June 7, 2023
The Latest NYC Traffic Injury Statistics
By Jonathan Damashek
Posted in
Driving might feel mundane, but that does not mean it’s a simple feat. Accidents are a frequent occurrence both nationwide and in New York City. According to NYC Open Data, more than 34,000 people were injured in vehicle-involved incidents in 2022. The Department of Transportation reported a decline in traffic fatalities from 2021, dropping about six percent.
And according to the most recent data, there were nearly 8,000 motor vehicle collisions in NYC in March 2023 alone. More than 15,000 motorists were involved in these accidents.
NYC Traffic Injury Statistics by Borough
The New York Police Department (NYPD) publishes a report of all reported traffic collisions each month. March saw four motorists, two passengers, three cyclists, and ten pedestrians killed in March. Nearly 600 collisions involved large commercial vehicles, and 6,330 involved passenger vehicles.
Here’s a breakdown by borough:
Manhattan
While one of its many charms, Manhattan’s dense population and bustling tourism can also lead to an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents. In March 2023, Manhattan reported 1,287 traffic collisions. There were a total of 2,706 people involved in these accidents—roughly two people per crash.
However, out of the 2,706 individuals involved in a crash in March, only 552 (20%) sustained injuries from their accident. Less than 1% were killed.
Bronx
There were 1,308 motor vehicle crashes in the Bronx in March 2023. Over 500 of these accidents resulted in injury, and 696 people were injured total. There were also four fatalities: three pedestrians and one cyclist. Out of the five boroughs, the Bronx also had the highest number of crashes involving an ambulance, with 29 total.
Brooklyn
2,647 Brooklyn motor vehicle accidents occurred across the month of March. This number is the highest out of all the boroughs that month, making Brooklyn the number one location in NYC for recent traffic injuries. There were 1,068 crashes that resulted in injury or death. Brooklyn had the highest number of fatalities, with 7 people killed in a traffic collision in March.
Queens
Recent data reveals that there were 2,217 traffic crashes in Queens in March. Out of these, 894 accidents resulted in death or injury. 1,260 people sustained injuries, meaning around 14 people were injured for every 10 motor vehicle accidents.
Staten Island
406 Staten Island motor vehicle accidents occurred in March. Out of these crashes, 160 resulted in injury or death, but 228 people were injured total and one was killed.
While the numbers are drastically lower than other boroughs, the rates are similar to more populated areas, such as Queens. There were over 14 people injured per every 10 crashes on Staten Island in March 2023.
Causes of Recent NYC Traffic Injuries
Many different elements contribute to a motor vehicle crash in New York City. Some of the leading factors from the March 2023 data include:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving was the number one cause of NYC traffic injuries and fatalities in March, with 2,290 collisions occurring because of driver inattention. This means that distracted driving was a factor in 74% of traffic accidents in March, whether as the leading cause or a smaller role.
Inattentive driving is an epidemic on our streets nationwide; approximately 3,000 people in the U.S. are killed each year in an accident caused by distracted driving.
Failure to Yield
Failure to yield is a driver error that commonly occurs at intersections, parking lots, and crosswalks. A driver must be vigilant and obey traffic laws when it comes to giving other vehicles the right-of-way. Otherwise, a dangerous crash can happen.
Citywide, 603 motor vehicle accidents were caused by failure to yield throughout March. This makes it the second-leading cause of traffic injuries and fatalities that month.
Following Too Closely
Following too closely is another common traffic violation. It often plays a role in rear-end accidents. When a vehicle does not keep a safe following distance from other vehicles, the driver may be unable to brake in time if the car in front of them suddenly stops. Rear-end crashes can cause injuries like whiplash, concussions, and more.
According to the NYPD’s March 2023 statistics, following too closely resulted in 588 traffic injuries.
Improper Lane Usage and Passing
Changing lanes can be challenging, especially in heavy traffic. However, drivers should ensure they follow all precautions before they enter another lane, including checking mirrors.
In New York City, “improper lane usage and passing” resulted in 426 traffic injuries during the month of March. “Unsafe lane changes” caused an additional 162 injuries, and “passing too closely” contributed to 297 people being injured in an accident. Combined, these errors caused 885 NYC traffic injuries in March.
Unsafe Speed
Speeding is a common concern on U.S. roads. Unfortunately, NYC is no exception. Unsafe speeds were one of the top causes of citywide traffic injuries in March 2023, with 349 people injured or killed citywide in related accidents. Unsafe speeds contributed to about 11% of all NYC traffic injury accidents.
Compensation for Your NYC Traffic Injuries
Under New York personal injury law, you are entitled to compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. You can pursue damages for your out-of-pocket expenses, like your medical bills, lost wages, or property damage. You can also seek non-economic damages, conceptual losses that don’t have an exact number attributed to them.
The value of your case depends on your damages and the extent they have impacted your life. However, an NYC car accident attorney can work with you to evaluate your case and determine how much compensation you are owed.
An experienced lawyer will fight to get you the amount you deserve, refusing to settle for less than you need to recover fully.
HKD Helps NYC Traffic Injury Victims
If you’ve been involved in a recent traffic accident in New York City, it is imperative that you take legal action right away to secure compensation and recover. An experienced NYC car accident attorney can advocate on your behalf, resolve insurance issues, and fight for the maximum compensation so you can heal from your injuries. At Hecht, Kleeger, & Damashek, P.C., our dedicated lawyers have recovered over $500 million for personal injury victims, and can help you move on from your motor vehicle accident too.
Call HKD at (212) 490-5700 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free case review with our NYC legal team.