Most Dangerous Roads in New York City

Negligent and reckless drivers pose a threat to everyone on the road, leading to serious or even deadly accidents. In May 2020, the New York Police Department (NYPD) reported 5,935 car accidents throughout the city during a single month. These accidents caused serious injuries to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists, demonstrating the risk that New Yorkers face every day on the road.

Although an accident can occur anywhere, certain locations tend to be more dangerous, based on the street configuration, as well as the speed and flow of traffic. According to NYPD reports, the highest number of car accidents in the month of May occurred in Brooklyn, with a total of 1,920 collisions. However, serious car crashes are a threat in every New York borough, and many of these accidents occur on the same dangerous roads

The New York City car accident lawyers at Finz & Finz P.C. is dedicated to helping New York City residents stay safe and avoid a serious collision whenever possible. That is why we are providing you with information about the most dangerous roads in New York City and some of the common risk factors that lead to an accident.

Which NYC Roads Are the Most Dangerous?

Car accidents occur frequently throughout New York City. However, certain roads have a greater number of serious and fatal accidents than any other streets in New York. Recognizing this trend, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign decided to research which roads in the tri-state area presented the greatest risks and why. This campaign studied years of accident report data and found that pedestrians and cyclists are at the greatest risk of life-threatening collisions with a car.

By studying the number of pedestrian fatalities, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign determined that the 10 most dangerous roads in New York City are:

1. Upper Broadway in Manhattan: 13 deaths
2. Broadway in the Bronx: 7 deaths
3. Kings Highway in Brooklyn: 7 deaths
4. Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan: 7 deaths
5. Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn: 7 deaths
6. Jamaica Avenue in Queens: 6 deaths
7. Grand Concourse in the Bronx: 6 deaths
8. Brighton Beach Avenue in Brooklyn: 6 deaths
9. Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan: 6 deaths
10. Union Turnpike in Queens: 6 deaths

This data reveals that a shocking number of pedestrian fatalities occur throughout the New York City boroughs. Drivers often do not take pedestrian and bicyclist safety seriously, taking risks that could quickly lead to a life-altering accident. In many cases, roads with a greater number of pedestrian and bicycle traffic present an increased risk of an accident. However, the amount of foot traffic is not the only factor that makes these 10 roads the most dangerous in New York City.

Understanding Why These Roads Are So Dangerous

Serious car accidents are most frequently the result of negligent or reckless driving behaviors. Unsafe driving practices pose a threat to every vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist on the road, leading to countless avoidable collisions. Every driver has a responsibility to follow the law and protect others whenever possible. However, when a driver is in a rush, distracted, or even just frustrated by the traffic, they are more likely to make a mistake or take reckless actions behind the wheel.

According to collision reports from the NYPD, some of the most common causes of serious car accidents in New York City include:

• Driving while distracted
• Talking or texting while driving
• Road rage
• Intoxicated driving
• Falling asleep behind the wheel
• Failing to yield right of way
• Passing too closely to other vehicles or pedestrians
• Improper lane changes
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Speeding

Drivers who make the choice to take to engage in these unsafe actions are a danger to everyone around them. Negligent drivers can change your entire life in an instant when they fail to protect you and your loved ones on the road. These drivers must face consequences when their poor choices lead to a devastating accident.

Unsafe Road Conditions in New York City

The reckless actions of individual drivers cannot fully account for the high number of accidents on specific New York roads. To understand why some New York roads are more dangerous than others, we must also consider the road conditions that are most likely to cause an accident.

Unfortunately, even if drivers make every effort to be safe and take precautions, they may not be able to avoid an accident due to the dangers of the road itself. Poor infrastructure maintenance and insufficient pedestrian and cyclist protection may lead to an accident that even the most careful driver may not be able to avoid.

Some of the most common problems that lead to accidents on New York City’s most dangerous roads include:

• Potholes and cracked or crumbling streets
• Inadequate road lighting
• Failure to create or maintain sidewalks
• High-speed limits in densely populated areas
• Failure to create crosswalks at intersections
• Poor maintenance of traffic lights and crosswalk signals
• Lack of protected bike lanes

It is the city’s job to maintain the roads and sidewalks, to help keep everyone safe on the New York City streets. When the city fails to perform this essential task, it places you and your loved ones at risk of a dangerous accident.

Contact a New York Car Accident Attorney Today

Unfortunately, you may not be able to avoid New York City’s most dangerous roads, and you can never fully protect yourself against another driver’s reckless behavior. However, you should not have to pay for the harm this person caused. If a car accident seriously injured you or your loved ones, you have the right to take action, and you may be entitled to substantial compensation.

The New York car accident attorneys at Finz & Finz P.C. have spent 40 years fighting for our clients after a serious injury, and we are prepared to help you during this difficult time. Set up a free consultation with one of the skilled attorneys at Finz & Finz P.C. today by calling 855-TOP-FIRM or by filling out our online contact form.