Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers | October 17, 2024 | Car Accidents
The Bronx is technically the second smallest and second least populated borough. However, that is a touch misleading. It is still home to roughly 1.5 million residents and has one of the highest population densities in the country.
In the average city, this would be untenable. Thankfully, NYC has one of the best public transportation systems in the country (arguably the best), and many city dwellers don’t own cars. Still, even with low car ownership, the Bronx is home to thousands of accidents every year.
If you regularly drive or walk around the Bronx, you need to be careful. What is the most common cause of collisions in this borough? The answer to that question could help keep you safe.
New York Accident Statistics
New York maintains extensive accident statistics. Traffic data is published by the NYPD and broken up by borough to make it easier for the average person to explore it. Unfortunately, accidents rarely have a single definitive cause. Often, there are contributing factors.
Collisions can be due to a combination of factors.
However, most collisions are caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Fatigued driving
- Aggressive driving, including speeding
- Road rage
- Failure to adapt to conditions (including darkness)
- Intentional violation of road rules
The most common cause of a collision is usually some form of negligence. However, whether that negligence was distracted driving or aggressive driving, for example, can often be unclear. In many accidents, both drivers contribute in some way. The easiest way to describe the most common cause of collisions is to just say “human error.”
Driving Under the Influence
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving is one of the most common causes of preventable car accident deaths. Over 13,000 people die in drunk driving accidents every year. That number is higher than the total number of accidents each year in the Bronx, according to the NYPD traffic data.
The best way to avoid a DUI accident is to never drink before driving. If you have been drinking, wait several hours (preferably at least six) before driving, or get someone else to drive you. Even if you are careful, you also need to avoid drunk drivers. They are most common at night, on weekends, and in areas near bars.
Fatigued Driving
Driving while drowsy can potentially be as dangerous as driving while drunk. High levels of fatigue slow down reaction time roughly as much as being legally intoxicated.
The drivers most likely to get significantly fatigued are those who spend eight or more hours in their vehicles. This means that many taxi accidents and truck accidents are caused by drowsy driving.
Distracted Driving
Unfortunately, distracted driving has become more problematic in recent years as electronics get smaller and more useful. Almost everyone has a computer attached to the internet in their pocket these days.
Many distracted driving car accidents are caused by a driver looking at their phone or tablet when they should be paying attention to the road. However, electronics aren’t the only thing that can distract drivers. Drivers may also be distracted by passengers, food, or something outside their window.
Failure To Adapt To Road Conditions
Most people think they are better drivers than they are. Ask the average person if they are a good driver, and they will probably say they are. This, unfortunately, means that many drivers are overconfident.
It is usually fine to be overconfident when you are driving on a straight, well-maintained road on a clear day. But if the day is rainy or dark, that overconfidence can easily result in an accident.
The problem is that the laws aren’t specific when it comes to respecting road and weather conditions. You need to use your lights after sundown, but when exactly is sundown? Unless you have an app on your phone that tells you, most people don’t know exactly when they should turn their lights on.
Similarly, the laws aren’t clear about how much you should slow down in rain, fog, or windy conditions. Is five miles per hour below the speed limit enough? Or maybe you should drop your speed to 15 miles per hour below the speed limit.
When drivers don’t correct enough for conditions, it causes accidents. To avoid these types of accidents, you should be alert to drivers who are overdriving in the conditions and try to avoid them. Pull over and wait for them to pass if necessary.
Intentional Violation of Road Rules
The rules of the road serve a purpose. They are designed to keep drivers, passengers, and anyone else who uses the roads safe. When these rules are violated, people are likely to get injured or die.
The most common violation of road rules is probably speeding. Honestly, almost everyone speeds a little, especially on roads with uncomfortably slow speed limits. But there is a difference between driving five miles per hour over the speed limit and doubling it.
If you see anyone tearing down a road, you should get out of their path. That is an accident waiting to happen. The same is true for anyone who runs red lights or blows through stop signs. Intersections are some of the most common places for accidents, and ignoring traffic signs and signals causes serious accidents.
The good news is that when someone causes an accident by intentionally violating road rules, they will probably face criminal charges and likely be found responsible for the accident. The bad news, though, is that those accidents are likely to cause serious injuries.
The Most Common Cause of Collisions Is Irresponsible Driving
Whether someone is distracted by trying to change their music or has a few too many drinks before driving, irresponsible behavior causes most accidents. Even if you drive responsibly in the Bronx, you need to watch for others who don’t. Pay attention to your surroundings and do your best to avoid other drivers who put you and your passengers in harm’s way.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in the Bronx
If you’ve been injured in an accident in the Bronx, and need legal help, contact our Bronx car accident lawyers at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We also serve in Brooklyn and Manhattan, NY.
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Bronx Office
1578 Williamsbridge Rd suite 3b
Bronx, NY 10461
(212) 514-5007
(917) 905-2339
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
100 Wall St 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
32 Court St #704
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 514-5007
(917) 920-7332