In 2019, the latest year for available statistics, there were 447,021 traffic crashes in New York State. As a result, 121,068 persons suffered injuries and 881 died, according to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management & Research (ITSMR). Some 325,072 of the crashes resulted in property damage of some sort, usually between vehicles.
Auto accidents often result in minor to severe injuries, hospitalization, medical costs, missed time at work, and significant financial burden on the victims and their loved ones. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the annual economic cost due to motor vehicle crashes in New York is an estimated $15.246 billion.
Parking lots and garages are dangerous places. Tens of thousands or accidents occur every year, with countless others going unreported. Many drivers think parking lots are safer than the road and do things while operating a vehicle in them that they would not normally do on the road.
According to statistics from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Accident Information System, there were 10,666 total impaired-driving crashes statewide in 2019. Being involved in a traffic crash caused by a drunk or impaired driver can result in severe, life-changing injuries and losses. If you were hit by a drunk driver, you can seek to hold the responsible party accountable and pursue fair compensation for any injuries and damage.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an auto crash and you believe or suspect that the other driver was driving while distracted, their negligence may pave the way for you to pursue compensation. Vehicle operators always owe others on the road a duty of care when driving. When they don't, they can be held liable for the damage they cause.
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident? After you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it is advisable to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.