Craig Rosenbaum | January 3, 2023 | Car Accidents
Music may be your favorite driving buddy, whether you’re taking a cross-country road trip or just hitting your daily commute. It makes traffic seem more bearable, makes the time go faster, and gives you the little bit of jam you need in your day. And what’s more fun than cranking the tunes up and rocking out to your favorite song?
Unfortunately, driving with loud music around New York can come with some serious risks. Read on to discover some of the dangers associated with this habit and why it’s best to keep the volume down.
You Can’t Hear What’s Happening Around You
One of the biggest dangers of driving with loud music is that it makes it harder to hear what’s happening around you.
This may sound obvious, but a lot of your cues about emergency situations are sounds. For instance, another driver may honk their horn to warn you that you’re about to veer into the side of them.
You also won’t be able to hear sirens when emergency vehicles are approaching you. There have been cases of drivers actually running into emergency vehicles because they couldn’t hear the sirens over their music. Not only does this risk causing injuries to the drivers involved in the crash, but it keeps the emergency vehicles from getting where they need to go.
You’re Distracted
Not being able to hear what’s happening around you is bad enough, but listening to loud songs while you drive can cause more serious problems.
Have you ever been so caught up in a song that you forget where you are for a moment? Music distracts us, and loud music tends to be more distracting than quieter volumes.
When you drive distracted, your reaction times are slower, making it harder for you to avoid a crash. People often listen to loud music during commutes when they may be driving faster or in more traffic.
That split second that it takes for you to turn your attention from the beat to the road could cause a devastating crash.
You May Drive More Recklessly
On the subject of driving fast, you may be interested to learn that listening to loud music can actually make you drive faster. Remember how much faster you can run when you listen to “Eye of the Tiger?” That same energy that helps you beat your pace record can also make you more likely to speed.
This phenomenon is especially prevalent in teenagers, who already tend to be more dangerous drivers than adults. When listening to loud music, teens are more likely to drive fast, weave in and out of lanes, and engage in other risky behaviors.
That being said, studies have shown that adults tend to develop a lead foot, too, when driving with loud music.
You Could Get in Trouble with the Law
If you still need another reason to turn the music down, what would you say if we told you that your music could get you a ticket?
It is true that there’s currently no New York law directly prohibiting cars with loud music. But if a police officer does catch you blasting music, they can give you a ticket for disturbing the peace.
And, of course, you could find yourself in more serious trouble if you’re involved in a car accident. If you hurt someone in a crash, you could be held liable for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If they discover that you were listening to loud music at the time of the crash, they may claim you were negligent.
Get Help After a Car Crash
Listening to loud music may seem harmless, but it can cause serious damage. Not only could you miss signals like horns and sirens, but you could also cause an accident. You might be fined for your music, or you might find yourself on the hook for more serious damages.
If you were involved in a car crash with a driver who was playing loud music, you may be entitled to compensation. Our personal injury lawyers can help you take on the insurance companies and get you the money you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with us today to discuss the details of your case.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in New York City
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York City car accident lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.
Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.
100 Wall St 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007