Things are getting much more dangerous for pedestrians across the entire country, and New York City is no different. In fact, four of the five boroughs in the city are now among the most dangerous places in the country for pedestrians. The underlying factors causing the spike in fatalities show no sign of slowing.
The reasons why New York City is dangerous for pedestrians
New Yorkers are driving bigger cars these days. Automakers are not making as many sedans, and drivers are opting for SUVs and trucks. Unfortunately, pedestrians who are struck by these vehicles have less of a chance of surviving. In addition, New Yorkers are driving distracted more than ever. The use of mobile devices for texting and social media behind the wheel has caused more accidents. Finally, the prevalence of Uber and Lyft vehicles deadheading on New York City streets makes things more dangerous.
Staten Island leads the way
The most dangerous borough is Staten Island. Here, the streets are more suburban, and drivers are able to travel with more speed than they are in the urban boroughs. One in every 200 drivers will receive a violation for failure to yield to pedestrians. This is the highest ratio in the entire country. The Bronx is right behind Staten Island. The failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk is the leading cause of accidents in the country. It is negligence on the part of the driver, and they could be made to pay for it in a lawsuit.
If you or a loved one have been struck by a vehicle and injured, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. You should contact a pedestrian accidents attorney to review your legal options. The attorney may either file an insurance claim or a lawsuit in court on your behalf.
You can also read: Walkability scores don’t really measure pedestrian-friendliness
Call us today at 718 295-4000, or get the Free Consultation you need to receive every benefit you deserve as a personal injury accident victim.
The team of writers of Nonna Shikh is made up of a group of lawyers specialized in personal injury, traffic, construction and slip and fall cases. Each member of the team has extensive experience in their area of specialization and is committed to providing the best defense and compensation to their clients in New York City.