Road Infrastructure And Its Effects On Traffic Accidents
Poorly maintained roads contribute to a large number of auto crashes in New York every year. Roadway and infrastructure experts are worried about the deteriorating condition of New York roads and highways and the potential for even more serious and deadly accidents caused by poor infrastructure. There is an urgent need to upgrade the road infrastructure in order to keep motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a New York traffic accident because of poor road conditions, you may be eligible to seek financial damages from the at-fault parties. Make sure that you don’t delay in reaching out to a defective road accident attorney in New York to obtain your rightful financial compensation.
Statistics Related to Poor Road Infrastructure Traffic Accidents in New York
The Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation carried out an 18-month study, which examined combined information from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and other government agencies. The study concluded that over 42,000 injuries and deaths happen each year because of road problems, such as iced-over stretches and potholes.
Another report called the New York Transportation by the Numbers: Meeting the State’s Need for Safe, Smooth and Efficient Mobility found that:
- Over 50% of state-maintained and local roads are in poor or mediocre condition
- About 10% of state-maintained and local bridges are rated structurally deficient or poor
- As many as 5,019 people were killed on state roads between 2015 and 2019
The problem only gets exacerbated by congested urban roads. The TRIP report includes congestion data, bridge conditions, pavement conditions, and safety data for both statewide and regional roads in:
- New York-Newark-Jersey City
- Albany-Schenectady-Troy
- Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown
- Rochester
- Syracuse
- Binghamton
- Buffalo-Niagara Falls
- Utica
Nearly $28 billion dollars ($3,200 per driver) is lost annually by New York State motorists owing to roads that are congested, deteriorated, and lack desirable safety features.
More than 8,660 motor vehicle collisions occurred in New York City in March 2022 as per data compiled by the NYPD. These crashes were largely owing to poor road conditions and resulted in:
- 294 injured cyclists
- 732 injured pedestrians
- 1,289 injured passengers
- 1,782 injured motorists
Recognized Dangerous Roadways in New York
These are some of the most dangerous roadways in NY:
- Hempstead Turnpike/Route 24: This area is particularly dangerous owing to a combination of a high number of speeders and poor road conditions
- Jericho Turnpike/Middle Country Road/SR 25: This is one of the deadliest multilane roadways in the tri-state area, especially between the towns of Ridge and Centereach because of bad road conditions.
- Sunrise Highway/SR 27/CR 39/Montauk Highway: The state road cuts across Long Island and is highly dangerous for both pedestrians and motorists because of a lack of streetlights, lack of sidewalks, and poor road conditions.
Types of Poor Road Conditions in NYC
These are a few common bad driving road conditions that exist throughout New York:
- Potholes: Severe accidents occur when large chunks of asphalt are missing
- Ice patches: Ice patches generally form in isolated areas of the road and can occur even without snow or rain.
- Oil and chip: These are temporary fixes used before a road is resurfaced. They can become slippery if left for a long period of time.
- Slick roads: Roads may become slippery causing hydroplaning.
- Other causes: Faulty road signs, construction hazards on the road, blind curves, lack of dividers or barriers, poor shoulder design, road surface damage, and poor road markings.
Poorly maintained roadways are an enormous hazard for drivers and can cause accidents in a wide variety of ways.
Liability and Statute of Limitations in Defective Road Accidents in New York
For a hazardous road accident and injury in New York, you may have a personal injury claim against the city or the state, depending on whether the accident occurred on a local street or the state highway. A knowledgeable defective road lawyer in NYC can help you file a Notice of Claim with the Comptroller’s Office in New York City or the State while adhering to the specified guidelines.
This Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days from the date of your traffic accident and injury. Thereafter, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within one year against the State or City. The clock will start ticking from the moment you suffered an injury in this type of case. As soon as you have received the emergency medical treatment and are on your way to recovery, your first step should be to get a skilled NYC damaged road accident attorney on your side.
You are in the Hands of a Fighter: Get Legal Representation from a Formidable Personal Injury Lawyer
You deserve answers if you have been injured in a collision or accident resulting from poorly maintained roads. The car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff have the resources, knowledge, and experience to hold negligent parties responsible.
The legal team will identify all possible causes for your accident and determine the best course of action to take that maximizes your compensation and delivers the justice you seek. To schedule your free consultation, call us at 212-962-1020 or fill out this online contact form.