Fatal Car Accidents in NYC
According to the NYC Vision Zero project, more than 250 fatalities are due to motor vehicle accidents each year. The New York City Police Department reports that the majority of fatal crashes occur in Queens (nearly 45%), with the Bronx (23%) and Brooklyn (22%) also having a lot of deadly crashes. The other boroughs of New York City have single-digit percentages.
The majority of those accidents happen between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. (32%). Nearly 15% occur between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and 14% of crashes happen between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. That means that approximately 61% of all car accidents in New York City happen during nighttime hours. Only 39% occur during the day.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
Human error due to driver negligence causes most car accidents.
Negligence is a legal concept indicating that the driver had a legal duty and failed to uphold it. In a personal injury lawsuit, the claim is that the driver’s negligence caused the victim’s death and other financial losses.
Some negligent actions that cause fatal accidents in NYC include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield right of way
- Unsafe passing
- Unsafe lane changing
- Backing up unsafely
- Driver inexperience
- Disregard of traffic signs and signals
- Vehicle malfunction and defects
Who Is Liable for Fatal Car Accidents?
In most cases, the at-fault driver and their insurance company are liable for the damages in a fatal car crash. However, there are situations where others may also be to blame.
When more than one party may be responsible, it’s important to name them all. If you fail to name a responsible party, you may forfeit your eligibility for the maximum amount of compensation possible.
In some situations, the following people and companies may be held liable after a fatal crash:
- The employer of the at-fault driver
- The owner of the vehicle
- A mechanic
- A parts manufacturer
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NYC Fatal Car Accident FAQs