driver behavior or underestimate how long it takes to complete the maneuver.
They are also more likely to drive over speed limits and be distracted by conversations or texts. There is a higher chance that teenage drivers would disregard dangerous road conditions or fail to deal with them properly. The New York State Graduated Driver Licensing Law restricts unsupervised night driving for junior permit holders and junior licensed drivers.
Why Are Intersection Accidents So Common in New York?
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.
What You Should Know About Shoulder of The Road Accidents in New York
While driving in New York, you might find yourself in a situation that calls for pulling over to the shoulder of the road. It might seem safe to do. However, it is one of the places on the road that is most fraught with danger.
For this reason, this step should only be taken in emergency situations when there are no other options. Statistics can clearly show the dangers of pulling off of the road, even in emergencies. The shoulder of the road is the place where more than 1,500 people get injured or killed annually.
Due to the dangers of this maneuver, determining liability can be complicated. It might be possible that a driver, while trying to pull over onto the shoulder, does not pull over far enough and obstructs the nearest lane.
This can dramatically increase the chance of an accident. Since oncoming cars can easily confuse vehicles on the shoulder as vehicles in a different lane, the probability of accidents can definitely increase. Often, this results in a crash.
How to Reduce Your U-Turn Accident Risk And Determine Liability?
U-turns are never so simple and safe as they appear. You would need to slow down your vehicle and turn across multiple opposing traffic lanes, which can leave you vulnerable to crashes. For this reason, U-turns remain prohibited in several places including the business districts of New York. Drivers should only attempt U-turns after being sure that they are legally permitted to do so and they are yielding to any oncoming traffic.
If a driver has caused you or a loved one an injury because of negligence during a legal or illegal U-turn, you might be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries and other damages.