New York City Car Accident Statistics
People are severely injured and killed in car accidents every day. New York City traffic-related fatalities increased by 44% in the first quarter of 2022, and it’s proving to be the deadliest year since 2014.
Many of these accidents are entirely preventable. At Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., our personal injury lawyers believe that understanding New York City car accident statistics is an essential step to keeping people safe on the roads.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident and need help, contact us online or call our personal injury law firm today at (212) 514-5007. Our New York City car accident lawyers offer a free case review so that you can learn more about your legal rights after a collision.
Table of Contents
How Common Are Car Accidents in New York City?
The New York City Police Department releases monthly traffic collision data demonstrating how many crashes occurred in the city, how many people were injured or killed, and other details.
We evaluated NYPD crash data archives for 2020, 2021, and 2022 to determine the total number of annual car accidents over the last couple of years.
The number of motor vehicle collisions reported citywide is as follows:
- 2020: 110,858
- 2021: 108,211
- 2022 (as of August 2022): 67,467
Most collisions typically occur in Brooklyn and Queens.
How Many People Are Injured in New York City Car Accidents Each Year?
NYPD data indicates the number of motorists, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians who are injured in collisions annually.
Here are the number of people who suffered injuries citywide between 2020 and 2022:
- 2020: 43,593
- 2021: 50,600
- 2022 (as of August 2022): 31,735
There was a 16% increase in the number of people who sustained injuries in NYC car accidents between 2020 and 2021, even though the total number of collisions decreased.
NYC Car Accidents Resulting in Fatalities
Hundreds of people lose their lives in NYC car crashes yearly. Here is a breakdown:
- 2020: 239
- 2021: 254
- 2022 (as of August 2022): 171
Similar to the injury rate, the fatality rate increased by over 6% between 2020 and 2021 – even though the total number of crashes decreased.
NYC Accidents Involving Pedestrians
Thousands of people are injured or killed annually in New York City pedestrian accidents.
The number of people who were injured in citywide pedestrian accidents is as follows:
- 2020: 6,409
- 2021: 7,172
- 2022 (as of August 2022): 5,234
The number of pedestrians who were killed in accidents in NYC is as follows:
- 2020: 94
- 2021: 108
- 2022 (as of August 2022): 69
NYC Accidents Involving Bicyclists
The number of bicyclists who have been injured in NYC in the last few years is as follows:
- 2020: 5,224
- 2021: 4,916
- 2022 (as of August 2022): 3,084
Here are the number of cyclists who lost their lives in bicycle accidents citywide:
- 2020: 27
- 2021: 15
- 2022 (as of August 2022): 17
The number of bicyclist fatalities decreased between 2020 and 2021. However, 2022 has already seen more deaths as of August than in 2021.
NYC Accidents Involving Motorcycles
The NYPD data groups motorcyclists with other motorists, so they are included in the statistics for injured motorists. However, the data provides information regarding the vehicles involved in each accident.
The number of motorcycles involved in NYC collisions over the last few years is as follows:
- 2020: 2,159 (1.95% of all NYC collisions)
- 2021: 2,784 (2.57% of all NYC collisions)
- 2022 (as of August 2022): 1,856 (2.75% of all NYC collisions)
The rate of collisions involving motorcycles has slowly increased between 2020 and 2022.
What Are the Leading Causes of NYC Car Accidents?
NYPD data provides a monthly statistical analysis of the most common causes of New York City collisions. Sadly, most of these accidents occurred due to driver negligence, including distracted driving and following too closely.
Some of the most common causes of NYC car crashes include:
- Driver distraction or inattention
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Improper passing or lane usage
- Passing too closely
- Speeding
- Disregarding traffic controls, like stop signs and red lights
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
As you can see, the most common cause of car accidents is negligence. Drivers owe others sharing the road a duty to drive safely and follow traffic laws. When they breach that duty and cause an accident, they can be held liable for resulting damages.
However, it’s important to note that New York has no-fault insurance laws – meaning you must first turn to your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurer, regardless of who was at fault for the collision. Because of this law, you may only file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if you sustained a “serious injury.”
Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in New York City
Crashes can occur anywhere, but some areas tend to experience more car accidents than others.
Some of the most dangerous NYC roads and intersections include:
- Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island
- 8th Avenue
- Ludlow Street and Rivington Street
- Merrick Road
- Atlantic Avenue
- Rivington Street and Clinton Street
- Hylan Boulevard
- Flatbush Avenue and Tillary Street
- 3rd Avenue & East 14th Street
- 2nd Avenue and East 59th Street
- East 138th Street and Alexander Avenue
- Jay Street & Tillary Street
- Roebling Street & South 4th Street
- Middle Country Road
- 58th Street & Roosevelt Avenue
It may not prevent an accident, but knowing the more dangerous roads can help you stay diligent when driving in those areas.
Why Is it Important To Hire a Lawyer If You Were Hurt in an NYC Car Accident?
Many accident victims consider handling their insurance claims alone. However, having an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side greatly increases your odds of recovering fair compensation.
Our lawyers will:
- Investigate to find out what happened
- Gather and analyze all police and accident reports
- Examine your medical records and work with experts to make sure your claim is valued properly
- Handle all of the negotiations with the insurance company to get a fair settlement
Our New York City car accident attorneys are here to fight for every dollar you deserve. Reach out for help today if you were hurt in an accident.
Contact Our Experienced New York City Car Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation Today
At Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., our New York City personal injury lawyers are dedicated to advocating on your behalf. For over four decades, we have worked to protect the rights of injured motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians across NYC, including Long Island and Staten Island.
We know that the NYC car accident statistics can be daunting. But you don’t have to become a New York City car accident statistic yourself. To learn more about how we can help, give us a call to schedule a free case review today.
Other Car Accident Cases We Cover
- Defective airbags
- Red and yellow light accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Self-driving car accidents
